So Long Summer Part Two

After yesterdays post, next up on my list of summer activities was a trip a tiny bit west

to see my friend Jess and her adorable son Brandyn in Chicago. Oh and her boyfriend Andy too.

[which by the way, tomorrow is Brandyns 2nd birthday! Happy early Birthday handsome!]

After Chicago was a random array of greatness.

I got to see the Femme Fatale tour with Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj (amazing!),

made some Fourth of July treats, spent a sunday in the Big Apple with my college roommate Kristy,

 and relaxed at my family's lake house with my close friends and life savers Matt & Kati.

Not to mention the numerous hours I logged at Citizens Bank Park supporting the Phillies.

[Oh hey Red October, So nice to see you for the fifth year in a row!]



What were your favorite activities this summer? Where did you spend the majority of your time?

2010 : III

2010 was a year full of traveling. 

From my lake house, to Long Island, to DC, to the beach, to California, 

to Chicago, to Florida, to NYC, to Puerto Rico, I loved every second of it. 

Here are a few from my adventures in Chicago.

As you will see, Brandyn was the cutest model ever.

Just a Jungle Jumper for all of the "grown ups" a one year olds birthday. 

Jess and Andy. Cutest Baby Daddy and Baby Mamma I know.

Travel

Over the past few months I've been bitten by the travel bug.

I'll go just about anywhere

and my wish list of travel destinations

continues to grow exponentially.

Here's a few pictures from my recent adventures.

July was definitely one of my most travel packed months. I am lucky enough (or not so lucking depending on how you look at it) to have my best friend live in California. {shes the pretty lady to the right} No-she never lived on the east coast, and I never lived on the west coast. We've got a pretty romantic story to the beginning of our friendship. We met as pen pals in fourth grade. We've been pretty inseperable ever since...as inseperable as you can be when there's 2,704 miles between you.

One of the perks of a bi-coastal friendship is the gorgeous California weather. Although my trip happened to be abnormally chilly for July in LA, we spent most of our time at the beach club soaking up as much sun as possible, enjoying great food and even better company while wrapping up the night with too many drinks to count (including wine to go in extra large fountain soda cups).

 Throughout the ten days with my second family came many photo opportunities. Some of which were captured, many of which were missed.

This photo has got to be one of my favorites from this years trip.

Also in July I made the five hour drive through Friday rush hour traffic complete with an amazing thunderstorm to visit one of my very best friends. It was such a treat to spend the weekend with the Jensens. Since marrying Jeff in May, Cait has moved to Long Island. We had a perfect weekend of relaxing, baking, movies, Ikea and I finallllly got to have breakfast at the infamous Toast. I cannot wait to go back to visit, although I am more excited for them to move much much closer to home.

Labor Day weekend was spent in Skaneateles, NY at my familys lake house. Early September is hit or miss in Upstate New York. This weekend happened to be freezing. Regarless of the weather the quick two night trip was perfectly relaxing filled with good books, wine, sweat pants, sudoku and of course good food and Black Bottom Cupcakes.

Mid September found me in Chicago for a whirlwind weekend of firsts.

It was the first time I've seen my friend Jess in over two years,  first time I've ever been to Chicago, first time I met her son Brandyn, first time I met her boyfriend Andy, and we celebrated Brandyn's first birthday.

Luckily this will not be the last time I do any of the things listed above (well except Brandyn wont have another first birthday).

Hopefully another two years wont go by before I get to see this adorable little boy again.

Check back over the weeks to come for more of my travel updates.

Up next on the agenda? Two weekends of birthday celebrations,

Florida in November, NYC and Puerto Rico in December.

What destinations are on your travel wish list?

Chicago

A few years ago I met one of my dearest friends.
Although we may not talk every day, or even every week, she means more to me than she knows.
Life goes on and things change.
Some of the changes in our lives over the past few years have put hundreds of miles between us and have brought the cutest little boy to us.
Meet Brandyn Jess' beautiful baby boy.

He is hands down top ten cutest kid ever.

In September I was lucky enough to travel to Chicago with my friend Christie to visit Jess and celebrate Brandyn's first birthday.

Take a look at some of the pictures from our trip and I dare you to show me a cuter kid.

Brandyn & his beautiful mama Jess.

Just whipped up some duckie cupcakes for the birthday party...

Before.

After.

Best. Sugar. Cookies. Ever.