a Tucson adventure

Last week my family and I (minus Hank, he was on a business trip in Chicago), headed down to Tucson to celebrate my cousin Ryan's graduation from University of Arizona. It was so nice to head down to their neck of the woods for once. Aunt Pat is my Mom's sister and she and her husband, my Uncle Bob, have four boys. Before we even lived in Arizona we would come out to Tucson to visit them from NJ, and I have so many great memories of when we were all so young- visiting Old Tucson, Mt. Lemmon, desert adventures, and lots of laughs. Whenever we all get together I can't help but think about how neat it would be to have four boys. Originally I wanted a girl at some point, but whenever I'm with my cousins I feel like I could be the mama to a bunch of boys just like my Aunt and be so happy.

So anyway, Ryan (the third oldest) graduated UofA so they had a party at my Aunt and Uncle's. Their home is so beautiful and it's always such a treat to enjoy a cool(er) desert night. The night was full of Mexican food, way too much cake, some badminton on their sports court, lots of longing glances at the crystal clear pool, and some trampoline jumping. It was a great night.

Sarah, Henry and I drove down together, and on the way down we of course made the hours fly by with so much girltalk as Henry snoozed away. On the way home it was no different...until I looked down at my odometer and realized that my gas light was on. And had been on.  We were on the long, desolate stretch between Tucson and Florence, about 35 miles between each point. I checked my "range" and it let me know that I had 5 lovely miles left until we ran out of gas. In the middle of nowhere. With little to no cell reception. In 90+ degree heat. And a baby in the car. My worst nightmare. BUT luckily my parents, sister and Abe were in front of us, so my iPhone managed to grab a signal and let them know what was up. I fully anticipated running out of gas...but guess what? My fabulous, wonderful, super car got us all the way to the gas station. We may have been running on fumes, but we got there!

So lesson learned- check your gas levels before engaging in intense girltalk sessions.

All in all though it was a wonderful day and I'm so happy we got to celebrate with Ryan. Unfortunately (and REALLY regretfully) I only used my phone's camera that evening, but these are still good representations of our night, however embarrassingly bad the photo quality...

I sure love my family.











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Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was nothing short of wonderful. I'm a big fan of birthdays, and I've never been to type to get bummed out at the start of another year. I actually really enjoy getting older, weird, I know. I don't know if I'll always feel that way, but for now I just really feel like life only gets better with every year that goes by. I always wonder what great things the next year will hold. So, as I turned 29 this weekend I was more than happy to usher in the last year of my twenties.

Hank, Henry, Madeline and I spent the weekend down in Mesa at my parents', and had the best time. Friday evening my best friends surprised me with a little dinner party and I drifted off to sleep that night with a full belly and a happy heart. Saturday morning my Mom and I had a great workout, then came home and we all went out to Chandler Fashion Center to shop. I ended up meeting the most adorable reader (hi Sarah!) and she totally made my day. While there Hank also got part one of his birthday present from me, an iPad!  He was so happy and surprised, and it was great to walk into the Apple store and let him know he could go ahead and pick one out. For months I'd been discouraging him from buying one, so he really had no idea. He was beyond happy and jumped around like a little kid. So awesome. Afterward we all went to Green for lunch. The rest of the day was spent relaxing until we headed out to North Scottsdale for Nate's 30th birthday bash at Greasewood Flats. We listened to country music, played horseshoes, and had such a great, low-key night.

Sunday was my actual birthday and it was kind of a dream day for me. To summarize without going into too much detail, it included sleeping in, working out, eating ice cream cake, a trip to Target, swimming and taking lots of photos at the park! My sister also gave us an amazing gift...tickets to see Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj with her. Believe it or not Hank really and truly loves pop music and especially Britney. Yup. So feel free to make fun of him when you see him!

I just feel so thankful for the past few days.  I have a feeling this year is going to be amazing, and I'm excited to see what it has in store for me. This past year has been filled with a lot of personal growth...and is it weird to say that I'm proud of myself? 'Cause I am. I hope I'm just as proud of my 29-year old self at the end of this year.

Here are some photos from the weekend:














































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My Dad and Valentine's Day

For as long as I can remember, my Dad has gotten me a Valentine. Every year, on February 14th I knew that a card and little treat from him would be waiting for me on the kitchen counter before I went to school. And when I went away to college, each year without fail a special card would arrive in the mail for me. All of those awkward preteen years, when I wasn't always sure if any boys liked me, or later, in college, when I was between boyfriends or had a year when I felt more down than usual, I knew that I count on something from my wonderful father to cheer me up. Thank for making me feel loved Dad, yesterday and today. You have always been such a great father and on Valentine's Day I always-always think of you. It's the little things like this that really taught me how to be a parent, and I can't wait to do the same thing for Henry. I love you!Source URL: https://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/search/label/Dad
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Moving!

Well, this weekend was a wonderful, busy one...and quite the important one, since we spent both days moving into our new home! So yes, we are officially here and officially home owners. What a happy, exciting time. I'm so thankful it all worked out, and just overjoyed with everything. It's still surreal. I had no time to blog all weekend, and besides we had no internet but I have to say how much I enjoyed just focusing on my family and our huge task at hand, rather than being online for any amount of time. Even though I am a obviously a huge of the whole internet world, I also really like taking breaks from it and I think its necessary in order to keep enjoying it. Besides, the "real world" is so much more fun! But anyway, my parents and sister came up for the weekend and helped us pack and move into our new place, get our old place cleaned and in order, and just overall were the biggest help in the entire world. I'm so thankful for them.




I am currently typing this from new family room and like I mentioned above it's truly surreal to be here, getting settled into our HOME! We've been busier than ever these past few days getting everything done, from our appliances getting delivered, furniture, utilities, you name it. Hank and my Dad also spent some time starting to put together some of Henry's baby furniture. It's crazy to go into his bedroom and just think about the fact that he is going to be here so soon, in that room, in that crib, using that changing table, having clothes in that closet. Madeline is also loving having all of this space and she runs from bedroom to bedroom exploring and re-exploring. It makes me happy to see her so happy!

I will be back tomorrow with Tattoo Tuesday, but I wanted to make a quick update before I head to sleep. Goodnight!

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Happy Father's Day!

This weekend Hank and I went down to Phoenix to spend time with my family in celebration of Father's Day! We had a nice, relaxing weekend and ate at Green twice. haha. Hank is newly addicted to their espresso barbeque sandwich- he used to always do the spicy Poor Boy but has turned over a new leaf. Once wasn't enough for him so we found ourselves in there two times in the span of 24 hours. Silly. But so delicious.

This morning we woke up early and headed over to IHOP (my father and Hank's choice...disgusting in my opinion but I kept that to myself since it isn't my day! haha). Our group consisted of my Mom, Dad, Hank, me, my sister Lauren and her fiance Abe. Breakfast was fun and it was so wonderful to have two dads at the table now, with Hank being a proud papa-to-be! It's seriously melting my heart to see him so excited about being a dad and today was extra special since we find out if we are having a daughter or a son in five short days!

Afterward Hank and I headed home and I fell asleep hard for the entire drive. I haven't been sleeping well lately so I've been feeling pretty tired for the past few days, which I hate...but I better get used to it, right?! When we got home we went grocery shopping quickly at Fry's and New Frontiers. We've been gone so much that our fridge was empty so we had to stock up. Now Hank is golfing with his Dad and we he gets home we'll be enjoying a nice evening walk downtown. So...that's OUR Father's Day! How was yours? I hope all of you are having a wonderful day and have a great rest of your night!

Some photos from today:

Nanny at breakfast






We were laughing because my Mom and sister accidentally got Hank the exact same card and almost wrote the exact same thing in them! Too funny.


my Dad and me! Happy Father's Day :)


my Dad is an avid gunsman (is that the term?) so Abe and Lauren got him a BB gun that he had when he was a kid! Great present. We got my Dad some home gym equipment.


my cute parents- married 31 years this past Friday!


Lauren and Abe! :)


Hank and Nanny- this photo makes me so happy!


annnd...the men of our family!


Again, Happy Father's Day everyone!

and ps, if you could click this banner below to vote for this blog, I'd truly appreciate it! They reset the count so we have to start again! :) It's a neat way to meet more Moms in the Mommy-blog world...and it's also a great site to check out if you're expecting or are already a mama. All you have to do is click once and click again to vote! Thanks so much everyone!



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Nostalgia: documented for my family

Sometimes I'm hit with such huge waves of nostalgia for my childhood that it makes me want to cry. I know I'm quite lucky to look back on growing up so fondly, and I continually count my blessings that my parents provided me with such a glorious upbringing. I grew up in New Jersey, in a wonderful house right in the woods of Jackson. Jackson is in central Jersey, in a gorgeous wooded area, and is a small town with friendly people. If I close my eyes I can almost take myself right back to all the beautiful memories I have of the thirteen years I spent growing up on the East Coast. The smell of tomato vines still transports me to our backyard garden, butter popcorn is the smell of our Friday TGIF nights, and anytime pizza is heated up on tinfoil in a toaster oven, all I can think about is eating our leftovers during Saturday morning cartoons. Growing up to me is a mix of library books and bike rides, grassy afternoons and swimming in our backyard until our skin turned into prunes. My sister Lauren and I grew up as each others' main playmates and closest friends. We would spend hours and hours playing dress up, make believe, dancing, laughing, twirling, telling secrets, and speaking in our own language. We didn't have toys with bells and whistles, we had toys that made us think, treasure chests of vintage clothing that inspired us to create, shelves and shelves of books that begged us to read, and art supplies that motivated us to make something, anything. Growing up so many of my days were spent listening to my parents' old 45s on my Fisher Price record player, tapes in my tape deck, and 8-tracks on the downstairs stereo. Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Willie Nelson. Music was everywhere. I recall so many bright summer days: running through the sprinkler in our green, green grass in the dog days of July, riding our bikes up and down the driveway, and begging our parents to take us exploring in the acres and acres of woods in our backyard. I remember celebrating Jackson Day every year, eating funnel cake, making splatter art, creating bottles of colored sand, and oohing and ahhing over the fireworks. We'd spend many fun afternoons at Great Adventure, and I can still think back to excitedly waiting in line each year for our season pass. Beach days were almost everyday in the summer. My parents would treat us to many concerts in the huge amphitheater, laughing with their friends as Lauren and I would dance dance dance to whoever we were seeing on that starry night. Food brings back some of the strongest memories: "frankfurters" and cheeseburgers on the barbecue, Heinz ketchup and spicy mustard, red skinned potato salad, homemade ice pops, tri-color pasta salad, hard rolls and butter from Glory's, sun tea in the big pitcher, egg and bacon sandwiches at the Mug Rack, followed by hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream, my Dad's Oodles of Noodles in a steaming mug, tomato soup and saltines, turkey subs from Wawa, cherry Icees, huge slices of pizza on the boardwalk, waffles and ice cream, peanut butter and jelly from our cooler on the beach, gouda cheese and crackers, fresh popped popcorn in the metal bowl, artichokes and asparagus. It's my Dad's old red Malboros and bottles of Rolling Rock beer whenever he was building something around the house. The smell of Bartells and James wine coolers whenever they had a get together. It's the same appetizers we still eat every Christmas Eve, the traditions we had growing up that still continue. It's the night visits to Carvel, my strawberry with rainbow sprinkles, Italian ice runs, and black and white milkshakes at Steve's while playing The Everly Brothers on the jukebox. It's Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout meetings, dance class after school, cold Saturday mornings at the soccer fields, Big League Chew packs at t-ball games. It's camping in Wildwood with the Glowackis, swimming and tuna fish sandwiches at the Ostroskis. Marco Polo, TV tag, impromptu soccer games, and softball tournaments always followed by Slurpees at 7-11. My childhood house in itself is magical in my mind- the attic was always such a place of wonder, boxes and boxes of treasures just waiting to be unearthed. The "white shed" in the backyard, where I always thought I could talk to the ghosts of horses past. I remember the woods across the street, being pulled in a wagon to go collect wild blueberries. Hearing the clink of a spoon in a mug, or the gurgle of a coffee maker early in the morning always reminds me of my father, the same way soft singing and happy movements around a home are my mothers. I feel so fortunate that I can't think of anything negative when I think of growing up and during my childhood years. I know this is rare, and I cherish this so much, and my sister (still my best friend) often talk about how wonderful it was. We are fortunate enough to be able to visit Jackson every so often, and the excitement still lingers to this day. We both can't wait to have kids of our own so we can try to give them the same beautiful, amazing childhood we had. I can't express to my parents enough thank yous to ever encompass what they have done for us in giving us such a chunk of our lives as so safe, inspiring, and peaceful. I'll try again and I'll keep trying- thank you. Thank you. Thank you.Source URL: https://sweettattooforgirls.blogspot.com/search/label/Dad
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Monday thoughts

Today was a good day at work, despite me waking up ONE HOUR late! Ahh! My alarm went off at 6:15am, and I promptly turned it off in my sleep and went right back to bed. I naturally woke up around 7:15 or so which was not good at all, since today was definitely a hair-washing day...and since I already go until the last possible day with doing that, today was day three and kind of pushing the envelope with inappropriately "dirty" hair. So I whipped out my favorite dry shampoo in a frenzy (read one of my blogs about the product here) and starting trying to attempt to fix the semi-greasy mess. Eventually it was to my liking, I quickly put on some makeup and got dressed, grabbed my packed lunch and a banana/oatmeal packet for breakfast...and headed to work around 7:45. Like anyone, I really hate being late in the morning and having that panicky feeling! I mean, who doesn't? But when I got to work it was a pretty good day. It went by really quickly and I found myself home and napping before I knew it!

On my prep hour, I was researching some love poems for a lesson I'm presenting on Thursday, and I got to thinking about the upcoming holiday. I love Valentine's Day! Hank and I are the type of couple that adores any chance to celebrate our love. Many people say that they "don't need specified date out of the year to do that," and I say, "why not?!" When I was little, my Dad would always have Valentine's gifts waiting for my sister and I when we woke up that morning. I specifically remember heart-shaped boxes of candy, little stuffed animals, and always, always a cute card with a sweet message inside. As I got older, the gifts and cards didn't stop, and it may sound silly, but in my teen years when I didn't have a Valentine, receiving these tokens from my father always made me feel a lot better and really special. I'll never forget the first year I was living in Prescott with Hank, my Dad sent me a card that said I would always be his Valentine, even when I already had one. So sweet. Isn't my Dad adorable? :)




This year, Hank and I will be walking down to dinner at our local, downtown (favorite) Indian restaurant, Taj Mahal. During the day I am planning on making some sweet treats for us to enjoy when we get home. I'm torn between a rasberry pie with heart cut outs, or heart-shaped brownie sandwiches. Hmmm...

Tonight Hank has been doing tons of Math homework (YUCK) and I've been getting things done around the house. I hope all of you had a great start to the week! Stay tuned for Tattoo Tuesday, which will be posting at midnight. :)

I also want to wish one of my best friends, little Miss Suki Su aka Sarah Muller, a very happy birthday at midnight (February 9th). She's the belle of my ball, and truly the sweetest little thing I know. I've written many posts about her- click here and here to visit a couple of them- and I just love her to pieces!

So, happy birthday Suki! I love love love you and I'm so happy you were born! ;)





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