Learning Early

There is no doubt these girls are mine. With Sophia's love for hotels, Kalista's joy for lounging, and my pure admiration of spas . . . let's just say Daddy is in trouble!

Thank you Four Seasons Westlake
for a fun weekend!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting

I just made these for my daughter's school carnival bake sale:

The carnival theme is Under the Sea - which is why I just had to add the Swedish Fish.

Wouldn't you buy one? Or two? : )

Chocolate Cupcakes: (Barefoot Contessa)

Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting: (How Sweet It Is)
Kitchen Notes from Jenn:
I used unsalted butter at room temperature
I used a whole 7 ounce jar of Marshmallow Creme
I added 1 tablespoon of milk to thin out my frosting

I'M MAKING FORTY FABULOUS!

Cake from Darling Hubby via Henning's

April 23, 2012. Oh dear. I never thought this day would really come. And it has come and gone. Well, at least that day has come and gone. I could say a lot about it. How I feel. Physically. Mentally. But this post would be like pages long. So here is a short cap:
I am 40 years old - (That's the first time I have said that phrase - and it will be my last - lol!) I feel blessed to have an amazing husband and 2 absolutely adorable little girls. The friendships I have made will last me at least another 40 years. I feel great mentally and I don't think I look too shabby for my age either. I wouldn't change my life for anything or anyone.

So how have I embraced the new decade? Well let's see there was Vegas. Then there was an evening of cocktails and nibbles on Saturday night:

If all of our kids were with us there would have been 14.5 of them! 

Then there was a little flip flop extravaganza : )

I LOVE Tory Burch!

Then I shared my special day with these 2 monkeys : )
Here they are playing with their new toys (Squinkies and a Baby Doll).
Nothing like sharing the gift of presents on your birthday!

Then it was off to the The Beachside for a family dinner.

My FAVORITE Sundae!

And just how BIG is this Sundae?

The four of us could not polish it off : )

Really. I swear.

Back home . . . It was a Lulu and the New iPad
kind of evening.

So April 23, 2012 was a day that was filled with much LOVE and JOY. There is no other way I would have wanted to enter this next decade. I look forward to living it up this year! On that note I will say, "I'm not done celebrating." Why not take it to another continent? ; ) 

Here is a sneak peek:

Country Hotel #1

Country Hotel #2

Stay tuned! And thank you to everyone who made me feel extra special on my day!
I LOVE YOU!

Timeless Tuesdays

Don't you wish you could just stop time once in awhile?

Cousin Love

I can foresee about ten years from now this same picture.

Except the handbags will be quite different -  if these girls

take after their moms ; )

Random Pics of Spring

Is it just me or does it seem like 2012 is flying by? 

Happy Birthday to Our Guy

Celebration #1 took place on Friday with a little date night. There's just something about The Stonehouse that makes every and any occasion so special.

Happy Birthday to the BEST husband on Earth. I LOVE YOU!

A new menu has arrived! Go check it out!

Charming, huh?

His and Her's Mojitos

Salmon Tartare served on dry ice makes for a dramatic presentation!

Sashimi so fresh I felt like I was on a tropical island!

Muscovy Duck was absolutely tasty!

Had to have their homemade mint chip : )

Happy Birthday David!

Then on Monday (David's actual birthday) the girls helped Daddy celebrate one more time.

This is love . . . David wore his birthday crown (made by Sophia) to the restaurant.
She drew his picture on it, but it's hard to see.

Make a wish!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Celebrating a Little Early

I have an impending big number birthday coming up. Since April has turned out to be such a busy month, we did a little early celebrating in Vegas for a few days. Maybe if I keep on celebrating throughout the month the day I actual turn "older" won't be so traumatic! : )

I absolutely LOVE staying at Bellagio.

It is by far my most fave in Vegas!

How super fun to have Todd & Marcy along for the ride!

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

It's incredible how they decorate with fresh flowers for all types of themes.

This theme was Spring.

And to get an idea just how big this swan is . . .

The party grew later that day! Lloyd and Karen made Vegas a stop

during their 10 year anniversary getaway. 

Now what would Vegas be without a little dining indulgence?

First night . . . Japonais.

The Floating Orchid
(Vodka, fresh pear and lemon juice)

The Rock
(Thinly slice marinated Kobe beef which you cook on this very hot rock)

Le Quack Japonais
(Maple Leaf Smoked Duck with hoisin sauce served mushu style)

The next morning started with a much needed workout!

Then after a couple of spa treatments it was pool time!

Then it was time to walk off some more of that indulgence.

So a little strip seeing and shopping.

Fountain show in front of the hotel with Paris in the background.

New shopping motto!

And the party grew again! Derrick and Cami arrived just in time 

for more cocktails and dining!

Had our reservations been just an hour later, 

we could have dined next to Lady Antebellum.

Our waiter let us know they were coming in.

Some night time fun  . . . 

No gambling pics since you can't take photos while on the casino floor.

But that's okay because I don't think I need a reminder of how much I lost. 

Our last night in Vegas . . . 

One of the best antipasto's I've ever tasted!

Fritto Misto

Meatballs the size of softballs. And super moist!

Cheers to Vegas! And I guess to me as well : )

Thank you to everyone who made this trip the BEST!

And to my Darling Hubby . . . You make everyday of my life feel like a birthday.

I LOVE YOU!