Congrats.....MARTHA

Well, well, well.....if it isn't Martha Marchan....mi sista!!!! She graduated in September from ITI Technical College (Information Systems). This is kinda late.....but better late than never.



















Martha is growing up....yes, yes, yes.....I can remember when we were little kids sharing a room. She always would have her clothes all over the place. I remember I used to put all her clothes in a pile in the room. Then I got in trouble so I stopped doing that.
















Martha works at Albertsons.........ummm yeah....Its like Publix.



















I wonder what Martha is thinking in this picture.....probably...."man I'd rather be at Las Palmas eating Fajitas". LOL Just kidding.




















I told Martha I was gonna post this picture.....this is in her "bad girl" days. She had just beat up this chubby kid in the bathroom. She flushed the toilet and put their head in there. Then she wrapped them in toilet paper and flused them again. Then she saw me and said I was next. Needless to say I high tailed it outta there!!!!! LOL..... No way...just kidding. If you only knew the story behind this picture.......

Thanksgiving Evening with the Pentecosts

What a fun and yummy day indeed.
Mark and I started our Thanksgiving day with The Macy's Day Parade. Whoohoo So many fun characters floating in the air.

Lunch was served later that day around 2-ish at D & M's house. Lots of yummy food to eat. And let us not forget Bubble attacking Jon with smooches!!! Ha Ha Ha. Our "Thankful" Game. Fun times I tell ya!!!!

Then on to our place. Everyone had a chance to ride the horses. Well everyone rode except Mom....but thats okay...ha ha ha. Grandma sat inside listening to Christmas music and time to time sneaking a peek at us ride.

Looks like David is having a blast!!!















Mark is giving Dad a short lesson. Looks like Dad is having fun.















Jon was a little hesitant to ride, but I told him I'd lead Banner. He seemed pretty nervous. Guess its been a while since Jon rode the horses huh.... After a "short" ride...Jon was ready to get off Banner.















Daddy P, Sarah, and Michele watch on as the rest ride. Whats in that cup Dad??? Oh look is that my Bubble you have there Michele?

















Looks like Chad is having a ball! Nice hat Chad. Its soo you!!! LOL I think Mark is doing an excellent job teaching you.
















After we entertained ourselves with the horses, we all made our way in the house. The smell of pumpkin spice, vanilla, desserts......hmmmmm filled the air.
The desserts were "delectable"!!!! The hot chocolate was yummy.
After chatting and eating, we sat down to watch "Over the Hedge". There was a loud snore coming from the couch....who could it be. Chad, Mom, Dad.....hmmmm....ha ha it was Bubble. She had a long day!!!!

Special thanks to all that made our Thanksgiving Day super, fun, and yummy!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving....with family, friends, good food, and great memories!!!!!!!!

The Holidays are Coming!

The Holidays are coming, I’m so excited it’s my favorite time of the year (Thanksgiving & Christmas) - I’m already listening to my Christmas CD’s. I remember when I was young, after Thanksgiving- it always seemed like forever for Christmas to come. Now that I am older-it’s pretty much right around the corner. So with that being said, here’s a little game of Favorites for Thanksgiving & Christmas!!! Enjoy!!!!

Favorite Thanksgiving Memory as a child? Helping my mom cook the Thanksgiving lunch, eating with the family and using those fancy wine glasses for our “sparkling grape juice”, and then watching a movie we rented.

Favorite Thanksgiving Memory as an adult? Last Thanksgiving, our family (Pentecosts) had a progressive style Thanksgiving. (Jon and Sarah –appetizers, David and Michele- Main Meal, Mark and I – dessert, and Mark’s parents- night cap and a movie. It was a full day, but I had fun.

Favorite Thanksgiving Food? My mom’s stuffing & cheesecake & Turkey

Favorite part of the winter? The coldness, wearing coats and winter wear, snow-if I lived up north-sledding, the holidays.

Favorite Christmas song? Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire

Favorite Christmas movie? National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Fake or Real Tree? Growing up always fake. Since Mark and I have been married- REAL. I really like it better.

Stockings after presents or before? Before

Favorite Christmas Memory growing up? Opening one present Christmas Eve- it was usually pajamas my mom made- I was so happy because I was able to wear them to bed. My mom would bake bread Christmas Eve in time for Christmas morning breakfast. We’d always get a slice or two that night. Waking up Christmas morning- Dad would read the Christmas story and my siblings and I would be so impatient and wanted to open our gifts. After we opened our gifts we’d have Christmas breakfast (country-salted- ham, baked bread, hmmmm yummy days!!!! Then go and play with our toys!!!

Favorite Christmas Memory as an adult? The Christmas before Mark and I got married. I came to visit him and his family for Christmas. They were so warm and welcoming. I got off work (Christmas Eve) around 12 and flew out of New Orleans to Tampa. I was soo excited to see Mark. He greeted me at the airport with a rose. It was soo sweet. That Christmas was special and I got to know his family better and we had a wonderful time.

Did you believe in Santa as a child? No, but when we lived in Germany, the kids in the apartment would leave their boots outside the door and on Christmas morning there would be candy in there if they were good and coal if they were bad. I got candy. It’s a German or European custom. I think Santa comes from that.

Wanna play? Copy and Paste- but put your answers where mine are.

Today in Gabriella's Cafe we are serving....

Spiced Hot Chocolate

1 cup milk
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 square BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, finely chopped
2 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
MIX milk and cinnamon in saucepan. Bring just to boil on medium-high heat.
ADD chocolate; beat with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is slightly frothy.
SERVE hot with the cookies.

Its Novemeber...and its starting to cool down...YEAH! So a cup of hot chocolate sounds wonderful and warming to me.
Today we are serving Hot Chocolate.....Enjoy.

Soooo.....when you start sipping your hot chocolate....what is one of the first things that comes to your mind?
Hmmmm....for me..... It would probably be early mornings as a child getting our garage sale started, sipping our hot cocoa in the cold, waiting for people to come by.
Another memory is Christmas Morning Breakfasts as a child. Eating country ham (salted one), fresh homemade baked bread, and enjoying my delicious hot chocolate with those little marshmellows.
Hmmmmmmm.....Good times!

When Did It Hit You...."I'm getting OLD"?

Time To Chat.......

I was playing this questionnaire thing that a friend of mine sent me. I used to do them all the time, but for a while there they were the same ‘ole same ‘ole, so I stopped. I decided to do the one she sent me. One of the questions on there really hit me. It was “When did you realize you were getting old”. Most people would answer, “when I began developing wrinkles”, “when my knees and body started making cracks and aching” the list goes on. But her answer (When I went to the bar and noticed all the younger girls around me doing what I used to do) got me thinking. My answer is similar minus the “bar scene”. When I first realized I was getting “old” I was at Justin’s graduation party. And I saw all the teenage girls hanging out together just being a young teen. I really can’t explain it but it was a strange feeling. Almost like I felt “left out”, but I wasn’t left out. I had Michele there sitting next to me and a few other “adults”, it was odd…kinda like I was seeing how I used to be with my friends years ago. On other occasions I’ve felt like I was getting “old” would be when I’m out shopping and notice teens…the way they talk….dress…etc. I’m not really in their “league” I’m an adult…I’m “older”. Other times I feel like I’m getting “old”- when my younger brother Joshua graduated from High School and started college, when Martha my younger sister graduated from college and when I hear of kids I used to baby-sit, are pregnant or married. Man I feel “old”. So with all that said. When did you realize you were getting old? Was it a physical appearance about you, or the everyday things and people around you?
Now don’t get me wrong….I’m happy to be the age I am. I’m blessed to be healthy and alive. I know that as I grow….God has bigger and better for me as the days, months, and years go by. I think of aging as a blessing.

Our Weekend Getway to Sanibel

For our 2yr Anniversary, Mark and I decided to take a little trip to Sanibel Island. We both had a wonderful time. We left Friday evening after work and drove the 3hrs to Sanibel. We got a little lost at first and ended up on Fort Myers Beach. So we called up the owners and they were able to help us get back on track. The Island was very dark at night. When we finally arrived at The West End Paradise Resort, we were so thankful. The place was cute and cozy. We were the only ones there that weekend. The garden was very pretty and relaxing. The next morning after breakfast, we took a walk around the grounds and admired everything. There was a canoe and a little pond. We declined on the idea since there was a warning sign in the pond (Alligators). With us being the only ones out there, we thought that might not be wise. Anywhoo, we had access to bikes. We took a morning ride around the area. The cool breeze was refreshing. We later met up with the owners and checked in and they gave us a handy dandy map of the island. We found the beach!! It was right around the corner. We were able to ride our bikes over there and admire he quiet clean beach.
We decided to venture out to J.N "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. “The refuge consists of over 6,400 acres of mangrove forest, submerged seagrass beds, cordgrass marshes, and West Indian hardwood hammocks. Approximately 2,800 acres of the refuge are designated by Congress as a Wilderness Area. The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge was created to safeguard and enhance the pristine wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. Today, the refuge provides important habitat to over 220 species of birds. The entire complex is approximately 8,000 acres.” http://dingdarlingsociety.org/
We were able to ride our bicycles throughout the refuge. We even spotted an Alligator as we entered the park. He was crossing the road we road our bikes on. Oh course I had to snap a picture of him. We road many, many miles. Needless to say, we were tired afterward.
For lunch we dined at The Island Cow. Afterward we browsed a few shops and had a frozen mocha drink at a café. The coffee was a bit too strong.

That evening we decided to hang out on the beach till the sunset. It was cool and pretty. We practically had the beach to ourselves. The sun began to set. It was gorgeous!!
Dinner time and decided to head over to Captiva Island. Captiva Island was about 15 minutes from where we stayed. We ate dinner at The Bubble Room. It was a strange little place. Yet interesting. It had everything you could think of it the place- (clowns, Hollywood legends, disco balls, beads hanging- odd!!) Where we sat, these little men were lined up looking down on us. How strange and freaky we thought. Ha ha ha!!!
Sunday we took another morning bike ride and spent some time on the beach. We built sand castles and shelled. It was nice. The rest of the day we browsed little shops and just enjoyed our little getaway weekend.
It was wonderful to get away for the weekend with each other and just be carefree and have fun. To play in the sand like a little kid, to ride bikes all day and not worry about what’s next.

We enjoyed our Anniversary weekend away and we thank God for another year and more to come.
You gotta enjoy life with those you love; friends, family, your spouse, your pets (smile). Just enjoy life to its fullest.

Showing off my Girls!!!

Hey!!!!

Yep...just showing off my sweet girls. This was taken

after a run one evening. I think Bubble is tired...wonder what she's dreaming of???!!!!

Whatcha think?

Bubble and Shanaynay are the sweetest doggies!!!

They love to pose for the camera. Do they take after their Mommy or what?

Ha ha ha ha!!!

Bubble looks up to her big sister Shanaynay. They love to play and just hang out. Shanaynay loves to take care of Bubble....she treats her like she is the mama. She keeps lil Miss Bubble in line. Oh how they make me soo happy. Those girls make me smile.

Happy Anniversary to Us

October 23

Two Years and Still Happy as can be.

Monday will be Mark and my 2 year wedding anniversary.

Can't say our marriage has been an easy breeze. We have our ups and downs like all couples. But with God's leading and guiding...our trust in God and what He has for us...and the love we have for each other....we have made it another year. And we are still more in love than ever.

Oh how I remember that day......

Full of some crazy, fun, sweet, nervous memories. But hey...we had a blast!!!

It will be a day I will remember forever!!!

I really like my wedding dress. I remember putting it on and all my other accessories. I remember walking down the aisle and seeing my incredible man waiting for me at the alter. My wedding bouquet was marvelous....thanks to Michele!!!!

My Bridesmaids were awesome. Thank you ladies for everything.

I remember smiling all day....and then after everything was done....my face was sore...ha ha ha.

I love my husband Mark and enjoy every moment being married to him!

Sweetest Day- October 21st

Sweetest Day began in Cleveland, Ohio, and yes, one of the largest greeting card companies in the world, American Greetings, is headquartered in the same city. But that’s just a coincidence. Sweetest Day, which is Oct. 21st this year, actually originated with the kindness of a Cleveland candy company employee.

It was Herbert Birch Kingston, in 1922 who decided he would bring a little cheer to local orphans, shut-ins and others he felt had been “forgotten.” With the help of friends, the big-hearted philanthropist distributed candy and gifts to these less-than-fortunate citizens.

The generosity and sweetness of the gesture caught on, and today Sweetest Day is commemorated by sending greeting cards and gifts to family and friends to remind them that they are loved and appreciated. This remains primarily a regional observance celebrated in the Great Lakes region and the Northeast. However, the observance is gradually spreading to other areas of the country. Industry wide, Ohio is the top state for Sweetest Day sales, followed by Michigan and Illinois.

Texas and Florida also observe Sweetest Day, but if you ask someone in Wisconsin or Connecticut or Montana about Sweetest Day, chances are, they may have no idea what you are talking about.”

On the first Sweetest Day, movie star Ann Pennington presented 2,200 Cleveland newspaper boys with boxes of candy to express gratitude for their service to the public.
Another popular movie star, Theda Bara, distributed 10,000 boxes of candy to people in Cleveland hospitals and also gave candy to all who came to watch her film in a local theater

As people become more mobile and jobs take them to different regions, the once-regional celebration of Sweetest Day is spreading throughout the country. In addition to remembering those sometimes forgotten and showing appreciation for family and friends, Sweetest Day also has become very much a romantic day in most locations.
In time, the Sweetest Day idea of spreading cheer to the underprivileged was broadened to include everyone from family members to sweethearts, and co-workers to acquaintances.

Whacked up Warning Labels

Ever took a good look at the "Warning Label" or "Directions" of a product you own, saw in the store, or planned to buy? Ever saw an "odd" "ridiculous" label....a "Wacked up" label or direction? And you think....WHO on earth would do this or that???? Well the reason behind these crazy labels is....well "someone" has done it in the past....and the manufacture(s) has to cover their booties and make sure it doesn't happen again. So here are some I found. And I think to myself....."Who...why would you do this"??????

On Sears hairdryer: "Do not use while sleeping."
On a bag of Fritos: "You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside."
On a bar of Dial soap: "Directions: Use like regular soap."
Some Swanson frozen dinners: "Serving suggestions: Defrost."
On a hotel-provided shower cap in a box: "Fits one head."
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert: "Do not turn upside down" (printed on bottom of the box).
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: "Product will be hot after heating."
On packaging for a Rowenta iron: "Do not iron clothes on body."
On Boot's Children's Cough Medicine: "Do not drive car or operate machinery."
On Nytol (a sleep aid): "Warning: May cause drowsiness."
On a Korean kitchen knife: "Warning: Keep out of children."
On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights: "For indoor or outdoor use only."
On a Japanese food processor: "Not to be used for the other use."
On Salnsbury's Peanuts: "Warning: Contains nuts."
On an American Airlines packet of nuts: "Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts."
On a Swedish chain saw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands."
On children's shampoo: "Keep out of reach of children."
On a child's Superman costume: "Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly."
On a bar of Dial soap:Directions: Use like regular soap..

- On a massage chair: "Do not use massage chair without clothing... and never force any body part into the backrest area while the rollers are moving"
- On an electric router made for carpenters: “This product not intended for use as a dental drill” - A warning label found on a baby stroller cautions the user to “Remove child before folding”
- A sticker on a toilet at a public facility warning: “Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking”
- A snowblower warning: "Do not use snowthrower on roof"
- On a dishwasher: "Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher"
-Unusual warning on a CD player: “Do not use the Ultradisc2000 as a projectile in a catapult.”
- An “Aim-n-Flame” fireplace lighter cautions, “Do not use near fire, flame or sparks”
- A label on a hand-held massager advises consumers not to use “while sleeping or unconscious”
- On a container of underarm deodorant: “Caution: Do not spray in eyes”
- On a cartridge for a laser printer: “Do not eat toner”
- A 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow warns: “Not intended for highway use”
- A cardboard car sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard warns, “Do not drive with sunshield in place”
- On a Bathroom Heater: “This product is not to be used in bathrooms”
- A can of self-defense pepper spray warns users: “May irritate eyes”
- A warning on a pair of shin guards manufactured for bicyclists: “Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover”
- A popular manufactured fireplace log warns: “Caution - Risk of Fire”
- A box of birthday cake candles says: “DO NOT use soft wax as ear plugs or for any other function that involves insertion into a body cavity.

”Weird product labels are a sign of our lawsuit-plagued times. In the ‘good old days’, if someone spilled coffee in their lap, they simply called themselves clumsy. Today, people call themselves an attorney. This "sue first, ask questions later" mentality has not only produced weird warning labels, it has increased the cost of products and services families use daily."


What a world we live in huh????

My "Nephew" Kane

My older brother, Sito recently got a puppy. Well not too recent....6 months ago. Anywhoo here are some pics he sent me today. Kane is a Doberman. He sure is a BIG puppy.

Doesn't he look soo cute and innocent in this picture....actually he looks like he is up to "something".

And here is Kane again.....these next few pictures he is 5-6months old. I remember when Bubble was 6 months old...she was still tiny...well not as tiny as she was when we first got her...but she was still smaller than Kane!
Awe......Good Dog!
Relaxing on the back patio.

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! I see Pumpkins!!

Its that time of year.....Pumpkins everywhere. Its Fall...my favorite season of the year!!! Why you may ask...well I do love the colors, the warmth of family and friends getting together to celebrate, the change in the weather, the leaves changing their colors....well not too much here in Florida, but you know what I mean. And of course its the season Mark and I were married.
So, without further ado I'd like to share some recipes with you that I've come upon. Perhaps I'll try one of these this Fall Season for one of our gatherings.

Pumpkin Pie Milk Shake

1 qt. (4 cups) milk
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Butterscotch Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream, softened
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

PLACE all ingredients in large pitcher with tight-fitting lid; cover. Shake vigorously 1 minute or until well blended.
POUR evenly into 4 glasses. Serve immediately. (Mixture thickens as it stands. Thin with additional milk, if desired.)

Pumpkin Pie Bars

1-1/3 cups flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) cold butter or margarine
1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil; grease foil lining. Mix flour, brown sugar and 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and pecans. Reserve 1 cup of the oat mixture; press remaining mixture onto bottom of pan. Bake 15 min.
BEAT cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, eggs, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Pour over crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
BAKE 25 min. Lift from pan using foil handles; cool completely. Cut into 24 bars. Store leftover bars in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

Frozen Pumpkin Dessert

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
3 Tbsp. brandy (optional)
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 cup chopped PLANTERS Slivered Almonds

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add pumpkin, brandy and spice; beat until well blended.
REMOVE 1/2 cup of the whipped topping; place in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for later use. Gently stir remaining whipped topping and the almonds into pumpkin mixture. Pour into 9-inch square pan.
FREEZE 4 hours or until firm. Top with the reserved 1/2 cup whipped topping.

Pumpkin Pie

2 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crusts (6 oz. each)
3 eggs, lightly beaten, divided
1 can (29 oz.) pumpkin
1-1/2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. ground ginger

PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Brush crusts lightly with some of beaten eggs. Bake 4 min. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients until well blended.
POUR pumpkin mixture evenly into crusts.
BAKE 15 min. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Continue baking 40 to 45 min.
or until knife inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely.

Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Pie

1-1/4 cups cold milk
1 cup canned pumpkin
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Cheesecake Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 HONEY MAID Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)
1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. butter or margarine

ADD milk to pumpkin in large bowl; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Add pudding mixes and spice. Beat 2 minutes or until well blended. (Mixture will be thick.) Gently stir in half of the whipped topping. Spoon into pie crust.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until set. Meanwhile, place walnuts, brown sugar and butter in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until hot bubbly, stirring after 1 minute. Cool.
SPRINKLE walnut mixture over pie just before serving. Top each serving with a dollop of the remaining whipped topping.

Special Thanks to Kraft Foods.....for these yummy desserts.

Recipe Time!

Oh yes....I know its been a while. So here is a tasty dessert to try. I made this a few weeks ago when my parents were in town. We all enjoyed it. It was very yummy!!!! Here goes:

Banana Split Cake:

1-1/2 cups HONEY MAID Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 cup sugar, divided
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
6 medium bananas, divided
2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
1 cup PLANTERS Chopped Pecans (Optional)

MIX crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter; press firmly onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Freeze 10 min.
BEAT cream cheese and remaining 3/4 cup sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Spread carefully over crust; top with pineapple. Slice 4 of the bananas; arrange over pineapple.
POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping; spread over banana layer in pan. Top with remaining 1 cup whipped topping; sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate 5 hours. Slice remaining 2 bananas just before serving; arrange over dessert. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

My Parents Visit to Florida

Okay, well I know its been a long time, but with my parents visiting, the new job, and just trying to do things around here...well its been a long time. And not to mention our dial up...that enough makes me not want to get online sometimes. Anywhoo...lets see...what should I say??

Mark and I really enjoyed my parents visit here. They were able to visit my dad's mom and siblings in Jacksonville last week Monday-Thursday. Thursday they drove back down to Lakeland and we had them over for dinner. We stayed up late and enjoyed each others company. Needless to say I was a bit tired the next day for work. But I guess it was worth it since we don't see them often. Friday they made a trip to MacDill Airforce base and did some shopping and site seeing. Friday night we had dinner with them and Mark's parents at BD's Mongolian Grill. They really enjoyed that, they hadn't been to a place like that before. It was good to see them have a good time. Later that night we had ice cream at Baskin Robbins...yum! Saturday morning we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel. It seems like we ate a lot during their visit. Whoa.... and we don't eat that much during a normal week/weekend....but I guess since they were in town etc. Anywhoo... later we went to Orlando so they could return their rental. We then went to the Outlet Mall down there. A day full of walking I tell ya....so then I didn't feel that bad about "all the food" I ate that weekend. Ummm what else. We did some shopping and everyone found something they wanted. What a fun day. And we didn't even get rained out! It started raining on our way home. Oh yes, our last stop was dinner at Fuddrukers. That was tasty. My favorite was the milkshake. We walked around the mall Fuddruckers is in (Festival Bay) and found a cool store where everything was $6.98 for every item!!! Too cool. I found some shirts and Mark found some pants and my parents found some clothes and some stuff for my bros and sis. Then we headed home. Sunday morning, as you know you all were able to meet my parents or for some of you see them again. They really enjoyed the service, they said. After church we had a yummy lunch at Mark's parents house. They enjoyed meeting you Gina and seeing the rest of you again. They kept saying how much they enjoyed your company and how friendly everyone was. Oh and Chad, they said it was awesome to meet the guy that photographs us and the doggies etc. Sunday afternoon/evening we had them over and just relaxed and visited. Mark had to mow the pastures and then study, so the pics here he isn't in them because I was taking them while he was outside. Bubble and Shanaynay really enjoyed playing and being pet by my parents. My dad said Bubble is "something elese". And "mischievious" ha ha ha. They left Monday afternoon and arrived back home Monday evening. Their flight was a little delayed in Houston, but overall they said they had a really good time and plan on visiting more often...and I'm happy about that. I miss them though...but I'm doing alright.

Last night Mark and I were able to go out on date. With work, school, studying, and getting things together at home, we haven't been able to have much time together to hang out etc. So last night we had dinner at Pizza Parlor place downtown Lakeland. I forgot the name but its run by Italians. It was very good. The funny thing is, there is another pizza place like 3 or 4 doors down that had NO business at all and the place we went to was very busy. So hmmm go figure. Anyways, we took a walk around downtown Lakeland and there was an apartment building and in the window there was a tall "man" staring out. I got a little startled, but then realized it was a fake big man. He looked like a hit man. ha ha hah aahahahah..really! Anywhoo I thought that was kinda cool/funny/yet kinda freaky perhaps. Okay well its Saturday and I plan on cleaning the house and start decorating for Fall. My favorite season!!!

Have a wonderful weekend/week. I will try to keep up on my blogging. (smile)

Labor Day Family Day

We drove up to Jacksonville today (Labor Day) to visit with my family. We saw my Grandma, Aunt Celia her husband Darren and their two crazy kids below Renaldo and Marcus, Aunt Dianna, and Aunt Barbara. Grandma was watering her flower garden when we arrived. Her garden is soo pretty.
From the left (Aunt Dianna, Mark, Marcus, Aunt Celia, Me, and Aunt Barbara.
Here are my crazy cute cousins Renaldo and Marcus. They love the camera.

My parents followed us in their rental car. They will be visiting with them in Jacksonville till Thursday. Then we will have them back. I'll take some more pics with them and blog more.

We got back a few hours ago. The trip was fun. Being in the car for 3 1/2 hours wasn't cool...but visiting my relatives was fun. We BBQ and just relaxed and hung out.

Okay well more will follow. Its great to have more family in Florida now. I've never really been able to see/visit my aunts and uncles and cousins before because they have always lived so far away. So I should take advantage of having them just a few hours away. Good times.

Museum Madness

Took a trip to The Tampa Museum of Art today. That was fun. My favorite room was the Participatory Gallery...and what is that you may ask well....
The Participatory Gallery provides an opportunity for visitors, especially children, to interpret works of art and make connections to the world around them. Visitors are invited to manipulate images similar to the art viewed in the exhibition, spend time in a reading resource area, view themselves as part of a piece of artwork, and experiment with their own interpretations of the works and the stories they provide. The Tampa Museum of Art focuses on the visitor experience by creating a welcoming environment, the aim of the Participatory Gallery is to create a family-friendly space for the community to play, explore and learn together.
The wall behind us...we decorated with fake snakes, chicks, and various other objects that stick to the wall. Gina set up the camera and "whapow" the picture was taken. Yeah...we are rocking in this pic. LOL
The rest of the museum was pretty swanky...however...I've seen better. The pottery, photography, glass work, and statues were cool too. And the best part...it was FREE!!!! Yeah buddy free admission between 10-12. So anywhoo...after our spiffalicious visit, we drove around downtown Tampa searching for this Burrito restaurant David suggested we go. Unfortunately we couldn't locate it. So we headed for Ybor City and decided to eat lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse. Some of us didn't like what we got...but dessert was much better I think. Anyways...of course we had to stop and get a lil something-something from the great Starbucks...or else Michele mighta had a fit. Yummm Mocha Frapps ROCK! We walked the great streets of Ybor and then headed home.
Fun day...good times....crazy yet spiffalicious swanky people.

The Kid In Us

Isn't it amazing how when we are kids...well most of us couldn't wait to grow up. Couldn't wait to finish school or couldn't wait to move out. Now that most of us are "grown" or are we? Ha Ha We still have a little of a "kid" inside...deep down wanting to come out and have some fun.

Last weekend we had Bubble's 1st Birthday Party. Yes thats right, we had a birthday party for our dog. Well it was a picnic party actually. Sandwiches, Chips, Drinks, chocolate cupcakes, and of course a doggie Birthday Cake espcially for Bubble and her guest doggies. Don't worry folks...it was "doggie approve and safe".

Got it outta a dog cook book.

Anyways, back to my story about the kid in us. Mark, David, Michele, Chad and I and of course the dogs decided to play on the playground after the party. It was sundown so we had a little while before the sun would set.

We found the coolest playground toy ever. Not sure what its called....but it rocked! The dogs probably thought...those grown ups are CRAZY.

We all agreed we wanted one to take home.

The evening turned out fantastic. We all took turns on this contraption of fun. I think we need to go back to this park and have more fun.

Bubble's Birthday Party

Bubble would like to thank all her friends that were able to come out to her birthday party last Saturday. She enjoyed seeing, playing, and eating with her friends. The party went well and everyone had a good time. Now you can say you've been to a Dogs Birthday Party!!!

Here is Bubble and me waiting for the guest to arrive.

Here we have the Pentecosts and their doggies. Bubble really enjoyed hanging out with her cuz Chilly and her big sis Shanaynay. Aunt Michele and Uncle David were fun too.


Not sure whats going on here....more than likely Bubble and Chilly playing as usual.

Bubble said thank you for all her little doggie gifts. And a special thanks to Chad for taking pictures.