Super Bowl!

Every time I saw an ad for Super bowl, I kept thinking, why are we only 5 hours away and not going to be in the middle of the action?? I didn't have to twist Kevin’s arm, I told him what I was thinking and well, we took off. Needless to say hotels weren't so easy to find (or cheap). This was one of the first and only times I did not use Priceline (there were no options). We stayed at the new Hilton on Fort Lauderdale beach. It. Was. Beautiful and I can't wait to go back. Fort Lauderdale has changed over the years. We use to visit twice a year (but have found wonderful spots to travel closer to home). We use to be able to go and spend 3 nights at some great 3 and 4 star hotels for very reasonable prices but it has changed. Lots of new 4. 412 and 5 star hotels. While they are beautiful the prices are very high. Even though we are going back in a few months, we don't visit as much as we use to. I can only imagine that they are trying to keep up with the hotels in Miami Beach.

Pictures of the Hilton





Hello Sunshine!! Before we got to the hotel, we stopped in West Palm beach at this great outdoor mall, shopped at Macys and Sephora (well I shopped at those places) and then we finished our drive. I wish I got pictures of the mall. We will definitely go back there.

Before we can go anywhere in Fort Lauderdale we have to stop at Kevin's favorite place. Primanti Brothers. Fort Lauderdale is very special to us. It was our first vacation together (9 years ago). Since I went to college about a half an hour from Fort Lauderdale beach I have some great memories. When Kevin and I were there on our first vacation, we were at the beach and when we were heading for lunch I took him to my favorite pizza place. Low and behold it was his favorite place in Pittsburgh. Even though he was disgusted pizza was my menu item of choice he was still so excited to find a piece of home..



This is Kevin's perfect meal, a primanti's sandwhich and an icy light


Happy guy

Off to the hotel,

we checked in and kevin had to admire the view. The pool overlooked the ocean. Pure heaven in my eyes



Love love love this beach

Are you ready for some football??

We had a great night at a bar/restaurant called 101 Ocean
http://www.101oceanlbts.com/

They had two twenty foot tvs outside to watch the game. The food was delicious too. We will definitely be back. It was our first time there!

Quick Trip To NJ

Some where between New Years and Superbowl we took a weekend trip to NJ. My grandmother was in the hospital, and while it was nothing major, something told me to book a flight and go. We had a great weekend. Here are our highlights.

Family



Family dinner (haven't been home in years and nothing has changed, which is awesome)

NJ pastry

Grandma and NJ pizza :)

Oh and something I could have done without. SNOW - haven't seen the stuff in 5 years and could have done without it this visit.

Off to the Super Bowl!!

Where We've Been - First post New Years

Every time we go somewhere we always say that we're going to keep a journal with us. Kevin remembers everything and well, I remember nothing. We're always doing something fun, and I want to remember the things we have done forever. We are so lucky to be able to pick up and do whatever we want, and I want to be able to share our experiences and look back and smile. There is one thing you need to know, we never pay full price for anything. We always use priceline, hotwire, or lastminutetravel for our hotel reservations (only staying at 4 and 5 star hotels). If you ever have any questions, just ask!

Before I start writing, don't expect elaborate, eloquent or flamboyant writing, that's just not me (and truthfully it annoys me). In addition, I might add just some plane old boring stuff about our life too in here that has nothing to do with a weekend trip.

I haven't taken many pictures of the hotels we have stayed but going forward I will. I am going to start with December/Jan of last year and try to go forward. Our 2010 New Years weekend was celebrated at the Peabody in Orlando. It is one of our favorite places to stay.



They have a great lobby bar with piano player in the evening. It's a great place to relax before or after dinner

It's always decorated so nice

They have the best cookie I have ever tasted!



To continue with their duck theme (unfortunately I don't have a picture of this trip of the duck march through the lobby which is adorable)

And most important, it's walking distance to one of our favorite restaurants. Tavern Opa. The Greek food is delicious. They have a terrific happy hour from 3-6. Greek wine and beer is also very tasty. As it gets later in the evening, people start dancing on tables and napkins are thrown everywhere with everyone yelling 'opa'. It's fantastic.

I can't remember too much about what we did this trip. From looking through my pictures, I know we went to Seaworld, in addition we had some fantastic dinners. We ate our number one place Timpanos and know we ended our New Years Celebration at the Hard Rock at City Walk.

Kevin trying to hear the volume

Happy New Year!! ( I am obsessed with taking pictures of the TV every year. Why I have no idea)


On to our next adventure