New Year's Eve - Pink Martini "Auld Lang Syne"

A friend turned me on to Pink Martini.  This is from their Christmas Album which I had to run out and get!

Daddy Daughters Date in Orlando

I headed over to Orlando to spend the day with Adele, Mia, and Gina.  Mia leaves at the beginning of next week to head back to Provo.  It was a year since I last saw Mia, so I was a bit antsy about her leaving.  Hopefully, we'll all be seeing each other soon this coming year!
After picking the girls up, we headed over to Fuji Yama Sushi for sushi.  It was delish!  

Mia's selection . . . 

Gina and me!

Chop sticks Sisters!

Gina's selection . . . 

Another view . . . 

My tempura lunch box . . . 

URRRRRRRRPPPP!

Then we headed over to the Regal Cinema at Waterford Lakes to see Tangled.  

What a cute and funny movie!  The CG animation is phenomenal! 

After the movie we went to some of the stores in the huge shopping area, and then to Panera for some light snack before I brought the girls back home and then headed back to St. Pete.


A memorable Daddy Daughters Date!

Christmas 2010 Family Visit to St. Petersburg - Day 3

We started the day with toasted English muffins, panettone, and Italian bread, all with the apple butter that Wayne had brought the night before.  Can you tell we put a healthy dent into that jar?

My choice!

After showering and getting dressed, packing the cars for the trip back to Orlando, we headed over to Mazzaro's.  Another first for Joe and Joy.

Hmmmmm?  What to order?

And lunch on the patio.  We do love to eat!  Hey!  We're Italian!

No comment necessary. :-)

 Close up showing Santa!


From Mazzaro's, we headed over to I-275 and the trip back to Orlando.  The kids are celebrating Christmas with Lu in Winter Park.  One big long celebration!  


The visit was so much fun, but way too short!  Now to plan for the next visits!

Christmas 2010 Family Visit to St. Petersburg - Day 2

Our visit has been very relaxed.  We've been taking things slowly, and as the mood strikes us.  No big agenda other than to enjoy each other's company, have fun, and create new memories.


Night one:  I slept on the couch, Adele slept on a twin size inflatable mattress in the living room in front of the tree; Mia and Gina slept on the bed in the bedroom, and Joe and Joy slept on the queen size inflatable mattress in the kitchen.  We moved the table and chairs to the other end of the kitchen near the windows, and voila! a third bedroom with eat-in privileges! 

A family favorite:  corn flake wreath. The secret is in the buttah!

We spent a lot of the day just relaxing and hanging around the apartment.  Later, we took a drive downtown to the new Dali Museum, [scheduled to open on 1/11/11] and Demens Landing.  Mia enjoying the walk on the knee wall.

The Mahaffey Theater, located across the plaza from the Dali.

Well, hello Dali girls!

Nice angle.

Across the street from the Dali. Proud parents to be!

A favorite picture spot!  The Gabriel Sisters!

And one with Dad and his girls!

Fun in the park!

From there, we went to Alfresco's at the Vinoy for dinner.  Another yummy meal!

The main ballroom at the Vinoy; the Chihuly chandelier.  Kind of looks like the head of Medusa.  A bit weird, in my opinion.

On the way back to the apartment, we stopped to visit Pete and Joe.  Only Adele had met them prior to this visit, when she was here around Halloween.
It's nice when family meets family!


Wayne came over after we got home, bearing gifts of a yule log and apple butter!  More yums!

Starting to vibrate even before eating some!

Now, it's time for bed!  OK, now where are we sleeping tonight???

Christmas 2010 Family Visit to St. Petersburg - Day 1

For the first time in 5 years, all of my children came together for our Christmas Visit.  It was sweet!!!  This is my fourth Christmas in St. Petersburg.
The time went way too fast, but the hours were packed with great moments, big hugs, laughter, fun and food!  And for the first time, my apartment went from a one bedroom to a three bedroom!  


We had a mid-afternoon dinner at Valentino's, my favorite Italian family restaurant in St. Pete. It was Joe's and Joy's first visit there.


Gina had a sausage and spinach calzone.

 I forgot what exactly Joy and Joe ordered!  

Mia had a buffalo chicken calzone and Adele had a salad with chicken.

A favorite:  Valentino chips!

My pepperoni and eggplant calzone.  YUM!!!

The weather was beautiful while they were visiting. First time, all five in front of my apartment building.  :-)
We went for a nice walk up to Coffee Pot Bayou and then over to Tampa Bay.

Walking along the Bay.

The waterfront park system in St. Pete celebrated it's 100 Anniversary this year.  As part of renovations, this sundial was added.  You stand on the current month, chiseled into the stone, and your shadow is cast to indicate the current time.  It is way cool!

Heading back to my apartment on 16th Ave. NE

Such a gorgeous afternoon for a stroll!

Outside Christmas tree!

Yes, Virginia, there are polar bears in Florida!

Let's pretend tonight's Christmas Eve!

I always wanted to be a teen model!

And this was before the sugar buzz from all the candy in the stockings!

Matching flamingo PJs.  It's the Florida lifestyle from Bealls!

Sleepy time!

What's a trip to St. Pete without a visit to Paciugo?!!!

Portrait in front of the Christmas tree in my living room.  :-)  My other living room!

Time for bed!  OK, now who's sleeping where?