Charleston, SC: Sarah's Bachelorette Party

On Thursday afternoon, I brought Ava to her Nana's home where she stayed overnight until Mark picked her up the following day after work. 

She had a great time at Nana's house as usual. Ava gets to play with a mini kitchen set, a swing in the backyard, her red little car (above), and ton of toys.

Ava feels right at home whenever she's there. She also gets to play with her two uncles: Tommy & Luke  (Uncle Tommy is also her Godfather.)

***Thank you, Debbie (my mama in law), and the rest of the family who are always excited to get to spend time with Ava which gives me some much needed help in travel times like these. 

So around 4, I got on the road to head up to Jacksonville. There, I would stay at my best friend's house and get on the road the following morning with the best of the bridal party. As Sarah's Matron of Honor, I arranged for all of us to stay in Charleston, SC for that weekend just as she requested. 

We rented this adorable home 10min away from downtown Charleston.  It was a perfect location (and down the road from a Trader Joe's ..WOOHOO!) 

Sarah plays golf (and is really good might I add!) and so she wanted an argyle/golf theme Bachelorette pub crawl. 

Sarah the bride to be is in the center - light green argyle 

We had a great time exploring the charming city of Charleston.

My favorite part was probably our nice dinner at McCrady's. It was a delicious 4 course meal. Their food is extremely fresh, brought in from local farmers, and their presentation is just beautiful.

It was a great time getting to know the rest of Sarah's friends from Jacksonville. I also loved getting to see Ali (left of Bachelorette) who flew in to be there. I miss Sarah and Ali already. It always feels like we are right back at FSU when the 3 of us are together. 

Thanks, ladies for making it a memorable weekend for Sarah! I look forward to seeing you all in 2 weeks for Sarah's bridal shower! 

Then, after we all got into Jacksonville, FL from Charleston, SC (about 4 hrs), I got right back on the road 2 min later and drove the next 4.5 south to get home around 8:30PM. 

My gas station food: non GMO is not impossible - even on the road! ;) 

And today's recovery smoothie:

Hope everyone had a nice weekend! 

I had a great time in the very charming city of Charleston with my friends. I cannot wait to go back to that adorable city.  

I am happy to be home in warm south Florida though! 

This morning, Ava and I went for a run around the neighborhood after breakfast and now she is napping while I eat lunch: 

Organic chicken on some organic/nonGMO corn tortilla shells with avocado & lime. And some raw Cauliflower as my side! 

Yum.

Oh! Last but certainly not least...

Ali didn't let me go back empty handed for Ava. She bought Ava an adorable Vineyard Vines dress. 

How cute ?!? I want it in my size. Thank you, Ali. We love you. See you in May for the wedding :)

And that's it for now...

I can't wait for Mark to get home tonight since last night's catching up on the porch flew by. I feel like I haven't seen him in so long! Miss my hub hub.  

Now, I need to figure out what I am going to make us for dinner... Any ideas ? 

XO

Christina 

Snapshots of the Weekend {Date Night + Riverwalk Jazz Brunch}

Hope everyone had a great weekend. 

Congrats to the Seattle Seahawks! 

(I am a college football girl myself so the NFL really does nothing for me. But since I just felt the amazing feeling of being National Champions when my Seminoles won, I get understand the excitement of the Seahawks fans.) 

Hooray. 

Anyways...

 On Friday, I drove to Miami to surprise my grandparents with a 5 hour house deep clean while my mother in law watched Ava for the day. Thank you, Debbie!

 Since my grandmother's back surgery which didn't help one bit for her chronic back pain, she has never been able to clean the way she did for her whole life. My grandmother was always a stay at home mom and cleaned her house unlike anyone I know. (Actually, Mark's grandmother in North Dakota cleans like her as well.) I am talking "eat off the floors" type of clean. 

So, since my grandfather refuses to "have a stranger come in a clean" and he claims he cleans just fine.... 

I thought I'd go in and try my best to give him a break and clean like my grandmother.

Needless to say, I came home and was happy to relax the rest of the night with my red wine. 

Mark works SUPER late on the last day of the month - every month. People in sales know what I am talking about... 

So I basically did that ^ by myself. 

The next morning while Mark slept in (usually he is the one that gets up before me and gives Ava her bottle at 8, walks the dog, and makes breakfast.) 

I knew he was exhausted so I did all that :)

I made us waffles with bananas and cinnamon. They were delishhh! Ava approved. 

When Ava and Mark went down for a nap, I got some sun by the pool...

Sorry, I had to. 

That night my mom came over as Ava was being put to bed so that Mark and I could go out for a date night. 

Mark took me to this tiny little sushi place in Mizer Park {Boca Raton, FL for my non-locals}

It was delicious! We sat on their little patio and could hear the live music from across the street at Jazziz  Nightlife. 

So after dinner, we headed over there to relax with some cocktails and music. They also had 3 large humidors for a ton of cigars which was great for Mark. He enjoys the occasional cigar with drinks. 

We opted to sit outside as usual. 

Inside. 

This woman...

made me want Ava to learn the violin. She was amazing. She told me that she started playing when she was 7. 

On Sunday morning around 11 we headed over to Las Olas for the Riverwalk Jazz Brunch. I am so happy that my friend AJ reminded me about it. I always remember these jazz bunches the day after they happen! They are the 1st Sunday of every month from 11AM-2PM. 

Basically, people show up and set up camp for the free live music. You bring your blankets, chairs, food, mimosas :) 

etc. and have a gorgeous, relaxing Sunday afternoon with your friends. There are multiple bands so you hear music wherever you get a spot. 

Thanks, AJ! 

He is also the one who created these homemade, super fancy dancy desserts for all of us. We had extras so he made friends and handed them out to our neighbors. We already know they will setting up camp next to our spot next month for these delicious almond baskets (They told us... ha ) 

They had raspberry sorbet, vanilla ice cream, whip cream,  and mixed berries to top it all. I am drooling thinking about them. If you come out next month, these will make your day. (Sorry AJ, I just volunteered you to make these every month.) 

^That is CALLAHAN WALTERS ^ refusing to be in my picture. LAME. 

Zach and Nicole joined us :) 

Cal eventually came around... Cheese!  (I've known him sine Kindergarten so I can tease him) 

AJ, Me, Cal, Griffin 

We got in around 4 from the jazz brunch and since Ava had just gone down for her 2nd nap, we also took a nap... 

Well, 3 hours later Mark and I woke up and realized that we overslept and our daughter was STILL asleep. 

(It almost scares me to think about even having another child because my daughter has been a rockstar sleeper since she was about 7 weeks old. The girl can sleep and I love it because so can I... If we had another child, I feel like my luck would run out, they would be up all night, and be horrible nappers. We may just  stick to Ava and spoil her rotten... 

:) 

So after a late dinner for Ava, we played with Ava's princess castle that my friend Chelsea bought her when she tuned 1 while Mark made us Mahi sliders for dinner. He blended mango and cilantro together to top them  - delicious. 

And now Ava is asleep for the night and we are on the porch. We are on our rocking chairs, enjoying our cocktails, Mark is smoking a cigar and working from his laptop, and I am blogging away and planning a bachelorette party weekend in Charleston, SC for my friend Sarah. Can't wait until March! I've never been to Charleston. 

How was your weekend? 

Hope you had a great one. 

Also, don't forget...

National Signing Day is Wednesday! WooHoo! 

Florida State University: 

"Five-star wide receivers Malachi Dupre (River Ridge, La./John Curtis) and Ermon Lane (Homestead, Fla.), five-star defensive lineman Malik McDowell (Southfield, Mich.), four-star offensive tackle Roderick Johnson (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central) and four-star defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes) are some of the top uncommitted prospects who could end up signing with the Noles. On top of that, FSU could flip four-star athlete Javon Harrison (Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen) from a long-standing pledge to Virginia Tech."

(JC Shurburtt | 247Sports)

XO

Christina 

A Baby Boy!

Message at 1AM from my neighbor and friend, Jessica  

Congrats to the new mommy and daddy!!!!!!

Christian Alexander was born today at 8:39 am (7.3 lbs 19 3/4 in).

For those of you who recall my recent blog post about my two friends having their baby showers on the same day, this is Jessica, the first one that I attended that day. 

Jessica is my friend that I met when I moved to Pompano with my mom. After my mom and step father divorced entering my freshman year of high school, my mom and I moved from our house in Ft. Lauderdale to a condo in Pompano Beach. Jessica's mother's friend saw me moving in with my mother (Mark was there helping too.) 

Sarah (Jessica's mother's friend) quickly started freaking me out with a million questions to find out if I would be a good influence on Jessica or if I was some sort of a trouble-maker teen. I suppose since I was Jessica's new neighbor, she had her concerns. Well I like to think I turned out to be a decent influence... ;) haha 

 See?! 

13 years later, I turned that Jessica into green loving mama! Woohoo! Haha.

 (I stalked your Facebook pictures for some material, Jess.)

Daily green smoothies and a new organic lover. 

Jess even came with me to two events that taught us about natural parenting and how to eat/live healthier. 

The second event we attended was to listen to the author and well known pediatrician, Dr. Sears, speak.

(Sidenote to explain the photo below:  During the talk he explained that he doesn't take artificial vitamins and such but that he takes one supplement along with his organic diet to stay healthy- an all natural/organic veggie/fruit supplant called Juice Plus.) Jessica went ahead and purchased her 4 month supply. :)

You should see our texts... Full of excitement over all things healthy hahaha We are such nerds (and proud of it!) 

...Or when I make trips to Whole Foods and pick up her probiotics for her with a big smile on my face :) 

Jessica, aside from the healthy stuff, I want you to know that I am so incredibly proud of you already.

You told me from the beginning that you enjoyed watching my pregnancy with Ava and how happy I was throughout the entire pregnancy. I was so happy to see that you followed suit and embraced your pregnancy from the moment you found out that you and Mike were expecting.  You haven't complained once but focused on the positive things instead like I told you. You ate well and exercised to stay feeling great, read books that would support your decisions in raising a healthy baby, took safety classes, etc. 

You and I have spoken a lot about how important it is to focus on the positive and not the negative. Much too often we hear parents complaining about the bad pregnancy symptoms rather than speak about the fact that it is amazing that their body is growing a baby! Pregnancy goes by too quickly so it is important to cherish it rather than to groan your way thorough it...and you did just that! 

It was wonderful watching you embrace it and take care of your growing baby the right way.  

I love watching you interact with Ava and know that you will be such an amazing mother yourself.  I cannot wait to meet that beautiful baby boy. 

Congrats to you and Mike.  

Christian is very lucky to have you both as parents and you are as well to have him choose you to be his forever. 

(Remember, I am right around the corner and will be there at a moment's notice if you need me to cook, clean, or hold that precious baby while you nap or take a shower. These first few weeks can be a rough adjustment. Just know that we are here for you if you need ANYTHING. You will be great, mama!) 

XO

Christina

The Annual McGuire Christmas Card + BIG News

Hope everyone is having a very Happy Holiday Season! 

Front 

Back

This is our 4th year and Shutterfly is clearly our favorite when making Christmas cards! (They were so patient, helpful, and sped up my shipment even though I was the one who made a typo. Thank you to them! You have a loyal customer for years to come. 

Here is a link to see our 3 last Christmas cards: Annual McGuire Christmas Cards

AND THE BIG NEWS.....

One of our VERY FAVORITE FAMILIES has welcomed a new member of their family into the world today! 

My beautiful friend and fellow Kappa Sigma wife, MaryAnn, gave birth to Joseph Walker Bush today! 

He is 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. 

Joseph with her proud, big brother Jackson! 

 MaryAnn, you look gorgeous!

Isn't he so adorable?! I think he is our National Championship good luck charm! 

Congrats, Bush Family! 

XO

Christina 

Celebrating Baby Koval

Well, I keep typing and erasing my words because I don't know where to begin this post. There is so much I want to say about my friend, Ashley - the mama to be. 

There is also so much that I want to say about our friendship with her that I feel like I can't accurately express it all....

In a nutshell: 

Ashley is my childhood best friend. Since 6th grade, she is someone that knows me so well.

 She knows my husband equally as well since it was always the 3 of us together when we were younger.  Because of that, I consider her more like a sister. 

You know how there are people that you just "click" with? That just get you from the very beginning... That is my Ashley. It doesn't matter how long we have gone without speaking, which circle of friends we were in during high school, that we attended different colleges, or that we now live in different states. She is the one I call when I want to talk about something and know that she will completely understand how I feel. She knows me that well and knows how I feel/react to situations. 

Through it all, we still have a strong bond and know that the other one is there at all times. 

I'll wrap it up here because this is about Baby Koval! 

Ashley and her husband, Joey, are expecting their first child, Roman, on March 20th, 2014. 

Ashley's mother, Patty,  hosted the baby shower yesterday at their beautiful home in Ft. Lauderdale. Ashley flew in from Texas to be with all of the close women in her life. 

Here are some pictures I took:

Enjoy! 

Thankful for her loyal friendship 

I made baby Roman a bow tie onesie because I know he will be a gentleman 

Ashley and her bridesmaids

Ashley's mother wrote a beautiful poem that brought us all to tears. 

Ashley's beautiful Sister in law and niece. 

Riley! 

Practicing :) haha. 

 I had a great time celebrating with you, Ashley.
Your mom did an amazing job and I know she is so happy for you to experience the love of a mother. I will never forget that poem that she wrote and read to you. It was incredible. It brought me (and everyone else at the shower!)  to tears as I listened and thought of Ava growing up as she described her beautiful memories as your mother for the last 27 years. 

 Motherhood with rock your world and turn it upside down but it will also give you a kind of love that you did not even realize existed. I am thrilled for you and Joey to begin this chapter of your life as proud parents. You are going to be an amazing (and very funny) mother. 

You already know how much a loved and miss being pregnant... I wish you a very healthy and memorable rest of your pregnancy. It is a very special time in your life that you will look back on and appreciate the fact that you got to experience growing a life inside of you. 

Enjoy it to the fullest because it goes by so quickly. 

Love you, friend. 

XO

Christina