weekend Lens

last hockey game of the season for Drew :: St. Patrick's Day ::

70 & 80 degree gorgeous weather :: walk with Pete and Bella :: end of year hockey party ::

High School Hockey Banquet :: bloody mary's on the deck

Spring has sprung

We have been enjoying some unseasonably warm weather this past week! It has been in the 60's and 70's which has been amazing and very early for those kind of temps in Minnesota!!! I have taken Bella for a bunch of walks this week which we both have loved. There is nothing like feeling the sun on your skin and smelling the spring breeze to rejuvenate you.

Jake and Drew have been outside more than they have been in, I think. :) And our driveway has been full of boys (sometimes Drew's friends, sometimes Jake's and sometimes both) playing basketball.

But I think the best sign of spring was seeing Jake's huge smile as he walked through the door after school today, singing:

"It's the most wonderful time of the year,
There's brackets to check,
and teams to be upset... "

 He is referring to March Madness of course! :)

Jake had some friends over to watch the games. Pete was at one of his friends watching the games. And Drew was on the driveway playing some basketball.

{I don't really 'get' March Madness...but I love how happy it makes all my boys!}

weekend Lens

State Hockey Tournament weekend with my alma mater winning the championship :: visiting Dad :: first grilling of the season :: peanut butter cookies :: Wild hockey game :: deck furniture out ::

pasta salad :: baseball in the backyard ::

dinner at Chianti Grill for Pete and I (and coincidentally running into Tyler and his friend at the table next to us :) :: beautiful weather :: Tyler back to school after his spring break

more Key West

Sunday morning in Key West started out rainy and a little cooler.

We ordered some coffee and juice for the room while we waited for the rain to let up a little bit. The perfect way to start a day!

We then headed to a spot for some brunch that some friends recommended to us, called Blue Heaven.

View of the eclectic bar area.

Complete with ping pong tables and chickens. :)

Pete ordered the lobster eggs benedict which is their signature dish. He loved it!!

I had a huge omelet with ham, tomatoes and onion. Mmm. So good!

After our amazing breakfast, we walked past the Hemingway House Museum.

and the Key West Lighthouse.

We then walked over to the Southernmost point area past the 'Southernmost House Mansion.'

We strolled down the White Street Pier

and stopped for a picture at the Southernmost Point which is marked by a colorful landmark buoy.

That evening we headed to the 'Marquesa Cafe' which is part of the hotel we were staying at.

We had a wonderful dinner! Seriously great food!

Monday we took a trolley around the island.

We saw mile marker 0

and the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church where the James Bond movie 'Licence to Kill' was filmed.

We saw some beautiful historical houses with some amazing gingerbread moldings. The details of the gingerbread told the profession of the owner of the house. In this case it was a ships wheel. Very interesting.

We got off the trolley and walked the boardwalk area.

The Custom House Museum of Art & History.

We walked through the Memorial Sculpture Garden which is a tribute to the history of Key West.

We stopped at Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shoppe.

Kermit pretends to throw a pie at you as you walk by. :)

We then headed back to the hotel for some pool time and to soak in some sunshine. I seriously can't say enough about this hotel. The buildings are beautiful and so well maintained, the grounds are absolutely stunning, the service was beyond anything we have ever experienced, and the location is just a short walk to the activity on Duval Street.

The pool area was a peaceful oasis.

That evening we headed out to Mallory Square to see the beautiful sunset. "This is a ritual on Key West where everyday at dusk visitors gather at this seaside spot to watch the spectacular sunset and enjoy the lively street performers."

After enjoying the sunset, we took a stroll down Duval street again

and we even ran into 'Captain Jack Sparrow' :)

Back at our hotel later that evening we had the best pizza we have ever eaten! So good!

The next morning we woke to beautiful sunshine and decided to order some breakfast out at the pool area and enjoy those last rays of sunshine before our flight home.

Pete and I both had so much fun on this little trip away and came home relaxed and rejuvenated. Exactly what we needed!

Key West

Last weekend, Pete and I took a little trip away to the beautiful and energetic spot of Key West. We had 5 days of sun, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Spirng is always our favorite time to take some kind of vacation to unwind after a long and busy winter hockey season.

Our flight left last Friday afternoon and after organizing all of the kid logistics of them staying home,  a 5 hour weather delay in Atlanta, and witnessing an intoxicated man being escorted off our flight-- we were more than ready to arrive in Key West.

We arrived at 2am to our hotel, The Marquesa. It was absolutely amazing!!

This was the view of the pool area from the lobby as we were checking in. Breathtaking!

Our room was just as amazing and perfect! And huge!

The next morning we slept in, grabbed coffee at the pool

and started exploring the town. We headed to Duval Street where all of the activity is.

 

We stopped at Sloppy Joe's for some lunch.

 

We ordered fish tacos and a beverage.

 

 

That evening we went on a dinner cruise.

 

Captain Alex grilling our dinner.

 

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

 

And had a beautiful ride pack into the pier.

After our dinner cruise we stopped at Shooner's Bar

where Pete visited with the local fixture  'Eric the cigar guy'.

 

 

We headed back to Duval Street to enjoy some great live music. We stopped at Willie T's.

 

Jimmy Buffet's

 

Sloppy Joe's

 

The Smallest Bar (which is a bar in an alley between 2 buildings)

 

And the last stop of the night was Hogs Breath Saloon

 

Such a fun day filled with sun, great food and drinks, a boat ride and a beautiful sunset.

{Two more fun filled days on the next post.}