Jay's b-day party

Aaron and I met up with his Elyria buddies for dinner and drinks. Happy B, Jay!

Jay and Jen Elliott

Jessica and Andy Hartman

Nikki and Dave Ransome

Jen's brother Bobby and his girlfriend Linda

We tried a new restaurant named Bac Asian American Bistro and Bar in Tremont. The food was awesome! My avocado green curry would have been perfect if it wasn't too spicy. I had to trade with Aaron's pad Thai.

Aaron's pad Thai

My avocado green curry

After we drove down the street to the Treehouse for some drinks on the deck. Jen's friend Christine joined us.

Aloha Jennifer and Khyla!

What a god-awful picture of me! Well it was 5 a.m. in the morning and I was feeling blue that my Titas were leaving me. Just so you know I couldn't use my contacts... I nearly burned one of my eyeballs trying to put one on! Not sure if I used the wrong contact solution (I doubt it!), if there was Clorox or hair solution on the counters, or if I still had soap on my hands. Whatever it was I thought my eye was going to explode!

Thank you Tita for everything! Another great vacation and added pin on my map. Baby, I hope you had some fun while hanging out with me and Uncle Aaron. I'll miss you both very much!

Concert alert... Flogging Molly

I wasn't feeling well so Khyla went with Aaron to the concert. It was held at the Jacobs Amphitheater (old Nautica) this time. I was nervous that they would get caught in the thunderstorm since the amphitheater is open but the rain stopped as they started driving to Cleveland. Khyla liked it more than we thought so that was nice! We know Aaron did! Now his ears are ringing.

Tita does Great Northern

Jen is not done shopping yet! But I managed to take my sister out to dinner before heading home. Yes, sushi, sashimi and tempura! Oh how I miss Hawaii now.


Jen is still looking for more to clean in my house. Can we say CLOROX! Unfortunately it's also time to pack. Boo!

Tita does Avon Crocker Park

My sister is keeping busy on her vacation -- shopping, cleaning my house, pulling weeds, shopping and cleaning my house. She claims its her way of relaxing!

Concert alert... Britney Spears

It's Aunty and Niece time! We left Tita with the dogs and went into Cleveland for the concert. Aaron was at work.

I knew it was going to be a great show!! There was a lot of dancing, laser lights, video backdrops, fog, spinning stage parts, aerials, confetti and a big fat BASS!! Khyla and I had a great time once we got there. Getting there however is another panic attack filled story.

Our seats were perfect -- we hit our section as soon as we walked into the Quicken Loan Area, the bathroom was at the top of the stairs, and we were sitting 14 rows up from the floor, at the end of the row and with no one behind us! The large flat screen was near on our side too. We were close enough that I didn't have to squint to see Britney clearly on stage. And don't forget Nicki Minaj! We missed most of her concert since we were late but caught her last 3 songs including Khyla's favorite Super Bass.

We weren't suppose to have a camera but I managed to sneak it in. Here are some pictures and videos...



"Where Them Girls At" -- Nicki Minaj

"Up and Down" -- Britney Spears

"How I Roll" -- Britney Spears

"If U Seek Amy" -- Britney Spears

Sadly we used all of Khyla's camera memory before the second half of the show and couldn't take any more pictures and videos. BS even sang my favorite Rihanna song S&M. I know at least one girl in the crowd jumping up and down for that number!!

Tita does Strongsville

Guess what my sister wanted to do today? MORE SHOPPING!!

Helping my niece find her first pair of heels -- success!!

I showed her where Khyla's cooking class was held before going to the mall. Had a fast lunch at Five Guys Burgers and ice cream from Hershey's before heading home.

Time to walk the dogs!

Oh lord she's cleaning my house again...

2011 PHILLY and PITTSBURGH: Day 4

We woke up early and had breakfast at Sabrina's Cafe and Spencer's Too before making our long drive back home.




Aloha Philadelphia! On our way we hit two separate thunderstorms! The rain was crazy heavy! But we managed slowly but surely.

Our only stop planned was the Grove City Outlet Mall so Jen could buy her friend a Steelers football jersey. We had lunch first at Primanti Brothers. Their specialty is sandwiches with french fries and slaw inside with the meat of choice. Ono!


"Hi Mom!" -- I'm talking to my mom in Pepeekeo while posing for the picture

Let's see if we can manage to go into the one shop needed. I'm thinking not. We can't do a full shopping spree -- we need to be home to let the dogs out before they start rearranging the furniture. I can't wait to see them!

2011 PHILLY: Evening 3

It's fried chicken for dinner! After the adults went down to the jacuzzi for a half hour. Darn the gym was closing, heehee!


Then we relaxed and watched a movie. See who's in it?

2011 PHILLY: Day 3

We are going out in the town, looking for a Philly cheese steak!


Pat's King of Steaks vs. Geno's Steaks


My verdict... my vote goes to Pat's!! I like their more grounded meat than Geno's thinly sliced meat. I liked Pat's french fries better too.

Help! Tita wants to go to IKEA! I can't believe she's going to fit those chairs in her luggage! I suggested we drive by the sports stadiums on the way back to the hotel. Oh dear we got caught in the Phillies traffic!

Home of the Phillies baseball team

Home of the Eagles football team

Home of the 76ers basketball team -- and where Rihanna performed last night!

Tita wanted to eat Popeye's but we weren't successful in getting there. We thought about eating Chinese since Chinatown was around the corner but we ended up finding another chicken joint.

Can't wait to get back to the hotel to relax and eat!

2011 PHILLY: Four Seasons The Spa

Tita, Aaron and I went for a dip in the jacuzzi tonight.

Their indoor pool AFTER all the parents and kids left.

Since they were closing the gym and pool, we took pictures of the women's locker room.


The sauna -- always looks inviting but we never dare go in there! No can breathe!

2011 PHILLY: Evening 2

Sadly Tim didn't get the Rihanna tickets after all so no concert for lil Tita and I. Instead all of us went down to the spa, gym and pool for a little workout session. Like we didn't sweat enough today!


Then we all got ready to the nines for dinner at Davio's. Drinks, appetizers, main course and dessert!



Our appetizers -- chicken parmesan, Buffalo chicken, Philly cheesesteak and oriental shrimp spring rolls. Ono! Jen had Jonah's crab cakes and Khyla had a scallop salad.

I had a penne pasta with a walnut cream sauce. Oh my goodness, it was amazing!

Aaron had a rigatoni pasta with spicy sausage. Equally delicious! Jen and Khyla shared a lobster and steak meal. I guess they loved it because it was gone before I finished my pasta!

The experience was not over until we had dessert! Creme Brulee, chocolate caramel lava cupcake and a blueberry cheesecake! We needed to call the hotel house car to come and get us. I think we need to workout again!