A little time in Paradise

So, we sneak away about every five years

with our dear friends from

Case Western Reserve Dental School

for a reunion of sorts.

It was reunion #10.

It was even more fun than five.

THANKS Angie Harris,

your an awesome cruise planner.

I think sneaking away for 15

will be a challenge with six teens.

Who will watch six teens????

No one.

Anyway,

We hopped a plane to Fort Lauderdale.

Then, a cruise ship

called Oasis of the Seas.

The largest ship in the world.

This massive ship that holds 9,000 passengers,

 took us for a fun filled eight day ride

to...

Labadee Haiti

Jamaica

 and Cozumel.

Our friends from Dental school are pretty much

like family.

We stayed up late playing cards and laughing.

We hit the karaoke bar nightly. People are crazy talented.

We went for lunch and shopping.

We dressed up for nightly shows and four course

dinners. There was a time we considered not going. 

But, I'm glad we made time for our friends and each other.

I missed breakfast everyday.

Why? Because I indulged in sleeping this trip.

I feel so good! 

 If you haven't been on a cruise I recommend it!

Ben, on the other hand, was up early to the gym

and at the breakfast buffet before 8:00.

Buffet, I think is one of his favorite activities.

You can't tell on his lean 6'4 frame.

Lucky Man.

 My Children were so jealous that I swam with dolphins.

Two of my girls wouldn't speak to me for an hour.

It was the most awesome experience.

I could have stayed with the dolphins all day.

 Rockstars Rachelle & Scott

 Cruise CEO Chad and Angie

 Comic Cons Michelle & Ben

Super Stars George & Erin

Thanks for the fun memories.

I'm having cruise hangover.

I think I'll make myself a pina colada.

Happy Memorial Weekend

from Kansas. Be safe.

Beauty & Brains

I like to think that I use my brains when

I shop.

I have to admit, since I was a child

I have been taken by lovely

clothing. I remember as a young girl

peering into my grandmother's jewelry

box and wardrobe. Grandma Pearl had great style.

My mother inherited her taste for 

quality and beauty.

She has always had great taste.

Classic.

So, a few months ago I discovered

vintage clothing retailers on Etsy.com.

I love all the classic well-made dresses I discovered.

They are gently used. They are reasonably prices as well.

Oh, and did I mention you don't have to hunt

for sleeves.

THEY COME WITH THEM.

Have you noticed that sleeves are

a disappearing act?

I have.

Without further a due,

let me show you what I found.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

My favorites are 1, 3 and 7.

What are your favorites?

Happy Mother's Day to all my great

girlfriends, sisters, mother's and aunt's.

May you all knock them dead with your

brains and beauty.

Having a heyday

It's time for Royals Baseball.

They are having a great season so far.

We were lucky enough to get tickets 

with our friend David

and his sweet daughter Grace.

Our tickets were Diamond Club tickets.

aka "spoiled at the game".

Second Row; Seat 9.

Yes, that spoiled. It was so fun.

Thanks, David & Grace.

Go Royals!

I could get used to major league baseball cheering.

(from the second row of course).

Playing Hookie

 I think Chicago is more beautiful than

New York.

 Does anyone else agree?

Playing hookie for this trip got off to a rough start.

(The flight was SUPER bumpy)

We were de-iced in St. Paul and were delayed

 for an hour and a half.

But once we arrived at our classy hotel,

 Park Place Hyatt

on the magnificent mile all travel blues were erased.

We went to Gino's East for Deep Dish pizza.

We also got to enjoy a few laughs with Jim Gaffigan. 

He finds parenting comical just like we do. 

The original Chicago

Theatre is a beauty to behold.

Yes, I threw back a zantac before bed.

 The architecture in Chicago was a photographers paradise.

I was taken by the detail and design of the Wrigley Building.

 And, yes Chicago is for all you foodies too.

I found cupcake heaven.

Magnolia's Bakery.

 I already have emailed headquarters to discuss

bring one to Kansas City. I had the devils food cake cupcake.

It was chocolate bliss.

 The Big Bean

Truly an artistic marvel. The day was perfect for photos.

The Navy Pier, Chicago.

Beautiful.

The ferris wheel was 15 stories high and a little windy.

Lunch at RIVA's was a favorite for me.

The asian shrimp salad was so good. 

 My Favorite Stop: The Sky Deck at the top of Willis Tower

The second tallest building in the world with a view. 

It was so amazing to look out over Illinois for miles.

 Stepping out onto the glass room that over hung the side of the building was

a little toe tingling.

Those are my Danskos.

 Can you see how small the cars and people are?

Total overall grade: A

Go see Chicago. (Maybe not in April)

Take a scarf and your Dansko shoes.

Happy Travels to all of you.

Sweet Madness

The Cousin Came for a Stay Hurray!

Did you grow up with cousins?

Our cousins are the best.

They made the long, long road trip

from Utah to visit us.

Two mini vans full of

cousins and Aunties and Uncles.

We had "cousin hangover" when they left.

We ate out.

Stayed up really late.

Went fishing.

Played basketball, racquet ball and tennis.

Took bike rides.

Viewed the Kansas City lights at night.

Played the guitar and mauled the cat.

Thanks for coming cousins.

We loved your company.

Our door is always open friends.

Come on over to Kansas City.

We'll show you the western frontier before

the california gold rush. Get in your cars. Hop a plane.

Come visit!

#followmeonintagram

 I love the idea of telling the story of our lives

through photos.

Instagram.

I'm hooked.

I also like writing about life...

Blogging.

So, come join the fun on instagram

with me.

#iknowyouwanna.

My username is sweetmadnessmama.

Here is a sample of my life

threw photos this past week.

Have a great week.

Catch you back here next Thursday.

I'm rededicating myself to

Top ten Thurs. I've been slacking.

Ian turns 10

Have you ever met someone

who is good at everything they try.

 Welcome to my world with Ian.

He is good at every sport and loves to be outside

for hours.

He only comes in to EAT.

He has an amazing appetite. I love that he loves my cooking.

He is kind and helpful. 

Nickname: Chicken nugget

Happy 10th Birthday Ian

Love you .