As if I needed another reason to miss Target...

I love that store so much...when people ask me what I miss about America, I always say family, friends and Target. I go EVERYDAY when I'm home.

It's even better (is that possible?), now that they are featuring one of my favorite people in their stores!

Adorable Baby Nephew on the right! 

Family Time

Two weeks ago, I was super lucky to be able to see my family and spend two glorious weeks in California before stopping in New York city. I also ate ALOT, became a tourist in my own country and even managed to catch a comedy show that my sister was hosting in NYC. So much fun!

It's weeks like these that make me really, really wish I lived closer to everyone!

Exploring San Fran with the family 

Chinatown, SF. SUCH GOOD FOOD. 

Although, every Asian restaurant that I went to was better then the ones here in Dublin) 

New York Trip 

My first Circle Line cruise around New York Harbor 

(This was the child-friendly edition.) 

My buddy! 

Lady Liberty! 

Dinner with my Three (!!!!!) favorite babies 

Sister time at the comedy festival with the star of the show on the right!

Practicing 

Cute mom and baby! 

The cutest/scariest thing in the world

I was lucky enough to be able to stop over in NYC during my world-wind trip through the states to see both my sisters and their partners (the one in Chicago flew to NYC). But... the best person I saw during my trip.... My little bear! 

She's so adorable, no? But....she's also the SCARIEST thing ever, because meeting her for the first time was like a smack in face. She's a great baby, but babies need to be taken care of ALL THE TIME. I mean I knew this, but reality set in when I met her (and I didn't even have to feed her or change her diaper) While I'm so excited about having a baby (and have the shopping to prove it), I don't know how ready am I to be a mom. It will be such a change from having a set schedule with work to having to do whatever this little one wants. Only 9 more weeks!  

{Two Years}

Happy two year anniversary to my favourite buddy! For the second time in a row, I'm in California and my buddy is back home celebrating separately. We're hoping for our third anniversary, we'll be together! :)

And our little video, which I STILL watch all the time!

Home!

I'm home with the folks! Hurray! I have already visited and spent way too much money on random stuff at Target. :)

It's lovely being home with the family (and all the good home cooking is a bonus too!). It's also slightly strange. I've forgotten how eager sales associates are when you enter a shop...or that you have to tip while dining out...or the continuous free refills on drinks. You definitely can't get dehydrated here!

We're headed to Lake Tahoe this weekend (Can't wait!), but here are some snaps from this week so far.

Everything is soooo convenient here! 

Staying cool in the 104(!!!!) degree heat! 

Fresh Coconut Juice. YUM! 

At Target with my momma. 

Totally overwhelmed by all the choices (went with Fruity Pebbles!) 

Happy Friday!

Fastest week ever! Any good plans for you this weekend? Hubby and I are taking a day trip to Carlingford for a walk around the lakes. This place is famous for oysters, and I love oysters. Sad that I can't have any :(

But to brighten up my day, my birthday package (yes, it was two months ago. I think it might have gotten held up in customs) came today. So happy as I thought it was lost. Not only did I get two bags of pretzel M&Ms (how am I going to make them last until my next US trip?), but I got the best birthday message ever.

#crazytown

Enjoy your weekend! 

Miss Lila

One more baby post this week, then I'll get back to my regular posts complaining about the Irish weather. Yesterday, my family welcomed a new little one. How adorable is my little niece!!?!?

I'm talking my sister into enrolling her into St. Andrew's to meet the lovely new prince. Think I'll get the title of baroness or duchess?

Bright eyes!

Happy Birthday June Babies!

That would be for me today and my younger sister tomorrow. Hurray!

I'll be celebrating in Slovenia (hoping the weather is warmer than it is in Dublin), and she'll be celebrating in Chicago most likely eating some ribs and hot dogs (jealous!).

Receiving our matching t-shirts with pure joy!

Happy Birthday!

To my favorite buddy...

Opening his birthday gift 

(I got him a Nexus 7. We're both addicted and barely talk to each other at night anymore. #kiddingnotkidding) 

Since it's a school night, we're going to be laying pretty low -Hubby's favorite dinner cooked by me.
We celebrated over the weekend with a visit to Howth. We stopped into King Sitric for a lovely seafood lunch, and then went for a walk along the pier. I think it's a sign we're getting old, when shots aren't involved in birthday celebrations!

One more time...

I'm gonna be an auntie again! I can't wait!

My sister told us using this adorable T shirt at Christmas, and it took the family a good 40 minutes before we looked at the front and the back of this T-shirt! So excited!!! 

Christmas in Cali

I know Christmas is long gone but just a very quick recap of Christmas in California. It's strange as the weather was warm. I helped my parents paint their front door on Christmas Eve, and we were wearing shorts!

We've moved around quite a bit so for our family, it doesn't matter where we celebrate Christmas as long as everyone is there (which they were - minus hubby).

Vroom! 

New Friends 

Everyone in front of the saddest looking tree that my dad thought was trendy. 

Funny faces 

Sisters! 

Before my dad's Surprise Birthday party 

Chicago - {Part 2- The sights}

As you can see, most of my sights in Chicago involved a fork. However, my sister did take me around to see some of the hot spots. Since, she was working during the week I got to explore the city by myself. This is a first! If I'm traveling alone, it's usually with work so I have a schedule, but this time, I didn't.

I got to

• eat when and whatever I wanted (Hello, big bowl of tator tots the size of my face)
• go back to Target 20 times with no one complaining
• grab tea when I needed a break 
• visit old friends
• brave the cold for a boat tour 
• stand in front of the Nordstrom mirrors for 20 minutes debating on boots and no one rushed me

I've got to travel alone more often - It was glorious! 

Obligatory Tourist shot 

Cold Walk along Lake Michigan 

A first! Uggs on the beach 

Gorgeous theatre 

This is a Wal-greens. Can you believe it? The building used to be a bank. I may have spent 20 minutes here. 

Far from home! 

Finding the start of my architecture tour at Navy Pier 

Braving the cold for a tour on the river

USA! USA! 

 

Color coordinated friends

The TATOR TOTS! 

 Sears Tower 

Pretty Lights 

Getting my hair did at the Beauty Bar 

So Hip- Whiskey and Pabst 

{Happy}, {Happy}, {Happy}

Happy Christmas to you, dear readers!

Christmas in Chicago 

Happy Birthday to my dear dad! 

My sister and I with our dad. I'm in the one in the hoodie. 

And... Happy 35th Anniversary to my parents! 

Bliss

My days recently have consisted of grossly overeating momma's home cooking, blissfully shopping for hours a day (including daily visits to Target) and wrapping loads and loads of presents.

We're off to Lake Tahoe tomorrow (can't wait!), but will update the blog shortly from my time in Chicago last week.

 

Lake Tahoe (picture by my little sister!) 

The Windy City

I landed in Chicago late Saturday afternoon and have been having non stop fun! Mostly I've been spending a lot of time eating and visiting loads of different restaurants with my sister. I can't seem to find my camera cord and so will update with pics shortly. Around town, there are kiosks that let you take self portraits. We managed to find two of them!