Sweet, Sweet, Switzerland.

Switzerland ranks up there as one of the most fun countries we have visited and we owe it all to my mom.  She has been patiently awaiting her turn to do a country with us.  She pondered doing countries that begin with "D" since her name is Debbie, but D countries are very limited.  Ultimately, she decided to go with Switzerland and boy are we glad she did.  Because Switzerland is famous for Fondue and who doesn't love fondue???                                  

   Here is our journey to Switzerland.....

First we had to shop for our fondue ingredients AND a fondue pot.

Then we dipped and dipped to our hearts content.

Mini Zoie Photo shoot.....why not?

 We thought it would be fun to play a little prank on Adam.  So we poured these Jelly Beans into a bowl and asked him to guess the flavors.  It gave us a serious case of the giggles, the kind where tears run down your cheeks and your tummy hurts.  Ayden was bursting at the seams with the secret of the gross flavors.  Good thing Adam is such a good sport!

FUN FACTS:

1. The first known recipe for cheese fondue dates back to 1699.
2. Swiss Army knifes are red so they can be seen in the snow.
3. There are no mosquitoes in Switzerland.
4. It was once against the law to slam your car door.
5. Our personal favorite....It is against the law to mow your lawn dressed like Elvis.  What?!

My mom is one of those instantly likeable people.  Not only is she a fantastic Nana but she is my very best friend and there isn't a single person on this planet who I have more fun being around.  Mom, you did a great job and we had So. Much. Fun!  I definitely think you need to do it again!!  Love you more!

I see London...I see FRANCE!

Very FANCY French wine.

My Grams wanted to squeeze in one more country before she went all the way back to Alabama.  She had been to California the previous week and gone to a friends house that has started doing the country challenge with her family.  Which naturally, I think is awesome!  I have heard of a couple families that have taken our idea and ran with it, adding cute little twists and making it their own.  So cool.  This family had done France and Grams said it was really delish.   So we gave it a whirl.

 Its cooked with an entire bottle of wine, which doesn't suck.  Oh and crumbled bacon? Yep, pretty amazing.

 FRENCH vanilla ice cream sundaes!

I joke that my Grams is the wife I never had, she completely spoils me and won't let me lift a finger around the house.  She is the domestic goddess that I long to but will never be.  I hate that she lives so far away but I love the time we get to spend together on her visits.   Thank you for everything you do and for simply being YOU!

By the way, did you know it is illegal to water a grapevine in France?

 Nana has been patiently waiting to do a country......TONIGHT!

Hey, Mambo..Mambo Italiano

My first job was waiting tables at a place called Giovanni's in Prescott, Az.  After working there for a couple years I became a complete and total pasta snob.  I was spoiled by some awesome Italians with some incredible food.  Adam would come sit in the back room while I was working and order iced tea, after iced tea, after iced tea.  Even though he may have had an alternative motive for being there, he also loved the grub.  Giovanni's is still there but it's under new management and sooooo not the same.  Nothing but Giovannis will ever replace the stromboli sized hole in my heart, but I can say that we have found the next best thing.  It tastes like it, it looks like it, and I even think the logos are simailar.  Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce......  Floridinos (click here to try it...do it!).

Carb Heaven.

Now, those of you who have kids know that there is a window (ages 1-3ish) where dining out isn't exactly enjoyable.  Most of the meal was spent keeping knifes, large cups of liquid, and piping hot plates away from a very quick little girl.  We did read our facts and we did get to mark Italy off our map but I must say that I have definately had more relaxing meals in my day.  My Grams was here for another visit and of course she was just happy as can be, along for the ride, helpful, and not bothered one bit by the chaos.  Just another reason to love her!  Long story short, we basically ate and ran.  On the way home while Grams rode shotgun, Fox and I had a mini photo shoot....Who's a dirty kitty?

The next day we spent packing for our "staycation" to The Point Resort.  Ayden went down his first waterslide and Zoie girl rocked that bikini.  Sun, water, lazy rivers, and compfy beds were just what the doctor had ordered. But, there was one thing that trumped all the fun and sun...laying in bed between my mom and my Grams watching Pawn stars and reading Women's World, best part ever...hands down.

Next week....France!

The Ford's do Finland for the 4th.

Oh, what fun we had on the 4th of July.  There are so many things that made my day/night fantastic...

To list a few...

1. I had the WHOLE day off.  Which I fully enjoyed after a 15 hour day at the salon on Sunday.
2. Adam got off early.
3. My momma came over to spend the day and treat Ayden to a movie.
4. I was itching to put Zoie in her cute little red, white, and blue halter top.
5. Fireworks and tailgating.
6. Oh yea...It was also Finnish night!