Miami

Quote: "Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's world it has become a necessity." -unknown

So 2 Sundays ago my Aunt called me and said "come to Miami this upcoming weekend", to which I said DONE.

So fast forward 4.5 days and I was boarding a plane to head to paradise.

My flight was supposed to leave at 8:45pm from Atlanta and land at 10:45pm in Miami. SO you can bet your bottom dolla that when I was able to leave work early I hopped on to MARTA and high tailed it over to the airport to try to jump on an earlier flight.

Luckily for me I was able to get on the flight leaving at 4:10pm. It only cost me $50 extra bucks too. Thanks Delta... you actually pulled through this time.

So as soon as I landed and turned on my phone I listened to a voicemail from my Aunt saying I should take a taxi and meet her at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Let's just say I ended up here.... holy moley.

As soon as I got there I was rushed in, handed a martini, and our crazy night began. I was with some VIPs in the Miami community so luckily I got to tag along and get the VIP treatment myself.

We jumped in a Hummer Limo stocked full of beer.

No complaints about our mode of transportation.

The limo took us to the Miami Heat game. Where we took an elevator up to a Suite. This suite was given to our crew by the Miami Heat coach. Not too shabby.

View from the suite.

View.

Heat vs Memphis.

At the game.

Please excuse my greasy hair/apperance.

I had worked all day, taken a flight, and been whisked off without the opportunity to freshen up. Oh well... it was well worth it to make it on time!

Outside the arena.

After the game we weren't ready to head home yet.

 We still had the limo and we decided to go to another "watering hole".

One of the ladies with us was a birthday girl so we were given a flaming bowl of whipped cream ha.

By the end of the night we were exhausted and happily crawled/fell into bed.

The next morning we woke up and worked out. Then got ready for a day at the beach. My Aunt rented us a cabana by the beach and pool and we spent the whole day in the sun.

This is inside our little cabana. It had a small bathroom and shower.

It was perfect for when you needed to freshen up at the beach/pool.

So convienent.

Perfect day.

I was so happy doing nothing.

That night we went to dinner at this really cool All Organic restaurant called Canyon Ranch. It was delicious and the views and restaurant were beautiful.

They had the most delicious Artichoke Fries ever. SOOOO good and healthy too.

Win Win in my book.

I tried a funny little organic beer called Monk in the Trunk.

 It was good, real good.

Easter Sunday we woke up and went on a bike ride. I haven't been on a street bike since I was like 13 years old. It took me awhile to get the hang of it. I almost took out some tables, bushes, street signs, pedestrians, myself, etc.

Aunt Kate on her bike...riding it like a champ.

Biking. I think I should stay on foot more often though.

I'm dangerous to myself and others on a bike.

We biked to the grove and had Easter brunch.

Which of course included Easter Mimosas.

We then biked over to St. Hughs to hopefully catch the last 1/2 of mass. It was jammed packed so we had to stand outside. Which was probably a good thing because of how we were dressed (see bike pictures above). We for sure weren't in appropriate Easter mass attire.

On top of that as we were standing outside I noticed Aunt Kate had bird poop all down the side of her shirt. We were CRACKING up. Sometime during our ride she had been bombed.

I managed to sneak into the church to get communion though. Hallelujah.

We biked over to our friend's house so I could meet his cute little baby.

She's so little and cute.

Then the next thing we did was lay by the pool.

We decided we needed more sun so we started cutting down palm trees and dragging the branches out front.

Later that day we ended up by another pool and had drinks and appetizers.

Happy Easter to us.

My trip to Miami was WONDERFUL and much needed. I was so glad to be there.

Only sad part (besides having to leave) was that I missed out on family Easter. Easter is hands down my FAVORITE holiday and I did miss the family alot.

They sent me this picture of them with all the lamb (lamb is my favvvvvvorite meat).

They even sent me this picture of Chubby, the bulldog next door, getting to enjoy some delicious lamb.

Lucky dog.

I can't wait until I'm able to go do to Miami again. I miss it and my aunt already.

To say the weekend was a success is an understatement.

I am truly blessed.

Smell ya later beach bums.