Hey everyone! Life has been a bit hectic lately and I've been concentrating on work and my workouts, so haven't dedicated much time to anything else. Now, after a few months of exhaustion, we took off on a new road trip.
Both hubby and I had the week off along with Baby girl and we kept debating on what to do. We are prepping for something, which I'm not ready to announce yet, so we know we didn't want to spend much money. So, we decided to take a drive down to see my family in Florida. The drive down isn't too costly and we stay at my dad's house so no expense there either.
We celebrated Easter at home, since our son couldn't get off from work, and then we left Monday morning.
It was a long and exhausting 16-17 hour drive and arrived at my dad's at 5AM Tuesday morning. We slept for a few hours before going out to enjoy time in sunny Florida.
Once we were rested, we went out to grab lunch at Guanabanas. If you've read my previous Florida trip reports, you already know how much we love this place!
We went there for lunch so we didn't have a huge meal.
For an appetizer, we ordered the Chicken Quesadilla.
Hubby and baby girl had a Fat Cuban and I ordered the Florida Shrimp tacos.
We went back home afterward, we were still tired and really had no desire to go anywhere else.
We waited there for my parents to arrive. When they got there we ordered pizza and just talked. We had a lot of catching up to do.
The next morning we got up and took my niece to school. She asked to stay over to spend time with Baby Girl so I was fine with that. We were planning on heading down to Miami to visit my grandparents so we were going to get up early anyway.
I was up earlier, so I did a stretch yoga routine, which I really needed, had breakfast and then got everyone up. Gave everyone breakfast and we were out the door.
A couple of hours later, we were at my grandparents' house. We had lunch and spent some time catching up with them as well.
We left around 4-4:30 in the hopes of beating traffic back home, but we still got delayed about 30 minutes. Oh well, it was better than over an hour of traffic.
When we got home, one of my sisters was there already along with my niece, her daughter. She had already started on dinner - it smelled so good. She loves cooking for everyone, and her Cuban food is delicious. I don't cook much Cuban food since it takes time and my healthy meal plan doesn't have room for my typical Cuban food. I'm sure if I put my mind to it, I can make my traditional Cuban food a bit healthier and fit it into my meals. Eventually, I'll get there, I'll stick to my grilled chicken for now.
After a while, my other sister arrived with her 2 sons, and finally our parents. Dinner was ready and we all sat down for a wonderful meal. Great time spent with family - lots of laughs, good food and great conversations. Can't wait to have more of these soon.
At the end of the night, my niece begged her mom to stay home from school so she can spend the day with my daughter, so she got her wish.
The next morning was very laid back. We slept in a bit later. I worked out and did a Transform 20 workout, and then had breakfast. My niece was the last one to wake up the sleepy head.
Once we were all showered and dressed we headed back down to Miami. The plan for today was to go to Little Havana. In all the years that I lived and visited Florida, I've never been to Little Havana. The idea came from hubby because he was watching an episode of Fluffy's Food Adventures when he went to Little Havana. They stopped for ice cream at Azucar and the place looked amazing.
We got there and started walking around. Took lots of pictures, the atmosphere is wonderful - so Cuban!
Eventually, we got to Azucar Icecream and went in to get our treats.
Hubby wanted the Mamey flavor but unfortunately, they were all out, so he ordered Dulce de Leche in a waffle cone (home-made by the way).
Baby Girl and my niece ordered Chocolate & Vanilla in a waffle cone.
I ordered the Abuela Maria in a waffle cone which I must say was absolutely delicious!
We continued walking around and enjoying the area.
It was getting late and we were meeting my parents for dinner at Havana 1957 to eat dinner, so we headed out.
Havana 1957 is located at The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, and we were getting there before my parents so we strolled around Barnes and Nobles first.
When they arrived we headed to the restaurant and sat in the patio to enjoy live music. We ordered our drinks, appetizers, and meal - then just sat back to enjoy.
Everything was delicious. Wow!! I split Ropa Vieja with my daughter and it was so, so good!
After dinner, we walked around for a bit before driving back home. I think we were all exhausted and this was our last night.
I got home, packed up, loaded up the car and went to sleep.
5AM the next day, we were back on the road heading North.
Both hubby and I had the week off along with Baby girl and we kept debating on what to do. We are prepping for something, which I'm not ready to announce yet, so we know we didn't want to spend much money. So, we decided to take a drive down to see my family in Florida. The drive down isn't too costly and we stay at my dad's house so no expense there either.
We celebrated Easter at home, since our son couldn't get off from work, and then we left Monday morning.
It was a long and exhausting 16-17 hour drive and arrived at my dad's at 5AM Tuesday morning. We slept for a few hours before going out to enjoy time in sunny Florida.
Once we were rested, we went out to grab lunch at Guanabanas. If you've read my previous Florida trip reports, you already know how much we love this place!
We went there for lunch so we didn't have a huge meal.
Hubby and baby girl had a Fat Cuban and I ordered the Florida Shrimp tacos.
We went back home afterward, we were still tired and really had no desire to go anywhere else.
We waited there for my parents to arrive. When they got there we ordered pizza and just talked. We had a lot of catching up to do.
The next morning we got up and took my niece to school. She asked to stay over to spend time with Baby Girl so I was fine with that. We were planning on heading down to Miami to visit my grandparents so we were going to get up early anyway.
I was up earlier, so I did a stretch yoga routine, which I really needed, had breakfast and then got everyone up. Gave everyone breakfast and we were out the door.
A couple of hours later, we were at my grandparents' house. We had lunch and spent some time catching up with them as well.
We left around 4-4:30 in the hopes of beating traffic back home, but we still got delayed about 30 minutes. Oh well, it was better than over an hour of traffic.
When we got home, one of my sisters was there already along with my niece, her daughter. She had already started on dinner - it smelled so good. She loves cooking for everyone, and her Cuban food is delicious. I don't cook much Cuban food since it takes time and my healthy meal plan doesn't have room for my typical Cuban food. I'm sure if I put my mind to it, I can make my traditional Cuban food a bit healthier and fit it into my meals. Eventually, I'll get there, I'll stick to my grilled chicken for now.
After a while, my other sister arrived with her 2 sons, and finally our parents. Dinner was ready and we all sat down for a wonderful meal. Great time spent with family - lots of laughs, good food and great conversations. Can't wait to have more of these soon.
At the end of the night, my niece begged her mom to stay home from school so she can spend the day with my daughter, so she got her wish.
The next morning was very laid back. We slept in a bit later. I worked out and did a Transform 20 workout, and then had breakfast. My niece was the last one to wake up the sleepy head.
Once we were all showered and dressed we headed back down to Miami. The plan for today was to go to Little Havana. In all the years that I lived and visited Florida, I've never been to Little Havana. The idea came from hubby because he was watching an episode of Fluffy's Food Adventures when he went to Little Havana. They stopped for ice cream at Azucar and the place looked amazing.
We got there and started walking around. Took lots of pictures, the atmosphere is wonderful - so Cuban!
Eventually, we got to Azucar Icecream and went in to get our treats.
Hubby wanted the Mamey flavor but unfortunately, they were all out, so he ordered Dulce de Leche in a waffle cone (home-made by the way).
Baby Girl and my niece ordered Chocolate & Vanilla in a waffle cone.
I ordered the Abuela Maria in a waffle cone which I must say was absolutely delicious!
We continued walking around and enjoying the area.
It was getting late and we were meeting my parents for dinner at Havana 1957 to eat dinner, so we headed out.
Havana 1957 is located at The Shops at Pembroke Gardens, and we were getting there before my parents so we strolled around Barnes and Nobles first.
When they arrived we headed to the restaurant and sat in the patio to enjoy live music. We ordered our drinks, appetizers, and meal - then just sat back to enjoy.
Everything was delicious. Wow!! I split Ropa Vieja with my daughter and it was so, so good!
After dinner, we walked around for a bit before driving back home. I think we were all exhausted and this was our last night.
I got home, packed up, loaded up the car and went to sleep.
5AM the next day, we were back on the road heading North.
We started out great, then a rainstorm and traffic - we got home by 1AM.
Needless to say, I went straight to bed!
We have another road trip or 2 in the next few months. Even though they are exhausting, I do enjoy them.
Do you like road trips? How far have you driven?
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