Farewells, Princess Pigs, Cakebread and an iPad

Yikes I have been a neglectful blogger this week. My Friday's are literally running into each other and I have no idea where my work week goes. Last weekend was Fathers Day and my Birthday. I was actually born on Fathers Day and this year, my bday fell on it. I lost my father in 2003 at the young age of 53 unexpectedly to a cerebral hemorrhage. While we had a service for him in 2003, we never spread his ashes. We decided to get the family together and have a celebration of his life in Ponce Inlet at Lighthouse Point Park, one of his (and my) favorite locations to go to in the Daytona Beach area.

We said our goodbye's, shared a few funny stories, shed a couple of tears and honored his memory. It took 9 years to do this but the outcome was perfect. The beach, food, everything was great. After I said goodbye to Dad, two manatees swam up to where I was sitting. Scared the living daylight out of me but I really think it was Daddy saying hello and goodbye.

I got some wonderful photo-ops with the girls

Got my butt kicked playing cornhole (don't you love my custom Florida Gator boards!). I blame the defeat on my sober state of mind. The beer in my hand was #1 and I usually need triple that to be at the top of my game.

And of course a photo with my Momma

Speaking of Momma - she is crazy. I sarcastically asked for a pink piggy cake. Not only did I get one, I got a pink piggy princess red velvet cake, false eyelashes and the works. This masterpiece came from Vanilla Bean Cupcake Bakery in Port Orange and was ONLY $20!

We had dinner that night at Malibu Beach Grill. One of the reasons I picked there was the fact that they have a private glass room that seats 14. My group can get loud at times, especially my step-father, who has an infectious loud laugh. One thing that always surprises me about Malibu is their prices. They are very moderately priced and the restaurant is nice. The food is great and the wine is cheap. I got their surf and turf special, a sirloin and 6 oz Maine lobster tail, it was only $19 and delicious. They have an amazing happy  hour which has Robert Mondavi Private Reserve for $20 until 7pm (along with other wines that are normally priced at $40).

And speaking of wine - I couldn't make a trip to Daytona Beach without going to Mr. Dunderbaks and having a bottle of Cakebread with Keri. This always surprises people. That a) Mr. Dunderbaks has Cakebread and b) that it is so cheap. It is $35 a bottle and we split a Ruben Sandwich. Yes - you heard that correct. Rubens and Cakebread at a German restaurant in a dive mall that has three Dillards. Yes, you read that correct too....three Dillard's in one mall.

It was a perfect weekend with the perfect people. I love when weekends work out that way. I couldn't be more grateful to my family and friends for making my 33rd Birthday and the celebration of my father's life a memorable one. I am closing out this post with a photo of my new iPad (thanks Gabe!) - which Boo-Kitty likes to play with, while laying on the remote control. Such a techie kitty!