Thursday, June 19, 2008

Lotsa Visitors + Father's Day = A Busy Month


Busy Month
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
It's been busy. We seem to have had our share of quick visits these past two months. After my brother came down to celebrate my birthday with us, Isa's Ninang Jen came down from Virginia Beach for a little quality time.

El, Isa and Jen
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
It's typical, though, for Jen to come down every year for some time in the Florida sun. Although I had to work I was able to join the girls for dinner and then lunch before I went to work. Unlike years passed the visit was pretty low key. No clubs or bars, but rather what Jen likes to do best - SHOP. A few days alter she flew down to Naples to meet another friend to chill out. I was just glad that Isabella got to spend some time with her godmother and do some bonding.

Chug It!
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
The next week we were visited by El's sister, Lalaine, and her husband, Joe, from Connecticut. Again another dual purpose visit was lined up. One day with us and then a day with EJ and her husband, a high school friend from Goose Creek, who happened to live nearby in Tampa.

Friday we planned on going boating, but the spotty weather forced us to change our plans. Instead we ended up having lunch and drinks in Tampa at Castaways and then hang out at the beach in Clearwater. The weather held up decently for a couple of hours, but rain came in quickly as it did consistently all week. We packed it up and met up with EJ and Corey for dinner close to their home.

By 8ish it was time to say goodbye to Joe and Lalaine and head back home. Although it was also a quick trip, again Isa was able to spend some time with her auntie and uncle, whom she bonded with quickly.

Father's Day
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Sunday was Father's Day and since it was US Open Week and we were on West Coast time at Golf Channel I really didn't need to go in to work so I ended up taking the day off to spend with the family. After opening my present from the girls we packed up the truck to head to Anna Maria Island.

Incredible Hulk
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Again the damn weather messed up plans and we decided to go to Celebration to let Isa play at the park (very quickly) and then Downtown Disney to watch Hulk 2, which was pretty awesome - so much better than the first Hulk. I gotta tell you Edward Norton did well as Bruce Banner. He was very much in tune to Bill Bixby's character in the tv series role. Even the storyline was significantly stronger than the first.

Afterwards we decided to have dinner at BJs Brewpub, which opened up a location closer to home. What a disaster. I hate to say it - they sucked. The Millennia Mall location, although had shitty service, always managed to put out great food. I can't say that the Loop location did anything right. Slow service and an inattentive server only frustrated me more with real shitty food - sold out entrees, missing side dishes and overcooked, dry food. I can honestly say that we will NEVER come back to this location. What a joke. They won't last long.

Wii Fit
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Finally at long last we came home where I was able to try out El's new toy, the Wii Fit. We purchased the rare Nintendo Wii awhile back but never really got to play it. Since then I've been logging a little time on it with the Wii Fit and MarioKart (which my bro, Ricky, got me for my birthday - thanks man!). Basically a good day just some hiccups along the way...