Yesterday Ben's cousins, Anna and Julia, went back to MA - their father, Jon, will be marrying us this summer. They had a week off for winter break and their parents decided to surprise them with two round-trip tickets to the M.I.A. We had a lot of fun together - and it was the first time that we've had guests under the age of 18, which gave us an opportunity to think outside of the box when it came to ways to entertain them (clearly the normal bars, etc. were not an option).
On their first night we took a long stroll around the beach. While most of you were freezing in below 30 degree temps, we were in our shorts in 75 degree weather breaking a lil' sweat when the pace picked up. For Anna and Julia, this was nothing short of heaven.
Thankfully Ben and I had Monday (President's day) off, so we jetted off to the beach for some QT with the girls. Our friend, Wayne, was kind enough to reserve 5 fluffy chairs for us on the beach, dead-smack in front of the gorgeous ocean - prime real estate. To put it in perspective, below is a picture of the type of day we were dealing with:
Absolute Perfection.
Wayne owns a condo at the Continuum (one of South Beach's most gorgeous properties):
During the rest of their stay, we made sure to squeeze in a visit to Lincoln Road which, in my opinion, is unparalleled in its people-watching entertainment value. To this day Ben and I will find ourselves in a daze, amazed by the things we witness on that street. It's the perfect mixture of anxious tourists, crazy locals, 6ft+ models and the occasional drifter caught up in an intense conversation with himself. Fine holiday fun, I can assure you.
On their last night here, we walked over to Taverna Opa for some tasty Greek cuisine and belly dancing. During the meal, the feature dancer climbs onto the top of your table and dances to the music - obviously the perfect deal because, if you don't tip her, she can always step on your stuffed peppers. Afterward we headed back to club B&L with Hems, Muse, Eric and the girls for a game of Pictionary - Julia and Anna were on fire and smoked all of us; they are officially the all-star Pictionary champs - but not for long, girls. Enjoy it while it lasts ;)
And, sadly enough, the last thing the girls got to experience in Miami was my manic driving in Ben's standard transmission. I dropped them off at the airport on the way to an interview I had in Fort Lauderdale and Ben was working in South Beach, so it was the only option. Granted, I did drive to KY in a stick shift (but this was under strict supervision of a very experienced driver) - but on this journey, I was on my own.
I stalled a couple of times in the middle of the intersection and would occasionally hear a faint squeal out of poor Anna's mouth from the backseat. Clearly we made it in one piece, but it wasn't easy - especially because the Miami airport is apparently doubling as an obstacle course these days. I've never seen so many ramps, stops, starts or sharp turns in my life - I was able to conclude with complete confidence, however, that if I can navigate through that in a standard, I can do anything.
We were sad to see them go, but I'm excited that we'll be making a trip back up north very soon to finalize some additional details for the wedding, so it won't be long until we're together again.
Below is a collection of photos from our time together:
Anna and Julia right after we picked them up from the airport
On the beach at the Continuum on President's day
At a Lincoln Road Photo Gallery after dinner
We love you, Julia and Anna - make the SoBe trip a tradition from now on! SoBe 2010!
xo
How precious are they! I went to the Taverna Opa when I was in SB for Whitney's wedding. Such a fun place! I need to come and visit you and get a little sun on my white body. Oh, and Anoop dog did not make it to the final 12, but he still has a chance to get a wild card entry. There are thee of those, I believe. Go NOOP DOG!!!Love you.
Posted by: Rachie | February 21, 2009 at 07:10 AM