Strawberry Festival 2010

(My favorite Carnival junk food!!)

(Couldn't resist snapping a picture of these cute little bananas!!)

(The berries ~;o)

Finally got around to posting these pictures!! We went to the Strawberry Festival last week, on the last day of the festival. Don't go on the last day of any special fair or event friends, it was ridiculously crowded!! And for those of you shaking your head and thinking to yourself (rookie)....all I have to say to you is....."touche." Anyways, I was able to take lots of great pictures, the day was just beautiful!! Enjoy ~;o)

A Day in Downtown, Tampa

(Lykes Gaslight Park in Downtown, Tampa)

(Details of the Cascading Fountain.)

(I didn't even know about this fountain, what a refreshing surprise it was!)

(City Hall Downtown, Tampa.)

(Taking a break for some yummy Gourmet Pizza!)

(Bumble Bee, enjoying the warm weather.)

We took my dad out for pizza this past weekend in Downtown, Tampa. And we stumbled across a bonus!! Apparently the Gasparilla Art Fest was going on ~;o) I didn't bother to try and get pics of the vendors at their booths because I wasn't in the mood to ask them if I could or for being rejected, yes that happens sometimes ~;o) But I did manage to snap a couple of pictures in Old Downtown Tampa for your enjoyment! For those of you who share a love of photography, there are some excellent points of interest! Just be sure to start early and be prepared to make a day of it!! Until next time ~:o)

Ruskin Seafood Festival 2009

(Picture courtesy of Daddyo~;o)

(Salt water marshes on the beach.)

(Yummy fried food!!)

(More serenity.....)

(A single palm tree graces the beach.)

(Isabella enjoying some fun in the sun~;o)

So we went to Ruskin a couple of weeks ago to attend their annual Seafood Festival. It is actually a lovely little family friendly, recreational area! To my surprise, it was right by the beach and E. G. Simmons Park! The park kind of reminds me of Picnic Island only better~:o) It was a busy festival! Some of the activities included: Various artsy vendors, moon walks, games, the Mote Aquarium and some of their fantastic sea animals, a live karaoke band, multiple raffles, and the food of course~;o) And the beach was a bonus!! If your in the area and looking for a diamond in the rough, visit E.G Simmons Park and Beach in Ruskin, Florida. Until next time friends~;o)

Hyde Park Arts and Crafts Festival

(Vending booths stretch around the corner filled with many different treasures.)

(The Krewe of South Shore Marauders)

(One of many goodies sold by the Krewe volunteers to help support Locks of Love.)

(Yup, even Pottery Barn Kids joined in on the festivities~;o)

(Want one of these? Visit your local PBK stores.)

(Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine Booth.)

(Holy Cow Kettle Corn snack booth.)

So we finally took the baby out on her first official outing last weekend and did I remember to get a picture of her? Of course not, I forgot. Where on earth was my brain at the moment? (Please don't answer that.) So we went to the annual Hyde Park Arts and Crafts Festival and stayed for about two hours. Baby was a VERY GOOD shopper too! I could get use to this~;o) Fall is definitely here as all of the local festivals, craft fairs, and pumpkin patches are in full swing. I just LOVE this time of year! So much to look forward to and so many family friendly activities!! I absolutley LOVE these kind of festivals because they always have so many interesting activities going on, (not to mention they are free fun for the family too~;o) Some of the highlights there included: Locks of Love and The Krewe of South Shore Marauders selling many yummy goodies to help support a good cause, Pottery Barn Kids Halloween Costumes, Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, Holy Cow Kettle Corn (Very YUMMY popcorn btw, check out their site if you are interested in purchasing from them: http://holycowkettlecorn.com/index.php) and various vendors selling their beautiful handmade items. And finally, a word to the wise for all the new moms out there: Travel systems and vending booths just don't mix well. Save yourself the trouble on these types of outings and invest in an infant carrier. What, you already knew this?? Well why didn't you share this wonderful secret with me?? Thanks to my wonderful mom, I finally have one now. These carriers are the best thing since ziploc bags!! Thats all for now friends, until next time~;o)