Home from Chicago! What a great city!

We left out early Saturday morning and drove to Indiana to visit Don and Doris (the pastor that married Loretta and David). We met their wonderful family, had dinner and went to church with them on Sunday morning. They also made us feel at home and we had a great time getting to know them. I know David and Loretta had a fun looking at old pictures and catching up with the family. After lunch at the church we headed to Chicago. We arrived and checked into our hotel and went to Carmen Garcia's house (Alicia's Godmother) and met her and her incredible family...Choli (Carmen's sister), Lety, Don, Little Don, Vanessa, Baby Lety, and Christina(Carmen's daughter and her family), Santi, his wife, Little Santi and Gabriel (Carmen's son and his family), Memo (Carmen's son) They are such a loving family...made us feel at home and special.



Monday morning we headed to the Lincoln park Zoo (which is a free zoo). Then we went to Navy Pier ate lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern (the history behind this dates back to the World Series in Baseball between the Cubs and White Sox), we spent the rest of the day at Navy Pier walking around, shopping, we road this HUGE Farris wheel and dinner at Bubba Gumps (yes the one from Forrest Gump). We headed to Wrigley field for pictures and went to where David went to High School- Lane Tech. HUGE school, like a small college campus!

Tuesday morning we rode the L-Train into downtown and went to the Sears Tower amazing view of the city. Ate lunch at Giordano's unbelievable pizza--better than anything around here! Back on the train and headed to Michigan Ave (Magnificent Mile) did some shopping, went to Tiffany's, Hershey's Store, Disney Store, American Girl for Maddie J., several other stores. Went to the Water Tower, which is the only building left standing during the Chicago Fire. Ate dinner at the U Lucky Dawg ( a true Chicago hot dog)...I did not eat one because my hot dogs have two names Oscar Myer...LOL. Went and played a round of mini golf at the Bunny Hutch and back to Lety and Don's house for a visit and to play Rock Band on the Wii. Tonight we met Anna and Little Alex (Carmen's niece and great nephew)

Wednesday we went to the Shedd Aquarium at lunch outside in the park by the Field Museum (this is where they filmed parts of A Night in the Museum) we then went into the Field Museum and saw "Sue" the most complete dinosaur and many other interesting things. After that back to Lety and Don's for Italian Beef sandwiches and sang Karaoke. We were able to met Alex tonight (Carmen's nephew). We were going to go out on Alex's yacht to watch fireworks but they closed the harbour due to a Lake Tsunami (I forgot what it is called). Rich was also there his daughter, Taylor, his wife and Christina were in Missouri and were coming in Friday.

Thursday we headed out to the Taste of Chicago...WOW! my senses were going crazy with all of the yummy smells. We had ribs, crab claws, calamari, frozen chocolate dipped bananas, chocolate covered strawberries, grilled corn, and a lot more! Buckingham Fountain is right by the Taste and is gorgeous, Millennium Park which has the huge "bubble thing" that has been in video's. Then we headed to Jade Dragon which is a famous tattoo parlor in Chicago...let say 9 walked in 5 came out with a new tat. Then to Lou Malnati's Pizzeria for a true Chicago style deep dish pizza. The crew from Alabama liked Giordano's better and the crew that are originally from Chicago is all about some Lou Malnati's.

Friday breakfast at Jacks Restaurant (not our Jacks) then off to Gurnee Mills for a day of shopping and just taking it easy. I was able to go in the Achiever's Scrapbooking Store and bought a few things. After that we headed back to Lety and Don's for a cookout and to Oakton Park to watch the fireworks. We we so close to the fireworks we could feel the debris hitting us. I really hope my pictures turn out! We met several more family members and Rich's wife Diane and their daughter Taylor and got to finally meet Christina.

Saturday our last day :( We did not want to leave the Garcia family/Martin family. They made us feel at home from the 1st second we were there. We had fun hanging with the Diffy's and seeing where they went to school, hung out, worked and lived in Chicago. After we packed up the cars we headed back to Lety's one more time for lunch and made another trip to the Jade Dragon for Alicia a tattoo. She was not able to get one on Thursday because she did not have her ID.

This was a great trip filled with wonderful memories, we made new friends and got to know the Diffy's better and developed a stronger relationship. Can't wait till we have the opportunity to visit with them again. Pictures should be posted by Tuesday.

Bibi

Month Of June

Well, it looks like that I am only posting monthly as a catch up!!! It has been a crazy June, but when is it not crazy around the Vodosia's place?

On Memorial day I hurt my back moving our couch to clean the hardwoods (big mistake). I was off work until June 23rd. I am finishing up my 3rd week of therapy on Friday, this has pretty much consumed this month.

We finally got to go to Dunwoody and see our new nephew, Kevin. He is just gorgeous and the sweetest baby. Mark is being such a great big brother. Jen is doing well and Jack and her are adjusting to have two little boys! Unfortunately I did not get to do a photo shoot but I am planning a trip over in July for that. The are having Kevin's baptism in August so hopefully I can get a group picture of all the "grands" for Gigi and Joe then.

We leave for Chicago on Saturday I am so excited!! We have never been and we are going with the Diffy's who have lived there and know where to take us to see the sites. Also the Taste of Chicago is going on while we are there so that is going to rock as well. The sad part is we have to leave our furry child at Nana-Gigi's for a week, boy are we going to have separation anxiety (us and Buck)!

Will post pictures and news from Chicago when we get back!

The Month of May

The month of May has been very busy for us: Here are highlights from the weekends. The weeks were spent as usual WORKING!

The first weekend of May we spent with Jen, Jack and Mark in Atlanta, we had a great time. We grilled out steak with Blaine and Johnna and their sweet girls. Went to Sweet Tomatoes to eat on Friday night. Just enjoyed some down time and catching up.

The second weekend was Mark's 3rd birthday and Mother's Day. We drove back to Atlanta for just Saturday for Mark's party. We gave GiGi her gift in Atlanta which was a massage from Healing Hands in Cullman. On Sunday we went out to eat at the Cajun Steamer in Trussville with Ruthie and we gave her gift to her there. After that we left and went to Lucy's and hung out for several hours. We also gave Lucy a massage gift certificate.

The weekend of the 17th, Donald worked in the cemetery getting it ready for decoration, I went to a scrapbooking class and a Crop for the Cure which was in memory of a friend who passed away in April. The 18th was a very special day! Our God daughter Hannah turned 18 and graduated from high school. It is hard to believe that all three of "our" kids are now in college. Hannah will be living in Mobile and attending the University of South Alabama. Here are few pictures:

On 5/21 Donald and I celebrated 26 years of wedding bliss! And the best part of the day was that Kevin William Westrick was born! Here are just a few shots that Jenn sent me. I have not got to see the little guy yet :(

The weekend of the 24th, I went up to celebrate Brock's 5th bday. Brock's actual birthday is 5/27. He celebrated with a pool party with family and friends from school. He also graduated from Kindergarten on 5/22. The boys stayed home to work in the cemetery. The 25th was Decoration.

And to end the month...on Saturday I am doing a photo shoot of Madaline Diffy at the Botanical Gardens.

See ya!

Yesterday May 21st

What an awesome day!! My 26th wedding anniversary to the love of my life...Donald; my baby sister gave birth to a healthy baby boy 6 pounds 15 ounces and 19 inches long...welcome to the world baby Kevin! And the last great thing....David Cook won American Idol!!!!

Thanks Donna!

I am listening to my 3 favorite American Idols! David Cook, Michael Johns, and Carly Smithson!!! Donna downloaded them from I-tunes and made me a CD!! Good music!

Rodeo Time

Heading to Andalusia for the Rodeo that is being held as a fundraiser for CHIPS. Will post pictures on Monday!

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

CHIPS Center saw 300 abused (sexually/physcially) children last year and Lou Lacey our Director decided to Walk a Mile in Their Shoes to help raise money and awareness for the amazing work that goes on at the CHIPS Center. Approximately 380 people showed up to walk the last mile with Lou on Saturday. It was an awesome sight to see. Jim 'n Nicks had lunch waiting on us when we finished. I was very blessed to have my family here for the weekend to walk with me. My brother's birthday was Sunday (13th) and mine was last Thursday (3rd) so everyone was here and they graciously joined me for this event.

If you every feel led to give a donation to a worthy organization please consider The CHIPS Center, our website is http://chips.chsys.org/ or you can call and speak with Lou or Deb at 205-558-2751.

A few more pictures from Disco Mania

Botanical Gardens

Here are 3 pictures from the shoot at the Botanical Gardens with Joseph and Alicia...more are posted on my photography blog...

Pictures from the Disco Mania Retreat...more to come!

Happy Birthday to me!!

On Thursday I celebrated the 14th anniversary of my 29th birthday! I had a wonderful dinner at the Village Tavern with my sweet hubby (Joseph went to the Alabama Theater with Alicia to see Jeff Dunham, she gave him the tickets for Valentine's Day). We are celebrating this weekend with cake and presents because my siblings are coming in for the weekend. My brother, Chuck, celebrates his birthday on the 13th. So it is going to be a fun weekend!

tootles!

A quick catch up...

Since the last time I blogged it has been crazy at the Vodosia's residence!! Donald continues working the night shift and lots of overtime, hunting when he can and remodeling the house. He finished the floor in our utility room now all we need is the trim and some touch ups to the paint. He put in a floor to ceiling cabinet and a short cabinet and we decided on one more floor to ceiling cabinet to put my larger appliances (toaster oven, large Tupperware containers etc in) this will give me more room in the kitchen. He has started back in the choir and church and it does my heart good to see him using the talent God gave him.

Joseph continues to work and go to school. He and Alicia are still together and just as cute as ever. (going to the Botanical Gardens tomorrow for a photo shoot). He no longer plays the bass in the youth band, we are starting a new college and career class up for his age group on Wednesday nights so they can transition out of the youth. I am excited about this, Emily Copeland is going to be their teacher. He finally finish building his computer and I believe he has all the bells and whistle you can put on a computer in it or on it!

I continue to work in 3 departments at TCH...with CHIPS and the SANE program really being where my heart is. I still enjoy Medicaid Screening because this group of friends and the work help me with my sanity! I am very blessed to work in 3 departments with wonderful, caring people that work as a team together. I am still scrapbooking and taking pictures as much as I can with my crazy work schedule. With the remodeling of the house, work, church and just being a wife and mom keep me hopping.

We are planning to go to Chicago with Alicia and her family this summer. That is going to be so cool...the Taste of Chicago will be going on and they tell me that is a blast! Plus getting to see all of the major attractions of Chicago is an added benefit. Buck will be staying with GiGi for the week and she will be taking care of Sugar, Dixie and Maggie for us. I hope to get a beach trip in there with the boys as well. I am going back to the Shrimp Festival with the Bunco girls again this year, but that is in October!

Look for some pictures next week!

Fits me to a "T"...

What Vikki Means

You are very hyper. You never slow down, even when it's killing you.You're the type of person who can be a workaholic during the day... and still have the energy. Your energy is definitely a magnet for those around you. People are addicted to your vibe. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.You have a lot of enthusiasm. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

New Years Day Pictures

I found these New Year's headbands and thought I could use them for some cute pictures. Buck was not so sure about wearing his!

Finally pictures from the ski trip!!

Alicia and Joseph Tubing in the RAIN!


Casey Joseph and Seth

Joseph getting some air!

Alicia and I watching the boys snowboard and do jumps.

Joseph turned 20 on Saturday!

Well our sweet baby boy is now 20 years old as of 3:12 pm yesterday. He is such a remarkable young man and we just love him to pieces! I took lots of pictures will post monday or tuesday. His sweet girlfriend, Alicia made him an awesome Houndstooth "Bear Bryant" hat cake. It was 5 layers of the most delicious strawberry cake that had buttercream icing in black/white, the icing of the cake took 4 hours!

Good night!

LOL!!! I always knew he looked like me!!!

Had to try this out...I have always heard Joseph is a good mixture of both of us...that is true with just a hint more of ME!

Vodosia Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Happy New Year!! I know it is February! LOL

Wow! Where has the time gone since my last post! I am really way behind in posting and putting up pictures from Christmas, Ski Trip, New Years! We finally have high speed at home now!! Whoo-hoo so I will be able to post more. Will do my best to get pictures up this weekend!

All is well with the family, Donald is still working 12-14 hour days, hunting season is over, Joseph finally built his gaming computer, I am still working 8-12-16 hour days (but I LOVE it!).

Watch for pictures!

Long time no see!!

Been a while since I posted so here is a quick update! Lot's of things going on...Pumpkin Patch, Copeland and COA photoshoot, Thanksgiving, Iron Bowl, Jennifer (my sis) is pregnant with her second child, Gracie and Chelle's birthday, working for all of us, school for Joseph, remodeling the house(hardwoods, new paint, crown molding, new furniture), decorating for Christmas, youth group, planning ski trip for youth, shopping for gifts, family in the hospital, Christmas parties, and braces for me again!! Here are just a few pictures...for more from the photo shoots go to my shutterbug blog.