::Wordless Wednesday:: #WeekendSnapshots

::Weekend Snapshots::

Tonight, I am joining Ari of 3TwentySix with her ::weekend snapshots:: Visit her blog to see all of her fun weekend pictures! Such a great idea, if you love it let Ari know by showing her some blog or facebook love. 

Weekends are about relaxing, taking in the sun and enjoying your loved ones. In my case... taking LOTS of pictures to show you on Monday. It's my new goal, to join Ari, won't you show us your weekend snapshots too!! 

This weekend was a bizarre one. It went from being rainy & dreary on Friday and Saturday; to an amazing Sunday, until Sunday night. We stayed home rained in on Friday and Saturday but not without trying some local eateries of course. Friday we visited Crawfish N'More on Hwy 6 and Clay. If you are a crawfish fan, it's pretty good here. We went late and it was packed, you can bring your own beer and if you check in with Yelp you get a 10% discount. We took ours to go. The place is small and while it was kid friendly, it's not Wild and Crazy Gomez kid friendly. So, we ate at home.

Saturday morning wasn't too rainy so we met my momma for breakfast/lunch at a small authentic Mexican food restaurant. El Hidalguense. It doesn't look like much on the outside but the barbacoa de borrego with nopales asados and consome, were oh so good. They give you taquitos dorados with salsa roja as an appetizer {first 4 are complimentary}. They also have homemade tortillas and aguas frescas. It was kid friendly and had live music. My child wore her pajamas to breakfast. It was that kind of kid friendly. We then headed home to get rained in, but we rested enough to have a beautiful day filled with sun and family on Sunday. 

On Sunday, we visited yet another Houston park, this time it was in Galveston off of 51st. It's called SeaWolf park. It has a good size playground and is known as a good fishing spot. This Sunday though not much was caught, other than some awesome sun rays! It also has a submarine and USS ship which you can board and explore. It's a great area for picnicking and afternoon cooking.  The kids love it here; first we try our luck at fishing, when that doesn't happen we play and relax. {There is a fee to enter the park and for those fishing, as well as to enter and board the boat and submarine.}

We also stopped off at the always awesome Bucee's in Texas City. Which we love, my kids thought they spotted Barbie and Ken. Yes, they took pictures with the mannequins in the middle of the store. I told you, wild and crazy kids. 

A little secret, my Hubby usually has to drag me out of the house, but we always end up having an awesome time. I am so much more of home body, who would rather sleep in and watch a movie in the comfort of my own home. But, when we let my Hubby lead the day we usually end up with wonderful pictures and great family memories. 

Our day ended with storms. Thankfully it happened after we had our little family adventure.... 

 What about you, what did you do this weekend?? 

::Blog Elevated 2014:: #MoodGardens

::Momma Disclosure:: {This is not a compensated post. All statements expressed are my own and honest opinion.}

Do you have that group of friends that you never get to see, cause of you know...life happening!? But, when you do get to see them you pick up right where you left off and then create some awesome new memories. Well, that's what most of my blog friends are like. Sometimes we really don't get to see one another in person. Other than following our awesome blogging journey's online, we really just get caught up in everyday ordinary life that it makes it a little difficult to meet up.

But, thank goodness for local blog conferences. This year was the 2nd annual Blog Elevated conference. Here are a few reasons why this is one of my favorite conferences so far:

Location, Location, Location. Not many blogger conferences are held locally so I love that I don't have to worry about leaving town for too long and being away from my little family as I would for any other conference. I also work FT outside the home and being able to maybe take 1/2 a day off work or only miss one day of work is a plus for me! It also eliminates jet lag and tired travels. 

Karen of We are the Carrascos

Local Bloggers.  Houston is a giant melting pot so it's not rare that at a local conference you would find well local bloggers from all walks of life. Many that you can simply become friends with and relate to!  Making new connections and meeting interesting new people is part of what my journey is all about.  And, when it's all said and done the best part is most that bloggers live in the Houston area and are easy to reach out to! 

Bloggy Besties!! I have made so many amazing friends along the way in this journey of mine. Some of those friendships, like my good friend Ari of 3TwentySix, started at another conference which was also held here in Houston! Her friendship, support and understanding have been amazing. The growing friendships and love is immense. And, knowing that you have other bloggers in your hometown to provide a great sense of community and support is what I love about local conferences.  

Reasons why I love attending conferences like Blog Elevated:

Speakers: Most of my inspiration and motivation for my blog and, a lot of what I do, comes from listening to others speak about their stories of triumphs and failures. We learn from both. This year like last year's BE didn't fail in having some pretty amazing people in their panels and sessions. 

Picture: Blog Elevated Facebook Page 

Breakout Sessions: The best most absolute way to continue to learn and grow in the blogging business is by attending the amazingly detailed breakout sessions {or workshops} at BE. This year, in preparation for 2015, I attended "From First Word to First Dollar: A Blogger's Guide to eBooks". Given by the writers of "Pinch of Yum". The information was precise and very informative! 

Venues & Food: If you know me and my little Mexican heart you know that the way into my life is with good food and amazing scenery! I am also a person of details. I love that this year's conference was in Galveston. It was so relaxed and whimsical with the venue being at Moody Gardens. Everything was so colorful, cheerful and bright. I loved that! 

In picture: Alba of Independent Mami 

Now tell me, will you be at next year's conference? 

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