dear joshua tree national park ... i'll be back.

It was SO nice to get away last week to not only relax and get rested but to experience an entirely different beauty than what we're used to.  About 40 minutes outside of Palm Springs, CA, we found ourselves at the national park - called Joshua Tree.  In raw land, dry and dusty.  A.k.a. the desert!

Matt did some rock climbing, but that was halted quickly as he saw a snake a little too close for comfort.  We traipsed with the boys in the sand looking at almost every plant (because they were so different to what we were used to).  Judah learned what an echo was after him and his papa climbed way up high on the rocks.  Hunter refused to nap because of all the new sights he was taking in (I'm sure!).  We all watched the sun quickly go down behind the mountains...which was absolutely breathtaking.  

While we were there, we were already talking about how cool it would be to camp and explore the area.  This makes me pretty sure that we'll be back!

pic pix: our desert adventure, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, Feb.2014

happy weekend.

Palm Springs ... wow, you've got some pretty ace weather, beautiful scenery, sweet rental places, and, you've highlighted some pretty cute moments of my boys ("hashtag" sorry notsorry for the bombardment of pictures of my boys ... wait, I do that at home too!).  If it works out again, I'd say you are a pretty cool place to visit.  Only a 3.5 hour, direct flight from home, we can definitely handle that!

As we're down here for a week, I've been purposefully taking time off from day-to-day things and have been focusing on REST.  Physically and emotionally specifically, it's been good.  What a treat to spend some q-time with all my guys.  I am loving it!

Anyways, I'll be back to blogging regularly next week.  In the meantime, hope y'all have a beautiful weekend, wherever you're at!

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." 

~ Abraham Lincoln

pic pix: a swaggin' iPhone pic of Hunty-bear, 21.Feb.2014, Palm Desert, CA

our wee gallivant to p.e.i.

If you can't tell by the pictures ... we had an absolute blast!  These are only just SOME of the highlights of the get-away we experienced last week.  Lots of laughs, a healthy bit of relaxation, that fresh island air - it all did us some good.  Trips to the dairy bar, downtown Charlottetown, the beach, Meme's house, family dinners were all too wonderful.  The only part I regret is leaving so soon.

Judah was an absolute champ with the whole travelling/meeting new people thing.  Pretty much, the best.  And, as usual, Matt was the ultimate husband.  I can't wait until we can all go back!

pic pix: our island adventure, PEI, August.2013

leaving on a jet plane.

This morning, we jet off to a colorful little island where Matt's (one-side) of the family is from ... the beautiful Prince Edward Island.  Once again, it's going to be a short trip, but I know it'll be packed with some great memories and relaxation.  We have cousins to meet, a family reunion to be had, an ocean to swim in, a favorite bookstore to visit, lobster to be eaten ... and I seriously can't wait 'til we land!!!  As it is such a long flight (+1 connection = almost 12 hours of travel), it's going to be a long day of entertaining a certain little lion man!

I'll be back next week to share our trip ... and the flight details!  Have a great week everyone.

xo


pic pix: waiting to board!! YYC airport, 30.Jul.2013

the mexican getaway.

"It's always refreshing to step into another time..."

~Diane Lane

Hola!  As you can see, our week away was full of laughs, family visiting, beach time, pool-side dances, a beautiful wedding...SUN!!!  We were able to get of of the resort for a couple of days to see Chichen Itza and to tour a small fishing town, Puerto Morelos.  It was such a treat for our faces to have a continual stream of vitamin D each day, and it was a nice break for me to not have to cook all week!  It was a new kind of vacation for all of us - baby on the beach, travelling with a big group, being prego and chasing Juju around, etc. - but, our little lion man was a champ and Matt was finally able to catch up on some much needed rest.

A great week away it was, but there was such an excitement about getting home...especially to walk in our door to see a fresh coat of paint on all the walls!  *once I get a bit more organized, I'll post some pics!  Maybe it was all that ocean air, or just a change of scenery/a week in another "time", it feels good to be back - home, connected, blogging, etc.  With our new home, no pressing agenda, summer *hopefully* on it's way...fresh routine: here we come!

Hope y'all had a good week!


pic pix:  our week in Tulum, Mexico, April 2013

be back soon ...

Remember that wedding that I mentioned a while ago, that felt like it would never come?!  Well, it's here!  Today we are flying down to Mexico to celebrate the marriage of my sister-in-law and her fiance ... my almost new brother-in-law!  It's been a bit hectic around here trying to get everything ready to leave (packing for a mobile baby - different than last time!) and I'm so sorry for my absence.  I'm hoping to jump into a new routine when we get back.  And, some other exciting news for when we get back...my house will be painted!  *Squeal*!  Typically, I would just paint, but being pregnant and thinking how easy it will be for the painters to come in while we're gone ... it was a quick sell :)

When we're back, I've got some 10 month pictures of Judah to share with you (my oh my, how is he 10 months already?!), I'll hopefully get some good shots down in the Mayan Riviera, some evidences of the fresh coats of paint (!), and the bit of rest (I'm sure!) will spur on some new thoughts!

Hope you all have a great week xo

pic pix: a bay in Manzanillo. Mexico, February 2011

dear switzerland ... i'll be back.

Almost 4 years ago, a friend and myself met up with some family (both her side and mine) in random spots within Switzerland, France, & Germany.  A quick trip, it was.  But SO full of memories, experiences, fun, food...tons of stuff!

As I was thinking about spring today, all I could think of was how beautiful the Alps will be once the weather is a bit more moderate.  There's something about the rolling hills and yellow dandelion mounds everywhere that sang "spring" to me as we were there.  It was picturesque ... including the little weekend cottage/flat we got to stay in.

Wood piles, town & country walks, breath-taking views, delicious meals ... just you wait beautiful, little Switzerland, I'll be back!

pic pix: a few of the many pictures of our brief Switzerland adventure, Meiringen, Switzerland, May.2009

and...we're back

After a fun week in Florida, we are home!  Everyone from my family - two brothers, sister, mom, dad, m'love and juju - was able to make it down to Orlando.  We aren't really theme-park-type-of-people, so no "worlds" (SeaWorld, DisneyWorld, etc) were visited on this trip.  Our purpose was to kick back, enjoy the wave of heat and humidity, and spend some time together ... and that we did! 

As first priority, and in my family's true fashion, a trip to the grocery store and Costco were first on the list.  How can you relax without snacks?!  When we weren't eating(!), we were either beaching it, rollerblading, relaxing pool-side, shopping, coffee-ing, golfing, or just talking.

There were some "firsts" on this trip too:

     . Judah stuck his tongue out - Yes, at a moment when he was being told not to do something!

     . Matt's first vacation with my family - He did swimmingly well!  I do believe he is now coffee-ed
       out (there is always a coffee in hand or the suggestion to get one with this crowd!)
    
     . Judah's first plane ride - He blew our socks off again with how amazing he did going up and
       down both times.  Yup, he's pretty much perfect!
    
     . Our first time traveling as parents - At first, the amount of STUFF to think about and pack, not
       being at/near home, was overwhelming.  Slathering the boy with sunscreen anytime we were
       outside, staying put instead of playing pick-up beach volleyball, toting around more than just a
       light, travel daypack, worrying about smoking and noise levels in new places .... !!!!  But like
       anything, you get used to it.  We're pros now (ha!). 

     . Judah's first swim in the pool and ocean - At first, he wasn't too sure, but by the end of the week,
       he did not mind the soothing experience of being carried in the warm pool water.  The ocean ... a
       slightly different story :)

With our new experiences (Juju really is the dream baby to travel with!), shopping bags full, and fun memories etched, I'm looking forward to our next adventure.  

1. me and my guys.
2. family trivial pursuit.
3. juju, wearing these all too well.
4. documenting the first swim.
5. i liked these sandwich stabbers.
6. 'surfin' in daddy's palm.
7. white sand with incredible skies.
8. not really liking the ocean.
9. it was so hot, and he was mesmorized by the cool water.
10. rollerblading.
11. the guys down in old town kissimmee for the muscle car show.
12. traveling shoes.
13. **missing** - a picture of my mom, sis, and i - aka. 'the shoppers'.