Vacations 2016

We were blessed with our first family trip with my brother and his family, and my mom and my brother's mother in law. I'm not quite sure if my brother's mother in law is actually considered family, but it sure felt like it and before long my kids were calling her Gigi along with her other grandkids. It was delightful and just what we all needed. We laughed, stayed up late, lounged, played and built memories to last a lifetime. We hope to do it again soon.

Normally cautious of the ocean, with the help of her cousins, Elli was riding waves and playing for hours on end

Maya still talks about how cool it was to hold an alligator

group photo

We ventured back to a favorite of ours, Sanibel Island, Florida. It was the first year we chose to bike ride, and we I loved the physical aspect of it while enjoying the beauty of the island.

biking around the nature preserve

Our annual trip to Disney was a bit foiled by fevers for 1/2 of our family. Elliana and T.J. kept sharing a fever back and forth, making the hot weather and intensive walking less enjoyable. Maya and I had a great time though, and I even managed to get Elliana into custom clothing a few days with only minimal arguing. A guess a fever made her more agreeable.

 Maya's favorite princess is Princess Belle, and she was beyond excited to meet Gaston.

And a dream come true for Maya when she met Doc McStuffins and they shared some special moments.

Poor T.J. was so sick in this photo, but such a trooper as we had our first Ohana meal experience.

Maya was at the perfect age, and I was shocked to see that at 7, Elliana was already not so excited about the characters, and has lost the "magic" of it all. So, I soaked it up and drank it in with Maya, grateful that she was still in awe of the awesomeness.

We ventured to Chicago a few times to visit T.J.'s sister and family. Our kids get along so well, and it is refreshing and good for all of us to spend time together.

custard with cousins...so sweet! 

Downtown Chicago, outside the aquarium

In October we surprised my mom with a weekend in the Smoky Mountains. It was quite the conspiracy, planned several months in advance, and she had no idea where she was going, or that we would be waiting for her when she got there. The surprise was a success and such a fun trip.

Nana, Papa Perk and the kiddos in TN

hiking on a mountain

And finally, T.J. and I were blessed with a MUCH needed getaway to NYC to visit my brother and sister in law. We were able to go for the Thanksgiving holiday, which allowed us to experience the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, truly a remarkable experience.

We took in a few broadway shows which were amazing, and even got a behind the scenes tour! I shuffled my feet a few times on the stage just to check that "dance on a Broadway" off the bucket list, as I have no coordination and that is the ONLY way that item would get checked off. We are already planning a trip to take the kids back and create new memories with them.

A new year lay ahead with new adventures waiting for us. Life is too short to stay in one place for too long, and so we must travel and bring a part of the world to us! We are so grateful for each and every one of these opportunities and blessings.