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cherjoy

Family time

We had more family in the Cruz! Something about this California weather brings the guests, and we were so happy to have them. I didn’t get my camera out nearly enough, but I did bring it out for the Santa Cruz Arboretum, one of our favorite places. After, we toured the UCSC campus, and spent the rest of the day on the beach. Can’t believe my sister- and brother-in-law are so grown-up. When I first met them they were little people — now they’re young adults!

We came across a fence that looked like the fence in Jurassic Park, so my father-in-law thought we should all act like dinosaurs were chasing us. We look pretty scared, don’t we? Well, maybe Randy.

Even Grandma Margie came!! It made my world to have my Grandma here in Santa Cruz. Grandma on vacation is a lot of fun! I also got to spend a lot of time with my step/mother-in-law, who is one of the kindest women I know. Oddly enough, I didn’t get ANY pictures of her! Sad.

July 3, 2013 by cherjoy

30 in Kauai, Kauai

Na Pali coast

On the 2nd day in Kauai we went for a boat/snorkel tour along the Na Pali Coast with Captain Andy’s. Seriously one of the most beautiful coasts I’ve ever seen. So lush, and green. That water, those waterfalls! The crew turned on the island music and we laid back and took in the surroundings.

Pam & Rob felt a little sicky at times, so they snacked on crackers and let the bonine kick in {maybe a little too much for Rob. Poor guy was out of it for most of the day}.

I was a little chilly from our splash seats at the front of the catamaran, so I passed on the snorkeling so my lips and body could warm up. Rob got in though and enjoyed the water and all the fishies!

Captain Andy’s rocks. Breakfast & lunch was served, and later in the day cold beers and cookies. It was fun to mingle with the captain and crew, and talk with the other vacationers. Pam and I loved just lounging on the top of the boat and taking in the beautiful day. Rob ended up lounging, too {the bonine fully kicked in, ha}.

The best part of the tour for me were the dolphins. They swam with us the whole time. . . right up along the boat. They were so playful and jumpy. I see dolphins here in Santa Cruz, but not like this. Oh, to be a dolphin!

July 2, 2013 by cherjoy

30 in Kauai, Kauai

I got dirty for my thirty

I’ve been wanting to go mud-bugging for what seems like forever. I heard about Kauai ATV through a friend of my sister’s about 4 years ago and have been obsessed over it ever since. The perfect thing to do for my 30th – get dirty! Kauai ATV puts on the BEST excursion. We signed up for their 4-hour waterfall tour, which took us on a mud-trail through Kauai’s south shore back lands to a gorgeous set of waterfalls and pools for lunch. Our tour guides were great – we did a little intro to meet everyone in our group, heard a little about the history of Kauai and even stopped by the popular film site/field for Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, it was a rather dry day so we didn’t get as muddy as I thought we would. It’s definitely better to plan a mud-bugging trip the day of a rain or a day AFTER a good rain {not that you can really control the weather, ha}. Nonetheless, it was still an awesome experience. My favorite part was diving and swimming in the waterfall pools {could you tell?}.

{my pretty sister}

{Pam and I drove a mud-bug, and Robby drove a mud-bunny — so fun!}

{Rob got the best splash!}

{Jurassic Park!!}

June 24, 2013 by cherjoy

30 in Kauai, Kauai

Vintage hawaii

We picked the BEST day for our vintage hawaii day in Kauai. We spent the whole day just relaxing on the beach, sipping mai tais and pina coladas and going for dips in the ocean. This was EXACTLY what I wanted to do for my birthday. Just lounge, listen to the waves, smell the heavenly Hawaiian air, and soak in time with my sister. The perfect birthday gift if you ask me. This day will go down as one of the happiest days of my life. I love these two people so much. I was pretty pleased with our suits and accessories for my vintage beach theme, too. And, I LOVED my bathing suit. LOVED IT.

Then we got a little silly. Hahahaha.

I spent the afternoon writing notes to friends on vintage postcards. The perfect end to a perfect birthday.

June 20, 2013 by cherjoy

Capitola

Discretion Brewing

The other weekend, we tried out a new brewery: Discretion Brewery in Capitola. They call themselves ‘Discretion’ because they value sound judgment, subtlety, wisdom, and wit. What about that?! We tried a few of their beers, including their Shimmer Pils, Good Faith and On the Porch Pale, and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the crowd. And seriously, their beer is some of the best around, and that’s coming from my beer connoisseur husband.