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Mexico, Travel

Cabo San Lucas – Part II: Lover’s Cove and Friends

The rest of our trip to Cabo was made up of eating food (a lot of it!), drinking a lot of Dos Equis and Pina coladas, and sleeping. Most nights we were in bed by 10:00 p.m., hahaha. Spending all that time with Rob, alone, was so wonderful. It took us a good day to let go and stop thinking we had to get back by a certain time to relieve the babysitter. We kept grabbing and looking for Jace, but then we’d realize again, “Oh, it’s just us on this vacation!!” Every day was open for whatever. This was actually the first vacation in a long time that I hadn’t planned one thing for us to do. We were actually going to do nothing but relax. Fortunately for me, the other Cheryl (my lively and loud friend from Hollister, California) had a lot planned, including dinners together and a boat tour to Lover’s Cove.

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Mexico, Travel

Cabo San Lucas – Part I: Riu Sante Fe and The Office

Rob and I just got back from a little couples trip to Cabo and it’s one we’ll never forget. Just take a look at that view! This was our first time to Mexico, and we were super impressed! The flight was under 2 hours (one of the quickest flights ever, really!), the airport was easy and fast, they had bars right outside to greet you with a Margarita or Dos Equis, the transfer shuttle was fast and friendly. Everything was just great. And February was truly the best time of year to go. The temperature was perfect, with ocean in the air. The sun just strong enough. If you can’t already tell, it was the nicest little getaway for us. Leaving Jace for 5 days was hard, but we knew he was in good hands with family, and were able to let ourselves relax. Especially when we met up with our friends and got poolside. Vacations away together are so important. To reconnect and get back to us. And sleep in ;). We stayed at the Riu Sante Fe, which had the most beautiful view of the arches. It sort of felt like we were on a cruise ship, on land. All-you-can-eat, all the time, with entertainment, dance clubs, spas, pools and bars, around every corner, but without the swaying of a ship. Downside .. (because I like to evaluate our purchases!), no room service, hard beds, and no coffee maker in the room. Everything else? Pretty awesome! My stomach is having some major withdrawals though, it wanted to wake up to a breakfast buffet like it did for 4 days. I’ve been so hungry since getting back!

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Family, Portland, Travel, Washington

Our weekend in Washington

The three of us just got back from a long weekend in Washington to see our extended family. A trip was long overdue and what a great time we had. Jace was an all-star, all around. He traveled very well and even slept on the plane. Up until the pressure got to his ears on the way down. Now that he is mobile, it’s hard for any of us to sit still it seems like. He’s wanting to crawl everywhere, put everything in his mouth and babble non-stop. And socks for babies are really useless if you ask me. They don’t stay on and I can never keep a match to one. Jenny McCarthy was so right.

A majority of the time I didn’t have service, and I forgot my Canon {plus, I’m finding it more and more difficult to take pictures when I’m chasing my speed-crawler around}, so here were the shots I DID take. So many special moments and even an encounter with the horses! It was so heart-warming to be around family this time of year. Jace loved all the cuddles from his aunts and uncles and cousins, and especially his Great-Boompa. We got so much conversation in and laughs. This is a trip I know we’ll remember forever. It rained almost every day, all day, but we didn’t mind. We loved waking up to thunder, a warm fire and hot coffee. Grandma made Mexican Hot Chocolate for us one afternoon and it was the most perfect treat. We even had a big, pre-Thanksgiving feast together. After, we talked into the night, looking at pictures and cracking up about past times by the fire. It couldn’t have been more picture perfect {without the pictures, oops}.
One of Rob’s cousins got married in Mukilteo; the ceremony was absolutley beautiful. Ben Folds’ The Luckiest played, pasta bar for dinner, a cupcake tower, jam party favors, and an awesome DJ to take us into the night. Even Jace danced with us into the late hours. We were so happy to be part of Jessica and Matthew’s special day. As the years go by, you realize how important family is and how precious moments like these are, to spend together, watching each other live life and begin new adventures. And I must say – marriage is the best adventure of them all! I couldn’t be happier for the newlyweds! Overall amazing trip. We miss everyone so much, but feel blessed that we got to spend so much quality time with them. Looking forward to more cousin’s weddings and trips to Washington in the near future!
 {Jace couldn’t keep his hands off Miss Lucy}
 {one of these days I’ll find shoes that stay on Jace}
{this guy would not sit still. I barely got a good photo with him!}
 {the view from the party. The rain cleared just in time.}
{Jace is really into open-mouth, tongue out kisses. Watch out xxx}
 {4 generations}
 {all the cousins with the bride!}
{On our last day, his Grandparents scheduled us some formal portraits, including some of this snowman.}
{They also stopped at VooDoo donuts with us on our way out of Portland. The bubble gum was amazing.}
Greece, Italy, Travel

iPhone memories

I just recently realized that we probably won’t be back to Europe for another couple of years and am having travel anxiety. I know we’re planning for a Hawaiian adventure next year, but I’m not sure anything will ever live up to our month in Europe. I found some pictures from my old iPhone {as I was saying goodbye to it} & all the memories came flooding back. Europe, I’ll see you again!

Greece, Santorini, Travel

Anchors away

I don’t know if I’ve been watching too much Bachelorette, but our last day on Santorini, now that I look back, was the perfect “Bachelorette” date. We took a sunset cruise, full of mini excursions and romantic moments.

We boarded our Pirates of the Caribbean ship and took sail for Santorini’s volcanic crater {center}. In case I haven’t mentioned it, I LOVE volcanoes. So much that I toyed with the idea of studying them {for a very brief moment}.

The boys!

This is Mandy, my girlfriend on the boat:

Next stop – swimming in the hot springs.

Wine and snackies:  

And then the sunset:
We kissed and snuggled as the sun went down. It was the perfect ending to an amazing trip. Now tell me that doesn’t sound like The Bachelorette? {I’m watching it as I write this}

This marks the end of our Greece vacation! About time, right? I can’t wait to go back to Europe. All I can think about is where to go next. Thinking London and Ireland! Planning for Spring 2013!