**Reminder: Click on photos for a larger view.**
LAS VEGAS...as always we started our trip here...and as always, what happened in Vegas, stays in Vegas...except all the cute bikini shopping I did...that came back with me! ;)
Home away from Home
Being back home for a while now has really got me
reminiscing about my recent visit back home.
I’m a very blessed girl…I have so many homes! But the home that started it all, my parents’,
is one of my most cherished places in the entire world. No matter how far I roam, or how long I am
gone, I know that they are there, welcoming me with open arms to pop in and
hang out for a month. And I never rest
as well as I do when I am at my parents!
R&R in comfy, chilled, up north mode!
VIDEO! ;)
Here is a little video from our CA trip.
To view the video larger click on this link:
And don't forget to change the settings to HD.
CALI
Seriously CA….can you get any more awesome?? Can you ever be boring, or same ol’ same ol’? I never tire of this place…from North to
South….from the East Coast to the West Coast…Cali has it all…It wants for nothing except more of
your time….and I am happy to have my one week in a little slice of heaven
known as Newport Beach.
First night in Newport Beach...we never miss the sunset.
Sun Bleached.
Big waves, blue skies, salty air, it is as chill of a state
as you can find. And this year we
chilled in style.
Seaside
One of my favourite ways to spend a day in Cali is to stand
at the edge of where the sea meets the sand, with Fint by my side.
I can stand there and let the freezing water rush to and from my toes,
while my skin soaks in the warm sun and I breath in the sea salty breeze that envelops me. Just lazily gazing at the immensity of the ocean puts my heart in a good
place….and it doesn’t hurt that I usually have a soft serve chocolate yogurt
cone in hand from my favourite ice cream shack, called Pipeline, right on the beach. I am renewed, I am refreshed, I am in my happy place. ;)
Mustang Finty
One of Fint’s favourite ways to spend a day in Cali?
Cruising in a vintage Mustang with the top down….music loud, hopping from one
scenic route to the next….nothing to do and all day to cruise there. Drinking milkshakes and eating burgers,
reminiscing about a time in history that our parents got to live….the good ol’
days, long before we were born. We
rented Cherry Pie…a poppy red, convertible Mustang, she had no power steering,
brakes that left much to be desired (and sometimes feared!), tiny spring filled
seats, and a huge awkwardly low sitting steering wheel, but she gave us smiles
and laughs to last a lifetime! Speeding
around Laguna, Newport Beach and Balboa Island and hopping on and off the ferry
was an epic way to spend a day. The
smile on his face was priceless…it is a cheeky boyish smile that brings so much
joy straight to my heart.
A Whale of a Tale
This year we also made our way to Dana Point for some whale watching. The whales did not disappoint...it is amazing to see such a huge animal breaking the surface of the water and to know the sea is full of hidden wonders just under the blue veil. These are the sea creatures that filled the hearts of the old explorers with fear and here we are...hoping to see these magnificent creatures.
CA just looks good on him.
Solar Power
Bubbles in Dana Point
Laguna Beach
Dana Point Pier
Craft beer with a view in Laguna Beach
Margaritas in Newport Beach!
A little paddle boating...and a Michigan boat?!
Sailing in Newport Beach Harbour
Whale watchers.
Just a stroll around beautiful Balboa Island
It doesn't get better than this.
I never tire of the palms reaching to the sun.
Beautiful Laguna
Surfer
Favorite spot for a sunset drink in Laguna
Road Trippin!
Our Cherry Red Caddy SUV
Sailing Newport Beach
My favorite view. ;)
Mustang on a ferry...perfection.
So cute!
Sunsets on the beach never get old.
xoxo
A MI/NY Video! ;)
A little video from MI and NY
To view the video larger click on this link:
And don't forget to change the settings to HD
MICH
MI…just the same as I always remember it….peaceful and
beautiful with clean air and green forests and blue lakes all around. Tranquil and alive with nature, heavy with the
scent of pine in the air; real pine scent, living pine…not to be confused with
the artificial scent of floor cleaners or hanging car deodorizers. It is one of
those scents that you have to be away for a while to fully appreciate the
freshness of it. J My
parents took me to almost every woody destination of my childhood. They bought me doughnuts and pops and
pasties. (And now that I’m an “adult” I do get the occasional coffee just to
keep me from getting too grumpy!)
Dad and I hiked Castle Rock....and I got the sticker to prove it! ;)
This year we took a few trail rides on the four
wheelers…cruising through the forest, with dust and dirt smudging up my face…eating
sand from smiling so much…my dad running in for pops and beef jerky snacks at
the local gas station along the way…such fun.
And the laughs I had while trail riding with my brothers and Jessica and
Bella…was crazy! It just doesn’t get
more awesome.
A 40 mile trail ride to Bull Gap!! With these kids...awesome fun!
Clear Lake...this place holds so many dear memories.
Yep!
Health drinks...to help me fight a cold. ;)
Light Houses
In the UP
Yummy....Pasties!
Road Trippin!
Just a little yoga break with ma and pa. ;)
Glorious MI
The UP
Thanks again Aunt Kath and Uncle Rick for the dinner party!
And to all who showed up to see little ol' me! ;)
Lil and I...Selfie game on point! ;)
My buddy!
Belle and I...such a sweetie!
Love these ladies!
An angel. ;)
Loving my momma in Holland
Tha Trail Crew
My dad's famous...super delish breakfast
River hiking.
Clear Lake
Trees galore.
MI has 19.3 million forested acres
Dad keeping lighthouse watch
Dirty faces while taking a pop break on our 4 wheeler trail trip
4 Wheeling...very dirty but oh so fun!
NY
Niagara Fall this was my first time ever seeing them. Of course, I’ve seen photos, but that is
never quite the same is it? Not sure
what I enjoyed better…the powerful falls, or the amazing chicken wings at the
birth place of the Buffalo Wing, in Buffalo NY.
The chicken wings were recommended to us by Jason…and boy was he right,
they were spicy and simply, awesomely, amazingly yummy!
Buffalo Wings at Anchor Bar in Buffalo NY
And by far the highlight of this trip, by far, was getting
to spend it with Ava, Jason, Steph, Joshua, Yaya and mom and dad. Times just don’t get more precious that
that! Ava is growing to be such a sweet,
clever, beautiful and funny little lady.
She is good for the heart. And
road tripping with my parents was my favourite part…I felt like I was 13
again!
The time I got to spend with my family this year was some of
the best times of my life. They really
are a huge part of my life…I am a lucky girl to have them…my best buddies!
Now, I have heard and read all the rumours that the Canada
side is much nicer than the NY side of the falls…I have to say, I don’t quite
agree. Yes the Canada side is “newer”
and a more value for money on the hotel front….but the NY side was so green and
it really showcased the beauty of nature; while the Canada side looked to be a
mini Reno with ferris wheels and casinos.
But we only have 2 real experts from the trip….Joshua and Yaya…who
stayed on the Canadian side!!!
Stinkers…. Yes, they may have had
a nicer room…comfy clean beds, a shower they could use, and no bugs…but we had
atmosphere and the excitement of all the” what ifs” in our not so cozy abode.
Just the ladies
Ava in her Frozen, Elsa red wig.
The Race Team
Starbucks break! ;)
They love me a little ;)
Penelope and Pops sneaking in our "selfie"
A little souvenir shopping
Standing near the falls was quite the experience, it is hard
to believe that much water can just keep coming and coming. Nature truly is awesome.
Our...not so cozy...but fun none the less hotel room! ;)
What it lacked in comfort or cleanliness, it made up for with great laughs and even better company!
Love!
Selfie time! ;)
Can I keep her!?
A short yoga break! Nice crows.
This visit took me from the beaches and palm trees of CA, to the Great Lakes and forests of MI, to the epic falls and chicken wings of NY....but what was even more special was the time I got to spend with those I hold most dear in my heart. These memories will last me a lifetime and my heart is so full of love for everyone in these photos. I am counting down the days until I get to hug them all again! Thank you guys for making this year so full of family time and love...xoxoxo!
