Hawaii

Spring Break Family Time

/ jennced15 / 2 Comments

So I just got back from a mini-vacation or in my world, my spring break. I went to Utah to visit with family. It was great! I always enjoy spending time with my family. A mini get-away was exactly what my doctor should have ordered for me. But . . . sometimes I have wonderful fantasies about where I would really like to go for spring break (should time and money never be a factor). Don’t get me wrong—I love my family and I don’t mind using up my vacation time to be with them. So here is my list of spring break vacations I would like to take with my family so that I can have the best of both worlds.

  1. First trip would be with my parents and we would head to New Zealand. My Dad lived there long ago and it would be wonderful to go there with him.
  2. A camping trip would have to be made with my sister and her family to British Columbia. 
  3. Of course there would be a girl’s only trip to Hawaii. 
  4. Then a trip for the kids to Walt Disney World. 
  5. Finishing off with a trip for the whole family to Sweden so we can learn more about our heritage.  

The Fall List

/ jennced15 / 4 Comments

I have shared with everyone a lot of the places that I love to visit during the fall. The list is mostly made up of places that I can clearly see the transition from summer into fall but there are other places that I love to visit at the start of fall for one big reason . . . kids are back in school and the crowds are less.

What places do you what to visit once the crowds die down?

  1. Disneyland or any theme park: Let’s be honest . . . it is a lot of fun to go with kids especially if it is their first time BUT, theme parks are fun for adults too and more so when you know you don’t have to worry about height restrictions, losing someone to the crowd, or having someone eat the churro you have been craving for a solid year or more. 
  2. Cannon Beach or any coastal town: The beach is at its peak during the summer. Hot temperatures helps regulate your body against the coolness of the water but don’t you just hate planning a day at the beach to have it dashed to pieces because you can’t find a parking spot, a place to lay your towel down, or even a place to bob in the waves without getting hit by someone’s surf board, boogie board, paddle board, etc.? If I have to wear a wet suit to avoid hypothermia, then so be it. 
  3. Hawaii or any island: I lived in Hawaii and I absolutely love it anytime of the year but I loved it the most when people went back to the mainland for the majority of the year. Paradise can feel an awful lot like Los Angeles when there are a ton of people. 
  4. The Grand Tetons/Yellowstone or any National park: This is sometimes hard to do when not the summer months because some parks close for season but if you can manage to find the small window of opportunity between Labor Day and  the season closing, you will love it! The significant drop of cars driving in the parks is reason alone to wait until summer has passed. The park rangers and all other staff providing services in the park are more “chill” and you feel like you are stepping into a wonderland (what a national park should be) instead of getting on a ride at a theme park. 
  5. Salt & Straw Ice Cream or any locally celebrated establishment: Got to love the internet but . . . ultimately that is how everyone learns about the unique things to do in a city they are visiting. Local establishments are great and the locals like them but not when we see a line longer than three blocks. I live for the off-season and the hours of day when even locals are busy with work and school to go and visit the places that I see on the internet as well. 

Keeping Cool

/ jennced15 / 4 Comments

It is the 3rd Friday of July so we have made it to the Places I’ve Been post. 🙂 The idea of what to post came to me yesterday while I was at the lake with the kids. I decided to share with you the first 5 of my favorite places to go swimming or at least frolic in the cold water. I have LOTS of favorite places to be in the water and will probably share more in the future.

 

Then we have a bonus post today on how the dog is keeping cool this summer. My friend has shared some of Bruno’s (the dog) antics on the Periscope app if any of you have it.

 

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Tell me some of your favorite places to go swimming. I am always looking for a new place! Share also how your pets are keeping cool this summer. Everyone needs a great laugh to start their weekend!

 

  1. Crescent Bay California: I grew up in Southern California and one of our favorite places to go as a family for a day at the beach was this almost hidden gem. While it is not as hidden anymore it is still a favorite memory of ours.

 

  1. Heise Hot Springs Idaho: I knew my brother married my sister-in-law just so that I could become acquainted with this wonderful place. It is great all year round and is located in a beautiful setting right next the river.

 

  1. Manzanita Beach Oregon: I love this place. It is very low-key, has wonderful shops and places to eat, and all the while a great sandy beach to hang out on if it is a warm day outside.

 

  1. Lake Powell Utah: If you like heat and spending all of your time in the water, this is the place for you. It is very hot and you have to be smart but it is an incredible place to spend your time.

 

  1. Sunset Beach Hawaii: I have MANY beaches in Hawaii that I love but this really is a great beach to spend the day, watching the surfers and the sunset. Everyone has to come to this beach at least once in their lives.

 

!!BONUS FEATURE!!

Here is Bruno biting the hose. Do any of you have this problem with your dog? We can’t have him outside while the sprinklers are running for the same reason; HE BITES THEM AND WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. The funny thing is that he stays away from large bodies of water. Very opposite to what my chocolate lab Coco would do.

 

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ENJOY the SUN!!