One year Two years later and I'm finally here to recap my Tokyo Disneyland visit from October 2022. Thank you for your patience. (That's just life as a working mom with a toddler, amirite?) As you may recall, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation leading up to this Disney outing for me. This… Continue reading Tokyo Disneyland: Making memories, matching sweatshirts and confusing fellow Disney go-ers as cast members
"I'm sad summer is over," I said to Bryce. "But, didn't you have a good summer?" he replied. Yes, I had a fantastic summer. We packed so much into our Seattle summer. Hiking, camping, paddle boarding, baseball games, fun with friends, showing out-of-town visitors the sites, the list goes on and on. And, we also… Continue reading HI life to the French Riviera to Switzerland to Seattle fall
When my friend, Mo, and I were planning our trip last fall to Abu Dhabi in February to visit our friend, Allie, we were a bit unsure of how we'd transport ourselves to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. There were pros and cons to all the options. Then we came across one route… Continue reading 13-hour Paris layover: lots of walking, trying to stay awake and attempting to not get too upset at Charles de Gaulle Airport
Who likes night hiking? It isn't for everyone. I am "meh" about it. I don't hate it but I don't love it. I always worry I am going to trip over a rock or crevice on the trail that I didn't see in the dark. But, to get a good sunset or sunrise hike, you… Continue reading Haceta Head Lighthouse aka teaching my toddler how to use a flashlight
Sometimes the best family traditions are the ones you didn't officially plan to make happen. For me, that's going to Florence annually during the winter. That's Florence, Oregon. (Although, I have been to Florence, Italy once during the winter, too!) I'm a sucker for keeping the tree up waaay past its expiration date because I… Continue reading Whoa, look at that wave! Look at that spray!
Another winter, another stop at the Tillamook Creamery. This is our fourth consecutive post-Christmas road trip down to Florence, Oregon. And we always make sure to stop at Tillamook for cheese. If you're a longtime reader (Hi, Andrew!), I'm sure you are familiar with these cheese stops. Like, this one from 2021, that yes, I… Continue reading Always stopping for cheese — and now ice cream
"This is grandma and grandpa's beach!" my toddler said as she pointed to a calendar of Hawaii landscape photography. I think she had it open to February. She turned the pages and "assigned" a photo to various family members -- even our dog. Then she turned to a very scenic beach photo. It had blue… Continue reading Lanikai: where toddler dreams come true
Five days ago I was on Oahu. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with family -- Bryce cooked a turkey for the first time! -- and spent plenty of time at the beach in the sun. Oh, and I was sick for a majority of the week-long trip. I got some virus that left me with no voice… Continue reading Mentally, I am there …
"Excuse me, ma'am. Please stop!" the volunteer shouted to a woman who was oblivious to the fact that she was about to walk into a turtle. "Oh, I am just trying to get over there," the woman responded while pointing in the general direction in front of herself. She almost took another step and the… Continue reading Hi, mama turtle!
Seven years ago, when Bryce and I went to Hawaii for the first time together, I learned that he didn't know where pineapples come from. By where they "come from," I specifically mean how pineapples are grown. He always assumed pineapples grew on trees, just like, well, apples. This thinking does make sense. But, as… Continue reading Do you know where pineapples come from?
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