TBT and ARUBA MEGAPOST #4: 1/1-1/3

It is Thursday, which is usually a regular TBT post, but in order to finish up my Aruba wrap-up, I only have one TBT this week...tropical island style.

Now on to my last Aruba Post. (Here is post #1, post #2, and post #3 in case you need to catch up.)

Happy New Year in Aruba! 

The last few days of our trip were much more low key.  Those days were the reasons why I was able to finish FOUR books on our vacation.  There was lots of reading at the pool time, lots of reading on the beach time, and lots of general relaxing time.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2015

We had asked our ATV guide on Tuesday for tips for how to find the hiking place we couldn't find on Monday, so we were able to successfully find it on Thursday morning.  It wasn't so much of a hike as it was 652 steps up a big hill they call the Haystack.  Tourist brochures call it Hooiberg.  The view was decent- but there were lots of tall cacti that blocked the ocean views.

 

Very many steep steps

The view

We spent the rest of the day lounging.  Some folks went to watch the Gopher game on the beach.  The rest of us found them later (which is miraculous seeing as we couldn't communicate with each other with cell phones).  We went to dinner at a delicious pizza place on the tourist strip.

Another fun day

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2nd, 2015

The guys golfed again in the morning, so the ladies went downtown Oranjestad to go shopping and have lunch.

I got Starbucks!
Lunch at the Pink Iguana

We did more lounging and then had another dinner by the ocean.  This one wasn't up to par with all the other meals we had (and the service was TERRIBLE), but we still enjoyed sitting out by the water on our last night in Aruba.

Marina Pirata
Great atmosphere, terrible service, not so good food

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 2015

I woke up early again and read by the pool. Then we spent one more short morning at the beach before we had to leave for the airport.  It was a great way to end a fantastic trip.

The picture of us under a cabana happened because all of a sudden there was
a downpour of rain.  It was obviously Aruba lamenting the fact that we were leaving.
It dissipated quickly, thankfully, and we got back to our beach lounging.

We had a long travel day back home, which included us almost missing our connecting flight in Atlanta and having to sprint across the very large airport.  Our luggage DID end up missing the flight and wasn't returned to us until 11:30pm on Sunday night.

But what a small price to pay for a wonderful week.

And the joy of waking up to these happy faces on Sunday morning was amazing.

Reunited and it feels so good.

A million thanks to my parents who made this trip possible- and to my dad who planned so many fantastic adventures and meals for all of us.  It was so incredible.

And again, thanks to G-ma, G-pa and Auntie Cat who took such good care of the girls so we could truly relax and enjoy ourselves while we were away.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some pictures of our adventures!  Back to regular scheduled posting tomorrow with the first FTPDF post of 2015.

ARUBA MEGAPOST #3: 12/31

Yay Aruba!

Aruba Post #1

Aruba Post #2


Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

We had another big excursion on New Year's Eve Morning.  We chartered a private sailboat for the morning and went snorkeling.  There was rum punch and fancy cheeses and curried chicken salad.  And with all that, plus amazing blue-green water, sunshine and family...well let's just say it was a BLAST.

On the "Tranquilo"

Ready to snorkel!

Snorkeling...it was awesome that Laura and Craig had a waterproof
camera

Also, that was the day that most of us got slightly to very sunburned, despite the fact that we were layering on the sunscreen. Aruba sun is no joke. But we recovered well, thanks to the famous Aruba Aloe Burn Relief that was purchased the next day.

After we docked, we walked to the I (HEART) ARUBA sign because I wanted to get a picture.  What we ended up experiencing was just a taste of the craziness that New Years Eve is on the strange island that is Aruba.

As we were walking, we noticed that there were a TON of people milling around ON the main street and then we saw people bringing a long red rope thing down the middle of the street.  What was it, you ask?  A blocks-long string of FIRECRACKERS.  That is a thing in Aruba.  They set off long strings of firecrackers and watch them explode.  All the businesses do it in some way for their employees.  We happened to catch, what I can only assume, was the biggest one that happened on the island.  It was CRAZY.

SO LOUD
SO MUCH SMOKE
SO MANY PEOPLE

After cleaning up, we drove across the island for the best dinner of the trip (in my opinion).  It was a place called The Flying Fishbone.  The tables were right on the water, in the sand, and we were there for the sunset.  The food was AMAZINGLY AMAZING.  The drinks were divine.  We even ordered dessert so we could stay longer.  It was fantastic.

The Flying Fishbone

Feet in the sand
DELICIOUS food and drinks, including Baked Alaska for dessert!

The sun setting on 2014

After dinner, our plan was to go back up to the lighthouse for fireworks.  A few different locals told us that is the best place to be, because people are setting off fireworks all over the island.  Our boat captain told us that Arubans spend more money on fireworks on average than any other nation in the world. 

So we started the short drive up to the lighthouse, but noticed lots of cars coming back the other direction.  It wasn't a good sign.  Not too far up the curving road, were two thugs (or that is how we describe them) turning people away.  They had blocked the road off and weren't letting anyone up there.  They weren't police or any other official-looking people.  They looked like thugs and we weren't going to mess with them.  So we decided to go back down towards one of the popular beaches in the middle of the island.  We were right by the water and had a great view of the fireworks that were put on by the hotels on the strip.

FIREWORKS

Chris and I haven't seen fireworks in person in 5 years.  It was pretty awesome.  Starting at exactly midnight, they were set off in multiple locations all over the island.


IMG 2999 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

They went on for about 40 minutes.  It was a great end to another amazing day/year.

ARUBA MEGAPOST #2: 12/30

In case you missed it, I am taking a short break from blogging about these crazy children...

...and instead am taking a few days to blog about an adults-only Aruba trip. 

You can find part #1 right here.

Here is part #2!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30th, 2014

I woke up super early again, so I decided to walk to the beach to watch the sunrise.  My dad came down to the beach a little later, and we spent about an hour there before most everyone else woke up.

Arashi Beach at sunrise

The pelicans put on quite the show for us that morning.  Dad went to get the big camera and took some awesome pelican pictures. 

Pelicans!

I also happened to catch one going for a dive on video.


IMG 2711 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

The big excursion for the day was an ATV tour around the island.  We went through a ranch called Rancho Notorious, which seemed a little sketchy at first, but turned out to be totally awesome. 

Ridin' dirty

As you can see, we were all on double ATVs.  Our guide took us all around the island, gave us history lessons, and showed us breathtaking sights.  He was also a great photographer and took many cool group shots.



Top: Ready to Ride!
Middle: In the cave
Bottom: On top of the cave

Walking around various locations on the island, drinking coconut juice

Ocean and cacti
Alto Vista Chapel

The whole experience's high point was a very bumpy and rugged ride over rocky terrain that led us to a large natural pool.  It was amazing.

Swimming in the Natural Pool

On the ride back I managed to get REALLY dirty...the picture of my face doesn't do it justice.  I had dirt everywhere.

Rugged terrain = So dirty

I really think that ATV ride was one of the coolest things I have ever done.  We got to see and experience so many different things on the island in a span of four hours.  It was pretty incredible.

After getting cleaned up, we went downtown to the tourist strip for dinner and had dinner at an Asian Bistro.

JH Yee's Asian Bistro

We ended the evening walking around, picking up some souvenirs for the girls, and playing games back at the house.  It was another fantastic day.

Tomorrow: New Year's Eve!

ARUBA MEGA POST #1: 12/28-12/29

Ok, if you usually come here to see pictures of and stories about cute little blondies, the next few posts won't be for you. 

If you'd like to stay and see pictures of sunshine and loveliness, feel free to stick around.

As I mentioned yesterday, Chris and I spent most of last week in Aruba with my parents, my sisters and their fiancées.

Aruba was generally 85 and sunny all the time.  When we landed back home on Saturday night, we experienced a 90 degree temperature difference from what we felt that morning.  It was a brutal slap back to reality.

But, let's go back to the warmth, shall we?

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28th, 2014

We had a long travel day on the 28th.  We were at the airport by 4am central time, and didn't land in Aruba until about 2:30pm eastern time.  The Aruba airport was a pretty ridiculous experience, and we were happy to finally get to our rental house a couple hours after landing.  The rental house was beautiful- perfect for the 8 of us.

145 LG Smith Blvd

We settled in, got ready for dinner, and headed out to our first dinner reservation of the vacation.  It was also the first time we got lost (well, one of the two cars did).  It was our experience that Aruba is an island that isn't very user friendly.  There aren't really street signs, and maps aren't that helpful.  Also, we couldn't use our cell phones.  We got lost a number of times throughout our week there. 

But we all eventually made it to our destination and had a great dinner.  After dinner we walked down to the beach by the house.  We were all anxious to see everything in the daylight.

The Pelican's Nest...and the beach.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 29th, 2014

I was up super early, of course, so I spent the early hours of the day by the pool.  Later that morning we left to go on a hike.  We did not find the place we were looking for (non-marked Aruban roads...seriously), and turned back around in favor of a beach run and beach time for the girls, and golfing for the guys.

A sisters run and Arashi Beach

Tierra del Sol Golf Club...amazing views and CRAZY wind.

We went up to the California Light House before dinner.  It was a short drive from the rental house, and the dinner that we had up at the restaurant near the lighthouse was delicious (you'll soon figure out that the food on this trip was UNBELIEVABLY amazing).

The California Light House at dusk

La Trattoria el Faro Blanco at sunset

That was the end of our first full day on the island.  Come back tomorrow for day 2!

Week Wrap-Up

Happy New Year!!!!

I'm back! And as you probably noticed, the blog has been redesigned by my friend Amanda. I love it!

The title of this post is slightly misleading because there is no way I can do last week's wrap up in one post. Why, you ask? Because Chris and I spent the past week in Aruba with my parents, my sisters, and their fiancées.

It was a trip without our two little girls. And while it was hard to leave and we missed them, it was pretty freaking awesome.

The girls were lucky enough to stay with G-ma, G-pa and Auntie Cat all week. I should say that WE (Chris and I) were lucky enough for that to happen, because we were able to relax and enjoy our amazing vacation knowing that they were being well cared for and loved in our absence.

As you can see, they really were.

They had loads of play time and cuddle time, had a sleepover with cousins, saw Nana and Papa, went to the zoo...and had an all around great week while we were gone.

Obviously, we were able to get pictures and texts via email to stay connected, and I am thankful for that. We also were able to video chat with them on Thursday, which was great.

As for our trip...it will be a process of gathering all the photos and organizing them. I will most definitely do Aruba posts this week to share our fun island adventures, so come back often.

For the time being, here are a few shots of the ocean to give you a little taste of some of the beauty of the beaches of Aruba.

We hope everyone had a wonderful start to 2015!

FTPDF: The Last Post of the Year

Hi Friends!

I have blogged 8 times in the past 8 days.  My heart is full, but my body and brain are tired.  Therefore, I will be taking a week long hiatus from blogging, and will return sometime in the early New Year.

But before I go, here is my last FTPDF of 2014.  You'd think that since I have blogged so often, I wouldn't have too many pictures left to share.  That is not the case.

Favorite Thing #1: More birthday pictures!
Sisters playing, hide-and-seeking, toddlers drawing, spouses playing duets...
it was quite the event.

Favorite Thing #2: Playing at home

Favorite Thing #3: Playing at the indoor park

 

Favorite Thing #4: A quiet Christmas Eve morning with Kona and Maya,
Chris and Callie saw a movie (NOT Cinderella, but the poster was pretty cool).

Favorite Thing #5: Opening presents before church on
Christmas Eve, wearing my Grandma's butterfly pin,
getting all the Santa gifts ready.

Favorite Thing #6: Santa came!  Christmas jammies!

Favorite Thing #7: Christmas morning with Pa, Auntie Cat, Uncle Dan, and Hanna.
G-ma was sick and we missed her!

 

Favorite Thing #8: Christmas night with Boom, Bops, Auntie Yoda, Craig,
Auntie Mari, and Josh.

Have a wonderful week and a happy new year!!

TBT: The Merry Christmas Edition!

You might remember my Christmas post from last year.  If not, check it out...seriously.

We have a repeat performance this year.

And, just for full effect, here are is my first Throwback:

Last year during the Christmas Eve service, we got to be the Holy Family.  Chris and I dressed up as Mary and Joseph, and Maya was Baby Jesus.  This year, I spent most of the service wrangling a CRAZY toddler.  We were able to stay in the pew only minutes at a time before she would take off running up the aisle.  So I had to chase her, we'd do a lap outside the sanctuary, and then come back for another couple minutes before she'd do it again.  There were lots of "she is so adorable" murmurs as we walked ran around the church.  And she was.  She was also exhausting.  So my next Throwback shows the difference between Baby Maya at church on Christmas Eve, and Toddler Maya at church on Christmas Eve.

On one of our last laps, we passed this year's Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the back before they had to walk down the aisle to the front of the church.  As we sped by them (me frantically chasing a wobbly 17-month-old) I casually said, "She was Baby Jesus last year!"  They said something like "Oh, how sweet..." I may have noticed a glimmer of terror in their eyes, but it was probably just nerves about whether or not their sweet baby would lie quietly in the manger, and not them fast forwarding a year in their heads and imagining their exhaustion after the Christmas Eve service of 2015.

Right?!?!

Anyway, as I look at these pictures, I think back to our very first Christmas as parents.  Our baby was 2-3 days old.  We were exhausted.  I could still barely sit down.  But the joy and happiness that babies (and now children) bring to our holidays is beyond measure.

We sincerely hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.