2010
Escape to Florida: Sarasota, Fort Meyers (near Sanibel), (Orlando), Salt Lake City, Zion National Park, Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, San Francisco December 11 2009 - January 12, 2010
We left Milwaukee from the Hyatt Regency downtown, flew to Orlando and drove to Sarasota. We stopped to walk on the beach at dusk, and then found Hotel Indigo in Sarasota. One of their recommendations for where to have dinner was where we first started sharing meals, splitting a small appetizer and an entree instead of each ordering separate meals. We saw flamingoes and took pictures. And we walked all the way through Sarasota, over the bridge and to the Mote Marine Lab aquarium. We went swimming in the hotel pool and worked outside after deciding to stay at the Marriott right over the bridge on the Fort Meyers side instead of on Sanibel island. Leaving Florida for Salt Lake City, on our way to the Orlando airport, we came across a giant bouncy house that allowed adults. We discovered Lovesac, the frozen area around the Salt Lake, the Pho restaurant, and riblets in Salt Lake City. For skating, which went great, we visited with my mom, Andrew, Jessica, toddler RZ, and Lily (sweet dog, may she rest in peace). We discovered how amazing national parks are and decided to see them all when we magically saw the sunset, hiked through the snow, and drove through the high rocks in Zion National Park. This was my first time in Las Vegas, and we stayed at the Sahara (which is now gone) in a giant room, and we discovered Tao restaurant with incredible fresh fruits and vegetables. We walked down the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the aquarium at Mandalay Bay. We hiked, gazed at stars, took pictures of the mountains reflecting at sunset, and rolled down the sand dunes in Death Valley. On this trip, the hotel in Death Valley was still nice and affordable, so we enjoyed our room, a dressed-up dinner with a reservation, and the pool and a shower. And we took a 17-mile walk through San Francisco, past the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point, ending up too far away and having to take a taxi to make it back to our first-ever spa appointment. We discovered Asian pears that tasted like butterscotch and found a great Indian restaurant. Richard created "the usses," and we started "how are the usses?...excellent, of course, naturally, obviously...," later adding, "perpetually, magically, and engaged." And we decided we wanted to make plans for our future together.
Chicago, IL February 21, 2010
We went to Chicago to walk around for fun. (My photos are from under the bean.) From this point forward, I think of Chicago as romantic.
Mesa Verde National Park, CO April 23 - 17, 2010
We loved Mesa! Since the park had just opened for the spring and is in the mountains (after asking the rangers where to hike), we hiked first in the snow, and we followed a bird's tracks until we could not stay on the trail without falling off the side. Then, we hiked to the top of one of the mountains so we could see an amazing view. Then, we took a long hike in incredibly warm, sunny weather through slick rock (The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument) just outside the park. There, we realized that all the side trails went to amazing things, so we followed them all. We went to another area of the park and through a store where a ranger told us the story about how people used to get water to their dwellings, and then we hiked around to see what she had described. We understood that you should always ask rangers and others about their areas, because most people never ask and so never find out. And we took a tour to see the cliff dwellings, and Richard was made the leader up the final ladder where he had to open an overhead gate ("when you get to the top, just push the gate open"). And Richard got me the turquoise turtle earrings. We also liked Durango, CO (which we went through to get there) and a Mexican restaurant not far from the park, because it seemed like everybody really cared about their city/town/state, lives, work and fun.
Paris, France May 25 - 30, 2010
The European Writing Centers Association had a conference in Paris, and we had not tried an international one before, so we went. Of course we walked all over Paris, including all the way from our pretty hotel room near the Eiffel Tower to the giant arch in La Défense, and then, on another day, to Sacré Cœur. We watched the Eiffel Tower lights show at night, took fun pictures at the Louvre that other tourists wanted to copy, and tried French onion soup everywhere. And Richard got me the Swarovski fish earrings.
At Home (Milwaukee, WI) July 11, 2010
Proposal day! Richard took us on a canoe trip all the way through the Milwaukee river and with a stop at Horny Goat for soda...and then proposed to me that evening with all of Cafe Manna to ourselves for an amazing dinner. Of course I said yes.
At Home, my Mom's visit October 2 - 4, 2010
Mommy came for a visit to help Erica, Brenda and me choose my wedding dress and bridesmaids' dresses, so Richard and I did fun stuff with her, including going to a corn maze and playing around at the farm that had it.
Chicago, IL November 24 - 27, 2010
Everybody met for Thanksgiving in Chicago. Thanksgiving dinner was at the top of the John Hancock building. We walked to Navy Pier, went to the bean, and overall had fun together. Richard and I went for a cold but fun Ferris wheel ride. I discovered that it was fun to take pictures of the whole group talking to each other.
2011
At Home, my Mom's visit February 12 - 13, 2011
My mom came for a visit in the winter, and we walked on the frozen lake.
Chicago, IL March 12 - 13, 2011
Richard had his bachelor party in Chicago, so he and his nice, fun, great friends went to a German restaurant. I had fun walking to Navy Pier (to repeat the same pictures as Thanksgiving but with no people at all, since it was cold, and then sent one saying "where is everyone?" and no one got it), shopping for both of us at Lush, and making a quick stop at Walgreens for light-up St. Patrick's Day earrings. Since Chicago was getting ready for St. Patrick's Day the following week, the river was bright green and people were out partying. So, walking back to the Hyatt in the evening, I had fun eavesdropping on drunk people who were very excited about taking videos of the green river in the dark.
At Home March 26, 2011
Our wedding!
Las Vegas, NV and Death Valley National Park, CA March 27 - April 2, 2011
Our honeymoon! We wanted to go somewhere warm, and we knew both Las Vegas and Death Valley would be a lot of fun. And, of course, we had a great time. We went on the gondola ride in Las Vegas, drove and hiked all around in Death Valley, walked over a lot of the salt "river" and climbed up some rocks... In Las Vegas, we stayed at the Cosmopolitan, which was new and amazing, with about a five-foot-cube hot tub bathtub and beautiful views off the balcony, and then, because the Death Valley hotel had changed to become unaffordable and had not saved the honeymoon room for us and we shifted dates around a little, at the Planet Hollywood ph timeshares. We enjoyed all the pools (including cuddling at the Cosmopolitan pool, because it was not quite warm enough).
Our first road trip: Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, Alfred and New York, NY, Boston, Washington, DC, Shenandoah National Park, Brazil, IN May 9 - 25, 2011
We had a great time traveling and exploring together. We saw everything--tourist stores and restaurants, Niagara Falls, and farther down where there are whirlpools--at Niagara Falls. We had fun with my parents in New York and with Richard's dad in Brazil. We all went to Mesa in New York. We walked all over Boston and all over Washington, DC, even in the rain. Shenandoah was so green, beautiful, and amazing, even though one whole day was cloudy. We played with a football in the big meadow with deer nearby. When we got back home (to Milwaukee), we saw an arena football game.
At home, 4th of July July 3, 2011
We went to the Big Bang and we were so close, we could chew the grit from the fireworks. We had a great time.
Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA July 11 - 18, 2011
We had a conference in Baton Rouge and then spent a few days walking around New Orleans. We took a ferry ride to see everything, and then took a walk way out to where they make and store Mardi Gras float artwork. One of the artists said we should walk around inside, so we did. People were still rebuilding from Katrina, and we saw houses where people had painted over the markings. We tried the foods you are supposed to, including spicy seafood, hickory coffee, and beignets. Hickory coffee is only drinkable if you are eating a beignet at the same time. We also found great iced coffee at some local coffee place across the street.
Brazil, Rockville, and Bridgeton, IN October 15 - 18, 2011
Covered Bridge Festival with my mom. We walked around, had fun, and took Jack on a ride. My mom came to visit us in Milwaukee first, and then we drove to Brazil together.
Madison, WI October 20 - 23, 2011
We had a conference in Madison, and then walked around as usual.
At home: Country Springs hotel and water park October 23 - 25, 2011
Just for fun, we went to Country Springs. It is not as big as Key Lime Cove, but it is in Waukesha and really inexpensive for a nice, big room with a hot tub and use of the water park with fun slides. This was not our first or last time there, but it is on my calendar. They have a half-day ticket, too, so you do not even have to stay over, so at one point, we went there for just an afternoon and dinner.
Minneapolis, MN November 17 - 20, 2011
We got lingerie football tickets, so we saw the game, which was fun, and also went to the Mall of America and messed around. Richard got Cosmo for me, because we did not have a dog yet. We went to the Science Museum of Minnesota, too.
At home for Thanksgiving November, 2011
Everybody came to Milwaukee for Thanksgiving at our apartment. Richard had to make turkey without touching it, and he rescued my mom's and my attempt at apple pie with caramel sauce. He made an amazing Thanksgiving dinner. Everybody ate those peppermint Hershey's kisses and nuts...and were happy to finish dinner. We went to Discovery World, where my dad was happy to touch the sturgeon in the touching tank. My parents arrived one day earlier, so we all went to the museum.
Short visits to Chicago June 14 - 16, July 21 - 24, September 9 - 12, October 30 - November 1, 2011
We had fun in Chicago, went to Quest, walked around, and were there over Halloween. July was when we took pictures at Navy Pier, and September might have been when I walked through the fountain. And in July was when housekeeping at the Hyatt put our toothbrushes into a little bed made of a washcloth.
Key Lime Cove June 16 - 18, 2011
Indianapolis, IN September 28 - October 3, 2011
We had a conference in Indianapolis, and of course enjoyed walking to and up and down the canal.
Fun! We went on all the slides over and over, and we loved the two-person tube ride into the toilet bowl.
Miami, FL November 3 - 9, 2011
We had a conference in Miami, and this was when we decided to move to (near) Miami. We loved the weather, of course, and the clean, clear air. People were happier than most people in Milwaukee, probably because of the sunshine. It was so easy to do everything outside. We went to Key Biscayne and rented a surrey, and went to the Everglades, where first got eaten by mosquitoes and then rented the small boat to go miles and miles in the Everglades water. (Before this trip was when we went up to that park in Milwaukee for pretty views of the lake and fall leaves.)
Chicago, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, and Brazil, IN December 16 - 26, 2011
We went to Chicago for Quest, Fantasea, and our normal, happy walking-around. It was cold, so we had to switch sides for holding hands to make the other hand not freeze. We went to Indianapolis and stayed over for the Colts game (when I did my nails), and then Brazil for Christmas. Richard got us the personal wood phone backs.
2012
Las Vegas, NV January 18 - 24, 2012
Richard got us a vacation in Las Vegas, and of course it was great. We stayed at New York, New York and walked all over, and we were "cool" enough to go to the Rok club there. We saw the lights show at Fremont, went on the great Hoover Dam tour, saw lingerie football, relaxed at Cosmopolitan, and went to Red Rock Canyon (where it was cold and snowing). On my calendar, it looks like our flight was to and from Chicago, so we stayed over before leaving.
Chicago, IL January 27 - 30, 2012
I think we just had a fun weekend in Chicago.
Richmond and Mammoth Cave National Park, KY February 15 - 21, 2012
There is no place to walk in most places we have been in Kentucky, starting with Richmond on this trip. We wanted to walk around from our hotel and ended up on the sides of busy roads in the dark. We ended up at a BW3 because we could drive there. When we were on campus, a guy went to his car with a bag of groceries, and someone drove by and hit the bag out of his hands with their mirror. There were apples rolling in the street. This seemed pretty normal, because there was no place to walk...you just expect that if you have to be in the street for a moment with groceries, you will end up with your apples rolling in the street. Mammoth Cave was great. We went on the tours and, on our second try, discovered the long walk to the ticket booth and secret cave entrance. We also went on a boat ride through a different cave. This was where we met the couple from Europe who were traveling through the US using a cheap car.
Miami, FL March 1 - 7, 2012
We had a conference in Miami and coordinated the trip so we could look at apartments, choose one, and even sign the lease. So we were moving to the Wave in Hollywood, the first apartment we saw, and obviously the best of the eight we looked at. We also looked around Miami and Sunny Isles (where we were staying at the Newport Beachside Resort with the nice pool, hot tub, and birds).
Chicago, IL March 18, 2012
We went to Chicago for Quest and dinner.
Chicago, IL March 25 - 27, 2012
Our first anniversary! Richard made reservations at the Hyatt and, with Greg's help, got us the giant, unbelievable monarch suite, which included a pool table, fireplace, three bathrooms with fancy bath stuff, kitchen with an espresso machine, a huge living room, and great views. Richard got us dinner with flowers and a special dessert at Big Bar.
Indianapolis, IN March 29 - April 2, 2012
We stayed at the hotel with the weird middle and parking lot underneath, had to block the back of our table with garbage and recycling containers, and Richard stuck is head in the mammoth's mouth. And we visited Richard's dad.
Move from Milwaukee, WI to Hollywood, FL: Milwaukee, WI, Brazil, IN, Chattanooga, TN, outside Atlanta, GA, Lake City, FL, Hollywood, FL April 19 - 24, 2012
The highlight, of course, was Lake City's Travelodge, which still keeps us away from Lake City.
Mommy's visit and Indianapolis, IN May 23 - 30, 2012
Mommy came to see our new apartment in Hollywood, and then we all went to Indianapolis for the Indy 500.
Savannah, GA June 6 - 11, 2012
We had a conference in Savannah, and we also walked around the fort and trails. This was our first time in Savannah, and then we went back a bunch of times afterward. We went to the nice, comfortable Cotton Exchange, where the servers were great and we had a really good spinach artichoke (or crab?) dip. We also discovered pralines. We stayed at the hotel right by the water with the tiny balconies. And we also went to the one Mexican restaurant that was listed in the conference information, Cilantro's, with fresh avocado and good dinners, and I think we also tried the weird candied bacon on this trip.
Puerto Rico August 1 - 6, 2012
First, since we had just adopted (or been adopted by) Sally on July 6, to get ready to board her during this trip, I talked to a few dog boarding places and chose to visit AKZ (Rockin' Pets Resort). Sally and I got a look at the dogs' play area and pool outside, and I got licked by about twelve small dogs. AKZ/Rockin Pets' Resort is great, and we, including Sally, loved them the whole time we were in Hollywood. Puerto Rico was amazing...we will go back, and we recommend it to everyone. We walked all the way through Old San Juan and the fort, to Bacardi for a great tour and samples, and to Senior Frog's (my first time there, so I liked the towels idea). We saw Arecibo and El Yunque, and we went scuba diving with coral and turtles at a nearby resort. Our hotel was really nice, too...open, clean, comfortable, pretty, and reasonably-priced. We found the great and fun restaurant where they made mofongo, the server told us how to make it, and the other server demonstrated parcours...we went back almost every night...except when we decided to have drinks at the hotel near ours with the cool nightclub-like atmosphere and a roasted pineapple mojito.
Chicago, IL September 7 - 10, 2012 and Disney World September 10 - 13, 2012 in one trip
First we went to Chicago, where I got Bears/Colts tickets waaaaay up at the top, and then we stayed at the All Stars resorts and had fun at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We went to Rainforest Cafe and the Coral Reef Restaurant.
At home, Dick and Paulane's visit September 15 - 21, 2012
We all went to Kennedy Space Center, and, on the way, my phone caught on fire.
Reno, NV, Davis, CA, and Yosemite National Park, CA October 3 - 11, 2012
We had a conference in Reno, and then went through Sacramento, visited Ken and Rebekkah and Summer, and went to Yosemite.
Baltimore, MD (October 2012 or February 2013 - not sure)
We went for a conference and did fun things, including, we think, Howl at the Moon. We asked a taxi driver for a recommendation and found good crab cakes.
2013
Freeport, Bahamas February 12 - 15, 2013
There was a Groupon for something like $69 plus $12 tax and fees for both of us to take the Balearia fast ferry to Freeport. It is the same price to go and come back on the same day, or to go and stay over. So Richard found the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach all-inclusive resort for us for a few days. On the ferry, any weight of luggage was allowed, so we brought all our scuba equipment, and then we did three excellent dives (for something like $169 for both of us for all dives). It was over Valentine's Day, so I made a little plastic card with hearts to give Richard underwater...and then forgot. But, we wore cute clothes and had dinner at the best restaurant at the resort. And, we were there under a honeymoon package (and we were fair and told everybody it was not our honeymoon) so we got breakfast in our room before one of our diving days, t-shirts, robes and slippers. We had been aiming to start an advanced diving course, so we had the divind books with us and, one night, sat outside having a drink while reading the books. There was also a trip out of the resort to see beaches and other parts of Freeport, so we did that and had banana bread, conch, and tropical drinks. Everything was very pretty and beachy. The resort was incredibly nice and it was obviously nice to have breakfast and anything else we wanted always...included. But we loved the scuba diving that was not included and ended up at the separate restaurant for dinner, so we did not treat it like camp for adults. At the end of the trip, we found the great taxi driver to take care of our stuff and then drive us to the airport, picking up his nice kids on the way.
Miami, FL March 8 - 10, 2013
We had a Groupon for the Sprung Beer Festival and a couple of other things to do for fun downtown, so Richard made reservations for us at the Intercontinental downtown. On the way over, one of our Sprung beer glasses broke, but we still have the other one and the green Sprung bags.
Chicago, IL March 13 - 15, 2015
For the Quest event with John and Rebecca Murray. This was a great success and fun. We saw Tomato Queen and by special reQuest (and yes, I went to the Quest website to make sure I had the correct capitalization of "by special reQuest"). We stayed at Hotel Indigo (although Sally was at boarding in Orlando) and found out that you can get this amazing room with a whole wall of windows. And they don't mind at all if you take the blue tootsie rolls when stopping by the front desk. We also had a day to walk around and have French onion soup.
Naples, FL March 19, 2013
We went for just the evening to see Fred and Nancy and have dinner. We got a nice, fun look around Naples and had a good, relaxing dinner.
Chicago, IL March 22 - 25, 2013
We visited Chicago for a short trip to see Quest and have our normal nice time walking around Chicago.
Sarasota, FL March 26 - 30, 2013
For our second anniversary, we went to the Hotel Indigo in Sarasota, FL. We did our Sarasota stuff...walked a lot, went to the aquarium, and had a romantic dinner at the hotel.
California, PA to New York to Atlantic City to Clarion, PA April 3 - 14, 2013
We had two conferences in Pennsylvania separated by only a week, so we arrived and rented a car (which was large) and went to New York for a brief visit and then Atlantic City in between. In Atlantic City, we stayed at the new, not-yet-finished but very nice Revel. A lot of places were still recovering from Sandy and (hopefully) getting ready to reopen. We had a good time walking up and down the boardwalk. So, two towns in Pennsylvania. At one, we stayed at a Holiday Inn Express outside of the town, and we took a walk and got a massage. I started the trip with pink eye. California, PA is right on the Monongahela River, so we talked with my dad about it, and there is a fancy restaurant there, too. I think the great college-town bar and pizza restaurant was in California, PA, too. I also think, but am less sure, that we rode the incline railroad or funicular along the Monongahela River (Monongahela Freight Incline or Duquesne Incline). The location of the hotel and restaurants puts the more distant Holiday Inn Express, not on a hill, behind a parking lot, with nothing around (but the closest hotel to the university) in Clarion, PA. It is called Holiday Inn Express & Suites Franklin - Oil City, and there were a lot of hard-working people staying there for oil.
Road Trip: Savannah, Congaree, Shenandoah, New York, State College PA and Kathie, Cyuahoga, Hamilton OH, Brazil, West Lafayette, Gatlinburg, Jacksonville June 7 - 30, 2013
Congareeeee! We were lucky to take our first hike there in the rain, since, without rain, you get eaten by mosquitoes. On our second hike, we were surrounded by flies, and flies hitched rides on Sally's ears. But, this was a beautiful and interesting park where we learned new things from the signs along the trails, and we would be happy to visit again. Cyuahoga is great. We walked all along the trails and thought they would be perfect for biking (which a lot of people do). Sally watched squirrels chasing each other. We talked about going back, and, later on, we did. This was our second trip to Shenandoah, and we loved it again. Lots of pretty hiking, and everything is so green! This was Sally's first time in Shenandoah. She has always been a city dog, living in condos in South Florida, so she was not entirely comfortable in our rustic cabin in the wilderness. She did not want to pee when I took her out, and, on the first night, we eventually needed Richard's help. There were fireflies, which, in non-complete darkness, have always appeared yellowish. Here, they were like laser points of bright white light. At first I thought someone was messing with us with a light somewhere. Then, later, we heard there actually are white fireflies in that area of Virginia. We left in a giant thunderstorm, and she wouldn't allow Richard to leave her alone in the room to pack up the car. So she had an easy time doing her business on the streets of New York...where she was also slightly surprised by how people walk by quickly and do not look her in the eye and say "aww, cute puppy." (She turned around to look up at a few people on every walk.) This was our first trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg, TN.
New York, NY April 12 - 18, (2013 - probably part of the same road trip)
We had a conference and stayed with my parents for a visit. We all went to Coney Island for the rides and aquarium.
Highway 101 May 15 - 22, 2013
We took a look at Sacramento and Old Sacramento, saw Ken, Rebekka and Summer in Davis, and then went from San Francisco north to Portland. I don't have a list of where we stayed along the way anymore, but we saw everything...dinosaurs, a gravity hill and house, seals, whales, sand dunes, rock arches in the ocean. And we saw Meg in Eugene. We don't end up wondering where we found this or that bar or odd little things on this trip, because this trip was all about fun, odd and amazing things.
Las Vegas, NV July 8 - 14, 2013
At Tropicana with Bill and Liz. I created a shortcut for Bill's name on my phone so that I could text Richard about his whereabouts without having to correct the capitalization of "bill." I sent Richard flowers for our "engagement day," and Bill sent us flowers to be nice. Roulette is not that interesting, except for the part where you get to chase the little ball across the floor. We went to Minus 5 and ended up with great, happy pictures.
Savannah, GA July 18 - 21, 2013
We stayed at the Mulberry Inn (it was still there!) and really had only one evening and one day free during this conference. We had fun walking around, though!
At Home, my Mom's visit August 23 - 27, 2013
We rented the pontoon boat with my mom and Mindy, and had dinner with Stuart, Eric and Mindy. We went to Las Olas and the art museum.
Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas September 12 - 16, 2013
This was great, of course. It was off-season, so not crowded at all, and we stayed in the water all day for most of the days. The fast-moving, wavy river is great, the water slides are perfect...we tried to tip ourselves over in the river and take videos everywhere. Trying to figure out what to have for dinner on our first night and wanting to hang around at the bar with nice staff, we ended up ordering chicken fingers and fries from room service and staying at the bar. On our last night, we saw the happiest couple ever celebrating a birthday. We walked from the resort into town on one day in the rain, Richard got earrings for me, and we went to Senor Frog's.
Rapids Water Park (in West Palm Beach, FL), North Charleston, SC, Savannah, GA, and Jacksonville, FL September 20 - 30, 2013
We had a conference in North Charleston, SC, so we planned a trip to Rapids Water Park on the way there and to Savannah to see cousins Steven and Maureen and then a Colts game in Jacksonville on the way back. Rapids Water Park was fun, with all the rides we like, plus a fun toilet-bowl that you go into without a tube. I fell in butt-first and had to reposition my bathing suit underwater, which meant the lifeguard had to be 100% ready to help me out. In North Charleston, we stayed at an Aloft that allows dogs on the first floor, and Sally embarrassed us by barking at a dog playing outside. (She never, ever barks, except for one "woof" when we have pizza delivered at home.) We went to La Hacienda (so another Mexican restaurant in a similar shopping strip is still a mystery) for an informal, outdoor Mexican dinner, and we met up with Berly for a nice dinner and catch-up time downtown. In Savannah, we just stayed overnight, just long enough to meet Steven and Maureen for a nice dinner. In Jacksonville, the Hyatt Regency allows dogs, and this hotel is now our example of how Sally is spoiled enough that she prefers a high floor in a Hyatt Regency over all other hotel rooms. The Jacksonville Jaguars were having such a bad season that the stadium was pretty much filled with Colts fans, and the only color left at the end, except for a few home team fans, was blue. Someone had even rented a plane to fly over the stadium with a banner saying, "Tebow Why Not?" We liked walking around Jacksonville and look forward to going back and hanging around at the nice Irish bar outside, too.
Salt Lake City, IT October 5 - 9, 2013
Long days at the conference in Salt Lake City, but we had a chance to walk around a little and found a great bar that has a strip of ice to keep your drinks cold. We also went to our favorite brewery and learned that, in Utah, you are not allowed to have two glasses per person on your table, so the breweries can't do samplers.
Seattle, WA October 24 - 29, 2013
We didn't quite understand why everyone loves Seattle until we visited. We still would not move there, but we would like to visit again. It rained all the days except one, but when we think back about it, we think it was nice for most of the trip. We walked to the conference both days. We went on the giant, floaty Ferris wheel, walked all the way through and around Pike Place Market, found the Sea Shepherd store (which does not appear to have a website, but of course Sea Shepherd does), saw the original Starbucks, walked through and around downtown, took an underground tour, and went to the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. We found the Local 360 restaurant and were impressed that not only their food but even their soda is local.
Chicago and Skokie, IL October 15 - 21, 2013
We had a conference in Skokie but stayed in Chicago at Inn of Chicago. We took a few extra days to enjoy Chicago, visit our main datacenter, and do work at our hotel (with a special, secret-recipe caramel latte).
In between Seattle and Tampa October 29 - 31, 2013
Not a trip, but we arrived from Seattle, stayed overnight at Candlewood Suites, picked up Sally, left for Tampa... With the Barenaked Ladies concert at Hard Rock in between! (At this concert--aside from having a lot of fun--we realized people were taking prettier pictures with their phones than we were able to with our phones.)
Tampa, FL October 31 - November 5, 2013
This was our first time in Tampa. We had no plans for Halloween, so in the car on the way, I held up Sally's ears and sent out pictures of her pretending to be a German shepherd for Halloween. Near the hotel, we walked around to find a place to eat, and tried healthy meals at Olive Garden. After the frist day, with recommendations, we went to Ybor City to walk around and see what was there, and had dinner at Tampa Bay Brewing Company and Gaspar's Grotto. We went to Gaspar's Grotto twice (the second after a wet, tiring day for Sally), because we loved their tostones with pork, and they serve fresh, homemade food for dogs. We would like to go back to Tampa and have been looking forward to our next conference there.
At Home, Brenda's visit November 15 - 18, 2013
Holiday Park airboat tour, Dolphins game...
Hot Springs, AR December 13 - 16, 2013
Hot Springs National Park is unlike all the other national parks, since most of it is the main street, where all the bathhouses used to be. Among other things, we talked with one of the rangers about how the hot springs work, where the water goes, and then all about Arkansas and the trips he has taken and would like to take in and around Arkansas. (We went to Quapaw Bathhouse as soon as we arrived.)
Milwaukee, WI December 16 - 20, 2013
We decided to skip the planned St. Louis stop on our road trip and drove more than 13 hours straight to Milwaukee...which was fine until the very end of the trip when it was snowing and our windshield washer fluid stopped working. We had forgotten how gray Wisconsin is over the winter! Everything was gray and white. Sally saw, walked in, peed on, pooped on, and bounced in snow for (we think) her first time. She thought her feet were frozen and I had to hold one to warm it up until she got used to this strange disaster. She thought this was the end of the world. We had a nice time having dinners and lunches with friends.
Chicago, IL December 20 - 23, 2013♡
Hotel Indigo in Chicago.
2014
At Home, Bill & Mary's visit January 2 - 14, 2014
Fun! We went to Schnebly's, Joe's with dancing, Las Olas and the art museum, Hard Rock Casino...
Greenville, SC February 5 - 9, 2014
This was where the hotel was right by the medical center. We did not have anything to do with the medical center, but that is our only reference of which hotel this was. On our extra days, we walked around the reservoir and then got new phones!
Smithfield, RI February 26 - March 3, 2014
The main thing about Smithfield is that the conference here was only a week before the one in Stillwater, and they are both smaller towns that start with "S." It is near Providence, where we saw Peter and the Starcatcher. (Which, not to be negative, we expected to be better. Shortly after, at home, we saw War Horse, which I liked.)
March Conference Driving Trip: Atlanta, Indianapolis, Cuyahoga National Park & Bike Trail, Columbus, OH, Oxford, OH, Gatlinburg, Savannah March 16 - April 6, 2014
Our second trip to Cuyahoga National Park, so we knew how to pronounce it. We were in Columbus, OH for our anniversary, and Richard found Woodhouse Spa and Barcelona, an amazing Spanish restaurant where they printed personalized menus for our anniversary. I was told to try the beet dressing and thought it was better than the one I would have picked. We went back and had a drink at the hotel... We visited Syd and Jim. In Indianapolis, we stayed at Candlewood Suites, which is the hotel that used to be low-cost apartment buildings (and is now a nice, big hotel, just not close to downtown...the conference was at the Hyatt Regency downtown). We brought tons of extra conference stuff... We brought Sally to daycare and boarding at Tender Loving Pets. In Gatlinburg, the Sydney James Hotel is the one that allows dogs, and the staff are really nice. Sally discovered groundhogs and how they are so fascinating that she had to tremble while staring into a field to try to see one.
Stillwater, OK March 6 - 10, 2014
This was where I searched for "Outback" hoping to find the restaurant... Stillwater has a downtown that is sort of dying, and we found the Ibiza bar, where they make nice, creative drinks and allow you to bring in takeout pizza from a restaurant down the street. They also have Chive events, and I should be embarrassed to admit that this was the first time I figured out what the Chive is actually all about. Then there is a bigger "strip" of larger chain restaurants and stores...and chains are normally good, but in this case, they are boring. This is also where the Oklahoma WONDERtorium is (where the adult pretending to be the doctor's patient actually looked like she needed a checkup). We were in Stillwater for a conference, and the university is very nice.
Italy! April 29 - May 8, 2014
Napoli: We decided "Naples" sounds wrong (it is across Alligator Alley in Florida), and every person's and location's name should be whatever it is supposed to be in its original language. At Megaride Cafe, we had two great evenings, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks (including a "Florida," which I assumed was alcoholic), and were given great sliced panini in addition to peanuts and other snacks. Our last night of the trip and second night at Megaride, we ordered the panini, and then told the server and owner about how my dad loves tartufo and had said we must try it. We had amazing tartufo with liquor poured over it and sprinkles on top.
Rome: (Or Roma...) Our first half of the trip. We found the Donkey Punch bar next to John Cabot University, asked the owner about what to drink, relaxed for a while, were given pork "like jerky" (coppiette). This was really nice and relaxing, and we would go back if it were near us at home. We have tried, and failed, to find anything like coppiette since! And the gelato place was Cercera, near the Trevi Fountain. A dad leading his family through the street, all already eating gelato, pointed and said, "that's the best gelato."
South Beach May 14 - 15, 2014
For my birthday, Richard got tickets to Modest Mouse and an amazing South Beach hotel room with our own personal hot tub on the roof. They "draw a bath" for you with scented bath salts and you can relax in your own hot tub. The concert was canceled, but we had a great time going out for dinner and of course in our fun hotel room.
Hard Rock Hollywood June 8 - 9, 2014
Richard found Weezer concert tickets for us, and we stayed over at Hard Rock in Hollywood. So, then, I had to buy five Weezer songs.
Atlanta, Lexington, KY, Jacksonville June 22 - 30, 2014
The Summer Institute was in Lexington. This is where we went to the Grey Goose restaurant. Sally went to Uptown Hounds for daycare. In Jacksonville, we went on the Budweiser Brewery tour, which was a lot of fun. And we saw cars at the Hyatt Regency.
Las Vegas, NV July 8 - 18, 2014
Conference and fun... We stayed at New York-New York Hotel, and made fun plans for just about every day with Bill, Mary and Liz (and the plans had to be in a list on my calendar to keep us all organized). We went to Minus 5 of course, saw shows, went swimming, went on the High Roller at the LINQ... Nice trip. To fly on Spirit Airlines and get our stuff there, I kept a record on my calendar of the following:
personal items = free, checked bag = $30-31, 50 lbs = +$25, 51 lbs = +$50
Carla PERSONAL ITEM: computer bag + projector + scuba weight belt = 16x14x<<12
Richard PERSONAL ITEM: computer bag = exactly 16x<<14x<<12
- include signup sheets, clipboard
Carla CARRY ON BAG: Rudy bag = 22 x 18 x10 (any weight)
- box of flyers, extra [postcards] and 399 cards, business cards
- include anything overweight
Richard CHECKED BAG: blue suitcase = exactly 62 linear inches (27x19x16) when filled
- should be under 40 lbs for $30 or $31 - if over, $25 for 41-50 lbs is ok, <$30
- box of 2 flyer holders + 1 flyer holder, table sheet, magnets, 6 posts
Carla CHECKED BAG: barrel = 61 linear inches and 50 lbs, which is $55
Shipped from home: tv, flyers, postcards, pens, orange shoes
http://www.spirit.com/OptionalServices
http://spirit.zendesk.com/entries/21362092-What-are-the-size-and-weight-limits-for-bags-
UPS shipping
[Four separate tracking numbers...tv, flyers in their own box, postcards in their own box?, pens and shoes to fill the space]
The UPS Store owners and employees, and probably the dog, too, enjoyed the idea of me shipping the orange shoes along with all the other serious stuff. The orange shoes take up space.
Disney World and Celebration, FL August 30 - September 2, 2014
We went to Magic Kingdom and spent a day walking around Celebration. We loved it and Sally was relaxed.
Atlantis! September 9 - 15, 2014
The prices were so low off-season that we upgraded ourselves to the fancy Cove with their own Cove Pool (and pretty-smelling Red Flower Ocean shampoo etc. and special yellow towels). It was actually that nice...with a pretty view, nice pool and staff, Mesa Grill still right there (we had the world's best soup). We would honestly stay at either the Cove or Royal Towers again. We fell out of our tube once and got to swim in the non-lazy river. These are our videos:
"Leap of Faith" slide with sharks from Carla Hay on Vimeo.
Rapids... from Carla Hay on Vimeo.
And more rapids from Carla Hay on Vimeo.
(And Dick thought it was funny that all videos showed my toes.)
Jacksonville, FL September 20 - 22, 2014
For a Colts game. The stadium has pools where people can stand there in bathing suits and watch the game.
Albuquerque, NM September 28 - October 4, 2014
In Albuquerque for a conference, we walked around, went to Santa Fe, saw the petroglyphs Petroglyph National Monument, and went to Cibola National Forest. I discovered Irish stew, and we went back to the same bar a second time. We saw the balloons going up at dawn as we were leaving.
Minneapolis, MN October 6 - 11, 2014
Richard went to Minneapolis for a conference alone, worked a lot, and walked all over. He went to Hell's Kitchen for good peanut butter, and he found hot buffalo tofu at a restaurant there (like we used to have in Milwaukee). I worked at home, walked Sally far enough to break for water (and squirrels) and went swimming.
Orlando, FL October 27 - November 2, 2014
We were at Disney World for a conference at Coronado Springs. We went to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on the 28th and were impressed at the costumes people had made for the event. There was a couple--appropriately in line for the haunted house ride--dressed as walking-around dead people, complete with full-skin makeup and stockings and real-looking costumes. And we went to Celebration again.
Hollywood, FL November 25 - 30, 2014
Everybody came to our apartment for Thanksgiving.
Celebration, FL December 1 - 6, 2014
We decided to move to Celebration and stayed at the Bohemian hotel and looked at houses. We found ours...saw the owner who was selling it first, and then fell in love with it the next day. We looked at many other houses that could never beat ours. And we had a great time seeing the "snow."
Snow in Celebration, FL from Carla Hay on Vimeo.
Celebration, FL December 28 - January 6, 2014
We closed on the house on December 30th and celebrated New Year's in our new town by going to Columbia restaurant (thank you, Richard).
2015
Hollywood, FL A few days in January and February, 2015
During Bill's visit from January 6 to February 3, and Elliott's visit from January 31 to February 2, we went to Hollywood a couple of times. We went to Yard House and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
Austin, TX February 12 - 14, 2015
Richard went to a conference alone to save money on airfare for a short trip. So this was fine, but it would have been a more fun trip together. He was staying outside of Austin and did not have anything exciting to do, or anywhere to walk, other than going to the conference. He wanted to go to Uncommon Goods and couldn't.
Nashville, TN February 18 - 20, 2015
This was sort of doomed. Richard went for a conference that should have been fine. But...everyone outside of Florida was having terrible winter weather. Nashville got four inches of solid ice that stayed around for days before the conference. They got snow before the conference. And they had to delay the conference start time because of dangerous travel conditions. Richard started out with a cold, and, in fourteen hours of travel to get there in bad weather, ended up sick enough to go to urgent care instead of the conference. Then, Nashville was going to get more snow starting at noon on Friday, the day Richard was leaving. Anyone who did not leave by noon that day had to stay through Tuesday or later (which happened to other friends trying to travel between other places and posting on Facebook as their vacations got extended). So, otherwise, Nashville probably would have been kind of fun. I got to walk Sally around Celebration. At least we found our new primary care physician and Airborne.
At Home, Dick & Paulane's visit March 2 - 6, 2015
We went to Epcot during the International Flower & Garden Festival. (I was wearing the new green gel nail polish Richard had just bought for me.) As is now routine, we took Dick and Paulane to the Town Tavern (among other places), and we also found one of the fun mini golf places on International Drive.
Tampa, FL March 17 - 21, 2015
For a conference again. We walked between our hotel and the conference center(s) a lot, and we saw Jerry and Janice and Rebecca and her sister, which was fun. We also saw the aftermath of a big car crash where a guy ran up on the sidewalk into pedestrians.
Hollywood, FL March 23 - 25, 2015
Jerry and Janice had planned a nice trip to Hollywood, so we joined them there. We stayed at the Holiday Inn near the airport, and Sally stayed at AKZ Rockin' Pets Resort and got to see Bo and Irene and the staff. We went to Joe's and the Anne Kolb Nature Center, and then the Everglades and Robert is Here and Schnebly's.
Orlando, FL March 26 - 27, 2015
For our anniversary, we found out that "our" Hyatt Regency, on International Drive, allows dogs, so we stayed overnight to enjoy International Drive and the Hyatt's nice pool. We assume Sally enjoyed the elevators, hallways and sleeping on the bed with us.
Notre Dame, IN April 8 - 11, 2015
Richard went to a conference at Notre Dame. He discovered good salad and pizza at Cheers Bar.
Disney World, Orlando, FL April 20 - 23, 2015
We had been working a lot of hours, and Richard had worked three weeks without breaks on weekends, so we took advantage of Florida-resident rates at the Yacht Club Resort for a "staycation" at Disney World. (Sally stayed at V.I.Pet, which we determined has the most playtime compared to all other dog boarding/daycare places nearby.) We went to Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Epcot, Downtown Disney, and Coral Reef Restaurant. And we rented a slow but fun little boat at Yacht Club, enjoyed drinks, truffle fries and a lobster roll with Diane at the Ale and Compass Lounge, and made sure we got to use our pool with sand, water slide and hot tub before it started raining. This was a great idea...thank you, Richard! There is also the Beach Club Resort, and the same buses go to both of the two, so we were in a real-life situation where the logical answer to a question was "Yacht." ("Where are you staying, Beach or Yacht?")
Hackettstown, NJ April 17 - 19, 2015
Richard went to Hackettstown, via Ternton, for a conference. It was a short conference in a not-very-busy town.
Hollywood, FL May 1 - 2, 2015
Richard had given me tickets to RENT for Hanukkah before we knew we were moving to Celebration, so we took a day-plus-overnight trip back to Hollywood to see the show...which was great. We stayed over at the Crowne Plaza, went to the pool bar, had dinner at the Hollywood Prime bar, could see the Wave, and took pictures of our little car from the balcony.
Dry Ridge, KY May 7 - 9, 2015
Megan's wedding was on the 8th, and of course the wedding was great. We stayed over at the Holiday Inn CVG airport just long enough to go to the wedding. We spent the day before the wedding with Dick and Paulane. The Holiday Inn bar gave Richard a manhattan made with muddled cherries and an orange peel, and me an old fashioned made without sugar and with no orange. Since we came back late and could not pick up Sally until the next morning, we stayed over at the Hyatt at the Orlando airport, so we had a balcony looking out over the airport's atrium, which was fun. Neither of us had stayed over right in an airport before.
East Lansing and Ann Arbor, MI June 13 - 19, 2015
We had a conference in East Lansing, so we arrived, walked around in the rain, took a taxi back, and then went to our conference the next day. We found Taps and Hopcat, both with nice staff and good food and drink. Then we went to Ann Arbor and walked all the way from the Holiday Inn Express at Briarwood to and through campus and downtown...and back! We went to Grizzly Peak because we had the gift card that was originally for Dick and Paulane's concert that was canceled, and we enjoyed the polenta fries. We also found the nice little hole-in-the-wall-looking German restaurant...that was not a restaurant. At Babo, we discovered nitro iced coffee, which was great...as was all our walking around.
At Home, Bill, Mary, and Liz's visit June 22 - 27, 2015
Bill, Mary, and Liz came to see Celebration on one of hottest weeks of the summer. Among other things, we met at the hotel for Richard and Bill to play chess. And, when Bill and Liz went to Magic Kingdom, Richard and I finished painting our living room, and then Mary came over for a relaxing evening outside in back with Richard's pizza and beer.
At Home, 4th of July July 4, 2015
Not a trip, but this was our first Fourth of July in Celebration. In the morning, we saw the parade downtown, and then later, went back downtown, had dinner at the hotel, and watched fireworks on the path by Mary's bike rental.
Road Trip: Chattanooga, Brazil, Gatlinburg, Jacksonville July 7 - 15, 2015
We went north of Chattanooga to an old but very nicely-run Holiday Inn, and then on to Brazil, where we picked up the jewelry cabinet. In Gatlinburg, we found good moonshine and bought several flavors of that and our "usual" whiskey. We rode the chairlift again and of course walked around a lot and went to Loco Burro. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn, and, while we were initially disappointed that the Sydney James had no availability (and will go to Sydney James again), we had a great corner room with a giant balcony overlooking the pool. The nice room was relaxing for all, and even Sally relaxed after her freak-out at Jack's house. We got a good, local pizza one of the nights. In Jacksonville, as always, we walked around a lot and had a nice, relaxing time. And, as always, Sally enjoyed the Hyatt.
At Home, my mom's visit August 6 - 11, 2015
Mommy had not seen our house yet, so we said she should stay over, and she made plans and stayed with us. We went to the Chihuly museum in Tampa for our first time, and my mom took pictures, including one of Richard and me looking up at the blue neon. Since we needed parking, we had a drink at the restaurant right there. We also walked around the lake in Orlando with artwork and birds, and went to the Leu botanical gardens (a short drive and a nice botanical gardens), and went on the Orlando Eye and had drinks and snacks at Yard House. We relaxed at the Bohemian hotel wth drinks, snacks, and magazines, and we relaxed at home outside in back. We also went to Disney Springs briefly, and then came home and Richard made the best-ever veggie burgers...to match his better-than-restaurant-or-takeout pizza, and amazing (veggie, this time) "lobster" tofu mac and cheese.
At Home, Blizzard Beach August 13, 2015
Not a trip, but we decided we should take advantage of our annual passes by going to Disney on Thursday afternoons when possible. Since our blackout dates were not over yet, Richard found equally reasonable water park passes that allow us in on any dates, including weekends. So we went to Blizzard Beach. We went down the big drop slide and then the one where you launch off briefly, and then there were thunderstorms with lightning, so we waited a while and then cleaned up and left. It was worth it, though! And of course we have been to Epcot many times since.
Atlantis! August 24 - 28, 2015
Amazing, as always. We played in the rapids, went on the slides... Took our normal ferry ride and walk into Nassau, including all the way up to John Watling's distillery and back to the Bacardi place and Senor Frog's. There, we saw the same two men working on packaging, this time tying cords onto the tops of bottles. Richard mentioned that we had seen them last year, putting labels on bottles, so they knew which day of the week that was...and probably recognized us, too. The bartender (Uncle __?) knew us from the previous year and gave us great samples. We bought a bottle of the smooth, mid-aged rum. On our way out, the bartender stopped us to shake our hands and say goodbye (until next year again). He, and everybody else, called Richard "brother." We saw and talked with Abe, who is at the other bar while they are redoing Plato's. And we had our great dinner at Mesa with Lincoln.
At Home, Dick and Paulane's visit September 8 - 12, 2015
Dick and Paulane came to visit and to take advantage of the non-crowded week at Disney. We spent a day at Magic Kingdom, a day at International Drive (including the Orlando Eye), and a day at Animal Kingdom.
Las Vegas, NV September 13 - 19, 2015
We were in Las Vegas for a conference, but of course walked around and had fun, too. We stayed at the Trump Hotel (not selected by the name, but because it gave us the best deal on Priceline). It has a nice lobby bar with a great bartender (and unique drinks, and truffle fries), and it is a good point to walk to and from. In addition to walking all the way up and down the strip, we walked all the way to Fremont, saw the pawn shop from Pawn Stars, went back to Banger Brewing (which still has good beer but now no popcorn), and then Hop Nuts, where we did not like the beer. We saw Zumanity again (which replaced a lot of their cast since last time) and O, both with great seats. Of course we stopped at Cosmopolitan for drinks and snacks/lunch. We flew to and from Las Vegas separately, and then met at the Hyatt bar for a late drink and dinner.
Savannah, GA September 24 - 27, 2015
We had a smaller conference in Savannah, and we drove there with Sally to walk around and enjoy Savannah after the conference. We sent everybody pralines again.
Three overlapping conferences: Las Vegas, NV October 1 - 7, 2015, Milwaukee, WI October 5 - 8, 2015, Pittsburgh, PA October 7 - 12, 2015
We had to go to all three conferences, so Richard went to Las Vegas and Pittsburgh, and I went to Milwaukee. In Las Vegas, Richard was supposed to have help moving the big banner containers around...and did not. He found a nice taxi driver and was able to pay for some help. He mostly worked a lot, but he got to walk around and try the 19th anniversary Firestone beer, which is even better than Double Jack. In Milwaukee, I got to have a really nice evening first walking around with Alice and then having dinner with her and Brenda at Bar Louie. I had some fun walking around the Hyatt taking pictures of our booth from the atrium hallways. I also had dinner with Bill, with Mary working, at Mader's. And I had a chance to walk to Third Ward and stop at Stone Creek. I also got to see Maria during breakfast (the zucchini frittata). And I had a nice dinner "alone" with a very nice conference attendee at the bar. In Pittsburgh, Richard again had to work most of the time. His conference hall was freezing and even had roaches. He was busy the whole time. As soon as I arrived in Orlando from Milwaukee, we decided I could go to meet Richard in Pittsburgh for the last day of the conference and a fun day afterward. Thanks to my airline, I could not get there until the conference was already over, so we had dinner at Penn Brewery (with good beers, and where I liked a Pilsner for whatever reason), and then explored (seeing a great view of Pittsburgh and the stadium) and relaxed (with a movie and Rock Bottom) for a day before coming back home.
Pregnant! October 25, 2015
We were at home, but it's a big deal. Sally started barking at other dogs on our walks a couple of days earlier and wanted to cuddle with me in bed for a couple of mornings. We had a pregnancy test waiting to be used, so I tried it. Since it shows two lines for a positive, Richard found out he was going to be a dad when I said, "Twooo!! It's yes!"
Salt Lake City, UT November 5 - 9, 2015
Richard went alone. Richard went back to our favorite bar. At the Beerhive, Richard gave 2 Row Brewing's Random IPA (Recipe #2) a good review on Untappd, and the brewery read most of his reviews and followed him on Untappd.
Thanksgiving in Brazil, IN November 24 - 29, 2015
We gave our parents and Paulane our "coming soon, June 2016" announcement, so everyone was happy. Daisy... On Thanksgiving morning, we were taking a walk and saw a little dog running down the road. We got her over to us easily. She had a flea collar and a collar with a vet's tag but no owner information. Richard picked her up and brought her back to the house so we could borrow a leash and walk her around outside to see if anyone was looking for a lost dog, but nobody was out. And the vet was closed for Thanksgiving, and so was the humane society. We wanted to figure out her name, so were calling out common female dog and human names, like Bella (she didn't look like a Bella), Grace, Lily, Daisy, Emily, Katie, Suzy, Sparkette.... Then Richard said if her owner did not show up, my parents should bring her to New York, so he decided to call her Manhattan. She responded to every word by jumping up happily, wagging her tail, and licking the closest face. We got her to the humane society on Friday, and her owners got her that afternoon. Jack probably thought he could be happy that we did not bring a small black dog with us, and then we took a walk and showed up with a small black dog. Our Wednesday evening dinner was at Mario's, and then Friday was at Piloni's, and my dad might be willing to eat lasagne again sometime in late 2016.
Jacksonville, FL December 12 - 14, 2015
We went for a Colts game, and the Colts did not even win (16-51 Jaguars). At Hooters afterward, we saw next to a bunch of other Colts fans, and, talking to a guy from London, decided that we should fly somewhere for just a day to go to a football game. And we got the little "my favorite color is camo" bib.
At home, Dick and Paulane's visit December 22 - 26, 2015
Dick and Paulane came for Christmas, and we had Christmas dinner at the Bohemian hotel. The whole visit was nice, and they went to Puerto Rico for several days afterward.
Orlando, FL December 30, 2015 - January 1, 2016
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency International Drive for New Year's. In addition to having fun walking up and down International Drive (with Sally, with water from Walgreens), we had a fancy dinner at Capital Grille on New Year's. At midnight, we could see the fireworks at Disney, Universal, and everywhere around the horizon. This was a really nice idea (thank you, Richard!) and we recommend this to other people for New Year's.
2016
At home, my parents' visit January 30 - March 3, 2016
We walked around the lake in Orlando, took a look at International Drive and went to Yard House, and went to Trattoria Il Forno on the Boardwalk. Before and after dinner on the Boardwalk, we walked around the lake. And we walked around our loop at Disney Springs.
Valentine's Day: Caribbean Beach Resort and Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress February 12 - 14 and 14 - 16, 2016
Even though we normally alternate Valentine's Day plans each year, we figured we would not have another one as just a couple for a while. So, with my plans, we stayed in a Pirate-themed room at Caribbean Beach Resort from the 12th to 14th. We had dinner at the San Angel Inn, with a bowl of the best mole, on Friday (when we could get into Epcot), and we enjoyed the resort's walking path. At the Hyatt, with Richard's plans, we had Valentine's Day dinner at the pretty restaurant downstairs and had a great walk around their grounds. We tried the pool that had caves and waterfalls, but it was too cold to swim.
Columbus, GA February 17 - 20, 2016
Richard started conference season alone in Columbus, GA. There was not much to do other than go to the conference. But he discovered the road kill (burger with cheese, mushrooms, and onions) at Texas Roadhouse for us.
Cedar Rapids, IA March 3 - 5, 2016
Another short trip for Richard alone.
Lafayette, LA March 10 - 12, 2016
And another short trip for Richard alone.
Chicago, IL March 19 - 23, 2016
The previous day, we did the Backstage Magic tour, which was great, and then we walked around Epcot with my death star shirt, which a lot of people commented was great and cute. In Chicago, Richard met up with his dad and Paulane and otherwise just worked at the conference. So not a lot of Chicago fun for Richard alone.
Coronado Springs, Disney World, FL March 26 - 28, 2016
Richard made AMAZING plans for our anniversary. We had a personal dinner for just us, with a whole section of Rix Lounge roped off and the biggest bouquets of flowers ever given to anyone. We had roses delivered to our room, and then sparkling juice with roses, rose petals, chocolate-covered strawberries, and chocolate in our room at night. And we had a couples massage. And we walked around the resort and Disney Springs. And, with all the gifts delivered to our room, I got a sparkly Disney charm bracelet plus a castle to attach, plus a little purple Mickey ears, and a sparkly magic wand and personalized sparkly cards. AND, as another gift, Richard got me tickets to fly first class to Houston...not just first class but United's fully-reclining pod seat. Thank you, Richard!
Santa Clara, CA March 31 - April 3, 2016
Another short trip (with long travel days) for Richard alone. I/we somehow sent the banner to the wrong hotel, the Hyatt House San Jose Silicon Valley, instead of where Richard was staying, the Hyatt Place San Jose Downtown, so Richard had to pick it up. While Richard was away, I decided to check "hospital bag" off our list of things to do, so I went to Publix for travel-size toiletries. At Publix, I know they have to offer to help with carrying stuff to your car, but I had a little bag of travel-size toiletries. The guy really really wanted to help me to the car, and he asked if I was sure if I was ok. So I looked pregnant enough to need help with one small bag of travel-size toiletries.
Houston, TX April 6 - 10, 2016
Yay, we got to be in Houston together! We walked between our Hyatt and the Hilton that had the conference, and walked around looking for a restaurant, and figured out that Houston's "Downtown District" is really just a lot of hotels and conference centers, and a few businesses, but not a "downtown" with fun things to do. For more things to do, you have to drive half an hour in multiple different directions. So we went to the Four Seasons bar for drinks and had dinner (French onion soup, salads, and macaroni and cheese) at our hotel's Shula's. This was fun, though, since we had been missing traveling together. Our hotel had an Einstein's bagels plus gift shop (with good stuff, which Richard bought for me) in the lobby. In the morning, I went down to get breakfast for us. Since Richard logically thought some light protein would be a good idea and I could not eat too much protein at one time, I got different breakfasts for each of us: egg, bacon, and cheddar on a whole wheat bagel for Richard and peanut butter on a whole wheat bagel for me. Asking for these two things while pregnant made the cashier/barista nicely ask me if I wanted it all on the same bagel. No, just normal food like peanut butter on bread.
Las Vegas, NV April 20 - 24, 2016
Richard went to Las Vegas alone and spent long, long days at the conference. His days started when mine did on Eastern time and ended in the evening Pacific time. He got to walk around and win money, anyhow, and he went to the same restaurant, T and T Tacos and Tequila at Luxor, for chips and salsa and guacamole and a little mezcal.
Orlando, FL April 26 - 27, 2016
Richard's birthday! We walked around on International Drive, used Groupons on the Eye, spent the evening at Howl at the Moon, and stayed over at the Hyatt Place.
Orlando, FL: Home and Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress May 7 - 9, 2016
My birthday and first Mother's Day (counting being pregnant as being a mom). We went to Disney Springs, walked around our regular loop (avoiding a little new construction), then went on an Amphicar ride, and had award-winning burgers for lunch at The Boathouse. Fun day! Then, for my birthday, we stayed over at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, where Richard had figured out we could do all the fun stuff I like: take long walks, swim (we tried the cold pool again and then people-watched), and ride a surrey bike. The bike was extra-challenging, so we had a great ride around a lot of the property and also worked hard to go up teeny tiny little inclines. This was great.
Celebration, FL July 2, 2016
Joshua arrives! First, we had a regular doctor's appointment on June 20. With our due date on the 30th, after some discussion, we were scheduled to be induced on the 21st. We were sort of pissed off, because everything was going so well and I was supposed to go into labor at home, in the middle of the night, and we were supposed to drive to the hospital, and... So, after much fuss and crying, we tried to induce from the 21st to 22nd, and it didn't work, and we went home. The baby and I were too healthy, and the baby was doing too well inside, and there was no reason to do all this. I was allowed to wait to go into labor. Sometime during the third trimester, I started waking up at some point during the night, and I would be awake for three hours. It was normal enough, and a non-big-deal enough, that I would look at the clock a few times and know that at three hours, I would fall back asleep. Early in the morning on July 1, I woke up and looked at the clock. It was 4 am, and, since we usually wake up around 5:30 to 6, I thought, "Good, I don't have to lay here for three hours!" No, I didn't, because at 4:50, my water broke. The rest went well, even with the baby being too big to fit. Joshua arrived at 10:51 the following morning, 8 pounds 14 ounces, 22 inches long, and with big blue eyes and one hungry cry.
At home, Grandparents' visit July 11 - 15, 2016
Everybody (Mommy, Daddy, Dick, and Paulane) came to see Joshua.
Coronado Springs, Disney World, FL July 22 - 29, 2016
We wanted to start making plans, but we were a little nervous about how it would all work out with Joshua. So Richard got us another big, nice room at Coronado Springs, and everything went great.
Yacht Club, Disney World, FL August 5 - 6, 2016
With the Plumleys! We stayed over, walked around, went into Epcot, enjoyed the hotel, and took a look at the pool. All lots of fun! And we got cute pictures of all of us with Joshua in the stroller...one with the poor little guy crying.
Jacksonville, FL, Savannah, GA, International Drive August 17 - 25, 2016
We were missing our road trips, so we went to Savannah by way of Jacksonville. In Savannah, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency, and they had just had a fire in the restaurant. Joshua started cooing! We met Steven and Maureen Gordon at the restaurant next door so they could meet Joshua and we could all enjoy dinner...after figuring out the first of many timings of Joshua's naptimes.
Yacht Club, Disney World, FL September 13 - 16, 2016
Just a nice staycation to take advantage of the Florida resident deal at Yacht Club and the non-crowded days at Disney.
Tampa, FL September 27 - October 1, 2016
We had a conference in Tampa, and Richard worked at the conference while my mom, Joshua, and I had fun in Tampa. We looked at the Chihuly museum, which was closed, and went to the Tampa Museum of Art and the Dali museum. In addition to walking around in hot weather, my mom and I went to California Pizza Kitchen and shopped at the mall.
Atlanta, GA October 5 - 8, 2016
This was going to be a conference that Richard attended alone, but we had a hurricane coming in, so Richard, Joshua, Sally, and I all escaped in the car. (Although the worst result of the hurricane was crazy plant growth to trim.) I walked Sally and Joshua around a couple of times and relaxed outside the Hyatt, where the manager gave Joshua a red balloon to enjoy.
Denver, CO October 13 - 17, 2016, Puget Sound, WA November 3 - 5, 2016
More conferences that Richard attended alone... And we are looking forward to traveling together for the next round of conferences.
Fort Lauderdale, FL November 18 - 19, 2016
Fun, short trip with the Plumleys. Funky Buddha now has food. And of all my beers, the sweet potato was the best, which means I will not choose all the sweet porters again.
New York, NY November 22 - 26, 2016
This was my parents' year for Thanksgiving and Joshua's first Thanksgiving. We had a good time, but Joshua was not big on the cold weather and being bundled and unbundled every time we went anywhere. He is happy to call Florida home!
Miami, FL December 7 - 12, 2016
We had originally planned to go to Chicago, but, after New York, we rethought the trip to Chicago in the winter...planned it for the following spring, and went to Miami instead. We went to Bayside, the Everglades, Robert is Here, and Schnebly's. We had fun, and this was when Joshua started sitting up on his own.
Orlando FL: Hyatt on International Drive December 19 - 21, 2016
Just for fun!
Celebration, FL: Dick and Paulane's visit for Christmas December 23 - 26, 2016
Joshua got lots of gifts for his first Christmas...including the stacking rings, squeaky blocks, popcorn popper, and xylophone. And Dick and Paulane went on the Amphicar.
Orlando, FL: Hyatt on International Drive December 19 - 21, 2016
Our favorite New Year's destination. We took long walks through the hotels and outside, and, although Joshua's skin was not happy with the "cold" weather, we had a great time.
2017
Las Vegas, NV January 11 - 18, 2017
We had been missing Las Vegas, and we felt ready to take Joshua on a longer trip. It was a lot of fun. Since Las Vegas was cold, we walked around a lot, inside and outside. This was when we found out we could not sit at all the bars, or even necessarily areas we would consider restaurants, but it was definitely still a lot of fun. Since Joshua had just turned six months, we bought baby food and gave him his first taste of applesauce.
Orlando, FL: Swan Hotel February 2 - 4, 2017
I made reservations at the Swan Hotel as a treat for Richard at the end of fall conference season, and then, after his trips, it made senese to postpone to now. We had been curious about the rooms, views, etc. The hotel was not as amazing as we had expected, and there were a lot of extra charges compared to staying at a Disney resort. So we had a good time going to Epcot but were not excited about the hotel.
Celebration, FL: My parents' visit February 8 - 12, 2017
My parents came to see Joshua (and us) and had a good time. We took them to Disney Springs and got them an Amphicar ride...where Richard, Joshua, and I "found" the person who gave us the flu.
Sarasota, FL March 1 - 3, 2017
A fun trip to Sarasota to take Joshua to Mote Marine Lab! And we got the membership, because it allows us into not only Mote Marine Lab, but other aquariums like the Shedd. And Richard found the squid for Joshua.
Portland, OR March 14 - 19, 2017
We went to a conference all together! Of course it rains all the time in Portland, but we walked around anyway. I took Joshua for a long walk, and then Janice and Joshua and I spent a nice day together at the children's museum. People in Portland think it's "not raining" if it is not absolutely pouring, and they think only silly tourists carry umbrellas when it is "not raining." We tried McCormick and Schmick's, and it was great, so we went back a second time.
Dowagiac, MI March 23 - 25, 2017
Richard went to another conference in a small town alone.
Orlando, FL: Animal Kingdom Lodge March 25 - 27, 2017
For our anniversary! Animal Kingdom Lodge was great. We all loved seeing the animals, and we decided to spend our days at the resort because it was so nice and had so much to see and do and our room had such a great view. We tried out Victoria Falls Lounge, Sanaa (for dinner on our anniversary) with extra super hot hot sauce, and the great kiddie pool at Kidani Village.
Reno, NV March 31 - April 2, 2017, Sacramento, CA April 27 - 30
Two more fast trips for Richard at conferences alone.
Chicago, IL May 5 - 9, 2017
Our spring trip to Chicago instead of going in December. We took long walks, let Joshua play and crawl around in our big room (and this was where we found out how great it was to let him go all over in a big room with big windows), went to our favorite restaurants, took advantage of our Mote Marine Lab membership at the Shedd (no line and fun for all of us!) and overall had a lot of fun. Joshua started clapping in the Signature Room Lounge.
Celebration, FL: Dick and Paulane's visit May 16 - 18, 2017
To see Joshua of course! We did pretty normal stuff, like Disney Springs, and had a good time.
Toronto, Canada May 25 - 27, 2017
And another fast conference trip for Richard alone.
Tampa, FL June 16 - 17, 2017
Tampa brewery trip with the Plumleys. We enjoyed the great Hyatt resort and our visit to Cigar City Brewing.
Indian Wells and Hollywood, CA, Las Vegas, NV June 30 - July 10, 2017
Joshua's first birthday trip! We took everybody through Joshua Tree National Park and did touristy stuff in Hollywood. We went to my dad's recommended Shield's Date Garden, loved Joshua Tree of course, and had a really amazing birthday party, including cake, for Joshua. We loved both Hyatts...the resort in Indian Wells was beautiful with a friendly atmosphere for families and had a nice pool that Joshua played in, and their staff was great for our dinners and Joshua's birthday party. The Andaz in Hollywood had all Joshua-climbable furniture, doors to open and close, and even a pack and play like ours so we all slept at night. In Las Vegas, we stayed at the Monte Carlo, where they were renovating, so we first moved into a newer room and then into another newer room... And the weather was record-breaking hot, so we couldn't safely take Joshua everywhere outside, but we had fun doing our long walks indoors and going to our favorite places like Tacos n' Tequila, Table 10, Gordon Ramsey's restaurant, and the walk through Venetian where we saw a wedding and spotted John Paul DeJoria.
Knoxville, TN July 19 - 21, 2017
Richard went to a conference alone.
Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas August 21 - 25, 2017
Joshua's first trip to Atlantis! He loved playing in the water and seeing the aquarium.
Atlanta, GA September 8 - 12, 2017
For Hurricane Irma.
San Antonio, TX September 27 - October 2, 2017
For a conference, and we walked around, and Joshua and I met Cathy and Paul at a restaurant where Joshua ate his own cut-up hamburger. We also had dinner at the Hyatt and Joshua watched football and said "buh-baahh!"
St. Louis, MO October 11 - 14, (2017 - not sure)
Richard went to a conference alone.
At home, Dick and Paulane's visit October 23 - 26, 2017
I think we played with the hose outside in back.
Chicago, IL November 9 - 14, 2017
It was cold, and Joshua needed a break to see palm trees and flowers outside on our arrival day...and otherwise had fun. Plus the excellent grandfather type at breakfast: "How old is he?" "15 months." "Ohh, they are rascals." We made fun of the woman in first class on the way home who complained about how loud Joshua was the whole time...when he was smiling during boarding and then literally sleeping for the whole flight.
At home, everybody here for Thanksgiving November 21 - 25, 2017
Richard made a great, gourmet dinner for everyone based on Joshua's likes, such as macaroni and cheese and oranges in coconut water.
Miami, FL December 7 - 11, 2017
Our usual fun trip with Homestead.
Brazil, IN December 24 - 28, 2017
For Christmas. We had a visit from Santa Claus. Joshua played with the snow, shared cookies with Jack, and took us on a fun tour of the children's museum.
2018
At home, Bill and Mary's visit January 4 - 9, 2018
Plus Joshua's first (but cold) Disney run on the 6th. We went to Nobu at Disney Springs, and Liz gave Joshua Pua.
Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas January 29 - February 2, 2018
Joshua was saying "owee, owee" for "fish, fish!" (With inspiration from the song from Moana).
New York, NY February 8 - 11, 2018
We went to see my parents, found Doc, and had dinner at Planet Hollywood and at the Hyatt with Lauretta.
National Harbor, MD February 21 - 24, 2018
This was the bad trip trip to DC with the 4:45-4:48 am security windows.
Omaha, NE March 1 - 3, 2018
Another conference for Richard alone.
Beach Club Villas at Disney March 4 - 5, 2018
A Valentine's Day gift for Richard after conferences. "Villa."
Kansas City, MO March 14 - 15, 2018
Richard went to help set up.
Tucson, AZ March 18 - 21, 2018
Another back-to-back conference that Richard attended alone.
Columbus, OH March 23 - 25, 2018
Richard went to a conference alone.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress March 25 - 28, 2018
Richard made amazing 7th anniversary plans for a private dinner in our own event space with every course designed for us. Beautiful!
Radiator Springs, Art of Animation April 28 - 30, 2018
I got a Cars room for us, and we had a great time. Joshua was slightly concerned about the seagulls but started liking the "mine mine!" shortly after. We were seeing smoke from the wildfires. Joshua liked "Mater sleeping!"
Sarasota, FL May 11 - 14, 2018
For Mother's Day, Richard got us a room at the Hyatt and brunch at the Waldorf Astoria nearby. We went to a playground first, and brunch was beautiful!
At home, Mommy's visit June 20 - 24, 2018
For Joshua's Crayola Experience party on the 23rd, plus looking at apartments in Celebration.
Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas June 30 - July 6, 2018
For Joshua's 2nd birthday! Dick and Paulane and Dirk and Macaya went, too, so we all had a great and fun dinner together on the 2nd at Virgil's BBQ. Joshua loved swimming and playing in the kids' area, the aquarium, playing with new toys, playing with cars with Paulane, who gave him straw paper to use with an excavator and dump truck, drawing with Dick, and pointing out "Dirk shark" and "Dirk turtle." We added a couple of days (July 4 to 6) at Baha Mar, where the fireworks were nice--and nice to share after a fancy and good dinner with Dirk and Macaya. We'll still go back to Atlantis.
Indianapolis, IN July 16 - 19 (2018 - not sure)
Richard went for a conference.
Las Vegas, NV August 16 - 21, 2018
A fun vacation. We stayed at Mandalay Bay, so of course we saw the aquarium. We went to Red Rock Canyon, which was beautiful. And Joshua loved hiking. We also went swimming. Joshua was happy and excited about all the lights and colors at Caesar's and everywhere else. Poor kidlet got his first ear infection, so we relaxed the last two days and enjoyed a great dinner and drinks from Citizens at our hotel.
New York, NY September 15 - 18, 2018
We went to see my parents and had a giant room at the Hyatt Regency Grand Central. We went to the playground with lots of preschool groups, so Joshua had a great time...and got hungry. Joshua saw the ceiling at Grand Central and wanted to lie back in my arms to really look.
Savannah, GA October 6 - 10, 2018
The plan was to go to Savannah and then Atlanta, but Hurricane Michael was heading straight for Atlanta, so we went back home. But Savannah was great for Joshua, since we went to the Georgia Railroad Museum seven times. Next time, we also want to remember to go to Tybee Beach to see the little crabs.
Road Trip for Thanksgiving: Nashville, TN, Indianapolis, IN, Brazil, IN, Savannah, GA November 17 - 27, 2018
We wanted to make a fun trip before and after Thanksgiving. In Nashville, we went straight to a playground and enjoyed the Hyatt’s restaurant/bar. A little past Indianapolis, we found an excellent indoor playground at a church (partly because Blippi showed Joshua indoor playgrounds). In Brazil and Terre Haute, we played at Forest Park and Demming Park. And in Savannah, of course, we went to the train museum and the children's museum/playground.
Miami, FL December 14 - 18, 2018
We went to do all our favorite things: Hollywood and Hollywood Brewing (which was not as good as Organic Brewery), South Beach, and Homestead. Mango’s was great. One of the women talked to and played with Joshua, gave him a flashing ring, and took pictures with him. We saw alligators, went to Robert is Here, and went to Schnebly’s.
2019
Contemporary at Disney World January 13 - 14, 2019
We had to reschedule our originally-planned Ferrytale Fireworks Dessert Cruise, but we had a lot of fun, because we went to Magic Kingdom, had Joshua play in the fountain with other kids at Contemporary, and relaxed and enjoyed the hotel.
Crystal River, FL January 19 - 20
Swimming with Manatees! This was amazing. The first one was sleeping...I loved seeing them swim right under me...including a mom with a calf. We also saw fish in the warm spring water all together, and Joshua said they were going to the "fish hotel." On the way down, we stopped and considered buying outdoor art (flowers and cacti and more) for our back patio. On the way back, I drained some water out of my phone.
Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas January 28 - February 1, 2019
We had so much fun, because Joshua went down the two green slides and the big blue slide. We love Atlantis as grownups with a kid...
Hyatt International I-Drive February 14 - 16, 2019
For Valentine's Day, Richard made dinner reservations at Capital Grille, so we had a nice (early) dinner there. At the Hyatt, Joshua played at the splash pad and enjoyed the other kids. A group of older men across from us played in the water, and then four of the five fell asleep and the fifth took and posted pictures of his friends.
Myrtle Beach, SC February 19 - 25, 2019
We had a conference and stayed at the conference hotel, the Doubletree on the beach. On the way up, we wanted to stop in Charleston but went to a train museum and decided to head straight to Myrtle Beach. And on the way back, we left early and went to Savannah. In Myrtle Beach, Joshua and I played on the beach, so we had fun and he learned that you could run down a small hill on the sand. In Savannah, we had a great start, but Joshua skinned his knees and we headed home early from there, too. But we decided to celebrate Joshua's third birthday in Savannah!
At home, Dick and Paulane's visit February 27 - March 4, 2019
We went to the Crayola Experience, Dinosaur World and Two Henrys, and took Dick and Paulane on a tour of Celebration and nearby neighborhoods.
Greenwich, CT March 26 - April 1, 2019
We had a conference in Danbury and made plans so that my parents could stay at the Hyatt in Greenwich with us. We went to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester, went to the aquarium in Greenwich, and found Cask Republic for dinner (and would like to find a place like it around us).
Contemporary at Disney World April 10 - 11, 2019
We were celebrating Dirk's birthday at Narcoosee's at Grand Floridian and then Club 33 in Magic Kingdom, so we decided to stay over instead of setting ourselves up to rush home and arrive late. Joshua's babysitter took him in to Magic Kingdom, so he had fun, and we saw the electric parade right outside our window before going to bed.
Indianapolis, IN May 31 - June 3, 2019
Quick trip to Indiana.
Savannah, GA June 29 - July 4, 2019
Joshua's birthday! We stayed at the Andaz, and they created a great birthday dinner on the pool deck. We did the pregnancy announcement by asking the hotel to place our framed announcements in both rooms. Joshua and Richard missed out on Moon River because of Joshua's ear infection...we still have to go back!
Hyatt Grand Cypress, Orlando, FL July 24 - 26, 2019
We stayed over while our stuff was packed up and moved into our new house in Winter Garden
Dick and Paulane's visit September 13 - 16, 2019
For the non-busy Disney days. This was the Miller's Ale House onion rings incident visit.
Columbus, OH October 16 - 21, 2019
Richard alone for a conference.
Miami FL November 8 - 12, 2019
We were supposed to stay at the Centric on Miami Beach, but they had no bed for Joshua, so we moved to the Regency.
Home and Hyatt Grand Cypress November 25 - 2, 2019
We stayed at the Hyatt November 27 to 30 and had my parents over before and Richard's dad and Paulane over after.
Hyatt Grand Cypress, Orlando, FL December 30, 2019 - January 1, 2020
New Year's Eve.
2020
Home January 17, 2020
Savannah's birth!
Home, Grandparents' visit February 3 - 6, 2020
To meet Savannah.
Hyatt Regency I-Drive, Orlando, FL February 14 - 16, 2020
Valentine's Day...and Joshua went skydiving at iFLY.
Reunion, FL July 1 - 4, 2020
Themed vacation house for Joshua's birthday. Fun and awesome for Joshua and all of us! This house was amazing. It included the astronaut room, where Joshua slept, a treehouse room with log pillows, taxi pool table, pickup truck bed movie room...awesome!
Reunion, FL August 15 - 19, 2020
So we could swim and play before school started on the 21st. This was the house with the extra-high ceiling, underwater and treehouse rooms, games and puzzles, Harry Potter game room with air hockey, and pool with the infinity edge...and the superhero/rescuer guy who got left in the pool.
Reunion, FL September 10 - 14, 2020
When Joshua's school was closed for ten days... This was the house that felt like (and was) someone's home, and with the Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Frozen rooms, second car racing game and Frogger, and movie room with reclining chairs, and where we added heat to the pool.
Windsor Hills, FL November 25 - 30, 2020
Giant yellow house with the giant balcony and patio, pool/workout house, and another fun game room with basketballs. I think this one (or maybe the previous house) had the pool with the crazy drop.
2021
Reunion, FL February 5 - 8, 2021
Fun for the Super Bowl. The house wasn't quite as big, but the pool was great, and the loft had ping pong/air hockey and toys for both kids.
Savannah, GA and Tallahassee, FL February 28 - March 6, 2021
Our first trip! We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Savannah, went to the playground, mostly ordered food in, and sat outside at our bar once. So relaxing. Max escaped from boarding, so we added Tallahassee both to see Tallahassee and get slightly closer to Gainesville for UF.
Orlando, FL February 24 - 28, 2021
Richard's amazing plans for our 10th anniversary at the Hyatt Regency I-Drive. We had a cabana at each pool so we could swim, play, and relax for hours, an incredible private dinner, and a fun, relaxing time in our giant room. We saw Dirk and Macaya at our quieter cabana, too. (At the end of our trip, the hotel was taken over by cheer/dance.)
2021
Gatlinburg, TN April 18 - 22, 2021
Fun! We went to the aquarium, saw snow, found a playground and track, and used the hotel pool waterslide!
Saratoga Springs Disney Resort, Orlando, FL April 25 - 27, 2021
Also fun, for Richard's birthday. After the resort gave us the wrong room by mistake, we got a huge, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite. We had a great time on the waterslides...even Savannah, who went down a small one on her own (and, when I took her with me at first, made a friendly guest video us to show me her face). Dirk and Macaya came over for dinner, too.
Miami, FL May 5 - 10, 2021
Richard's amazing gift for me for my birthday and Mother's Day. We went to Bayside, Hollywood Beach, Everglades National Park, and of course the hotel pool. Richard's planned Mother's Day dinner was beautiful and amazing.
Fort Lauderdale, FL June 4 - 5, 2021
One night for the Dino Dana US premiere at the Museum of Science and Discovery. On the way, we stopped at the science museum and aquarium in West Palm Beach.
At Home June 6 - 12, 2021
Mommy's visit! We went to Dinosaur World, rented a boat, went to the Orlando Science Center, and had Mommy watch Savannah's baby ninja class. We cooked meals at home the whole time! We stayed over at the airport Hyatt one night after dropping Mommy off at the airport.
At Home June 26 - 29. 2021
Paulane's visit...for Joshua's bounce-house-water-slide birthday party on the 27th!
Washington, DC July 1 - 7, 2021
With a stay over at the airport Hyatt before. The National Museum of American History was great, and Richard gave Joshua all the good history lessons. The American Museum of Natural History closed early on the 4th, so we didn't go there. We went to playgrounds that were a lot of fun. And the Air & Space Museum (Steve F. Udvar-Hazy Center) was great, too. Fun drinks/dinner and use of the Hyatt's movie and game room with Smurfs and cornhole...the pizza fiasco...and dinner at a "normal" bar was nice.
Fort Worth, TX July 28 - August 2, 2021
We saw Skyler!!! This was great, perfect, and fun. We spent tons of relaxed time with our friends...the indoor waterpark, nice dinner and play, zoo. And, on our own, we went to Dinosaur Valley State Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. This trip and the last, we had lots of delayed flights...but this was awesome anyhow!
Celebration, FL September 1, 2021
We moved back for Joshua's (and, later, Savannah's) school, a beautiful house, a happy neighborhood, our good friends...
Legoland, Lakeland, FL September 17 - 19, 2021
A weekend in a Pirate room at Legoland. The pool was GREAT, with giant floating lego blocks and a fun slide.
Miami, FL October 14 - 18, 2021
Our "normal" fun trip to Miami, the Everglades, Robert is Here, and Schnebly's, and the Fort Lauderdale and Miami science museums. We had giant beers, good food, and fun with Hydrothunder at Schnebly's.
Orlando, FL November 10 - 12, 2021
A fun stay at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. We used the pools (both!) a lot, and Joshua got to try canoeing with Richard.
At Home, Mommy's visit December 27 - 30, 2021
Grandma! A nice visit, and Joshua and Savannah were really happy. Savannah started saying "Grandma" within minutes.
2022
Savannah, GA January 13 - 17, 2022
(On the 13th, we left after school to stay over in Jacksonville.) Savannah's second birthday! We brought lots of gifts, got teddy bears and treats from the Hyatt, and had fun. We went to the railroad museum and children's museum/playground twice. Savannah went down the big slides, and Joshua built a giant person and trucks using all the blue blocks. We went on the train ride, too. We ate in the room because it was not warm enough to sit outside, but that was fun, too...even when we failed at getting pizza from Screamin' Mimi's.
At Home January 28 - 31, 2022
Paulane's visit.
Gatlinburg, TN February 17 - 21, 2022
We stayed at Margaritaville. Joshua did the ropes courses, one in Gatlinburg and the other at Pigeon Forge, for about three hours and then two hours. Savannah got to do the small ropes course and frog ride at Pigeon Forge.
Celebration, FL March 25 - 27, 2022
The Bohemian Hotel for our anniversary. Since the restaurant requires reservations, we had dinner at Avocado's on the 25th. We still do not like it much.
New York, NY March 31 - April 4, 2022
A short trip to see my parents. We stayed at the Park Hyatt, where we had the toilet that sprayed Joshua's butt.
Orlando, FL May 6 - 9, 2022
We stayed at the Holiday Inn water park hotel and played all day, and then went to Disney Springs for fun gifts and a fun day for me.
Atlantis! Paradise Island, Bahamas June 13 - 19, 2022
We had missed Atlantis! We loved it! We had reservations at Baha Mar to save money, and then, on a whim, checked prices at the last minute, and got a room in the Royal Towers. (The travel health visa was required up to about a week later, and people would show up at the airport without it, try to get it at the last minute, and...not show up at Atlantis. So the prices were going down at the absolute last minute.) We saw the same people, did the same things...beautiful. Joshua measured 48 inches without shoes, and we went on the slides for two whole days. Even Savannah got to do a smaller slide over and over.
At Home, Mommy's visit June 24 - 30, 2022
We went to Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and playgrounds. Nice visit.
Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL July 9 - 14, 2022
Milwaukee was fun, but run down because of covid. We went to two great playgrounds (by the lake and in Wauwatosa), tried Firefly, which was not as great, went to Bel Air, which was new to us and good, and went through the new market/cornhole/shuffleboard/food court that took the place of the Grand Avenue Mall. Chicago was AMAZING. We were ready to stay there. The best park, playground, climbing wall, and skating/scootering loop. Fun at the lake. And of course we all loved the Museum of Science and Industry. Happy! Joshua started researching apartments and houses. We are going back in the winter!
Orlando, FL July 27 - 29, 2022
Just a few fun days at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. We went played a lot in the water, Joshua went down the slide, we walked around the path and found our way without a bridge, and of course relaxed and had a good time.
Atlanta, GA, Gatlinburg, TN, and Savannah, GA August 5 - 12, 2022
The week before school started, after finding that our planned flights and schedule were not going to work, we took a road trip to Gatlinburg...which worked really well. In Atlanta, we went to the dinosaur museum and enjoyed the inside and outside, in Gatlinburg, we did everything, including the ropes course, a mini golf game for Savannah, and Pigeon Forge (where Savannah was finally over 36 inches so that she would not have to just hope for rides), had fun at Yee Haw Brewing, and had fun at Anakeesta. We stayed at the Edgewater and went swimming in the cold pool with the fun, small slide and soapy hot tubs a whole bunch of times.
Savannah, GA September 2 - 5, 2022
For Labor Day weekend...and we did the usual: train museum and children's museum, Wet Willie's, River Street Sweets, the Hyatt Regency's restaurant, Fort Pulaski with exploring and hiking, and Forsyth playground.
Jacksonville, FL September 17 - 18, 2022
A short and easy trip for the Colts game. The Colts were demolished, 24-0, but we all had fun. Joshua wanted all the stadium food, and he got a hot dog, popcorn, and soda. Savannah had some pretzel, popcorn, and a hot dog. They were both really happy and enjoyed the game for almost the entire time, until we left. The fans behind and next to us were friendly and fun. And, it even rained on us but the weather was still comfortable. We went swimming in the pool before the game. All good and fun for kids and grownups.
At Home, Mommy's visit October 14 - 18, 2022
Mommy joined us for Eric's birthday party and other fun.
New York, NY November 20 - 25, 2022
For Thanksgiving! We went to all the playgrounds along Riverside Boulevard, which were great. Savannah did not like the cold weather here, even though the snow in Chicago, a month later, was fine! Joshua loved exploring the Intrepid and even wanted a mini one for Christmas. And, on the day before Thanksgiving, we went to the Museum of Natural History, where, with an impossible time getting in, we were lucky to see all the balloon and float setup...it turned into a great time. We also went to the Children's Museum again.
Chicago, IL December 18 - 24, 2022
Amazing, well-timed, beautiful trip. We enjoyed Light up the Lake (twice!), went to the Museum of Science and Industry, including the Lego exhibit, and skated on the ribbon, where Joshua found a friend to skate with the whole time, and where, just magically at the right moment, it started snowing. The snow was the beginning of a big, newsworthy snow storm that gave Joshua and Savannah a chance to play in the snow and ended just at the moment needed for us to come home on Christmas Eve. Also, in place of a planned dinner at the John Hancock building, we went into Lou Malnati's for the best pizza.
2023
Orlando, FL December 30, 2022 - January 2, 2023
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for New Year's. We did the whole walk around, rock-climbing, and bikes, and of course went swimming.
Orlando, FL December 30, 2022 - January 2, 2023
At Home, Mommy's visit February 3 - 6, 2023
Grandma joined us for Joshua's and Savannah's International Festival.
Savannah, GA February 17 - 20, 2023
Joshua's Christmas gift to Savannah and me. We went to Fort Pulaski, where Joshua liked asking questions and learning the history, and we went to the train museum and children's museum. And, Moon River was weirdly not that good, but everything else was great, as always. Nice, happy trip.
Atlantis, Nassau, Bahamas March 12 - 16, 2023
Yay! We love Atlantis. All our usual stuff, plus this was when Joshua fell out of the tube and the lifeguard jumped straight into the dark to make sure he was fine.
Orlando, FL March 22 - 23, 2023
We stayed over at the Hyatt MCO just to meet Richard and have a fun night after ACTP Las Vegas.
Joshua Tree and Palm Springs, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Death Valley, CA June 3 - 13, 2023
Trip out west! We went to Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, and Death Valley. Joshua and Savannah loved climbing over all the boulders in Joshua Tree, loved the pool and water slides at the Hyatt, where Joshua did the big slides over and over, Savannah also liked them, and Savannah convinced a fun little friend to join her on the little kids' slide for about two hours, and Savannah learned to do forward rolls in the water, and Savannah decided there should also be Savannah trees. Joshua does ninja "for this." Awesome. We all loved the gondola ride, Savannah renamed Minus 5 "Elsa's Bar," and we were ready to stay in Henderson. And we all loved Death Valley, from the hotel's pool, to our long hike and lizard friend, to more and more climbing, running and rolling on the sand dunes, and even Joshua's real gold dust in the sand. We loved everything about this trip.
At Home, Mommy's visit June 22 - 26, 2023
Mommy joined us for Joshua's birthday party at Obstacle Ninja Academy, and we played around home.
Miami, FL July 29 - August 3 , 2023
A short, fun trip to Miami for Joshua's 7th birthday. We went to the Museum of Discovery and Science on the way down, Joshua tried surfing at Margaritaville, and we went to Hollywood Brewing. All the alligators were hiding from the heat and humidity, and Joshua and Savannah played pool at Miami Brewing. Larissa, Eddie, Hunter, and Ethan met us so we could all spend Joshua's birthday together, and we all went on Joshua's Thriller boat ride and had dinner at Hard Rock at Bayside.