She also chose this pose. I love these pants. Super wide leg and fitted through the top. They zip on the side and have darts. These were fun to make because I was able to try out a couple of different presser feet.
My favorite way to travel is by train. I love Amtrak. It's just a relaxing way to travel, though at night it turns into kind of a party. I feel like I'm in a different era when I travel by train. Siobhan and Oscar have made a couple of trips on the train. I'm hoping that Olive and Hans will get the chance in the near future. Traveling is such an event. The planning and anticipation. With the kids I always have to start packing a week in advance and I love to make them new things to take along. I am particularly happy with this dress and luckily enough Olive likes it as well. 
Pete and I were lucky as kids, to go on a lot of trips with our families. We have tried to carry on that tradition with our kids. We are really looking forward to this trip. Jeremy and Annisha will also be making the journey and I do not envy them that flight with two little ones. I am excited to see them. 
So, as we prepare for next weeks departure, I think we should list our five favorite vacations we have taken. Here we go....
#1. I can't choose one, but every summer vacation growing up, with my parents and grandma. She came along on all our vacations and I cherish those memories. We always went to Nevada, Arizona and rounded out the trip on the way back with Disneyland. We always drove. Even a tiny Mazda station wagon. Six people, all the suitcases through the desert in August. No air conditioning. Sometimes we crossed over into Mexico as well.
#2. Hawaii. My freshman year of high school. I went with the Orchestra. First plane ride, first trip without my parents. We stayed a week and it was fun.
#3. Seattle. When Pete and I had known each other for three months we came for a visit to see my sister. That was a big step for us, I think. I had so much fun on that trip. I don't think there was a dive bar we didn't visit. We talked ourselves hoarse.
#4. Yellowstone. Awesome,awesome vacation. Pete is really great at planning out what he calls our "weekend warrior" trips. This was over a three day weekend and I had so much fun. We are planning to go back this year for a little longer. There is still a lot I haven't seen. The kids will alway associate this trip with the beginning of their KOA cabin obsessions.
#5. Disneyland. I cannot tell you how much love I have for Disneyland. Pete does not agree, but I could live there. I have been lucky to have gone dozens and dozens of times but a couple really stand out. When Pat and I took Siobhan when she was about four and she wore her Little Mermaid bathing suit. Watching her talk to Ariel was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. She was in heaven and I will always remember her excitement. Also, when April, Brittney and I went on a whim one morning when I was visiting her in San Diego. We stayed at the most dive hotel and stayed up late talking even after we closed Disneyland. I had a blast with them. Just us girls and Samantha, Siobhan and Oscar. Such a good, good time.
#6. I have been good about keeping it at five but I have to add one more. The first trip I went on with just my dad and sisters after my parents divorced. He took my sisters and I on a vacation and it was a little different but so much fun. I will not forget Luisa sitting in a coat and black turtleneck in Laughlin,Nevada in August. The "turns" with the radio. Hollywood, where I got a skinhead girl shirt. The stewser lane, potatoes O'brien, ..really good memories for me.
I will post a list next week before I leave and Kim has assured me I can post from her house. So, I guess I need not worry about withdrawals. I'll be back before that however. As always, can't wait to see your list!
7 comments:
Olive's new wardrobe is adorable!
1. Japan!--This was the funnest unexpected five-week break from life. Tokyo Disney was highlight. (I'm with you about Disney.)
2. Utah to Ohio road trip w/Jeremy and Zak--We laughed the whole way across the country, except through Kansas. There's nothing funny about that state.
3. Hawaiian cruise--Kindof a second honeymoon. It was really fun to have Jeremy all to myself again for a whole week.
4. Cruise to Catalina and Ensenada--My first cruise. My parents were kind enough to include me in their family vacation even though I was 21. Kareoke and dancing with my sisters, my dad getting lost in Mexico, and Disneyland are highlights.
5. Ohio to upstate New York roadtrip w/Kim, John, and Sharron--great conversation, beautiful scenery....great memories. Thanks for coming, Kim! Even so soon before your wedding.
1. When April and I were young we went with my Mom and Grandma to the Grand Canyon. We hit every little road side attraction on the way. I love the pictures of us at Bedrock, the Flintstone attraction.
2. When I was 9 we moved from Orange County to Oklahoma. It was our first trip over the Rocky Mountians. I remember "Endless Love" playing on the radio a thousands times and my Mom sang it everytime. Soon we just joined in.
3. One July we took a trip from Oklahoma to Ohio. April and I got the joy of sharing the backseat with the dog. We had a small subaru without air conditioning. It was hot and humid! We stopped in St. Louis for a highland dance competition under the arch and went to Silver Dollar City. An amusement park you can take the dog to, need I say more? This trip was so miserable that April, who due to major surgery doesn't remember some of her childhood, remembers this! The dog walked over us from one window to the next dipping drool on us the whole trip. His fine long sheltie fur stuck to everything! I now realize why I like cats better than dogs. That was the trip we overdosed on root beer as we hit every Stuckey's between the two states! It wasn't all bad though. We did get to meet my Dad's family that summer. Shortly after that Grandma Shannon passed away. Without that trip I would never have met her or my Grandpa Shannon.
4. This past summer my parents and I took the girls to Mammoth for the first time. It's only about 6 hours however it is 6 hours in the car with Meaghan. But still this was a great trip. The scenery was beautiful! And I love spending the time with my parents and girls. I only wish Scott could have gone. We even went out of our way to visit Victorville so I could see where I was born. I'm glad my girls could experience that.
5. Before Scott and I moved to Monterey we made several trips up from Orange County to visit my folks. These trips will always be my favorite. We would drive all night and talk the whole way. I loved those conversations! We still have these talks but they are now on our way home from Disneyland with the girls sleeping in the backseat.
Mattie - You know how much we go to Disneyland. But those trips we made to Disneyland stand out in my memory. You're right though, the time we went without the guys was the best! And no matter how many times I have been I still get that magical feeling everytime!
1. Italy, on our honeymoon. I loved being in Rome, I think I've lived there in a past life. The Cinque Terra was also great to see and very romantic.
2. Kauai, another great trip David and I took together. We went on some amazing hikes and really enjoyed snorkeling.
3. Canada. I spent three months driving across the country, from Victoria all the way to Newfoundland. I especially enjoyed the eastern provinces. Newfoundland was so terrific, I could easily live in St. Johns. Going through the Rockies was also cool, there were the most beautiful lakes as well as the only glacier I've ever walked on.
4. Camping at Nacimiento Creek, numerous times. My parents found this awesome camping spot right on the creek, there were only two sites there so it was pretty private. We camped there a lot when I first moved back to California and they were some of the best times from that period in my life. I loved stopping at San Antonio Mission, my favorite, on the way home.
5. Matilda has already covered our summer vacations. They were all awesome trips, including the one Dad and Sharon took us on where they said we were going camping and surprised us by driving to Laughlin. She has also covered Disneyland, and I was lucky to go with her and Pat when they took Siobhan for the first time. That was when they were doing the Lion King parade, which was awesome.
6. Hopefully this year we'll make it to Costa Rica.
1. Mammoth, CA--We do go twice a summer, as it is our favorite place, but my favorite Mammoth trip was the first one we made with our pop-up tent trailer. We had a spot right across from a lake, and the first morning, we woke to a calm rainfall. We unzipped the window and just watched the rain fall into the lake, while snuggling in our sleeping bags. That memory is definitely my happy place.
2. Amsterdam--I met up with my friend Rachel there. We had the best time. No agenda, just out to have fun and laugh like we always did. The best part was that after being separated by thousands of miles for four years, it was like we were never apart. Plus we went to Treslandenput, I think that's how it was spelled. It is where Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium meet. And I think the little town that is near it is where Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs live.
3. Seattle--Many trips, absolutely love it. Sat at the same table Bill Gates once did at a little whole in the wall Japanese restaurant. Also saw Drew Barrymore doing her laundry at Sit and Spin. The restaurant/laundry mat idea is brilliant. But finding a park and enjoying the scenery was the best part of every trip.
4. British Columbia--Vancouver took my breath away, but a separate trip to Victoria was amazing. I felt like I was back in Europe. I went wedding site scouting with my friend Rebecca on a weekend away from our training in Seattle, and it has ended up being quite memorable. The first time I ever shopped at Lush was this trip. The best was having high tea at the Empress. It was December, so everything was decorated for Christmas, and the Empress has the best, most unique trees.
5. Scotland--Went with Rachel (Amsterdam), and we stayed with her dad. It is so nice when you can stay with locals in new places. She fell back in love with her birthplace and ended up moving back. I can't blame her, it's beautiful. I got to see the town of Troon, where my dad's family is from. And I didn't get enough of Edinburgh. We also stayed with cousins in Cambridge, England on this trip, who took us to London on the fourth of July.
6. West Coast road trip with mom, dad, and my gram. We went from Monterey to Portland, and we went along the coast. We took our time going up there, stopping at all kinds of places. I even saw a cranberry bog for the first time. And Portland in June was fantastic. The rose garden blew me away. So many roses in bloom that the smell just fills the air.
Ape
I loved that you started talking about travel, took a side trip to sewing and then went right back to travel. The pants are cute but I really loved the dress.
1.When I graduated from high school my Aunt Bonnie took my brother and I to England, Scotland and Amsterdam. We were 18 and 16 at the time. She paid our travel expenses and we were responsible for our room and board. Too many adventures to list here but meeting our relatives in Scotland was unforgettable.
2. Sharon and I took a trip through Oregon and California in our van. We stole Alex's mattress and alternated camping out and staying in motels. We hit a ton of thrift stores and antique shops which resulted in us hauling a bright orange church pew back home. It had to be removed from the van at every campground which got us some strange looks. A fun,fun trip.
3. As a child we took a vacation trip every year. We would hit every cheesy roadside attraction, which we absolutely loved. This was in the days before seat belts and car seats. We always had a station wagon and if we were driving late the back seat would be folded down and blankets were spread out. I never felt safer than when I drifted off to sleep with my Dad behind the wheel.
4. Sharon, Luisa,Alexandra and I rented a house boat at Trinity Lake. It was so much fun. Luisa even drove the boat which was a big deal. I'm sure none of us will forget holding our breath every time we had to go into the bathroom! I just found a picture of Alexandra from this trip wearing a Joey Joe t-shirt.
5. Every trip we ever took with my girls. Usually through the Arizona desert in the summer. The breakfasts at Denny's, the custom soundtracks, all of Grandma's boyfriends, hours in the pool, adventures with misbehaving vehicles and the Orange ball! The trip after the divorce was the best therapy I could have asked for and will always be grateful for. Also all the trips to San Francisco will always be special, Hamburger Mary's , the outlets, the seedy hotels, corn dogs and lemonade. Thanks so much for the memories, I love you all so much!!
April-
When I lived in Seattle I used to go to Vancouver just to go to Lush. I was so excited when they started opening US stores.
Dad-
I will always remember your custom soundtracks and their custom covers. And I always enjoyed the lightning storms.
Alexandra
I've been trying to think of my top 5, but it's been hard to narrow it down. Here's what I came up with.
1. Honeymoon Cruise in the Carribean. Troy and I had a really fun time Scuba diving and just relaxing for the week!
2. Jeremy's Graduation Trip.(The same one as Annisha's #5) It was just a couple of weeks before my wedding. I had a great time with my parents and Jeremy, Annisha and sweet Jocelyn and I discovered you can still fight with your siblings like you were 5 even when you're over 30.(We made up eventually.)
3. Hawaii... with my friend Sheri when I was 23. Then again with Troy when I was 33. Fun in different ways.
4. San Diego with my buddy Jen. We went 9 years in a row, skipped a year then went again. We love the beach on Coronado and would sit and read for 4-5 days and lay out and eat at the same places and just recharge for the winter to come. Good friend and Good times!
5. The many trips made with my family to Disneyland. They kind of run together, but I know I had fun each time. Packing our family into the Suburban, Van or Bus was always crazy and we would put all of our clothes in pillow cases because you could squish them more and go down the road listening to tapes(and sometimes even 8 tracks) of the Beatles and ABBA. Makes me smile thinking of it all!
Good memories!
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