Trip Across Country

It's always been a dream of mine to drive across country and take my time and explore the rest of the US. Two years ago, this dream came true and we're getting to do it again at this summer. I am so sad to be leaving Colorado Springs, but am looking forward to the trip to Jax and exploring that area. Lucky me, we're taking our time going across and will get to explore new places.

Highlights:

YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park. We're staying at this fabulous retreat center, where all meals will be included and all activities. Look forward to more craft time, classes, roller skating, swimming, golf, tennis and of course exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. It will be our last hooray in the most beautiful state of Colorado. Sniff. Sniff. If you are military, thank you for your service and let them know at the Y. Our package is $150 for two days in a phat new room with all meals. Thank you YMCA.

Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City, KS. Just got a report from my brother that we will enjoy this water park resort as he is there now. I've never been to a Great Wolf Lodge and can't wait to go and play with the family for a couple days. Again, it's a bargain for military, firefighters, and police officers when you use code HEROES. It's $129 a night for a suite. In Williamsburg, VA, I remember it being over $300/night to stay there.

St. Louis. Going across last time, I remember St. Louis as being one of the best places for kids to visit. We're going back to the Magic House, one of the top children's museums in the planet and the St. Louis Zoo.

Chattanooga, TN. I am so looking forward to this trip! I thought we could stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.in Nashville on the way, but I just heard and saw pictures of the hotel under water. Broke my heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those folks dealing with the devastation, loss of jobs and homes. I was so sorry to hear about it and was glad to see my girlfriend Taylor Swift reaching out to the folks there. Back to Chattanooga. This looks like a spectacular place for the family to visit. I've been talking with the folks at the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and as a surprise, I booked two nights to stay in a victorian box car. With the children's fantasy package, we get tix to the Tennessee Aquarium and Imax, the zoo, children's discovery museum and model train car museum. Breakfast and engineer caps for the kids are included too! We'll first visit Rock City Gardens, the Incline and Ruby Falls. I hear they have a fabulous park there with an antique carousel and boutique shopping. FUN!!!

Atlanta, GA. May or may not have time to stop. Highlights if we can - American Girl Place for lunch and the Atlanta aquarium. Wanted to go to the World of Coke, but I am thinking that all that caffeine would not be great for the tikes.

Then we drive to Jax, stay on the beach til our stuff shows up for our new house.

After we move in, we go to Hilton Head to visit lots of family and then to Orlando for a week!

Travel around Jacksonville

Since we're living on the beach already, I wonder how many trips we'll be taking in the near future? Plus princess is starting kindergarten and I am not excited. Kindergarten is full day, add sports, homework, bathtime and not much time left. Sigh. I am very much enjoying this honeymoon period being home with my kids while I have it. Good thing we'll have the beach so close by!

I know us and I know we'll be traveling and finding fun and adventure in Jax and around the area. Some places we'll want to hit in the net few years:
-Cruises! Carnival has cruises that leave out of Jax. I've already scouted a weekend cruise that goes to the Bahamas (one place I haven't been before). November is looking good to me. Also Disney Cruise Line leaves out of Cape Canaveral. Next year.
-Atlantis. Always wanted to go and it is so close now!
-Orlando. I know we'll be going to Disney. I was there when I found out I was preggers with my first daughter and I remember making a note to self. Put this trip off as long as you can. So many cranky little preschool crying while their parents dragged then around in the heat. Anyhoo. I know we are going and we'll buy the Florida pass and make Shades of Green our 2nd home, as the YMCA of the Rockies is here. I am looking forward to going there! I love Sea World and can't wait to go there. I hear Universal has great deals for the military, so maybe we'll just drive straight to Orlando before we move to our new house.
-Tampa. Busch Gardens, Elmo's world. Need I say more?
-We have family in Boca Raton and in New Bern, SC. Yeah!
-Cape Canaveral. We are going to see the last shuttle launch for sure. So sad it is the last. But we will be there and just in time.

It will be nice to be on the east coast time zone again. And it will make for easier air travel.

Moving to the Beach

We found a beautiful house in an awesome quiet neighborhood and it is just a few blocks from the beach! I would have never guessed that I'd have the opportunity to ever live so close to the beach again. One summer, I interned for the St. Petersburg Times and lived on Treasure Island, just a few blocks from the beach. I enjoyed walking on the beach after work and am so looking forward to that becoming a tradition with my family when mouse comes home. And I get one more year with my little one before she starts school every day. I told her that I was going to pick her up and carry her everywhere and squeeze her. She responded no that she wanted "to go to school and do challenging work." That's a montessori baby for you. Anyhoo. We feel so blessed we found a house so early and have an address! That means we can register our children for school. The beach schools are fantastic, the best in Florida. Fingers crossed that princess will get in to the magnet school for gifted and talented.

Hilton Head, here we come!

Looking forward to a trip to Hilton Head, SC! I just talked to my SIL and my hubby's whole extended family will be going to Hilton Head in June. Can't wait to get all the little cousins together to swim and play at the beach. Our Hilton Head must do's - mostly nothing, but hang out on the beach, but when we do go - seeing Greg Russell sing under the big oak tree at Harbourtown, buying t shirts at the salty dog, shopping at the outlets in town. It is gonna be fun!

The girls are ready for some water time. They've been taking private swim lessons at Little Fins Swim School and those lessons are paying off bigtime. Spidergirl completed her level two test where she can swim independently across the pool. Princess has almost completed her level four test and will move on when she refines her advanced backstroke. It is amazing to see them grow.

Last Hoorah at the Broadmoor

Before we move across country, hubby and I are going to stay for a quick weekend getaway at the Broadmoor. The girls will have their first slumber party at a friend's house so we'll be going, as my 5 year old calls it, on a "honeymoon." If you haven't heard of the Broadmoor, it is an amazing 5 star resort here in Colorado Springs and I have heard from everyone that it is an amazing place to stay. I am psyched because we'll be staying in a great room there. We've been for Sunday brunch with the girls which is really wonderful.

If you are interested in a getaway at the Broadmoor, I understand they have a deal going on this weekend only where you can book at room at 50% off of their rack rate. They have never had a sale this good.

Pizza House Party @ chez moi

Hooray! I was picked to host a DiGiorgno pizza champions house party. What is a house party? It is where national companies enlist influentials (me) to host a party with their influential friends (you). The companiesask you to try, share and promote their products. DiGiorgno is going to send me:

• 1 Party Planner Booklet — with 6 host coupons for free pizza and 15 guest coupons for $4.00 off pizza
• 1 Supreme Pizza Cutter
• 15 Party Rally Beads
• 1 Referee Apron
• 1 Refrigerator Magnet
• 16 Drink Coasters
• 2 Trivia Table Tent Cards
• 1 Basketball “Hoops” Beverage Can Game

Love it! I buy the drinks, provide the party pad, invite my friends and have a party. Can't wait! I'm inviting my preschool moms and kids. Party planned.

YMCA of the Rockies: Estes Park Here we come!

I just made reservations for 2 nights all meals included to the YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park CO for memorial weekend. It will be our last hoorah before we move to Jacksonville, FL. The Y offers military families an awesome rate of $150 total for the weekend and we're staying in their newest lodge. We've been twice before and loved it. Not sure if we will just chill and take advantage of all the resort has to offer, skating, tennis, golf, horseback riding, classes, hiking, swimming or go to Rocky Mountain National Park. We'll probably do a little of both this time.