We went on a mini vacation getaway to Orlando.  One night we decided to go to Disney’s magical winter miniature golf course where we can pretend it is winter.  Of course it is still summer here, but anything is possible at Disney World.

We needed a quick getaway for a few days and of course we can always find a fun vacation an hour away with the theme parks.

Honestly, we may trek off to see some snow this winter.  My daughter has never seen snow and is very excited about the possibility.  In reality though the snow at this golf course in Florida is my kind of snow.  New adventures are always in the works for our children which will entail a real snow trip.

As I was reading Strasburg’s blog, I noticed that another blogger went to Waimea Canyon, in Kauai, the same month that we did! I wonder if we crossed paths and didn’t even know it? It is a beautiful site to see. It is similar to the Grand Canyon but smaller, and filled with lots of colorful vegetation. From the lookout you can also see the ocean in the distance.

Nobody warned me that the drive up the mountain would be so steep! It was practically a drive straight up! There were times my stomach ached, I had to close my eyes (I wasn’t driving), and I begged my family to turn around and go back! But my husband wouldn’t allow it. After we arrived, I was grateful that my husband didn’t listen to me; it was a breathtaking view that I will never forget.

-Courtney

Ike sported his Liberty Plaid Cargo Shorts one evening while we were in Kauai. We were going out to eat at one of the most popular restaurants on the island, The Beach House. Near to the restaurant is another popular site called "Spouting Horn". It is a geyser-like spout that occurs naturally through the lava rocks on the ocean’s shore. As the tide comes towards the shore, the ocean water is forced into a lava tube creating a large gush of water as high as 50 feet into the air. It is a very cool site to see, and even better if you catch it at sunset where a beautiful array of colors can be admired in the background.

-Courtney

Every year since I was young, our family has traveled to the Texas coast for July 4th. We celebrated with the same friends and went to the same place to watch fireworks every year. This is a tradition that we have continued into our adulthood and are now sharing with a new generation of children! What a joy it has been to watch our children run along the same stretch of beach we grew up on and to see this special place through their eyes!

As always, we made the trip with my parents, but we were so sad that my newlywed sister and her husband could not make it this year. The kids had a blast swimming and playing at the pool and beach. We went to our traditional restaurant for dinner and to watch the sun set over the bay before making our way to “our spot” for fireworks. My husband bought the kids glowsticks and glow-necklaces for that evening, so they were having lots of fun with those before the fireworks began.

I’m not sure I actually saw any of the fireworks myself. I was too busy watching Anna Kate and Connor to see their reactions to them. I could see the glow of the lights in their eyes and how their sweet faces lit up with excitement. That’s really what it’s all about, isn’t it!

Now that I have children, I appreciate even more the country we live in and the sacrifices that so many have made and continue to make so that my family and I can enjoy the freedom to come and go as we please and to continue these types of traditions. I can’t help but feel very blessed!

Even though it is back-to-school time and fall is quickly approaching, we are trying hard over here to hang on to the summer. I am not ready to see it go and am happy that the heat is hanging on. To continue to celebrate this season, we took our daughter to the shore (as we say in Jersey) for the first time. (I grew up in South Jersey and love the shore but haven’t been there much since moving to NYC 13 years ago.) She is two, and we have read several books about the beach, but she hadn’t been yet.

We talked about our upcoming daytrip quite a bit, and she was very excited for the big day. We rented a ZipCar and headed out of the steamy city toward the Jersey shore. A little over an hour later, we arrived in Ocean Grove, NJ. After lunch and a quick purchase of some sand toys, we were off to the beach. The approaching Earl prevented us from swimming in the ocean as the double red flags waved in the wind, but that did not stop our little girl from having a blast. She dug in the sand and played happily for quite a while. In fact, I think she would still be there if it weren’t for my suggestion that we go and get some ice cream.

We finished up this idyllic day with ice cream and a stroll around some shops in town. On the ride home, our daughter said, “Beach again soon, Mommy?” I assured her that we would visit again on another day.

Would you be nervous to fly across country, 14 hours of travel, with a nine month old? I sure was. I prayed weeks in advance that Ike would be a good traveler. Happy, laughing, playing, and hopefully for the most part sleeping; anything but crying and cranky! Much to my surprise he did very well!

You see, we don’t really have a set-in-stone sleep schedule; we tend to be on an around-about-time schedule which works fine since I stay at home, but wasn’t sure how it would go with flying and time changes. Ike slept for the first two flights, and on the third he played with his Mimi and dad for the majority of the five-hour flight. On the return flights, which were all in the evening, he slept on every single flight the whole time! Can you believe that? I was shocked. I wasn’t about to get excited until we landed at our final destination. I just couldn’t believe it.

And, you can imagine the relief from the passengers sitting around us. Sure the other passengers were remarking, “Oh, what a cute little guy…” But in their heads I know what they were thinking, “Please do not cry this entire flight! Why am I always stuck next to a baby on these flights?” I do know that’s what they were thinking, because that is what I thought at one time too.

Well, we did it…we made our third trip to Hawaii in just under a year! I wish I could say that since I’ve packed for that trip so many times, I have been able to pack less and do it more efficiently. But we still checked five bags and carried on three! I guess that’s just the way it is when you’re traveling with two toddlers!

This time we went to Kauai, and it is definitely my favorite of the four islands I have visited. Upon check-in at the hotel, Anna Kate was given a beautiful flower lei and told the woman who gave it to her, “Mahalo” (thank you) all on her own. We were a bit surprised she remembered that at her ripe old age of two-and-a-half! We spent a lot of time exploring the island and enjoying local restaurants. One restaurant was famous for its “Hula Pie”…chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge sauce. We ate there three times! One day we took a trip to Hanalei Bay to see the stretch of mountains for which the song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” by Peter, Paul and Mary was named. Another day we took a riverboat tour to see a beautiful grotto where ferns grow out of the rocks; Connor loved the boat ride! Waimea Canyon was another great place we got to visit. The kids chose that day to be especially fussy. For the sake of being honest, I’m including a photo of the kids in rare form on our little canyon adventure. Just don’t want anyone to think our trip was perfect! Ha!

Perhaps the highlight of the trip was when my husband drove us to a public beach that was packed and finally found us a parking spot. As is usually the case with my husband, he has some kind of internal GPS or maybe just luck! He parked the car and said, “I bet if we walk through that forest area, we will come out at our own private beach.” Skeptically, I gathered up all of our stuff, grabbed a kid and began trudging along behind him. Sure enough, when the trees parted, there was our own beach, not another soul in sight! There was even a beautiful freshwater inlet that the kids could play in. I don’t know how he does it!

I must say one of the things I most look forward to when we travel is naptime! I love it when the kids nap in the cool, dark hotel room in the middle of the afternoon. It’s so nice to be able to curl up with a book or go to sleep myself while my husband goes off snorkeling or surfing. He always tells me to go to the spa or do something, but really, I just love the time to rest without having to feel guilty that I’m not doing laundry or loading the dishwasher!

The last day we were there, I pressed the kids’ beautiful white Strasburg outfits for some photos on the beach right outside of our hotel room. They turned out to be my favorite pictures of the kids…ever!

It is definitely the time of year for beach days if you live near the coast of Florida. We have had an absolutely beautiful summer. It is always a wonderful start to the day to take the children to the beach early in the morning and be home by 11. The children start out the day outside playing in the sand and water. I always find it amazing that no matter what the age of the child you see at the beach they are so happy with the simplicity of playing with just a bucket and shovel. From toddlers to teens, digging a hole and searching for sand critters or building a sand castle seems to be such simple entertainment at the beach. When they are hot, they can run out in the water and jump the waves. The beach is really the one place I do not see the use of modern electronic technology. Life is just back to finding the simplest things for enjoyment. Everyone is happy. Such serenity!!!!

When Sarah (8 years old) and Jacob (4 years old) are expecting Grandpa and Granny, they keep a close watch on the street to see when they will arrive.  “Granny’s coming!  Granny’s coming!”  can be heard throughout the house.

Even more exciting, Sarah and Jacob each individually go to stay with their Granny and Grandpa a few times each year.  Because they go individually, each child gets a lot of intense one-on-one time with their grandparents and have been able to form even deeper relationships. 

Jacob recently had a “Granny and Grandpa” visit.  He played outside, visited Great Grandpa, visited Bass Pro, and rode his first four wheeler with grandpa.  Granny and Grandpa let him sleep in late, made his favorite foods, bought his favorite toys and books, and took him shopping for his favorite clothes.  The children are never really ready to come home after a wonderful few days with grandparents.

I can remember this special time from my own childhood.  My grandmother must have played thousands of games of Chinese Checkers and Rummy.  She always listened to me.  Even if I was in trouble at home, my Grandma loved me unconditionally.  She taught me to make crafts, and we made cereal treats together.  My Pa would sing and dance with me.  My Papa would play baseball and take me fishing, and my other Grandma had a lot of board games.   I feel so loved by my grandparents.  What awesome memories for me and for them!

So, even though I don’t like for my children to be away from me, I gladly accept the generous offer of sending Sarah or Jacob to Granny and Grandpas.  I love that they have the uninterrupted, individual attention of their grandparents.  They come home happy and look forward to their next visits.  When they aren’t ready to come home or for Granny and Grandpa to leave, I understand how they feel.  I remember how I felt when my parents told me that it was time to go home.  There’s nothing like the warmth and love of a Grandparent, and I am so thankful that Sarah and Jacob have loving grandparents who want to spend time with them.  I miss them, but I would not consider denying them this special opportunity.

Summer 2010 is here and the plans are well underway for exciting things to do involving grandchildren.  It’s a good thing my husband and I took our spring trip so we can be free to do whatever we are called upon to do. . .that’s what grandparents do you know!!

The “Big Kids” started asking last January where our “Nana Trip” would be this year.  This “Nana Trip” thing started about 4 years ago because we took a “girl’s trip”.  We went to Birmingham, AL, for a weekend of shopping.  I thought it would be fun to treat the girls to a suite at the hotel adjoining the Galleria, order room service and have lots of girl fun.  I was right, we had a great time but did I ever start something!

The boys were a little jealous so the next year we took a boys trip to Chattanooga, TN. We stayed in an authentic railroad car at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a hotel complex in a train station commemorating the history of railroads. We visited the Tennessee Aquarium, ate pizza and just had fun hanging out! The boys enjoyed playing cards in the “room” as much as anything.  They really liked staying in the refurbished rail car. . .and it was neat!!!

Last year I surprised them all with a week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I bravely took off to Alabama with the 3 Kentucky teenagers, a tank full of gas and most importantly, Pops credit card. The 4^th teenage grandchild flew in from California and met us in Gulf Shores.  We had a great time, Kayci and I had our own rooms and the boys had bunks. . . everyone had their own TV so after a busy day on the beach and a great dinner out, there was no fussing over who was watching what! It was a wonderful trip and the kids couldn’t have been better!  Other than the fact it takes several hours to drive from Paducah to Gulf Shores, there were no complaints!  

This year it has already been difficult to fit things in to the children’s hectic schedule. . . .2 KY grandsons  will continue the family tradition of going to Philmont, New Mexico, with their father for 2 weeks of backpacking at the Boy Scout Ranch.  If it wasn’t busy enough, two sons and their families will be moving this summer!  This wasn’t a planned thing . . . it just happened!  Jobs take people all over the world and we are lucky that 3 sons will now have their families in Tennessee . . .  closer to each other and not too far from us!  It will now be easier for us to stop in the Strasburg store in Nashville’s Cool Spring Galleria!

With all that going on, I think the perfect “Nana Trip” will be just a couple days this year. . . don’t tell them, but I think we will go to St. Louis, MO, for a visit to the zoo , a little shopping for Kayci and try to catch a St. Louis Cardinal ballgame to satisfy the boys!  

As the “Big Kids” grow up and “Nana Trips” become harder to fit into their schedules . . . it’s comforting to know we have two new babies – ages 1 and 8 months who will soon start asking what the plans are for this summer’s   “Nana Trip”??? We will  keep making plans but most  important of all we will be making  memories!