Our California Adventure

If you've been following "the scoop" for a while, you likely know about my former job as a nanny for a KC family, and you probably read this post about their move to CA.  We have kept in touch ever since, as life allows, and Bryant and I took a trip to see them a few months before Jacob was born.  Apart from some Facetime dates, however, the kids had never met each other.  A picture of a mountain of hand-me-downs followed by a text saying, "you owe me a trip with empty luggage" changed that.  ☺

We had been saving to make the trip to CA "sometime," but had not made concrete plans as to when that might happen.  When we started discussing the possibility of it being this summer, we realized/remembered Lydia would fly free till September, and a plan started to solidify.  Since CA schools start later than those in MO, we were able to catch the window between peak summer travel season and the boys' first day.  It all worked out wonderfully!

The kids travelled really well.  We weren't quite sure how it would go, but it went better than we expected.  That's not to say we didn't have some rough moments, of course, but all things considered, they did great.  Prior to our departure, I asked around and perused Pinterest for (screen-free) airplane entertainment ideas, and I was justified in taking everything I did, because there was less kid-sleeping/resting on the plane than we had hoped.

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story:

Thankful for neighbors willing to be our own personal Uber...esp. at 4 a.m.!

In case it is not obvious, this was his first flight. ♥

Though I had hoped this would happen through the whole early-morning flight, it only happened as we began our descent...

A trip highlight for him, for sure.

Had to document his first seashell!

I still can't get over how much and how well he took care of her.

He could've sat here all day...for real.

Oceanfront lunch with friends - doesn't get much better!

♥

Took full advantage of being able to spend nap/rest time like this.

We took a break from swimsuits to explore an arboretum.

The tiniest palm tree you ever did see!

This was all her. 
(I share her love of our hosts' entire backyard setup!)

The flight home wasn't all as bad as this picture portrays, but there is definitely truth in it...

This trip was just the best; equal parts relaxing and fun.  The fact that we stayed with friends (who are like family) who made traveling with kids much easier by generously accommodating us so well (we only packed clothes and diapers!) made it all the more enjoyable.  We did come home with that mountain of hand-me-downs...and even more wonderful memories!  😏

Gratefully,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

family photo session on the beach

fresh-squeezed OJ and freshly-picked avocados

friends who live 30 mins from the beach, pick you up from the airport, and welcome you to stay in their beautiful home, enjoy their idyllic backyard, cook for you, and entertain your children

Our Honeymoon

I keep promises, friends. So, belated as it is, here is a glimpse at our amazing honeymoon!   It was a welcome and necessary getaway after the craziness of pre-wedding/moving/marriage, and we were so thankful to have the opportunity to take such a lovely trip.

This post will be mostly pictures - haven't done one of those in a while.  I'll give commentary, periodically, but feel free to ask any questions I don't answer.  Thanks in advance for your patience with the pictures as they take their own sweet time to load. ☺

Bon voyage!

We spent our first night at the Rogers House Bed & Breakfast.

It was such a cute, quaint place to be - definitely worth checking out if you ever need a place to stay in Lincoln.

The next afternoon and evening were spent at the stunning Magnolia Hotel in Omaha.  We explored the premises a bit, and found their beautiful courtyard (as well as the "milk and cookies" happy hour!).

Room service = yum.

Complimentary honeymoon treat.  ☺

And we're off!

☺
I don't know if I've ever explained Bryant's ring...?  That's my fingerprint engraved on there!  He picked it out himself. ☺

I've always loved Mad Libs - how perfect were there "Just Married" ones for our honeymoon trip?!

We had to document the plastic knives at the steakhouse restaurant in the airport.  Ha!

Goodbye, Texas...

...hello, Mexico!

We stayed at the all-inclusive Riu Hotel & Resort in Cancun.

The view from our balcony!

Every. Day.

Our first wildlife spotting!

Little tiny palm trees! ☺

The buffet was unbelievable.  So much food...such variety and quantity!  And such amazing presentation!

There were people from all over the world at our resort, so food was labeled in a variety of languages.  Apparently, "hot dog" is pretty universal.  Call me a creeper, but one of the most fascinating things, for me, was to watch other people eat.  It's so interesting to see what they chose to eat and how they ate it, depending on their home country!

In addition to the buffet, there were three different "sit down" restaurants.  We tried each one, but I didn't catch pictures of everything.  Here's our meal at the Japanese restaurant:

We like to think that symbol means "congratulations," or something...

Fried ice cream!  Surprisingly similar to the fried shrimp... ☺

And these pics are from the Steakhouse restaurant (real knives at this one...):

How fun to get all gussied up and just walk to dinner each night...along the beach, no less!

One morning, we got up super early to watch the sun rise.  We almost went back to bed when we realized it was raining outside...

We stuck it out, though, and are so glad we did!  (Thank goodness for bottomless coffee drinks, though...)  We basically had the place to ourselves for a few hours that morning.

One of our days was spent on Isle Mujures, an island off the coast of Cancun.

The boat we took over was affiliated with the "dolphin experience."  Though we didn't swim with dolphins, I'd say we still had the experience of a lifetime! ☺

They served us breakfast on the boat on the way there!

Totally worth the wind.

Seriously couldn't get over the water.

That's the boat we rode over on.  We took a bigger one on the way back.

Snorkeling!  Didn't take an underwater camera, but we saw some pretty cool things down there!

Does it get much better?

We took a long walk along the shore and were literally the only ones on that part of the island for an hour or so.  Such valuable time to just be together and take in beautiful scenery!

That's Cancun on the horizon.

We pretended we could pick out our hotel in the line-up.

Lots of wildlife sightings on this day!

He stopped to pose for this picture, and it doesn't do him justice - he was huge!

This was the floor throughout most of the little resort area that was our "home base" for the day.

We took some time to explore the island, do a little shopping (took advantage of the "honeymooners!" discount), and take in the sights, tastes, and sounds of a new place.

ALL the wristbands!

Got to enjoy a sunset from the water on the boat ride back - hooray!

The resort's entertainment staff was phenomenal.  Different activities and shows every night - and they were all so fun!

He almost won the tournament!

Karaoke!  I even got asked back the next night!

Hooray for endless food and drinks...at any time of day or night!

Moonlit walk along the beach: check.

We were there on Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.  It was so fun and interesting to see the decorations and festivities!

So glad to have been there...

...but not so glad to leave!

Bryant got a kick out of this sign in the Dallas airport.

We made an extended honeymoon trip to the new IKEA store here in KC.  Found a new entertainment center to take home and assemble together!

So, there you have it!  Thanks for reminiscing with us - it was a great trip.

Hope this finds you well and as warm as possible.

Blissfully,

Kensy

Favorites of the day:

fresh-baked-anything smell (right now, brownies)

my sweet husband

the fact that my brother is ENGAGED!!!