Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Rested and Relaxed

We are back. Safe and sound. And the boys are well. Yeah! And Holly, you were right. That OFF switch WAS at the bottom of a margarita.
The trip was fabulous and we had a great time. That isn't to say that it went completely smoothly, but we had fun nonetheless. The good, far outweighed the bad. Let me show you.
The bad: The "scenic" drive from Miami to Key West that everyone said we would "love" turned out to be a hellish 4+ hour ride that finally got us to our Inn at around 9:30 at night. It was neither scenic (the majority of the scenery was run down gas stations and restaurants) nor relaxing (I had a headache the size of Texas from not having had a chance to eat anything since 8 that morning) and probably the longest car ride of my life. Word of advice, if you are ever going to visit Key West fly directly. Do not drive!
The good: This sunset was about the only good that came out of that drive, even though we only saw it for a few minutes when we were on the last bridge.
The bad: The next day we sorely underestimated the proximity of a "nearby" beach and walked approximately 5 miles in thong sandals before giving up and heading back to where we started. I had enormous blisters on my feet and my toes were actually swollen.
The good: This is where we ended up. A great big bar. On the beach. After many drinks I couldn't even feel my toes anymore.
The bad: Me in a swim suit. Seriously, what is up with my arms? I swear I haven't been pumping iron. Why does it look like I have some major guns going on?

The good: My hubby in a swim suit. Yummmm!
Yeah, I don't really know what we are doing in the pictures either. Did I mention we had many, many drinks? Cuz, um, we did. I think I should always drink before swimming in the ocean because this was the first time I really enjoyed it without worrying about being eaten by a shark. I had a blast. The sun was hot, the drinks were cold, and the water was perfectly warm. It turned out to be a great day.
We had packed a bunch of sightseeing into one day (hence the miles and blisters). We saw Hemingway's house.
And were at the southern most point in the US.
We even had some drinks at Margaritaville! Mmmmm!
We did wise up and rent scooters the next day. Much better for my feets! And so much fun tooling around the island on these things. Yep. I know. I'm a big nerd.
Overall, we had a blast. Long drive be damned, it was still an amazing time. It was nice to get some one on one time with the hubby and have actual romantic dinners together. It is easy to get caught up in the day to day life and forget about connecting with each other. It was a great trip.
When we finally got home after another very long travel day the boys were fast asleep. Todd's mom did a fabulous job. My mom had gotten a really bad cold and wasn't able to take her two days of watching the boys so Todd's mom stayed with them the whole time. I can't thank her enough. She was amazing. Four days with three boys is enough to stress anyone out, but she really came through. And not only did she take excellent care of the little guys the house was sparkling clean when we got home. What a woman!
Now my life is back to this.
And this.
And this.
And I couldn't be happier.

47 comments:

painted maypole said...

sounds and looks like a wonderful vacation, and a fabulous return home, as it should be. welcome back

Kristen said...

I loved reading your description of the trip! Sounds like it was fabulous, minus the car and blisters.

Ocean, cocktails, sun, and swimming. Food for the soul, I tell you!

And by the way, you look amazing! So great to see pictures of who we "talk" to on your blog!

Welcome back. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you had a great time in between the, um, surprises, which didn't sound quite as pleasant. Still, sounds like you made the most of it, and what a fabulous sentiment that you were glad to get back home, too. You made me smile, even if I didn't get to have drinks on the beach with y'all good lookin' folks ;)

Homegrown Tribe said...

Look at you hot momma! So glad you had a great trip... well deserved indeed. :)

glad you're back to your boys

brittany

Chrissy said...

Just looking at those pictures is refreshing to me. I spent one summer in Key West back in college, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Glad you had a wonderful trip.

Cassie said...

I'm glad you guys had so much fun (and so many drinks :).

Laura said...

Sounds perfect - the good and the bad...glad you had fun!

Great photos! Thanks for sharing!

david mcmahon said...

Sounds like a great trip. Hope you wore comfortable shoes for the `short walk'!!

Mom24 said...

So glad you had fun. It all looks so perfect...and fun. It's great that your boys did so well. Your mother-in-law is amazing! I want her.

Anonymous said...

Glad to have you back!

Your trip sounds divine! (Except for the blisters!)I could do with some R&R.

BTW, You look great! Guns and all! :-)

Brittany said...

AW! Love the photos!! Looked like you had a ton of fun... drinks and all!! :) Truthfully, love your guns...I want some guns! haha.

Glad you made it back safely!

Rachel said...

You look HAWT in your suit chick! Hubby doesn't look too shabby either :-)
The pictures are gorgeous and looks and sounds like y'all had a wonderful time. Glad you arrived home safely! Welcome back :-)

EatPlayLove said...

Looks like a fabulous time, but reminds me that I don't envision such a wonderful vacation with my hubby anytime in the next year.

I must change my vision!

dawn klinge said...

I enjoyed reading about your trip and looking at the beautiful photos. I'm so glad you had a great trip.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Looks like a wonderful, fun vacation! Thank you for sharing these pictures! They are awesome. I am about to leave for Saint Tropez, France and Rome in a few days. I'll be sure to post pictures! Sorry I have not been blogging lately! I have been taping shows which I am excited about because I was able to post them on my blog YAY!! If you get a chance to check it out, then let me know what you think. The more feedback I get the better I can make the segments Also, your stories are great and my whole idea behind this show is for other moms to share real stories like you do. Anyway, I’d love to hear from you.

Anonymous said...

The trip and the return look wonderful!

Unknown said...

I think you look great - in the water and on the scooter - too cute!

So glad you and your hubby got to spend some quality time just the two of you. I can't wait to do that with my man sometime soon! : )

It's always great to come home though... espcecially to sweet boys!

Anonymous said...

I think both you & Todd look happy & in love. I'm glad the bottom of that margarita was so liberting. Kudos to T's mom for taking the boys & cleaning your house (how great to come home to clean!). And, it's great to come home to the chillens, isn't it!

Family Adventure said...

Great pictures...it looks like you had a GREAT time. Your moms are so wonderful for letting you get away like this!

And welcome home :)

Heidi

imbeingheldhostage said...

I'm so happy for you-- it looks so relaxing and care free. That sunset was gorgeous! Thanks for sharing, I almost feel like I got to have a break :-)

Tonya said...

Glad you had fun! Welcome back :)

ConverseMomma said...

Perfect song to go with those pics. The one of you in the water is so supermodel. Glad to hear you had fun.

Don Mills Diva said...

Sounds awesome! The pictures are making me soooo envious. I have always wanted to do that trip and I thought the drive would be the best part - now I know!

Kellan said...

What fun and what great pictures!! You are livin' a pretty good life - I think - whether in the Keys or at home!!

Take care - Kellan

Wendy said...

We drove to the Keys once...the traffic was awful getting down there. (We went during Spring Break in March.) But beautiful, warm beaches made it worth it! Glad you had a good time!

Fire Hunt said...

Great photos! Thanks for sharing:)Me and my hubby need to do that!

Melissa said...

looks like a great vacation! Jealous... and so would my husband because he has always wanted to go to Margaritaville. Hope you guys had fun

theflyingmum said...

Your trip sounds fabulous, and those boys? Oooo, I could just about eat them up.
Welcome home!

Momisodes said...

What a wonderful getaway (minus the blisters). I remember that drive to the Keys can be brutal. Especially all the way down to the southernmost point! You and hubby look wonderful in those photos :) So glad you both had a chance to sneak away for a while :)

Stephanie said...

I love Key West! I am so jealous. That makes me want to go on vacation. You both look so happy - and everyone needs time away.

I will gladly add you to my list! It's just growing and growing. Actually, I, myself am on that list - to try later this year.

Happy Thursday!

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Welcome home, what a fantastic trip!

Hilary said...

Sure sounds and looks like a great time.. I'm envious.. except for the blisters. I can get those any old time. ;)

JEWELGIRL said...

Welcome Back!
Sounds like you had a great
time! Except the blisters!
Ouch! Hubbies and wives need
breaks together (alone) to
get the old honeymoon feeling
back! Great Sunset Pix!

N. said...

Ooh. Is that the Hemingway house with the cats with extra claws?

Glad you had a great trip. I'm green with envy.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

It sounds fabulous, so glad you enjoyed yourselves!

Melissa said...

Yea for couple time!

That is so awesome and you look like you had a blast. And got blasted. :)

the dragonfly said...

Hooray!! So glad you had a good time. :)

Anne B. said...

Sounds like mostly fun! :-) So drinking is the secret of not being sucked into a rip tide? I'll have to try it!

Kelly said...

What are you talking about? Your arms look great in that photo!! Looks like you had fun (and some good drinks!). How nice that you came home to adorable boys and a clean house too!

Cyndi said...

It sounds like a great vacation. I think just coming home to a clean house would be a good vacation.

I know one thing, when I come back from vacation, there will probably not be pics of me in a bathing suit on my blog. You and your arms look great.

NH Yocal said...

congrats on getting away. Looks like you guys had an awesome time. I hope hubby & I can get some away time too, so very much needed these days!

NH Yocal said...

BTW, you look great in a bathing suit, don't be down on yourself!

OHmommy said...

YOU look amazing,. Did you hubby tell you that?

I am so going on a diet tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

I meant to comment the other day when I was here but I got distracted. Good grief, who do they think I am -- their mother??

Looks like you had a fabulous trip, and, you look great! One day I'll prove I have a torso and legs too...

Love the new masthead pic, btw.

Karen MEG said...

Hubs isn't the only one who looks good in a suit ... great pic!

And what a lovely time; but I can see why you were so happy to be home. Your little ones are just precious!

Beck said...

Oh my gosh, if I looked like you in a bathing suit, I'd wear one all the time. I'm glad you're back and I'm glad you had such a wonderful time!

Lisa said...

It looks like you had a lovely, well-deserved break & recharge!!! There is something magical about the ocean, isn't there???

PS - You look BEEE-U-Tiful in your swim suit :)

Words To Live By

Be grateful for each new day.
A new day that you have never lived before.
Twenty-four new, fresh, unexplored hours to use usefully and profitably.
We can squander, neglect, or use them.
Life will be richer or poorer by the way we use today.
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could;
some blunders and absurdities crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day.
You shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be
encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson