Show and Tell Tuesday: Favorite Vacation

Today's prompt for Show and Tell with Andrea from Momfessionals is my Favorite Vacation.  This one, while I had to debate a little bit back and forth, is an easy one for me to answer.  While I love every trip that we go on, whether a quick weekend jaunt or a week long adventure, there are two that tie for my favorite.

one || Honeymoon to Costa Rica {2007}
This was the first trip that Benjamin and I took together.  He planned almost all of it on his own and did a wonderful job!  Costa Rica is a short plan ride away from Houston and neither of us had visited there previously.  We stayed at two hotels: one on the coast and one more inland.

We first stayed in a little bungalow at Villa Caletas.  After one of the most terrifying drives of our lives, we arrived to what looked like paradise.  Nestled in the rain forest and sitting right above the Central Pacific coast, the views, weather and fruit were absolutely delicious!

Since this spot was secluded and away from any major civilization, our days here were spent walking around the property, enjoying the beach and the views.

Finca Rosa Blanca was our second hotel stay.  It was closer to San Jose and allowed to us do more sight-seeing and touristy activities.  While San Jose was not our favorite, we enjoyed visiting the Cafe Britt coffee tour, visiting the La Paz Waterfall Gardens as well as spending time at Zoo Ave, a place that rescues and reintroduces wildlife back into their natural environments.

This trip was special because it was the wonderful way to spend our first week as a married couple.  Away from everything, reminiscing about our wedding, learning what it meant to travel with each other and having hours upon hours to dream about the next years of our lives together!

And now just a few snapshots before trip two!

two || Family Trip to Aberdeen, Scotland {2013}

When I was in the second grade our family moved to Aberdeen and from that time on it has been my favorite place in the world.  I love the castles, the sheep, the weather, the people.  When Winston was six month old, we went with my family to Aberdeen!  My brother had not been back since we left at the end of his first grade year.  This is my second favorite vacation!

Little Bug did an amazing job the the flights.  The first leg was easy because we flew overnight landing in London in the early morning.  This helped greatly in switching his sleeping and eating schedules.

Since we went in April, we knew that the weather would still be a bit on the chilly side.  Every time we went out, Winston got bundled up in tons of layers to keep him warm!  Our first day there we walked Union Street visiting favorite stores that were still in business like Waterstone's, Nova, John Lewis, and the Kilt Shop.  Because he was warm in his Oscar the Grouch onesie, Winston got some great napping in while we were out and about.

Jamie Oliver opened a restaurant in Aberdeen so we made reservations and went there for dinner one night.  It was all Italian food and I can remember that the desserts were quite tasty!

Every meal my place setting had an Irn-Bru ready for the drinking!  It is one of the things that I acquired a taste for while living there.  The taste of it is hard to explain.  It doesn't taste anything like orange soda even though you might think it.  Our Kroger and the British grocery store in the area sells it so I am still able to taste it's deliciousness every once in a while!

The second day was spent at Crathes Castle.  It is our family's favorite castle in the area.  And since all of us were on this trip, we hired a photographer to get some family photos.  They turned out beautifully!  

That night we ate a family favorite restaurant Yu's, which sadly closed its doors this year.  I am thankful that we were able to eat there together and enjoy their delectable duck!  

Right after college I had the opportunity to move to Stonehaven for four months to work at Hunting.  It was one of my favorite times in my life.  I got to meet really great people and the Martins, who I stayed with during this time, welcomed me into their family.  It was such an honor for me to be able to introduce Winston to some of the Hunting folks that I worked with and the my sweet family!

Benjamin, Winston and I took at road trip to Huntly to see a falconry one of the days we were there.  It was a new experience for all of us!  We arrived in plenty of time to walk around the grounds and then watch {and participate!} in their flying display.  

Every trip to Aberdeen is not complete without a stop at The Ashvale for fish and chips! 

Our last full day in Aberdeen, the men went golfing at Porthlethen Golf Course while the ladies + Winston went shopping!  We met up at the ruins of Dunnottar castle, another favorite spot of mine.  We had brought along our ErgoBaby and it was perfect for this excursion up and down the steep steps leading to the ruins.  

The last place that I really wanted to stop at before leaving was The Albyn School.  When Noah and I attended this school it was a school for girls that only allowed boys to attend for Pre-K.  Then the boys were sent to Robert Gordon.  At this school I wore a uniform that in the winter consisted of knee socks and a kilt, picked up an accent, learned Scottish history and learned to swim the breast stroke.

This is my favorite trip because I was able to share a place that was near and dear to my heart with Benjamin and Winston.  I was able to visit special places again with Mom, Dad and Noah.  It was sweet because Salem was able to see the places that we have talked about and referenced in stories.  It was not just a good trip, it was a great trip.  I am thankful that we all have stories with, "Remember that one time we all went to Aberdeen...."  

And now for a slew of photos just because:

Thanks for sharing in our vacations with us!  Do you have a favorite vacation spot?  Are you traveling anywhere for this summer!  Let me know, even if its just a staycation in your hometown!  I love to hear where people's adventures take them!  

2013: A Year in Review

2013 has been the most challenging year to date!  I became a full-time working mom, Benjamin finished residency and joined a practice, we built a house, moved, traveled, and spent any extra time in our waking hours to be with Winston!  While most evenings we were both tired from the day, Benjamin and I feel that this year was also quite rewarding.  We have seen Winston's personality develop into such a sweet nature, he has sprouted 12 teeth in his head, he picks up on things super quickly and is lovable towards us and Lulu.  He is a champ eater and sleeper, loves running around and has mastered the stairs.  Winston has done very well at school and I love having artwork to pin on the fridge.  He is the loudest person in the house and my favorite little cuddler in the evenings.  He is our joy.  And while being a parent is an adjustment, he is all worth it!

I haven't been as good at keeping up with blogging as I would like, but for the reasons above, I'm okay with that!  Here is a quick glance at our 2013.

I went back to work.  All free time was spent soaking up as much time as possible with WAC.  We went to the Monster Truck Rally.

Benjamin defended his thesis and did a fabulous job and (proud wifey moment) his work is published in the December issue of the ADOJO!  Winston visited family in Pennsylvania.

I turned 30!  Mom and I went to a Pentatonix concert.  We celebrated Winston's first Easter.

April was a big month for us as we took a 6 month old Winston to Aberdeen, Scotland.  He did fantastically through every leg of the journey.  It was truly a memorable trip!  This was also the month that we found our lot and made the decision to build a home!

Benjamin and I traveled to Philly for a mini-vacation for the AAO.  We attended Lego Kids Day.  Winston had his first swim!

We went to San Antonio for the AP Westfall conference.  Winston was in full on crawl mode and we had teeth making their appearance.  We had visitors from PA.  Winston ate at Manuel's and made a trip to Galveston.

July was a difficult month for us.  The photo above holds even more meaning because in July Lulu lost the use of her back legs and underwent major back surgery.  Although there was a chance we could have lost her, she is back to full strength!  Most of July was spent at home playing with Winston and caring for Lubaby.  Oh yeah...and we celebrated 6 years of marriage at the zoo!

We spent a lot of time in the pool.  Winston started walking.  Benjamin graduated from residency!  Zoo visits and discovered a love of Baskin Robbins chocolate ice-cream!

We said "Good-bye!" to Pearland and headed North to Spring!  We had Winston's dedication at Ecclesia.  

In October, our baby turned one!!  It was amazing to look back and see how fast time went!  We celebrated Benjamin's birthday.  Got more settled into the house.  Played outside and was a Bug for Halloween!

Benjamin and I took a quick trip to San Diego.  When we traveled to Kittanning to see family and celebrate the holiday, Winston played in snow for the first time!  We celebrated Winston's 2nd Thanksgiving (no roasters this time!) and started settling into our daily routines in our new home.

December was a busy month with hosting a baby shower for our dear friends, celebrating Christmas, fighting off sickness, and fitting in as much snuggling by the fire as possible!  Benjamin and I had a fancy night out was to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  We decorated a huge gingerbread person.

We are thankful for every day we had together in 2013 and all of the joys and tears it brought and we  eagerly look forward to 2014 and to seeing what it has in store for us!