Still trying to get all my trips updated on here and now that travel is off limits it seemed like the perfect time to post. The next leg of trip was setting sail to Greece. We boarded a cruise ship for eight days and traveled to various places in Greece. This included Corfu, Santorini, Katakolan, Crete, and Athens. It was fun exploring different places, different days. We spent most of our time just wandering around and trying different foods and taking in all the sights. The weather was perfect and it was fun wandering around with my family. We also got to celebrate my birthday on this trip...what a way to celebrate it is something I will not forget.
Nine is just fine... Her birthday came and went. It was different this year but it was perfect. We had a camping trip all planned for her but it was canceled due to the shelter in place order. We didn't let this stop us... we just camped in our backyard... tent and all. We made it till 5 in the morning which was pretty good. It was freezing but we did it. She was happy and was so excited every time some one called her to wish her a happy birthday. We made a cake and opened a few small presents. At the end of the night she leaned over and whispered "this was the best birthday ever" with made me so happy. It just reminded me that this kid doesn't expect huge over the top things... it is truly the little things that make her most happy.
Happy Birthday to the girl who will no doubt work with animals in nature one day...we love you.
There is really no words for this year... As soon as 2020 I hit it felt off to me, I couldn't figure it out and now I know (covid-19). Too weird and too many thoughts on this. We have been home for three weeks now and just learned we will be home till the end of Summer. We have settled into a nice routine, finding a balance between Audrey getting her school work done and helping my now online students. Our dining room has turned into our school/office. It has been quite an adjustment but at the end of the day... even when the days feels off. I am just grateful that we are all together, have our health, and have a cozy home.
All this extra time is truly a gift and taking time to slow down would have never been an option before now. Audrey has been enjoying school in the mornings and for the most part having her afternoons free to play and be with all her animal (five chickens, two dogs, cat, bunny, and tarantula) friends. There has been plenty of movie nights, art projects, and cooking. Audrey even made colorful, happy pictures in our window for people walking by. When we get really antsy we go to a secret place in the hills where no one goes too. Just taking it day by day and doing our part by staying home.
After spending some time in Paris. We then packed our bags and headed to another place that I only thought was possible in my dreams...Venice, Italy. It was a short flight to the airport, followed by the coolest water taxi ride entering the city. There we met my parents who had flown in the day before. The first thing we did was put our bags in the hotel room and did the most tourist thing we could...gondola ride. It was crazy expensive and we never spend that kind of money, but we just had to. We spent the rest our time there exploring and getting lost in the many alleys. Although, Venice is crazy crowded in the afternoon, the mornings are quiet and the alleys are empty. We did most of exploring then. The only thing I had on my list was to see the Libreria Acqua Alta, it was fun to browse all the books and stationary. I think this was the only place I bought things on this whole month long adventure. Audrey also had her fill of gelato in the days we were here as well. I think she tried all the flavors...just kidding. It was such an experience being here especially with my parents, I loved that we got to explore all together and all the family dinners we had.
2019 was good to us and I have no complaints. We had ups, downs, learned, and most importantly grew together. We took this year and stayed close to home which is very unlike us but was so needed. We still hiked and explored all we could. We were even on the hunt for a tiny house in the woods but decided we wanted to continue saving our money. Audrey started third grade this year and has truly been enjoying it...well, maybe not the homework though. She finally lost her front tooth and we are still waiting on the second one. She is still so into crafting and making her own things. It is awesome to see how creative she is with things she finds around the house. I always joke that we don't even need to buy her toys, she will just make them herself. We had a quiet Christmas and kept close to home while enjoying our family. Our last small trip of the year was spent in the snow in a cozy cabin. We also got to teach Audrey how to ski which was so fun to see because I use to ski as a kid. I was actually really good... double diamond good but now not so much. I hope to change that with a little practice. We have plans of going back in a few weeks so she doesn't lose her new skills and hopefully turning it into a family hobby.
We are ready for you 2020 and all the adventures it has in store for us...
I'm back... finding time to write and upload is tough but I love looking back on these memories so here it goes...
Our first stop on our one month adventure was Paris, France. Our flight to Paris was an easy nine hour flight with no issues. We then drove to our airbnb which was so cute and cozy. It was right in the heart of the city and had a beautiful balcony and great views of the city. It was with in walking distance to everything that we needed...including the Eiffel Tower. I know it sounds so touristy to be so excited about the Eiffel Tower but it was honestly something that I thought I would never get a chance to see... let alone share this experience with my daughter. So yes, after getting settled in our apartment we headed straight to the Eiffel Tower and it is a memory that I will always hold dear to my heart. Cheezy?.... I don't care.
Our other days were spent wandering around the city and just taking in all our surroundings while eating all the bread we could. I was surprised how laid back and how kid friendly Paris was. There were a ton of playgrounds and fun things for kids to do. I loved watching Audrey playing with kids from all over the world and seeing how they would communicate with the language barrier. It was cool to see that kids didn't seem to care if they didn't speak the same language... they played just the same.
Other days were spent exploring The Louve, Arc de Triophe, Norte Dame, Rue Cremieux, and Monmarte. We also of course went to Disneyland...like the true Americans that we are...haha. We had no real itinerary just went with the flow and truly enjoyed our time. We spent about a week there before packing it up and heading to another city and country that I never thought I would see...Venice, Italy.
Bonjour (Part One)
Last summer was the summer of travel. We were out of the country for over six weeks visiting France, Italy, Greece, and Mexico. It was our first time really out of the United States besides Mexico. With the help of my parents and lots of saving and budgeting we were able to travel for a month in Europe. It was by far the most amazing experience and I am so thankful I was able to share it with Audrey.
This summer we have mostly stayed home and renewed Audrey's passport. I have been quietly saving for new adventures while we waited. We are not sure were we are headed next but for now we are just enjoying the quiet of home and getting ready to head back to school and work. Over the next week or two I hope to share our Europe and Mexico trips. I can't believe I waited so long to share...
