Just BE Plus Three: West Palm Beach

Monday, July 2, 2018

A Girl's Trip

My best friend, Tamara, and I decided it was time to take a girl's trip. A girl's trip. I haven't been on a girl's trip since my bachelorette party in 2010. If you're counting, that was 8 years ago! It was a girl's trip that was a long time coming! And, oddly enough, we decided to head back to where we did our family vacation - West Palm Beach, FL. My mom flew into town and stayed with Kate and Maya because Brian happened to be out of town for a food show that same weekend.

I left on Thursday and came back on today. While we were away, we celebrated Tamara's 35th Birthday!

On the night before I left, Kate requested I leave her
a note. (Not that I had anything else to do before
leaving for a trip.) So I made her a note.

And one for Maya too, of course!

Mimosas and shooters for the birthday girl!

Thankfully we didn't get stuck in a pour down on
this day...

Happy 35th Birthday, Tamara!

We've been BFF's since 7th grade...over 20 years
ago, people!

Chatting with my littlest. The first time I've EVER
been away from her overnight. Over several nights!

Love them and their love!

We decided to do brunch at this incredible resort called The
Breakers.

It was fabulous!

We have vowed to figure out a way to stay here
one time.

Simply exquisite in every sense of the word!

Blue babe! This was before we stuffed ourselves full
of amazing delicacies.

It was nice to get away. It was nice to sleep in. It was nice to eat a warm meal without anyone on my lap. But, by Saturday night I was missing my babes big time. I am a creature of routine and home is my happy place. I so loved spending time with Tamara and I'm looking forward to doing it again. But I am also reveling in the sweetness that I laid next to in bed tonight.

Monday, June 18, 2018

Family Vacation

This year we decided to do our family vacation in West Palm Beach, Florida. We left on Friday, June 8th and returned yesterday, June 17th. We met my Mom and Stepdad, Scott, for the first half of vacation and then Brian's Mom, Mary, and his Stepdad, Tom, for the second half. We found an incredible Marriott hotel with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, living area and amazing balcony so we decided it made sense to use the space wisely and bring our families with us!

We had a really great time too! The resort was fantastic, there were tons of activities for kids and adults. The pool was amazing and so was the beach. And, with the ages of our kiddos, having our own space to cook and prepare foods (read: the foods they like and eat) made it so much more relaxed. I heart these kind of hotel rooms. Space for everyone. And I heart these kind of vacations. Things for everyone.

We would absolutely visit this location again. Possibly even next year!

Brian happened to be out of town and we happened to have a
connecting flight in Atlanta, so the girls and I flew to Atlanta
and met Brian there!

Riding on airplanes is half the fun when it comes to vacation!

Seriously. It was a complete hit!

My little backpack love!

Gramma plays M&M bingo with us! Maya enjoyed the majority
of her M&M's and Kate enjoyed playing!

There were s'mores almost daily!

And who can resist a s'more?!

Ahh, the beach. Central Ohio has me really appreciating
real beaches!

Family photo in West Palm Beach!

Photo with Gramma!

Maya loved the waves!

And I love that beautiful Mama of mine!

She is a total beach babe!

No fear!

Maya: almost 3. Kate: 5.75 - enter posed photos...

Daddy and Mommy selfie...

Our view!

No beach visit is complete without the burying of someone!

It's like she's lived at the beach her whole life...

Wine and paint night for the adults!

Masterpieces!

Strawberry daiquiris at the pool!

And no vacation is complete without hair braids!

Pop Pop and Gramma!

We visited a sea turtle hospital while we were here which was
very interesting too. They help revive sea turtles that are hurt or
sick and release them in the wild!