Monday, May 6, 2019

Aruba, Aruba (So Amazing You'll Have to Say it Twice!)

Aruba
Aruba

so beautiful
so relaxing
so fun

that every time 

I say the name
I have to say it twice!

Visit...

--------------------------------------
"The Family w/ Teens"

Newark Liberty to Aruba International
(approx. 1962 miles)

Full Disclaimer: 
It is quite possible that...

Aruba is my favorite destination

because it's where some of my
closest friends and family helped

celebrate my 40th birthday


Not your birthday? No worries.
There are plenty of other reasons to visit

1. Aruba is hot...


Enjoy

the heat
the warmth
the sun

on this Dutch Caribbean Island
while also

protecting yourself with

sunscreen
sunhats
shade

whenever possible

(Don't forget to stay hydrated!)

Want to upgrade your beach experience?
Stay in a luxury hotel!

We stayed at...



an amazing five-star beachfront resort

The best part?

surf boards
paddle boards
kayaks

and a water trampoline

are all included as part of the resort stay


Need more thrill?

Some friends from our church rode the "Great Big Mable"
and this sister practically collapsed from all of the excitement


She said... 

"My husband is gone, but I'm a widow still enjoying life. 
I don't have time to sit around and waste.  Catch me if you can!"


2. Aruba is beautiful...

beautiful sights
beautiful people
beautiful sunsets


True Story:

On our last day in Aruba...

as we were preparing to head down
for breakfast, the power went out

Solanio
(daily breakfast buffet at Solanio)

and when my hubby inquired
he was informed that

the power was out on the entire island
(so it was clear to me that)

"The island did not want to release me"

and once power was restored
I thought about

what
how
why

and the day after we returned home...

I quit my job
(kids don't try this at home)

because 10 days in Aruba
reminded me that

"the point of life, is to live"

which is another reason why...

I Love Aruba!
--------------------------------------
And...

Aruba is not only my personal favorite
vacation destination
(to date)

it is also a great
wedding/honeymoon destination


Just ask...


"The Newlyweds"


3. Aruba is romantic...


 and is called
"One Happy Island"

for a reason




life is busy
but

Aruba welcomes you to

sit
lean
relax


and enjoy new beginnings

4. Aruba is exotic...

Cross another item off of your bucket list
and share the water with the flamingoes

at

Flamingo Beach
If you plan to stay at the Renaissance Resort, they'll be your neighbors...
otherwise you'll need to make arrangements to visit the private island

(at an additional cost)


It's their beach, but they don't seem to mind!


5. Aruba has adventure...

cliffs
caves
coves

Aruba has them all

enough variety to fill every
nature enthusiast's dream



So seek and you will find...

in the Guadirikiri Cave
(or visit one of the other natural wonders)

Their promise?

"When you embrace our beautiful island,
it embraces you right back"

(find more Family Adventures here)

Friday, May 3, 2019

Thrill or Chill.... Let's Go Dodgers!

It's the weekend
in Southern California

so...

it's sunny
it's warm
it's the perfect time

to gather your crew

for an adventure that will
have your entire family singing

"Take me out to the Ball Game!"

-----------------------------------------------

The Banks Family
"The Extended Family"

Whether it's...

during the weekend
or on a weeknight

find an opportunity to get out there
and support your local sports team

LA Dodgers' Game

Let's Go Dodgers!

Park your car
secure your seat
settle in

and then head back for snacks!

(It's dinner, really)

Pizza
Nachos
Burgers

or the infamous...

"Dodger Dog"

there's something for everyone!

Need plant-based and/or gluten-free options?
Yep, they got you!!

(see the Dodger Stadium Information Guide for full details)



and while you're enjoying time together as a family

take a moment to also learn
the history of

the players
the sport
the game


And if you really want to extend
the educational experience

plan your visit
to coincide with their special events

Jackie Robinson Day
(in celebration of his 100th birthday year)

Photo courtesy: KP Association

Fun Fact:

In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first African-American
to play in Major League Baseball in the 20th century


Caden's "Bottle Buddy" Project- Jackie Robinson #42

Our featured family planned accordingly, and their visit
provided the perfect inspiration for their 3rd grade son's
book report and bottle buddy project assignment

proving once again

that fun and learning
really do go hand in hand!

(find more Family Adventures here)

Friday, April 26, 2019

Thrill or Chill... at The Broad Museum

Although our teens tend to prefer
faster paced family adventures

we still...

introduce our teens
surround our teens
immerse our teens

in the beautiful 

History
Art
Culture

(found abundantly)

right in our
local museums
----------------------------------
"The Family w/Teens"



One of the benefits of visiting is learning
the correct way to pronounce the name

say it with me...
road, toad, Broad

(got it?)

The Broad
Los Angeles, CA



With life moving so quickly,
a museum visit forces us to... 

slow down
learn
appreciate

Want to be brought back down to size?

Simply stand...

Under the Table
"Under the Table" by Robert Therrien, 1994

or transport yourself
out of this world

with a timed entry into...

Yayoi Kusama's


Infinity Mirrored Room
"The Souls of Millions Light Years Away"
Yayoi Kusama - Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, 2013, wood, metal, glass mirrors, plastic, acrylic panel, rubber, LED lighting system, acrylic balls, and water
Photo credit: thebroad.org

Click the link to read...
things to know, before you go



"Tulips" by Jeff Koons, 1995-2004

Those with young children, should be
advised some of the exhibits are PG-13

(and not suited for the less mature)

Soul of a Nation
Special Exhibition


Art in the Age of Black Power 
1963-1983

"Black Unity" by Elizabeth Catlett, 1968
The featured piece
"Black Unity"

(is carved out of cedar wood)

has two sides
and is

representative of

the struggle
the fight
the strength

of

living
(while Black) 

in America

"Double America 2" by Glenn Ligon, 2014

"The art during this time reflected the vital response to
social injustice, paired with a sense of cultural pride"

"Freedom Now" by Reginald Gammon, 1963
"The Wall of Respect" by Bob Crawford, 1967

"We Came from There to Get Here" by Joe Overstreet, 1970

Open the world of possibilities by
planning a visit to your local museum...

"It's a way of delving into the past, and reaching
into the future simultaneously. 

The art itself becomes the bridge."

-Betye Saar

(find more Family Adventures here)

Thrill or Chill... Weekend Edition

Our featured families are busy...


and even
an entire


proving that no matter
where you are

on life's journey

there's no time to sit around
wasting a perfectly good weekend

Get up and go!


Monday, April 22, 2019

Cruisin' Together w/ The Marbrey Family

Ever want to just hop on a cruise liner
cross the border and spend a few days...

kid free?
work free?
worry free?

Our featured family shows us
that when you want to get out and see the world

nothing can

stop you
hold you
keep you

from

packing your bags
grabbing your loved one
and boarding a ship

to experience

the ultimate vacation together!
_________________________________________

"The Newlyweds"


Cozumel, Mexico

"Dark skies and storm clouds don't matter
when I'm sharing this moment with you..."

El Mirador
The Looking Glass



"I love it when we're cruisin' together"
-Smokie Robinson


Costa Maya

Welcome to...

The Bahamas


The Queen's Staircase

Queen Victoria's Staircase
is only 66 steps,

so don't stop...

until you reach the top!


Ready for...

more sun
more sand
more sea

w/ The Marbrey Family?

Let's rewind and take a glimpse
from their 2017 Honeymoon destination

(hint: it's my favorite!)

(find more Family Adventures here)

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Next and Now- One Hundred Days of Grace

One Hundred Days of Grace

is about seeing
God's grace


in our

ordinary
everyday

lives


things we might normally

miss
pass
fail

to express gratitude for

And sometimes... 

others help us to see
what is right before us

Photo on the right:
(taken after my father noticed my son
is officially taller than our refrigerator)


Photo on the left:
(my son raiding my parents'
refrigerator 15 years ago)

and while we attempt to

plan
prepare
position

ourselves for
what is next

we are forced to stop
and give thanks

today in this

place
posture
position

wholeheartedly for
what is now

(Five Minute Friday)
----------------------------------------

One Hundred Days of Grace

@tondra_denise
#onehundreddaysofgrace