Universal Studios: Orlando, Florida

We all love Universal Studios...great special effects, movie scenes and rides. Bren and I have been twice with the kids in FLA, and once by ourselves in LA. My favorites are the special effects... "Twister", "Jaws", and the Subway Scene.

our first visit in 2003: Cal, Trip and Nick

Trip in 2009...

Georgian Bay: Pointe au Baril, Canada

Our Girl's Trip:

3 hours north of Toronto, by car, and a 20 minute boat ride to

the Worple's private island getaway...a long weekend of

laughter, friendship and relaxation...one of the most beautiful

places I have ever seen. Absolutely amazing the way each

"rock island" is self contained. Surreal.

sunset on the island

amazing floating boat house...

a black bear we followed by Kayak. He swam from island to island...

Utah...

Bren was out in Midway, Utah for a golf tournament, while the kids and I enjoyed the local beauty and some interesting sites. We stayed at the Homestead Resort. We snorkeled and explored a large crater onsite, which is a natural hot springs cabern, inside a large rock dome.

We also explored the infamous Sundance Resort, and took the ski lifts up to the mountains to hike around and eventually down....enjoying a waterfall and picnic as the highlight.

Park City, Utah:

We are not really a ski family...but we do enjoy the mountains in the summer. I was amazed during our trip to Park City (ski resort) in August, how many activities were available. We stayed at the Canyons Resort, and while Bren golfed in his tournament...the boys and I hiked in Park City and Deer Valley. The views are breathtaking...starting with the ski lifts and hiking down and around. There was mountain biking, horseback, riding, and a down hill luge that we all had a thrill doing. I can't believe I took my 4 year old, Trip, on that with me, with no straps or anything...eek. The older boys also did a zip line...

carrying their luge sleds...

...the luge

rock climbing

the champions...on the medal stand...

New Orleans, Louisiana:

Hot, Humid and Wonderful...

We all tagged along with Bren on one of his meetings.

chicory coffee and beignetes at Cafe du Monde

caught in the rain...

Walking tour of St. Louis #1 Cemetary...

great photo opportunity and history of

New Orleans

above ground burials

beautiful sculptures...

a childs grave...so moving...

evening eating raw oysters with the boys at Felix's Oyster Bar...had to go there for the boy's first oyster, because that is where Bren had his first raw oyster with his dad, when he was a boy.

wild horses...vieques

Vieques, Puerto Rico

Spring Break 2007

A small island off of Puerto Rico...previously owned by the US Navy and used for bombing practice. After gaining its independence from the Navy, it is now a virtually untouched island oasis, often referred to as the Spanish Virgin Islands. We flew into San Juan, Puerto Rico and then took a taxi to Fajardo...where we awaited our 1hr+ ferry ride to Vieques. We stayed in a beach front house, overlooking a small pond (the afternoon destination of some of the island's wild horses). We rented a rugged jeep and spent the week exploring private beaches, snorkeling in clear blue water, and enjoying the culture and language around us! Fantastic vacation...we want to go back but there is so much else of the world to explore...

vieques