2008 Travels Around the World...Or so it Seemed!

This year Mark and I were very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel...a lot! I honestly got to a point where I told Mark that if I saw another airport I was going to scream! The airlines seem to not like us very much and have a tendency of losing our luggage or having the plane take off without us! Never-the-less, all of our trips were full of adventure and extremely fun!

Our first trip was to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. My parents have a time share at the Pueblo Bonita, one of the most amazing resorts I have ever been to! We have so many pictures from that vacation that I will have to do a whole separate post to include all that we did that week! For now here's a little sneak peak!

The famous arch off the coast of Cabo

Mark - The Surfing Pro!

He really did surf more than just the first two feet of the ocean, I'm just a little camera challenged!

Yeah! Jamie finally got to swim with dolphins!

After three trips to Mexico, Mark finally agreed to let me swim with dolphins! I did, however, have to accomplish my goal of finishing my scrapbook room, which probably would have taken me at least a year, rather than my amazing six months - I was extremely motivated! I was definitely rewarded with one of the most amazing experiences of my life!!!

Cabo Night Life at El Sqid Roe and Cabo Wabo

There is no such thing as too much dancing!

~ August, 2008 ~

In September Mark had to go to Seattle, WA for work so I decided to tag along! We were able to have fun exploring in the evenings and at night would walk among the "posh" homeless people who read classics with their dogs while sitting outside Starbucks. Seriously, I have never seen such sophisticated, well-off homeless people in my life! During the day while Mark was working, I did what I do best - SHOPPED!

Pike's Market - Absolutely the most beautiful flowers for amazing prices!

Fresh Seafood of every kind - YUM!!!

That shiny silver thing is a fish - what a fascination, flying dead fish!

View from the Space Needle

A Romantic Dinner Above the City

From Seattle, we flew to San Francisco, CA. Mark also had to work there, too. I spent my time reading Breaking Dawn at the window of a cute little cafe overlooking a sunny California courtyard. So storybook, I know!

When Mark wasn't working we were able to take the famous San Francisco Trolley to the bay. From there we took a boat ride that went to the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. It was freezing, but definitely worth the adventure!

~ September, 2008 ~

Our next adventure took us to Austin, TX to spend a fun-filled weekend with Sean and Leeza. Mark has always looked forward to his trips with Sean, so I know this one topped his list of vacations for the year! I loved getting to know Leeza better. I loved her from the time I met her over the phone, but just being with her you can't help but be amazed by her, I will forever consider her my sister!
While in Austin we stayed with Sean's good friends, Bill and Chris Wallace, whom we truly came to love. We all had the best time boating on Lake Austin, well maybe all of us - poor Leeza was 8 months pregnant! Whenever Mark was driving we would have to remind him that we didn't want her having a baby on the boat! We also checked out the nightlife of downtown Austin and visited an amazing winery/restaurant which was nestled among beautiful vineyards. I truly fell in love with Austin - it's lush, green, absolutely beautiful and most important - warm!

The best part of this vacation was seeing and feeling the pure joy Mark felt just being with his brother, his hero. After Sean passed away, Leeza told Mark that Sean said our weekend in Austin was one of the best experiences he ever had, we would definitely have to agree and look forward to many more in the eternities! We will forever be grateful to Sean for inviting us to Austin and giving us the precious gift of one last adventure with him during his journey here on earth.

~October, 2008~

Our final vacation for the year was to Las Vegas, NV. We stayed at the Bellagio, which is like being in a royal palace! The room, the service, the pampering...need I say more?

We had a great time hanging out with Tim and Allison. It's so good to have friends who are so fun and who can keep you laughing and enjoying yourself even when you lose your $20 winnings from football betting to playing 21! We also were able to spend time with Danielle, which is always a good time!

~ November, 2008 ~

Yes, we realize that our kids are not in any of these pictures! Honestly, I don't know how this happened! A whole year of vacations and not one of them included our children! How rude! They were, however, well taken care by my wonderful family and our awesome nannies, Katie and Andee. And no, you can't have my nannies info, they're the best and I just don't think I want to share them! J/K, well... maybe not! Anyway, our kids have also realized this extreme unfairness and so all will be made up to them with a trip to Disneyland this spring! I guess as all good things, our time of selfishness must come to an end!