Does Vacation = Relaxation?

Does Vacation = Relaxation?

For my family, vacation this summer has meant many things!

A lake house in Vermont!

A family trip to the west coast!

A Disneyland vacation!

A week on the beach on the Jersey Shore!

Many things are for certain this summer....

We are EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to do what we have done!

It hasn't always been relaxing and I've adopted the...

"I'm feeling like a pin ball" feeling!

But my goodness has it been fun!

We've done it all this summer!

Jersey shore...riding waves in the Atlantic Ocean...searching for seashells...napping with our toes in the sand....boardwalk rides...roller coasters...water parks...swimming in pools and hot tubs...flying kites...surrey rides...delicious food made by Pop named Memo...fireworks off the balcony...taking an hour with a friend to swim and catch up...shopping in Cape May... piggy backs down the boardwalk (THE WHOLE BOARDWALK IN EXCESSIVE HEAT!)...treats (Oh! the treats! I'll be paying for all the treats!)...waking up before the sun...airplane rides...climbing a cliff to get to the Pacific Ocean...restaurants on the beach...appreciating the Palm trees and amazing weather on the west coast...frozen treats on the pier...anticipating rope drop at Disneyland...hot coffee...recognizing the rush of adrenaline a ride gives you...Disney shows...more fireworks...amazing water shows...clear blue turquoise water...swimming in the Pacific in underwear (not the adults ;) )...throwing sticks into the ocean...driving in Malibu...shopping, restaurants, playgrounds-all in one place...night time walks...one word-MENCHIE'S....boating, tubing, water skiing, lots of time in pj's and bathing suits, enormous jacuzzi bathtubs for the kids, luxurious showers for the adults (sorry...too personal? worth remembering!)...fires...outdoor movies...and so much more!

Disclaimer: 

This isn't meant to be a brag-fest!

Our level of "luckiness" 

(I know this isn't a real word) 

is not lost on me! 

:)

Happy matters are best recalled when you 

anticipate them with excitement, 

live them and breathe in the moments, 

and remember them in a thoughtful way!

Listing them allows me to 

remember the tiny moments 

that are easily forgotten!

It's been incredibly busy 

but with lovely, quiet moments of relaxation mixed in! 

There have been arguments/disagreements, some many say just active, heated discussions (of course!) on all of our trips!

But the very best thing about each and every moment we've been away from our house is being surrounded by family! 

Domenic and I have been surrounded 

by all of our siblings and all 4 of our parents!

The kids have had amazing experiences 

with all 3 of their cousins on both ends of our country!

MANY, MANY HAPPY MEMORIES WERE MADE...

AND REALLY ISN'T THAT ALL THAT MATTERS!

HAPPY MEMORIES = HAPPY MATTERS