Iceland - Day 3 - South Coast

It is time to hit the road and explore this island a little bit.  We pack up, head downstairs for breakfast as Mister definitely wants his yummy pastry again, and are soon on our way back the way we had drove last night when returning from the Golden Circle.  As we approach Hveragerthi, we have an overlook view of the area and the same greenhouses from the night before can be seen in the distance.

Iceland - Day 2 - Golden Circle

Day 2 and it is dang difficult to crawl out of bed when it is still oh so dark out.  Today is Golden Circle day and we really should be up and moving already since we have a stop to make first.  We get dressed and go downstairs to the wonderful breakfast that is ready for us.  Oh my -- what a tremendous amount of food.  It reminds me of the breakfasts that I had when in Brazil.  Meats, cheeses, bread, fresh fruit and vegies, etc.  It also has cereal, yogurt and some wonderful little pastries that Mister can't get enough of.  It is a great start to the day and we are ready to go.  Our errand takes us to Icelandic Farm Holidays to book rooms for the rest of our trip.  We want to stay along the southern edge for a few days at some farmhouses and they can book them for us.

Iceland - Travel and Day 1 - Reykjavik

I am still basking in the glow of Iceland.  I am serious -- the entire island in winter is an incredible glow.  Absolutely breathtaking.

We had been tossing around the idea of spending a week in Iceland for quite some time.  It was number one on Mister's bucket list and seeing the Aurora Borealis was on my list as well.  So, after getting an unexpected Christmas bonus at work, we decided to make it our gift to each other and just go.  Such a wise decision -- and a trip that will never be forgotten.  Come along with me down memory lane and I'll share the highlights with you.

As I posted earlier, we were at Amanda's and had both taken a fall down the stairs.  Great start to a trip.  As we departed Cheyenne to drive to Denver and the airport, we had only gotten a few miles out of town and the decision was made for me to drive and Mister to try and rest his back a little.  We talked about just flying straight home, but decided that between Ibuprofen, Aleve, and rest we might make it work. We arrived at the airport early, were given our seats at check-in, and found a quiet hideaway on the second floor above our gate where Mister crashed on the floor for awhile before we went and had a quick meal and boarded the plane to Reykjavik.

Cheyenne Visit with Amanda's Boys

Amanda had called and asked if it was possible for Mister and I to come up and watch the boys while she and hubby went away for a weekend together.  Naturally, we jump at the chance to have time with our grands and so off we went.  We flew out of Dallas very early in the morning and this is our last view as we left.

We arrived in Denver early and after picking up our car and grabbing breakfast, were on our way to Cheyenne.  After visiting with Amanda for awhile, she and Trent packed up and headed out for the fun time away.  We were now officially "on duty" and so away we went.   First task, try and get Caleb to eat --- it is a challenge for sure!







Next, establish that we are here to have fun!


We had a great time playing games, reading, tickling, and just spending time with our wonderful grandsons.

On Sunday, the boys had been invited to a roller skating birthday party and as we prepared for it, we discovered that they had never been roller skating.  Okaaaaay.  I guess it was lesson time and so as we got the skates on them and had them try and get to the rink from the seats, we knew this was going to be interesting.  Off went my shoes and I was out on the floor with each of them working with them until they could try and make a circle around on their own.

They did great and soon were zipping around like pros.  It was fun to watch but we still needed to go and do some shopping for Christmas gifts for this household.  The night before Raef, Ryan, and I had gone to the movies to see Rise of the Guardians and when it finished they had drug me into a Game Stop for Kids and given me the idea for the perfect Christmas gift for them.  Woohoo.  So, Mister and I headed there, picked up their Skylanders game, then ran to Target for a tent for Caleb, and finally a stop at BB&Y for Trent to get a Keurig.  Unfortunately, I had forgotten Amanda's gift at home so she will not have hers under the tree with the others.  I will need to ship when I get home.

After shopping, we returned to pick up the boys and then went back to the house for dinner and baking of cookies.  They were so excited to frost and of course  -- eat.  Mom and Dad arrived back home that afternoon and so stories were told all around.

I went to do laundry to get ready for Iceland that night and missed the lower step in the basement and went flying.  Dang -- Couldn't put any weight on my foot and was really worried about the next day.  Figured I would just go to bed and hope for the best.  The next morning, as luck would shine on me, no pain.  YAY!!  Then as I was coming downstairs from the bedroom, I saw Mister sitting on the coffee table holding his back.  I asked what was wrong and he said he had fallen down the stairs onto the main floor and hit his back.  Great.  Here we go again.  We still had to pack up and head to the airport -- not sure if we were going to Iceland or to Dallas.  He couldn't drive and so I took over and off we went.  Next post -- we'll tell you where we went.  All in all --- it was a great time in Wyoming --- love the boys and our times with them.

Thanksgiving 2012

So lucky this year to have both two daughters, son-in-laws and five grands for Thanksgiving.  It was a busy day, but fun and I was so grateful for this time together.  Jen's family spent the night and then headed down towards Houston for the remainder of the weekend to go to a Christmas Renaissance Festival and some other fun as well.  Ah - mia familia!!

New Colors in the Master Bedroom

No words necessary.  I LOVE IT!

A weekend with my girls.

I was so fortunate to have a weekend with all four of my girls.  What a treat.  We were able to wander, eat, shop, sightsee, eat, shop, ride bikes, eat, shop, chat, eat shop . . . . I think you get the picture.  A bit tricky getting all of us at one place at the same time, but we did it -- stayed at a great little boutique hotel aptly named "Hotel Diva".  Highlights of the trip --- A bike ride from Fisherman's Wharf over the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito.  Then a ferry back to the Ferry Building in San Francisco and a bicycle sprint to return the bikes before the shop closed.  Oh my aching thighs, lol.

Apparently I was the only one to take my sunglasses off -- hmmm.  We also had a great time down in Chinatown shopping and playing around.

What a great time.  Can't wait to do it again on the east coast.  Don't I have the most beautiful girls?