Memories
Isla Navidad
How can we forget where we got engaged? Isla Navidad near Manzanillo, Mexico will forever be a sweet and unforgettable place for us. Matt popped the question on the balcony of our suite in front of a blazing sunset. We woke up to stunning sunrises every morning, ate fresh seafood every meal, rode ATVs on the beach, ziplined through the rainforest, and searched for the elusive Rey Sol tequila to no avail. We can not say enough great things about the locals in the area and the warmth and hospitality we received. We hope to visit again, perhaps to celebrate an anniversary next time!
Kauai – Hiking the Na Pali Coast
Kauai is one of the most amazing places we’ve been to, a lush and vibrant ecosystem untouched in its pristine beauty. 70% of the island is inaccessible by roads, and the only way to see it is by air or foot. One of our favorite memories is hiking the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast, at parts slippery and treacherous but with 360 degree views of breathtaking majesty. It reminded us of how much natural beauty there was to discover in the world and has become a mantra to how we live our lives.
Sonoma – Kenwood Inn & Spa
We celebrated our anniversary in Sonoma and spent a decadent weekend at the exclusive Kenwood Inn. It was filled self-indulging in the region’s best wines, locally grown food, and a love that after 2 years was stronger than ever and still left us feeling like giddy schoolchildren. We retreat to Sonoma time and time again to find solace from the real world and enjoy in the sheer pleasure of just being together.
Yosemite – Hiking Half Dome
Hiking Half Dome is by far the most physically challenging thing we’ve ever undertaken. It took 14 hours roundtrip, in which we scaled 4,800 feet in elevation and covered 20 miles. At the top, Alice celebrated and Matt took a nap. Who knew that going back down would be the more difficult leg? Alice ran part of the way or else her knees would have surely buckled. Matt hit his breaking point and yelled obscenities into the valley. If it wasn’t for the beautiful double rainbows that greeted us at the end of our journey, we would have both given up in despair.
Bigsby
The day we got Bigsby, everything changed. No more restful nights and taking off on last minute vacations without a second’s hesitation. Property damage at the expense of his little teeth include several Mac laptop chargers, a piano bench, speaker, countless pairs of shoes, and a Playstation controller. While he has driven us crazy at times, he has also grounded us, made us more active, and given us the unconditional love that only pets can. It has been such a beautiful and rewarding experience raising him together, knowing that we make a good team as parents, and watching him grow into the wonderful boy that he is today.