We are leaving Aruba after spending most of December here in paradise and are flying home to San Diego.
San Diego is wonderful, too, but Aruba is one-of-a-kind. The pace, the vibe, the energy.
The views.
Some of my favorite “pretty beach” and “pretty pictures posts” from this trip include:
This trip to Aruba has been my favorite one to date since we’ve been coming here with Skylar.
She’s loved the family time and the beach time. And she loves her new braids.
All she’s wanted to do since she got them is flip her head around and swing those braids.
The undivided attention of her parents 24/7 has been such a gift for her and a gift for all of us to be able to spend this much quality, focused family time together.
And not choke each other to death after all that family togetherness time is as beautiful as this turquoise water.
The time here has helped me recharge my batteries, re-center, re-focus, regroup, and get ready to go into 2012 with a fresh and clean mental slate.
I pondered life from my chaise when I snapped this picture on Christmas Day.
People ask me, well don’t you miss a white Christmas or putting up a Christmas tree? Umm, no, not exactly.
I’d rather look at boats on the water than pine needles all over the carpet. And snow, never. There’s a reason I don’t live in Minnesota and instead live in San Diego and travel to Aruba.
Views like this with white sandy beaches trump white Christmases for me.
So do palm trees and straw huts.
Skylar swiped my sunglasses and Scott’s sunglasses whenever possible and we spent most of the trip squinting.
It’s important to keep the sun out of your eyes when you’re hard at work.
Much of my work was of the indoor variety anyway.
No sunglasses required for White Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow and White Chocolate Peanut, Pretzel, & Chocolate Chip Fudge making endeavors.
And when I’m outside, I’ll squint any day so she doesn’t have to. What’s another few crow’s feet.
See you from San Diego.
Lucky for us, I have a few No Bake Cookie Butter Spread Ginger Molasses Cookies in our carry-on.
I know these will get swiped faster than sunglasses the minute the family knows what’s in my snack stash.
Did you travel anywhere over the holidays?
Do you have any trips planned or places you’d like to visit?
WOWZA! Looks like the perfecto vacation. Safe travels back to San Diego. And best wishes for 2012!
I wouldn’t miss the snow either. The winter I spent in Hawaii was the best Christmas ever. I didn’t mind not seeing snow. In fact, there isn’t any here either. Just cold. At least the sun has been out for several days.
Skylar looks so adorable. She is growing up way too fast :)
I am with you on the views — I’d ditch the tree and snow for this views ;) Have a safe flight home, sweetie…
The farthest I’ve been from home all month is Rohnert Park, which is 8 whole miles away! I’m such a bumpkin.
Enjoy your last grope of the year from the TSA.
Yeah, I think I could get used that gorgeous view as opposed to dreary upstate NY wintertime Christmases. Maybe we’ll upgrade to the tropics next year. Although, I really do like the scent of pine trees, lol. Maybe the day after xmas. :)
Going home after a vacation is always so bitter-sweet! Sad to leave, but happy to be home! I’m so glad you & and the family had an amazing trip, wishing you safe travels back to San Diego!
Oh what a wonderful vacation! I just love all your pics and Skyler is getting so big! What a beautiful young lady!
Just to let you know I roasted veggies for the first time tonight and they turned out GREAT! Next, I will be trying your kale chips! Ill let you know how they turn out.
YOU ROCK
What a beautiful beach! I hold my breath looking all your pictures. So pretty, Avery! I remember the last time I went to the beach was a month ago and I couldn’t spend much time to play because I was working. Whew….Thank you so much for sharing.
Have a safe flight home! It has to be hard to leave such a beautiful place!
We are haeding out on an 8 night cruise…St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maartin in early January. Can’t wait!
Safe flight, dearest!! Skylar looks too adorable in your glasses!!
Aruba looks so wonderful. I had to Google it to see where it is exactly – had never heard of it before. I love those pictures of your little girl. That’s how kids should be – all messy and windswept, sandy and with a big smile.
I’ve enjoyed all your pictures from this trip, and it sounds like you had a great time. have a safe flight home!
you sure did capture some beautiful photos while you were there!! the clear blue waters, white beaches, and sunshine sounds just about perfect right now. safe travels home!
I traveled to NH to my parent’s house for the holidays. It is pretty much the opposite of Aruba… gray, cold, rainy. I’d give anything for some sunshine and a beach right about now! Safe travels!
LOL – I would probably want to toss my hair around too in braids. I hope you guys have a safe trip home. And, I think white sand trumps white snow any day!
LOL, I’m with you – white sandy beaches and sky blue ocean water are far prettier to look at than the cold white stuff!