October 10-17, 2013. Brazil.

Logan had the opportunity to go Brazil for work and I was lucky enough to tag along with him. It was a fantastic trip. We were lucky enough to fly down and back first class. That alone was a memorable experience. We didn't do too much while in Rio, but it was wonderful to be together and to relax. Logan spent the majority of the trip in meetings, but we did get to spend an entire day together exploring the city. We wanted to visit the Christus, but were discouraged from going by hotel staff due to the expected large city crowds that day. So instead we visited a nearby botanical garden. It was beautiful. One evening we were able to visit Sugarloaf and ride the cable car up to a fantastic dinner and show. It was definitely a highlight of the trip for me! It was a great trip and so nice to get away!

Mexico Part 3

October 22, 2012

Our last full day in Puerto Vallarta we spent the day in the jungle zooming on zip lines, repelling, climbing crazy ladders, riding ATV's and having such a good time!  It was such a fun day.  I was so nervous, but quickly warmed up to it after the first ride.  It was a blast.  

our fun group!

 Logan's goal while riding the ATV's was to get me soaked and covered with mud!  He succeeded.  It was a lot of fun! 

 Our last adventure of the day was Mexico's longest and fastest zip line at over 1,200 meters (nearly 4,000 feet) in length and reaching speeds of up to 100 kph (or 60 mph)! It thought this was going to be so much more scary than it was!

Goodness!  Just posting these pictures of Mexico makes me want to go back.  Right now.  It was such a great trip.  I am glad that Logan and I were able to escape and spend some time alone together.  And I am so grateful that we have such amazing parents that so willingly and lovingly watched over our children while we were away.

Mexico Part 2

October 21, 2012

The next day in Puerto Vallarta Logan took some surfing lessons and I tagged along for the ride!  It was such a nice day. We met up with Miguel, the surf instructor, at a Walmart nearby and he took us to a beautiful private surf beach.

Logan was a natural.  He got up his first wave and rode it all the way in!  He had such a blast.  I think he could have done it all day.  While he surfed, I hung out on the beach (because it was a private surf beach I was the only person on the sand), took pictures, and read my book.  It was a relaxing afternoon in the sun!

After Logan had his fill of the waves, Miguel took us to a surf bar called Kilometro 5.  It was a neat little place complete with sand floors and an amazing view.  The food was great too!

Such a fun day! Here is a video I made from still shots of Logan surfing!

Catching a Wave from Jennifer Phipps on Vimeo.

Mexico Part 1

At the end of October, Logan and I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.  It was such an amazing trip.  I LOVED every minute of it.  Our first day and a half were spent relaxing at the resort. We stayed at a new all inclusive resort called the Now Amber.  It was perfect.  We hung out on the beach, went kayaking, swam in the ocean, drank pina coladas, ate a lot, and enjoyed just being with each other.  It was so wonderful to not have to think about the kids and what they needed, but to instead just focus on us.

 the resort as seen from our balcony

our balcony

these lounge chairs saw a lot of use

these orange chairs on the beach were the perfect spot for relaxing. add a pina colada and life was good!

in the evenings after dinner which included many desserts, we made it a rule to order four each night and share with each other, we would sit in the lobby and look out at the ocean and watch the sun set! So pretty!

we would of course would have some more yummy drinks!

It was such a great trip.  But the fun isn't over yet.  Part 2 and Part 3 coming soon!