We arrived back home in San Diego in the wee hours of the morning after a wonderful month in Aruba.
Unpacking the family, four loads of laundry, three grocery stores, mail sorting, phone calls, cooking, cleaning, and a few dishes later, there’s nothing quite like coming home after a vacation. I need a vacation after it.
On one of our last nights in Aruba we went on a Sunset Sail. Scott and I used to go on them all the time and usually by the time the sun is actually setting, I don’t even care because I’ve been riding around in circles on a boat for two hours and have taken full advantage of the open bar. Plus, I’m pretty sure there will be another sunset tomorrow that I can catch.
I took this with my iPhone and edited it because with sunset photography and the glare from the sun, the reflection from the water, and the movement from the boat, I was just happy to get anything in focus.
And I was way too busy watching Skylar have the time of her life.
She went from Shirley Temples to Virgin Pina Coladas, and back again, twice. She was well-hydrated and we learned how to use sea toilets.
There was a dancefloor and she danced up a storm for almost two hours.
It was so fun to watch her let her hair down. And holy tangles after the wind was done with it after a few hours on a boat.
There was a hole cut out from the bottom of the sailboat for a trampoline and although it doesn’t look like a biggie, when the boat is clipping along at more than a few knots, and the water is splashing and those ropes are tied fairly wide apart, Skylar said, “No way, Mom!”
I jumped on it for about 30 seconds and I love roller coasters, down hill skiing, and dare-devil stuff but I guess I’m getting old because a sea tramp was giving me sweaty palms.
Skylar has already asked to go on another sunset sail on our next trip.
Sure thing honey. Right after I fold all this laundry.
Since being back on U.S. soil, I wasted no time in making some Homemade Peanut Butter.
When I was at TJ’s earlier today, I picked up more peanuts because I can almost guarantee one batch won’t last more than a few days. I’ve been in peanut butter withdrawals.
Have you ever taken a sunset sail or been on a cruise? Do you like boating?
I have only been on one cruise and I felt a little cooped up. Two or three hours is more my speed than 5 to 7 days.
I love being on boats on lakes or the ocean for a few hours at a time and feeling the wind in my hair, maybe having a drink or two, and just taking a big, deep, breath because there is nothing like the water, the views, the sun and the wind, to make me instantly slow down and just say, Ahhhh.
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unpacking…ugh…isn’t that always the feeling a vacation from your vacation. loved all the pics.
I have done a few sunset sails and dinner cruises, but never a big cruise. I like being on a boat.
Love the pictures at sunset!!
Your trip sounds so incredible.. and your daughter is drop.dead.gorgeous :) She looks like such a free spirit! Love sailing, but I do get a little seasick… took some smaller boat on very choppy oceans in Italy in extreme heat… not pretty! No cruises for me.
Thank you – we think so too, of course :) But she’s a TOTAL free spirit at age 5 if that’s possible and just super happy go lucky, easy, calm, honestly I count my BLESSINGS every day b/c she’s really so easy (knock on wood!) :)
I have never been on a cruise. I think the only time I have ever been on a boat was on a Sternwheeler for a dance when I was in middle school. But it didn’t really feel like I was really on a boat. It sounds like fun!
Can’t remember the last time I was on a boat. Don’t hate ’em, don’t love ’em. It’s just not something I think about.
Gorgeous photos girl and Skylar is absolutely adorable! Looks like a sunset sail was the perfect way to end a great trip!
I’m not much of a boat or water person, but those amazing pictures could definitely change my mind. You trip looked and sounded amazing, but it’s always nice to come home, isn’t it?
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Dorito stuff is our family favorite that my mom made. Doritos, layered with taco meat and covered in tons of cheese. Sooooo good.
Oh yes, the sunset sail…we dub as the “booze cruise”…I’ve seen it all on some of those out of Baja!! Good luck being at home…re-entry is hard!!
This one was slightly (quite a bit actually) less boozey-themed than many I have been on over the years. Ahem. It was much more family-friendly :)
I feel like I need a vacation BEFORE and AFTER a vacation! The never-ending laundry and to-do lists are insane! Glad you had a great trip!
Welcome home! Have grace with yourself in getting back in the flow. It can be so hard!
Have grace with myself. Oh how I need to remember that not just with this but as a life mantra…Thank you :)