Category Archives: blended family

What up recently…. not much but working and Grad Party

Our youngest son graduated, so five children ready for the world! Feels like a miracle. All strong and brave and out there!

Café Du Monde & Walking around New Orleans

We are in New Orleans, LA for Mardi Gras. We always have wanted to travel to the worlds greatest festivals and celebrate life. So, last night they closed up the Endymion parade, because for the second time this week a person somehow was crushed by a float and died. Prayers and Love to these familiesContinue reading “Café Du Monde & Walking around New Orleans”

Trip to Puerto Rico

Ok, finalized a trip to Puerto Rico. We wanted to donate supplies while there, but can find nothing online about donations when visiting, so I am going with a trip to a local church and then dropping off kids toys and school supplies. Wish we had a real list of what is needed, so ifContinue reading “Trip to Puerto Rico”

Lobby at the FireKeepers Hotel – 7 pillars of the Tribe Battle Ck, MI

The Lobby at the FireKeepers hotel is a Huge entrance with a light up tower at the center, and seven pillars of the Tribe and humanity surrounding it. – Humility, Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Honesty. Love is my favorite. David’s favorite is Bravery. Love the local Indian tribe history and will be sharing aContinue reading “Lobby at the FireKeepers Hotel – 7 pillars of the Tribe Battle Ck, MI”

3 Best things on our Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise Trip

If you have followed us for even just a few posts, you have noticed we like to keep our posts nice and short and to the point. On our recent trip to Alaska we enjoyed these three things the most: 1- The peaceful, spiritual feelings when out in nature. Whether we were staring at aContinue reading “3 Best things on our Ruby Princess Alaska Cruise Trip”

Date Night back on Ruby Princess Leaving Alaska

Were back on the Ruby Princess Cruise ship and having a date night. We are celebrating our Anniversary on Board, before headed over to Vancouver, British Columba. We buy the upgraded King Crab dinner for $29.00 each. Having crabs for dinner We did think the upgrade pricing was worth it, and enjoyed the nite celebrating!

Totem Pole Carving in Ketchikan, Alaska

We learn about totem pole carving at Ketchikan Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.

Glacier Bay, Alaska – Part 1

We enter Glacier Bay on the Ruby Princess Cruise ship, it is quiet on the deck, everyone feels the peace and most are stunned and cannot speak. A tranquil, spiritual feeling location even when on a cruise deck.

Salmon Hatchery – and Seal eating them all up – Alaska

Sharing a few pictures of our visit to a Salmon Hatchery, they hatch baby chum Salmon and then release them into the wild and after years of living out there, they return to the hatchery and mate and then die. The guide we had said their death is the beginning of new salmon and theyContinue reading “Salmon Hatchery – and Seal eating them all up – Alaska”

Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska

Were in Juneau Alaska – On the excursion agenda – Whale Watching, with Allen Marine Tours – and guess what we saw …Whales, lots of them. First lets set the stage, they pick us up in a bus from the pier, and it is overcast and raining – a lot of rain. But when IContinue reading “Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska”

From Tokyo to Seattle, Washington

This trip is just David and myself, our kids are back at home safe and sound. We flew to Seattle to travel to Alaska, but first stopped in Seattle for the beginning of our travels. David and I have never been to Seattle, so we researched as we always do a TripAdvisor search, a WordPressContinue reading “From Tokyo to Seattle, Washington”

Date Night – Tokyo, Japan – Grilled meats and giblet hotpot

We have been back from Tokyo for a little while now and wrapping up these posts. So just a few left. Then on to our next adventure. David and I always try and sneak away from the kids for an evening – we try to do it once a week, but it does not alwaysContinue reading “Date Night – Tokyo, Japan – Grilled meats and giblet hotpot”

Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida district

We thought we were at Tokyo Tower, but were recently corrected this is Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida district an Eiffel Tower inspired lattice communications and observation tower in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is huge, actually 332.9 meters and is the second-tallest structure in Japan. When we visited Tokyo Tower, weContinue reading “Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida district”

Gundam Cafe- Akihabara Japan

Garion more than anything else wanted to buy as many Gundams he could while in Tokyo. He wanted to buy a super large one, but it would not fit in our suitcase – he did purchase five normal sized model kits. So we decided to surprize him with a Gundam Cafe Visit. Gundam’s are aContinue reading “Gundam Cafe- Akihabara Japan”

The Best Fortune at Sensoji Temple, AsaKusa Japan

There was a Fortune area in front of the temple, and for $1.00, you can pick a chop stick out of a box, track the symbol on the stick to a box, and take out your fortune. Dave gets a Bad Fortune! Oh no! So you take your bad fortune and wrap it up tieContinue reading “The Best Fortune at Sensoji Temple, AsaKusa Japan”

Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple – Asakusa, Tokyo Japan

Our family left the Confucious Temple and walked toward our goal of Nakamise Shopping street and Sensoji Temple. We heard this was a great tourist location, and we are tourists and want to shop. Lets go In! Sometimes I stand in awe – thinking how lucky I am. During this trip it is probably myContinue reading “Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple – Asakusa, Tokyo Japan”

Shrine of Confucius, Tokyo Japan

We stumbled across the Shrine of Confucius while walking around Tokyo, toward Nakamise Shopping Street and Sensoji Temple. Confucius Temple is hidden away behind a gate and greenery. We walked in and looked around the peaceful garden grounds. Were sharing a few pictures of our time and the treasures we saw while there. We wereContinue reading “Shrine of Confucius, Tokyo Japan”

The Masked Dancer Dances Backward on Dance Dance Revolution Game – This video is Amazing! Sega Akihabara Tokyo Japan

While inside the SEGA Building in Akihabara Japan, after checking out the Crane Games and Virtual Reality and playing until we were almost out of money for the day, we saw this….. The Masked Dancer is what he calls himself. Look! HE IS DOING THIS BACKWARD!!! with a Mask on – he has memorized thisContinue reading “The Masked Dancer Dances Backward on Dance Dance Revolution Game – This video is Amazing! Sega Akihabara Tokyo Japan”

Mario Cart Competition & Crane Games – Play Videos Akihabara- Tokyo Japan

Crane Games Everywhere! At this point he has spent more than the item would cost…. but so close – so by the end of the trip he could have bought two. I love how animated he is after this. Sabrina wanted this puppy and lost, but her sister won it on the next try. Lucky,Continue reading “Mario Cart Competition & Crane Games – Play Videos Akihabara- Tokyo Japan”

Hedge Hog Café – Tokyo Japan

On the Way to the Pokémon Café, we see a Hedge Hog and Cat Café. The Café is on top of a puppy store – yes they sell Puppies there – really tiny teacup puppies, that are on display in a fish tank style shop, these puppies are honestly the cutest I have ever seen,Continue reading “Hedge Hog Café – Tokyo Japan”

Disney Popcorn & Disney Twins

Popcorn At Disney is Unique. Check out this Popcorn Bucket for 2300yen, or $23.00. So you get the bucket and popcorn, plus refills are cheaper. These buckets come in many different shapes – Steam Boat Willy above and Toy Story Wagon below. We also saw popcorn buckets in the shap of Cinderella’s Carriage, Duffy theContinue reading “Disney Popcorn & Disney Twins”

Disney Tokyo

This is what I have been waiting for the Entire Trip, the one thing I REALLY wanted to do in Tokyo – Go to Tokyo Disney. I actually want to go to every Disney Park in the world, so all that is left is the waterparks in Florida and Shanghai and China Disney parks. IContinue reading “Disney Tokyo”

Around Tokyo – 1st Day

We wanted to go to Tokyo Disney the first day, but it was Raining pretty hard, and by the time we got our luggage we realized we only had a half day, so we decided to check out the area after the mall visit and here are a few pictures from the first afternoon. WeContinue reading “Around Tokyo – 1st Day”

Eiffel Tower

So we saw the Eiffel Tower from a far and walked down to it! Stopped and took a bunch of pictures, had an ice cream, and bought Katrina an Eiffel Tower sucker. Next Post – Under the Eiffel tower and then….. Off to Toyko, Japan!

Louvre

The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and is in Paris, France. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, originally built as the Louvre Castle in the late 12th to 13th century under Philip II. The building was added onto many times to form the present Louvre Palace. In 1682, Louis XIV moved toContinue reading “Louvre”

Notre Dame – still standing just like us!

Notre Dame is still standing – battered and in renovation, but she is still standing despite what we all thought was the end of her and the fire that was so devastating only just 2 months ago. This month David and I will be married 3 years and together 5 years. We are winning againstContinue reading “Notre Dame – still standing just like us!”

Paris Date Night

We like to date, even when traveling, we think it is part of what keeps us together – grown up time to re-connect. My daughter recently asked David, what was he looking for in a date when he was first dating me – he said companionship – he wanted a companion to do things with,Continue reading “Paris Date Night”

Arrive in Paris

We arrived in Paris, France after a long and tight (economy) flight – we drove to Toronto, Canada from Detroit, Michigan only 3 hours in good traffic from our home – this will save us about $1000 per ticket using this method.  I recommend this as an option for considering any travel. Tip:  Check airportsContinue reading “Arrive in Paris”

Epic Adventure Before it begins

Epic Adventure – Before it Begins Our family trip to Paris, France – Tokyo, Japan – Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Airbnb’s are booked.  In Paris we will stay at: In Tokyo we will stay at: Let us compare afterward – what we booked and what we got.  So this is the before, same post after theContinue reading “Epic Adventure Before it begins”

Chinese Lantern Festival – Philadelphia, PA

At the end of our visit with our Son in Phily, PA, Brett had to head back to his job at Dover Air Force Base for a 6am Shift on Sunday. While we only had Friday and Saturday to be with Brett, the visit was wonderful and this left a date nite for us parents.Continue reading “Chinese Lantern Festival – Philadelphia, PA”

Henderson Castle – Kalamazoo, MI

Had a date weekend with my husband. We visited Henderson Castle for a dinner date, while you can stay at Henderson Castle, we did not. What a great date night. This is a little history of the castle: The Castle was built in 1888, by Frank Henderson. He was the owner and president of theContinue reading “Henderson Castle – Kalamazoo, MI”

Fall in our Home

I love decorating my Home for every holiday, but during the darker months, I Love (originally wrote live – which is also true) it even more.

Tropicana Club, Cuba

I figured out how to add videos! Better later than never! so this is older post updated. We only had two days in Havana, Cuba – so we made the most of it – a day of everything, then an evening trip to the Tropicana Club.  I would describe it as an outdoor larger versionContinue reading “Tropicana Club, Cuba”

Bon Voyage

We are headed out to our 7 day Cuban Explorer with Holland America Cruise, on the Veendam.  We started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida then to Georgetown, Grand Cayman, to Cozumel, Quntana Roo Mexico, then Havana Cuba, back to Ft Lauderdale.   We choose this cruise specifically for the Cuba Experience and we are really are veryContinue reading “Bon Voyage”

Hoover Dam

On the way to Hoover Dam, a quick stop at Lake Mead. Going back a few weeks, we visited Hoover Dam.   We were already in Vegas, and David has never been and he wanted to see.   The downside, the elevators to the inside powerhouse were down, so we only were able to see the outsideContinue reading “Hoover Dam”

Next Trip?

The cover picture, is David is holding a baby turtle at a turtle farm we visited in Grand Cayman, our first family trip together in 2015.  So we are now together almost 4 years.  I was divorce Feb 13, 2014 and joined Match.com the end of Feb 2014 and met David after about 30 coffeeContinue reading “Next Trip?”

Disney for Two

David and I just returned from Disney today, What a fun time.  Two and a half days alone with my husband, what a treat! Yes, we were just in Disney in July, but that was with four kids, which had its drama and I was exhausted at the end of the trip. Florida this OctoberContinue reading “Disney for Two”

Date night Back to the Future

We had a great date night at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) Back to the Future Movie play along nite.  We first ate dinner at Hop Cat a cute restaurant about four blocks from the DSO, which was a fine walk during the day, but at night… I was glad David was there with me.  IContinue reading “Date night Back to the Future”