December 8, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 4 DAYS

Make a Difference and be the Difference!

Hey Hey Hey!

Here we are on December 8th and with only 17 more days until Christmas.
While I'm looking pretty good on the shopping front - I'm not quite sure that I'm entirely ready for Christmas yet...

We still need a tree and we've still got to get our oven repaired (so I can start baking!).

But gimme 17 days and I'll be as good as gold and ready for the BIG DAY!

In the meantime we've got plenty more performances, holiday affairs, and 1 more Getaway to focus on.

Speaking of performances, these kids and their choir perform for all sorts of events all year long: Parties, Ceremonies, Fundraisers, Dinners, Festivals, Fairs, and of course they are always giving back with their community service.
Last night was a perfect example - the kids AKA ambassadors had performed for the
Fairview Developmental Center which currently serves approximately 270 people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in
Costa Mesa, CA.

Each year the International Peace Choir comes out and performs a Christmas/Holiday show at this venue and while it's true that no matter where they perform - it is just beyond heartwarming how these children make such a difference with their gift of song and dance.

It brightens lives, spirits and is incredibly touching.
The happiness that these kids brought to the residents at this community was no less than amazing and seeing the joy in everyone's eyes is really what this season is all about.

I wish more people took the time out to honor the true reason for the season.
​
Sure shopping is great and I absolutely love getting and receiving gifts - but we all need balance and in a world as crazy as ours can be it is so important to make a difference and touch the lives of others.

I can't tell you how proud we (the parents, volunteers, and board members) were as we sat there and enjoyed the show, but really felt the love in the room that was being shared. 

While we actually have an entire week off from any performances, it's time that I really need to send the kids costumes to the cleaners.
That way they'll be all clean, crisp and spiffy for their next event!

But in the meantime we're heading to the stables today with Jet and Chaplin and then later tonight Dominic will be back at it in his night classes. 

So even though the kids and I are almost finished with all of our shopping, most of the rest of the fam still have their entire lists left to tackle! 
So I think I just might foresee helping some of them out with their shopping needs...

Until then I'm gonna focus on TRAVEL -  
It's Travelin' Tuesday and do you know what I realized during the week? 
That once I go to France in May, that I'll be visiting France 2 more times during that year, making it 3 times in a year!!! Pretty cool :)

But this coming weekend, we are not gonna be traveling quite as far...
We are going to Santa Barbara, CA

And on our itinerary we will be seeing things such as:

EL MATADOR STATE BEACH 

GOLETA MONARCH BUTTERFLY GROVE

DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA

Of course our days and nights will also be filled with much much more as we check out the sights and sounds of Santa Barbara as well as checking out their vegan food scene! 

Always something on the horizon for me to look forward to :)

Catch ya back here tomorrow,
-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 10 DAYS

Hi There!

How is your week going so far? Mine is moving right along.  The kiddies are still under the weather, particularly, my Gianna.  Thank goodness they had the day off today due to a Catholic holiday. Another day to rest up.

I have to tell you just how good it feels having nothing to do and no where to be today!  I have so much to catch up on in the house, plus, both kids are making great progress with their book report projects.  

Considering the reports are not due for another week, I'm happy as a clam that Kelsey's is near completion!!

With the countdown to Christmas at 17 Days, there is still time to make holiday travel plans to spend your holiday.

Resorts can be one of the best options for everyone - families, couples and friends!!  

Here are my TOP 3 PICKS for the best resorts:

Mohonk Moutain House, New Palz, NY

MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE
New Paltz, New York
With 259 guest rooms, Mohonk is transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the holiday session.  

A nearly all-inclusive (alcohol and spa treatments are exempt), this upstate New York resort offers an extensive array of wintertime activities including ice skating, snow tubing and cross-country skiing.

Cozy up for the standard eating delights of afternoon tea and cookies, three-course dinners, and breakfast buffet offered with each night's stay.

Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hotel Hershey
Hershey, Pennsylvania
What says Christmas better than candy, lights and rides! That is what you get at Hotel Hershey during the Christmas season.

Hershey Park's Christmas Candylane is aglow with two million LED lights. With more than 30 year-round rides for families and kids, the fun is never-ending. Hershey's Sweet Lights attraction brings visitors on a cruise through a sparkling exhibit of illuminations and sculptures.

The Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada

BELLAGIO LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, Nevada
If you are looking for the best of Christmas spirit and coupled with liveliness of Las Vegas, check out the Bellagio.

Located on the main Strip of Sin City, this palatial resort is a premiere desert destination becomes a wintery wonderland at Christmastime.

The hotel's indoor botanical garden has a sparkling  Christmas tree, flying reindeer, enormous ornamental balls dangling from the glass dome roof, and an incredible display of polar bears made completely of flowers.  

As for me, I'll be heading down to Florida with the kiddies for Christmas and the Christmas vacation. I'll be starting my packing this week. 

Looking forward to spending time in the sun, in the pool and relaxing with my parents. 

Off to get my day going!!

-E
xoxo