Monday, May 21, 2012

San Antonio Hill Country

David and I have had this vacation planned for months now. We worked out a time for Jamie to come and care for the kids so we could have a few days to ourselves. We were all set to go, and William came down with a fever virus. Crazy! It's going around his school and it's just a fever w/no other symptoms. He got sick Sunday and we were supposed to leave Monday. So ... we waited out his fever and finally on Wedensday - he was better. So we left Thursday morning and headed to the Hill Country for some much needed R&R. The hotel was great b/c I called everyday and delayed the hotel by a day. They were so understanding and truly wanted to work with us. On the way down we hit the San Marcos outlets. Love the outlets! And of course, had to hit the Pottery Barn outlet.

Last year we stayed at the La Cantera - which we loved. But this year we are staying at the JW Marriott Resort and Spa. We thought the La Cantera was awesome! But holy eyelashes batman ... this place is AH-MAZE-ING!! It is fantabulous. From the minute you drive up to their circle drive, till the minute you leave from the circle drive - everything is perfect! This hotel is full of grand features. Every detail is well thought out - there are litterally no after thoughts. All the staff that works here are extraordinary. I am assuming the JW Marriott is big on customer service. And let me tell you - they excel in that department.

We arrived at the hotel, and were greeted by helpful empolyees happily helping us. They checked in David's golf clubs and sent them to the course. Loaded our luggage on a cart, that they would bring to our room later. Then we were greeted by another girl who held the door open for us. That part was a bit weird for David. He wanted to hold the door for her. But that's my gentlemen husband : ) Then we were greeted by Jessica, who was so gracious and so polite. She gave us our room, and we went to it. It was on the first floor - which we thought was great, b/c it had a Juliet Balcony that was on the ground floor. It was beautiful! So easy access to all the nightlife - which would of been great. However, it was right by an exit and the swimming pool. And since we came here w/o our 3 boys - we didn't necessarily want to be around other kids. So we went back and talked to Jessica. She said "I'm going to do something special for you guys." And boy did she! She gave us a 1 bedroom apartment w/a huge balcony overlooking the golf course, the hill country and water experiences. It was AH-MAZE-ING! It was more than we could of asked for!

We tried out every restaurant and eatery here. The Velocity was great. We loved that the back walls/doors opened onto the patio. So fun! We loved the food, the service. But mostly - we loved the 120 foot tv that was on the wall. Wowza!! I have never seen something so big. It's an awesome place. We ate at Ciblo Moon several times. Loved, loved their food. Each time our waitress was so great and helpful. I felt like I was talking to a girlfriend. So kind! I think our favorite place was the Crooked Ranch. We sat at the bar and talked to the barteneders who were so nice.... every night! Just really made us feel at home. They also made incredible drinks!

What a great, great place for us to de-stress from our life and have some much needed couple time.

This photo was actually taken from our first room, before we upgraded. We loved the photo on the wall behind us. It was metal and the photo was printed on it.


The view from our second room - our upgraded suite. The view was amazing.

This was below us. Their waterpark. I almost felt guilty that we didn't have the kids. They would of loved this. David and I did actually go swimming once. We lounged in the lazy river; rode the 3 waterslides; and lounged in the adult infinity pool.


The next few photos are from The Velocity. That TV was HUGE!!




They had giant iPad's in the lobby that were really cool. Of course, it's the first thing David is drawn to : )


Right outside Cibolo Moon. Beauiful view!


Back in the room. David relaxing with his Nook Color.


Living room w/the balcony.


Bedroom w/connecting balcony to living room. My handsome husband : )


One side of the bathroom.


The other side.


Entry way.


Me : )


One cool thing we did was ride Segways. It was fun! I didn't think I would be able to do it. But I figured it out. We were with 2 other couples who weren't even staying in the hotel. Just came for fun.


Relaxing : )


While we were away, Jamie took great care of the boys. They were busy and had lots of fun. One thing they did, was go on the lake. Jamie & her parents took the boys boating. Which THEY loved!!


We had a great time. It was nice to get away and take sometime for ourselves. Now, we wanna take the boys : )

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Ft. Worth!

David and I will celebrate 8 years on January 11. However, we won't have a babysitter during that time - so we asked Jamie to watch the boys for 1 night, 2 days for us so we could have a little time together.

We decided to go to Downtown Ft. Worth and just have a little time to rest and relax. We stayed at the Omni Hotel in Downtown. Which was super nice. We really enjoyed it. We went to a few great restaurants and went golfing as well at Fossil Creek. We had a great time and really cherished the time we were able to get away. Thank you Jamie!


This was outside our hotel. There was a football game going on so there was alot of security, police around. It was SMU vs. Army. Which I thought was odd, but apparently that happens.


The Water Gardens were right across the street from our hotel. If you have never been - it's definitely something to see. I wouldn't take small kids, but it's really magnificent.







We went to the Flying Saucer for a a little Guiness!


Outside the window of The Flying Saucer. They looked cool, so I took a picture : )


The view from our hotel room. It's the Water Gardens.


Golf at Fossil Creek. The weather was kinda cold. The sun came out when we were on hole 14 for like 10 minutes. It was still a nice day and David enjoyed golfing this course.

He's in the bright yellow shirt and jeans. He's putting in this picture : )





We had a great time and are thankful for this time to celebrate before our anniversary. Our alone time is rare - so when we get the opportunity, we definitely take it : )

Monday, June 28, 2010

San Antonio / Boys fun!


David and I have had very little time alone in the almost 8 years we have been married and desperately needed a little getaway. So ... our FANTASTIC babysitter (and friend) kept our boys for 3 nights and 4 days so David and I could go on vacation. We are truly thankful!

While we were away, we wanted the boys to have fun too - and that they did. Jamie took them to McDonald's, to Chuck e' Cheese, to a birthday party (for one of Ben's friends), to Church .... and the coolest - was on their very first boat ride. Jamie, her brother and her parents took the boys on their boat. They were thrilled and had a great time.

Ben, Andy & Will ready to go ...

Andy and Will : )

Andy ..

Will (he's so silly : )

Will on the boat ....

Andy ....

Will. Looks like he's having fun, doesn't it?

I would say "YES"...

Andy ...

Ben :)

Andy ...

Will (all smiles & thumbs up : )

Andy, Ben & Will ...

Ben & Will watching Joel (Jamie's brother) waterski ....

Ben playing in the water while Joel ski's

Andy, of course, had to touch the water too...

Andy and Jamie on the tube ....

Andy & Jamie.
They were going pretty slow w/Andy. As you can see - Jamie could sit up w/o holding on : )

Ben, Will & Jamie getting some wind ....

Ben, Will & Jamie. Jamie said the boys kept saying "faster, faster."

Andy & Joel
(you see Ben, Will & Jamie on the tube in the background)

Andy & Joel
Andy LOVES Joel!

Andy, Ben & Will
Heading home from a fun day on the boat.

We are so very thankful for Jamie and her family. It is so great, to feel complete peace and trust and know I can leave my boys with Jamie at anytime and they will be well taken care of. I never worry and I love that! Jamie has been babysitting for us since she was 13 (she'll be 18 in September) - and she truly has been the greatest blessing to us. We love her dearly and so do the boys!

I am thankful she kept the boys and gave David and I this much needed time together. We love you Jamie!