Thursday, August 13, 2009

Show Us Your Life - Favorite Vacation Spots

Show Us Your Life with Kelly‘s <span class=

This week - we are showing off our favorite vacation spots.

One of my favorite places ever is Gulf Shores, AL. We are headed there soon!!

But my other two VERY favorite places I've been are NYC and Kauai.

In May 2004 - I went to NYC with 3 of my best friends. My friend Megan actually won the trip so everything was free but our food. We went to 2 Broadway shows and did all the sightseeing stuff. Here are Laurie and I in front of Lady Liberty!
I love this picture with the city behind us. This is Laurie, Hillary, me and Megan.
We discovered H&M on that trip and we literally went every day. We would buy a bunch of stuff and go back to the hotel every night and have a style show and decide what we liked and didn't like and then take stuff back and start all over. It was so fun! Laurie and I were waiting to go in one morning. :-)
Hillary and me on the double decker bus tour of the city
This is one of my very favorite pictures of the four of us. I have it framed in my kitchen.
We ate at Tavern on the Green that night.
At the top of the Empire State Building
That was SUCH a fun trip. I want to go back SO badly!
And this is a little heaven on earth. Scott and I have been to Kauai twice and we love it. We stayed at the same hotel in the same room both times and this was our view out our window. Can you understand why we requested the same room the second time.
This is the night we ate a little hole in the wall restaurant and we were sitting literally 10 feet away from Pierce Brosnon and his family. Actually Pierce (James Bond) held the door open for us as we came in and I nearly passed out.
We tried to be very "bachelorette" and took a helicopter ride to see the island. Only on the show it seems so romantic and in reality we were both about to lose our breakfast and I had to keep my eyes closed and hold a barf bag most of the ride. ha! But this was the view when I opened my eyes.

This was coming up the climb from our favorite beach - Hideaways. It is very hard to get through - you have to climb down a cliff basically but it's so worth it - it was GORGEOUS! (I had to be very careful because I was pregnant with Harper at the time!)
We waited until the last morning to try and take pictures in front of our beach and it was so foggy - you could not see the mountains or view. Oh well - lesson learned.

Hopefully we will move to Kauai one day and you can all come visit us.

Now - show me your favorite vacations so we can all see where we want to visit next!!!

61 comments:

tiarastantrums said...

Yes, NYC is fantastic - and I do adore Hawaii - but I have only been to Maui!

Myra @ My Blessed Life said...

I've never been to NYC, but it's high up on the list of places I want to go!

Great pictures and memories too!!!

Emily said...

Patrick has a friend who flew for Blue Hawaiian helicopters.

So I'm guessing you guys DON'T want a ride in the plane?? :)

Maddy said...

that sounds fun!

Rachel said...

Love your hair curly! Too cute! You look beautiful in these pics and happy to be on vacation, too! Thanks for sharing. :)

Kate Craig said...

I'm cracking up that you and your NYC friends all have the same hair! Beautiful pictures!

Angela said...

Oh, I *love* NYC!! We have been three times since we've been married. My best friend (I would have said "BFF" but didn't want to sound like an utter dork) lives in Manhattan, so we always have a place to stay. But now she has a baby and we have two, and I just haven't been able to bring myself to go with kids. First of all, it's a 13-hour drive (or an expensive flight b/c we'd have to pay for 3 or 4 tickets), and plus, I know it would be a *totally* different trip with kids, and I don't know that I'm ready to let go of the magic that lives in my memory. Is that dumb?

Oh, and we ate at Tavern on the Green one year and HAAAAATED it! It was so expensive (even at lunch) and pretensious (sp??), and the food wasn't even good! SAD!!

Fortner Family said...

You are so adorable!!

Aura said...

Cute! You look so tan.

Kelli said...

Love your pics always! I live on the Alabama coast about an hour from Gulf Shores. Would love to meet you guys briefly if that is an option!

~Kelli
ugottafriend4life@gmail.com

Valerie said...

Your vacation pics are great! I've never been to either locale, but hope to some day!

We are huge fans of Gulf Shores. Not a bad drive from Arkansas! It is also an easy(ier) drive from Kansas City.

We did FL this year and were disappointed. Oh, the water was warm and their were no jellies to contend with, but we truly missed the sugar sands of the Gulf Coast and Panhandle.

We have gone every year to Gulf Shores since Mary Catherine was born and, as mary would put it, "we really missed the beach house." LOL

We're already making payments to the gal we rent our condo from for next year! Ha!!!

Blessings to you from Kansas,
Valerie

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

Beautiful pics...you made me want to take a vacation to Kauai! Now!

Heather Bug said...

Gorgeous Hawaii pictures!!! We're about to go to Gulf Shores, too. We actually stay in Orange Beach. This is a great time of year to go..it's not as crowded, no jelly fish, and a little bit cooler. Have a great time!

Ande Malinowski said...

Can't wait to visit! Where are you staying when you go to the Gulf? My mom's entire family(all my cousins, aunts, and uncles, and my gma&gpa) stayed in one of those beach houses, that my grandmother got to stay in for a week as a present for her retirement from her company. It's call Martinique On The Gulf. It was really cool, the house came with sand toys, and a golf cart that we could drive around! It was very cool!

~Ande (sorry if I spelled anything wrong, I'm only 14!)

Tara G. said...

We loved Kauai! If only I could tan like you do!! :)

Megan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

I too was pregnant in Kauai--four months along with my first. Loved the trip. For the most part. But I should say, if the Napali Coast catamaran tour company says pregnant women should not cruise with them, for the love, please BELIEVE them :).

As my dad said (who was not pregnant, btw): "I haven't paid that much money to be that sick in a long time."

~M~ said...

What fun places!

Malissa P. said...

You are so dang cute...so photogenic...almost as much as Harper! :-)
What hotel did you stay at in Kauai? Just gathering information for my future dream VaK!
Thank you for sharing/blogging. I love reading about the paths other Jesus lovers walk!
Continued Blessings

Lianna Knight said...

I loved NYC too...I went YEARS ago with our dance team, but we ate at Tavern on the Green too and had a blast! We also saw Phantom of the Opera and a show by the Rockettes...SO COOL!!!

The Taffs said...

What is H & M?

Julia D. Photography said...

Love your pictures...my parents got married at Tavern on the Green (well, 28 years ago!!).

Auntie D said...

Love all your pictures Kelly! We lived in Jersey for 4 years and I LOVED going to the city for the weekends! Now that we are living in the midwest I go back to hang out with my best girlfriends! It is a great city!

Never been to Gulf Shore or Kauai, but will add them to my list!

Unknown said...

I just recently moved back to Atlanta from Gulf Shores. Just a couple great places to visit since you are going soon. You may have already been to these places, but what the heck. One of my husband and my favorite restaurants is Jesse's in Magnolia Springs (straight down 98 and you will see signs)...being a southern girl you would really appreciate this place! Also, Fairhope, also down 98, is one of the cutest towns I have ever been to...Absolutely love this place! Tons of cute shopping, adorable bookstores, and yummy restaurants. Have fun on Vacation!

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

What a blast to see everyone's vacation pics!! You look so radiant and happy in all the photos- what a treasure to have such memories with your friends!! I so wish I had a special group of girlfriends like that, but I'm working on it :)

Unknown said...

the tan...I love the tan! I wish I could tan like that. Being way to Irish I only burn. So sad!

Unknown said...

I love all the pictures - you're gorgeous :-)
ps - and now I REALLY want to go to Hawaii!

Summer said...

Cute pics... Betcha can't wait til ya can take HARPER...
: 0 )

Summer

Caroline said...

My two best friends and I have been talking about a trip to NYC. Looks like you had a great time.

Aishlea said...

I too love NYC, especially as a girls trip! So fun! And H&M? One of the first stops I must make when I am in NYC!! I just saw a comment above mine that asks what H&M is...so sad.... Everyone should get to experience that greatness once! :)

Your Favorite Redhead said...

i found this blog hop through a friend of mine and i just think it is such a fabulous idea.
i chose hawaii too but we went to oahu. can't wait to participate in more hops.

Shannon said...

looks like you have been so many fun places! We also loved NYC! I couldn't get your button to work on my blog??? Have others had difficulties or is it just ME???

Holly said...

I LOVE Hawaii!!! I've been to al 4 bigger islands and my favorite is Kauai. It's much more lush.

Unknown said...

your pictures are fabulous!!! so great to see everyone's beautiful vacation spots! great ideas for us. we want to have a 10year get away in a year and a half and love seeing all over through your blog!

i am having a problem posting the show us your life button, any ideas? only get a box with a red x on my blog. i've tried copy and paste a hundred times.

jenn said...

i love your pictures..gulf shores is so fun too, we are leaving tomorrow to take our 7 month old..

Emily said...

Kelly, I want to go to NYC one day. I think it would be great. Hawaii doesn't sound too bad either.

We live 2 hours from Gulf Shores and go very often! What are your favorites to do there?

I'm excited that you and your family especially baby Harper will be so close to my neck of the words..It's like a celebrity, haha..

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hillary said...

I accidentally posted this earlier on your costume blog. Oops! I LOVED that trip but would love it even more if I were still that THIN! LORD HELP!

EKM said...

you're going to be 2 1/2 hrs away from me!!!!!!!! have so much fun! go eat at lulu's and tacky jacks!!

Shermanators said...

I have to ask...was that the Princeville Hotel Resort??? We stayed there last time...our favorite vacation EVER!!! I'm spoiled now with that hotel and private beach!

Anonymous said...

My family and I are going to Gulf Shores in exactly 22 days (Labor day wk). We go every year and LOVE it. We actually stay in Orange Beach. Hope you have fun on your trip.
You look so cute in your trip to NY. I have always wanted to go...maybe one day!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

Girl, you are TINY in those pics of New York!! You look fabulous in all your pictures! Thanks for sharing!!

Kama said...

I enjoyed NYC too when we went there! I also went to Hawaii (but Maui only) when I was in college. I hope to be able to go there someday again with my husband!!

Amanda said...

I also love NYC... but have never been to Hawaii... it looks amazing!! Thanks for hosting

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

love NYC, but haven't been to Kauai... only Maui. gulf shores is my favorite vacation spot though.

Robyn said...

We are taking our family to Gulf Shores on Labor Day.If I see you, I have to get a peek at Harper in person but I will try not to embarass you and act all star struck!

Brandie said...

Great idea to share favorite vacations. I have so enjoyed clicking around and getting trip ideas. Thanks!

Lauren said...

You make me want to jump on the first plan to Hawaii and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE NYC!!! :)

The Rest is Still Unwritten said...

I'm so going to have to join in on this! I love NY as well...and Hawaii!!

Rachel H. said...

I would LOVE to go to Hawaii!!

LWLH said...

I've been to Oahu and loved it..ugh I wish I wasn't a stupid teenage who forgot to take pics!

KBeau said...

Thanks for sharing some great pictures. I think I may have to join you next week for what looks like a fun meme.

Nancy said...

My sister has two condos that are just a year or two old in Gulf Shores that she rents on West Beach Blvd. if you are ever interested! We go there often & it is Heavenly! One is a 3 bedroom & the other is a 2 bedroom.
Hawaii is on my "someday!" list!

Sonya said...

They both look like fun vacations! you are so tan in one of the NYC pictures, the one with the black dress. :)

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

So pretty!

Mason said...

Love your topics and your blog! :) I've got a big giveaway going over at my blog you might be interested in! :)

Susan @ www.peanutpetunia.blogspot.com

Rachel @ daily dunmore said...

My in-laws LIVE in Gulf Shores! Gotta love it. We are headed to actually vacation there in September! It feels like our second home.

Hope said...

I so want to visit NYC....Its on our list :)

I live just 45 mins from Gulf Shore's...we are over that way often. You'll have to try Lulu's...I've heard nothing but great thing's, in fact we are planning a trip that way to eat there soon. It's near the Wharf which is a pretty cool place to hang out. Oh! and they have a build-a-bear shop there now...just in case you want to take Harper :)

Hope you have a great time...maybe we'll run into each other!
Hope

Carol said...

Hi Kelly,

I grew up in Hoboken, NJ, right across the river from that beautiful NY skyline. I love going to the Statue of Liberty, walking in NY, and just experiencing the city life. I wouldn't want to live there, it's just fun being from that part of the country.

I now live in England where I discovered H & M and I noticed on our most recent trip to NYC (back in November) that they also have H&M. How cool!

As far as Kauai goes, I want to go to anyplace in Hawaii. It's been a dream of mine. One day, Lord willing, our family will get there.

Blessings to you!
Carol

MomMom said...

Kelly, thanks for hosting favorite vacation spots. I enjoyed your pictures of NYC and Hawaii and I'm so happy you love the Gulf Coast. That's where I live and I do love it so much and don't want to live anywhere else. However, I enjoyed posting about the mountains this week.

Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's said...

My husband ran into Mr. James Bond himself in Kauai too ... three years ago. His son was with him and was jumping around bushes pretending to shoot people with his fake gun using his hands -- TRUE STORY!!!

The Allens said...

Oh my gosh! You SHOULD move to Hawaii!