warm weather on my mind

i love the pretty snow (since it's on this side of christmas *ahem*) and all, but i could do without the single digit wind chills. i know it's only the beginning of winter, but we have not one, but two (!) trips on the horizon that i'm getting excited about. you know the drill, i won't be sharing travel dates on the blog, but i can tell you it will be before the weather warms up here in minnesnowda.

for the record, we are not fancy pants spenders over here and i don't want this to come off as bragging in any way. to make these trips possible, thatcher and i are forgoing christmas gifts to each other this year. we also got pretty sweet prices on tickets, and we're trying to take advantage of the last of the free flying with azalea before she turns two. so...that said, here are some details on our winter getaways: 

1. venice, fl. most of you know my parents own a condo in florida, which makes it very affordable for us to travel down there each winter. we basically stalk the airline prices and then jump on them when we see a deal. we stay at my parents' for free, use their car, etc. i'm so happy to report that my parents are (as of now) able to travel back and forth to florida between my dad's chemo treatments, so they will be down there with us. i know it will be so good for them, emotionally, to escape to the nice weather, and be by the ocean, etc. this will be azalea's second trip down. i can' wait!

azalea last year at siesta key beach. she wasn't a huge fan, but hopefully she will be this year!

2. san diego, ca. thatcher and i last traveled to san diego in 2007, right after christmas. obviously this was pre-azalea and his aunts, uncles, and cousins who live out there haven't had a chance to meet her yet, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity (found super cheap tickets!). i can't wait to get back to this fabulous city and see thatcher's relatives. 

overlooking the ocean in encinitas, ca. 

do you have any fun trips planned? 

Comments

Kara said…
That sounds amazing! We have taken many trips to AZ that sound like your trips to FL to see my Grandma.

We are going to Hawaii in March and I cannot wait! We have been saving for years and now it is finally almost here.

Hugs!
Kara
Becky said…
Sounds wonderful! Kudos to both of you for making your dollar stretch. No fun trips for the Carlsons, but we keep talking about it. Just need to be brave and take the plunge. We can't decide where to go though...
Bridget said…
Super jealous!!! With my job and tax season & my husband's coaching, the only time of year we can travel together somehwere is April - July. We can't escape the cold!! Have fun!!!
Carolyn said…
I've never escaped a Minnesota winter by going on vacation. I KNOW. Crazy. But we are this year! We got a really good deal on a trip to Sedona over Valentine's day. EEK! :)
~Dawn~ said…
I will just be living vicariously through you and your sunny warm trips this winter. :) Post lots of pics of the SUN..and the BEACH..please??

No trips planned for us this year - but, hoping to take the girls to New York in 2014 for my SIL's graduation.
Sarah said…
We have a trip planned for Maui in a few months. I am a bit nervous to fly with a 2 year old for that long! Got any tricks that you plan on using with Azalea?
ajs {of MN} said…
cutie FL beach baby bum! loooove florida as you may remember from all of my recaps this past spring.

we are also skipping presents to one another for our trip to cancun this winter! cannnnnt waiiiittt!
Anonymous said…
The picture of Azalea in Siesta key is so sweet! Those Florida beaches are so beautiful and that sand is sooooo white! I am glad to hear that your Mom and Dad will be able to be with you guys in FL. That sounds like a perfect way to escape the cold! And San Diego is awesome, we went a couple of months ago and fell in love with it. Enjoy!! I totally never responded to your e-mail on fb, but I have been keeping your Dad in our prayers and thinking all good things for him! And yes, when we do make it out to MN for Isle Royale and Voyageurs NPs, we'll have to meet up. Or if you guys ever come to San Fran we'll meet up then! :)

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