Our trip to paradise…

 

2 weeks ago we were on our way to Newport Beach, California!!!!

(all pics have a larger image available if you click on them)

 

(this pic is actually Laguna Beach, though)

 

In case you hadn't heard, WITH YOUR AMAZING HELP, I earned the trip from Stampin' Up! Todd & my expenses were all paid for, and we decided we were gonna pay extra to take Tyler & Liz, too. (Even if we could have afforded taking the other 2 boys, we were only allowed to add on 2 extras.)

 

The trip was amazing!!!! And we were completely spoiled by Stampin' Up! and the staff at the Newport Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This view of the ocean is from one of the 2 balconies we had on our room. The week before we left, I received a call from the travel agent who books all the SU! trips and was informed that because of my points, we were being offered an upgrade to a suite! Aaaaahhh!!!! Loved it so much!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, so when we realized the trip was a possibility, Todd said, "whatever we do, I wanna try surfing!" So once I earned the trip, Todd looked into lessons and booked 'em. I LOVE this pic!

All of them did a great job, but they didn't quite get up. I did get video, though!

    

 

 

 

 

 

When Todd was getting pretty whooped, he asked Brian how these waves compared to what HE normally surfs….His response was they were pretty small. Todd said, "You have to understand that we live near Lake Michigan and these waves would shut our beaches down–red flags, no one is supposed to go in the water. YOU want me to SURF in these!" Love the different perspective.

Oh–and I MADE Todd get this shirt in Laguna Beach the next day. When it comes to shopping, I don't usually need to twist his arm much. 😉

 

And another dream….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everywhere we went was gorgeous!!

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funny story….

First thought: SO COOL to see all the houses built up into the mountains!

Second thought: That would be awful in the winter!!!!

Third thought: HA!!! I forgot where I am!!!

 

We had to get some beach pics, but mostly what we did in Laguna Beach was shop. The town reminded us of mix between Saugatuck and Mackinaw Island. Lots of great artists we enjoyed looking at–with different mediums. But you can't take pics of that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next was Corona del Mar and Little Corona del Mar–in search of tide pools. Although I was most tired from this day, it was my favorite spot. It was just so beautiful!! We walked from CDM to Little CDM and took pics all along the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Little CDM is where the tide pools were. I could really only enjoy them from pics. When the tide is in (late afternoon/night) they're all covered with water; when the tide goes out, it leaves behind pools of sea life (sea anemones, little crabs, didn't see any starfish) in pockets of rock that look like petrified wood. It was awful to walk on and I couldn't get my only tennis shoes soaked. Todd & Liz had fun exploring. The last pics are Todd's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newport Beach Pier; unfortunately it was too cloudy for the perfect sunset pic

 

We needed one more pic before leaving our beloved paradise!

 

We had a fabulous trip!! Thank you so much to all you who helped us get there!!

 

I love Stampin' Up! and I love stamping!!

They both–AND YOU–have been a wonderful blessing in our family's lives. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

 

If you'd like to turn your love of stamping into income, incentives, [and other blessings :)] LET ME KNOW!! I'm always looking to add to my team of demonstrators! 🙂 And I would love to help you succeed!

 

 

Have a fabulous day!

 

Steph

 

Note: Less than 1% of all demonstrators earn the incentive trip each year.