Traveling

December Virtual Coffee Date

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 15 Comments



Hi friends! Grab a hot beverage because it’s cold outside (at least it is in Cleveland) and let’s catch up for a virtual coffee date! As I did last month, I’m joining Coco and Deborah for their virtual coffee today, while also sharing a fitness update for a fitness linkup.  I can hardly believe we are at December! Looking at my calendar is a little frightening, but honestly, I love the chaos of the holidays. So, if we were having coffee today, I’d tell you that …

I’d tell you that we just wrapped up Thanksgiving travel. We spent more than 20 hours in the car for a four-hour meal, but it was worth it.  I saw my aunt, two uncles, and cousin that I only see once a year. I also got to see my parents quickly! I’m so grateful B does all that driving while I maintain my passenger princess status.

I’d tell you that I’m still injury-free and even got to run a Turkey Trot in Connecticut with my son, which is always such a fun tradition. Running with him makes me so proud. I wonder if my daughter will be ready for three miles next year? At their ages, I could barely run one mile!

Speaking of running, I’d mention that it’s almost time to sign up for spring marathons and half marathons! I enjoy this off season (for me) and focusing on strength training and running when I can … but before I know it I’ll be ready to train for the Cleveland Half Marathon again!

I’d tell you that December is packed with fun holiday activities. Book club, a Nutcracker viewing with my daughter and her friends, a band concert, two school holiday concerts, a piano recital, and more. It’s busy, but it’s the best kind of busy.

I’d tell you that speaking of a crazy calendar, tonight we’re doing something fun! We’re going to see The SpongeBob Musical at the Beck Center. We’re taking the whole family, and it will be GM’s first time seeing a show in a theater. I’m so excited for him to experience it. We even got comp media tickets, so we’re making a night of it with dinner out and then the show.

Photo credit Steve Wagner

I’d tell you that we recently saw the new Wicked For Good movie. I took all three kids while B stayed home to work on the basement (he’s been working on finishing it as much as we can — new ceiling and walls). It was so fun. While the first movie was undoubtedly better, I love the musical, and seeing it brought to life on the big screen was amazing.

I’d tell you that the kids are off school for something like 17 days over the holidays. It sounds like a lot, but I do enjoy the extra time with them. By the time school starts again, though, we’re all ready for the routine.

I’d tell you that we just finished decorating for the holidays. There are two types of people: those who decorate right after Halloween and those who wait until after Thanksgiving. My husband is firmly in the second camp, so we just got everything up. The house feels so cozy now, and I love having holiday music playing in the background.

I’d tell you that I’m ready for holiday baking season. Last year I baked nine different types of cookies plus buckeyes, Chex mix, chocolate pretzels, and fudge. I’m not sure if I’ll hit those numbers again, but baking cookies is one of my favorite traditions. I’ve started making a list and I’m going to try to be a little more organized this year to keep track of everything I make and when. I already made my favorite graham cracker toffee and shared it with some friends, and we did some cut out cookies.

That’s what’s going on in my world. What’s new with you? How are you kicking off December?

  • What is your go-to holiday cookie recipe? I always want new baking ideas!
  • When do you start decorating for the holidays or listening to holiday music? Do you wait until after Thanksgiving?
  • Have you ever seen the SpongeBob Musical? What was the last live musical you saw?

Linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher for the Fit Five Friday linkup and the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah
 

Highlights from Our Sedona Girls’ Weekend

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

Every year, I take a girls’ trip with my three best friends from high school — we met in 7th grade and have stayed in touch through college (we all went separate ways), and then many of life’s moments (some of us went to grad school, some lived abroad, some got married, some had kids, etc.). Even though we now live all over the country (NYC, Albany, San Jose, and Cleveland), we have recently made it a priority to reconnect with an annual getaway. Past trips have taken us to fun places like Santa Barbara, New Orleans, and Chicago, and this year we chose Sedona, Arizona for our annual girls trip. Here’s what we loved and recommend if you’re planning your own trip to Sedona:

Where We Ate

Sedona has no shortage of amazing dining options, and here are a few we tried a few that we loved:

  • Elote Café – A must-visit for upscale Mexican cuisine with bold flavors. Reservations are essential (book early!), but this place had the BEST food I had on the trip.
  • Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill – Known for its beautiful views during the day, and fun even after dark. Features South American-inspired dishes and drinks (I got a glass of mezcal). Perfect for a special night out.
  • Coffee Pot Restaurant – A classic breakfast spot famous for its 101 omelets (yes, there are 101 omelets on the menu, including a PB&J omelet!) It is perfect for some greasy diner breakfasts, and they have a cute gift shop where they sell their cute coffee mugs! Great way to fuel up before a hike, or before spending hours at an airport.
  • Indian Gardens Café & Market – A cute stop along Oak Creek Canyon with a beautiful shaded patio. We visited on our scenic drive and loved the food and beautiful garden patio!

Hiking Adventures

Sedona’s red rock trails are breathtaking. We started our mornings with hikes to beat the crowds and enjoy cooler temps – and even catch the changing light on the rocks/mountains as the sun rose!

  • Coffee Pot and Teacup Trails – Scenic and moderately easy, leading to the Coffee Pot Rock. We extended the route for about 5 miles round trip. We were so lucky to be able to walk to the trail head from our Airbnb!
  • Marg’s Draw Trail – A peaceful trail with sweeping views of Sedona’s red rock formations. Also about 5 miles round trip with some extra exploring. And a great way to view the famous Snoopy Rock! This trail was pretty much empty when we were there and featured some different landscapes/flora throughout, which was amazing – highly recommend! Definitely a hidden gem!

Tip: Start at sunrise or shortly thereafter for magical lighting, fewer people, and perfect hiking weather.

Shopping

  • Oak Creek Overlook Vista Native American Artisan Market – We stopped here during our scenic drive along Highway 89A. You can stop for a scenic overlook/walk and then enjoy an open-air market where Native American artisans sell authentic jewelry, pottery, and crafts. Shop and then take photos of the Oak Creek Canyon.

Something Unique

  • Crystal Magic Psychic Center – We splurged on aura readings, and it was such a fun, unexpected experience! Even if it’s not your usual thing, Sedona is the perfect place to try something new. Related – Don’t forget to read or ask about the vortexes before you go to Sedona!

Stargazing

  • Evening Sky Tours – Sedona’s dark skies are incredible! We booked Evening Sky Tours for a guided astronomy experience. Our guide Wes was fantastic – he was so knowledgeable about stars (and science in general) and passionate. We saw planets (got a great telescope view of Saturn and its rings!), the moon, and even two shooting stars!

Sedona truly has it all: natural beauty, great food, gorgeous outdoor hiking and unique experiences. I kept thinking how magical our hikes were – they were so beautiful and I never got over how breathtaking they were. I highly recommend you check Sedona out!

November Virtual Coffee Date

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 8 Comments

Hi friends! I can’t believe we’re in NOVEMBER and already thinking about the holiday season! I’m here for it. I’m joining Coco and Deborah for their virtual coffee today, while also sharing a fitness update for a fitness linkup, so I’m excited to share what’s going on over here.  

Here’s what I’d tell you if we were chatting in real life:

I’d tell you that I’m ready for the holidays. I know, I know… we just wrapped up Halloween, but I can’t help it. I love the holidays. The cookies, the baking, the time off work, and most of all, seeing the magic of the season through my kids’ eyes. It’s pure joy. I’m already counting down the days until Christmas! And don’t tell my husband – but when he’s not home we’ve even started listening to some holiday tunes.

Bought him a holiday shirt on one of his days home this week

I’d tell you that Airline travel recently started stressing me out. I’m traveling this week and airline travel has been stressing me out lately. I’m not sure when this started, but I’ve been feeling more anxious than usual, especially with all the flight delays and cancellations due to the government shutdown. I’ve been triple-checking my itinerary, and even though I know I can’t control it, I’m still nervous! Anyone else get travel anxiety?

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you how wonderful it was to have my parents in town last weekend. The kids were so excited to have them here, and my parents were all in on Halloween with carving pumpkins, handing out candy, and all. It rained pretty heavily the first day they were here, but we lucked out with sunshine on their last day and snuck in a beautiful fall hike. The leaves were beautiful and it felt like the perfect way to wrap up their visit.

I’d also share that I saw an author talk this week! A fellow mom at the school my kids go to gets tickets through her work to see authors speak on occasion, and she texted me last minute with an extra ticket to see Liz Moore (author of God of the Woods) speak on Monday. I am so glad I went – she was a great speaker (really down to earth) and now i want to read some of her other books!

If we were having coffee, I’d share some good news. GM is on the mend! After his surprise emergency appendectomy, he’s finally cleared to go back to school next week. I’m feeling so grateful that B took him to the hospital when he did. His recovery has been smooth, and I’m just so relieved everything turned out okay. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how quickly things can change and how lucky we are when they go right.

We have played a lot of Play Doh this week

If we were having coffee, I’d also tell you how happy I am to be running again. After dealing with a hip injury, I’m finally back out there. It’s slow, and most days it’s still a run-walk combo, but I’ll take it. I’m just so glad to be moving again and not just walking or stuck on the indoor bike. There’s something about being outside, even for a short jog, that lifts my spirits. Especially on the weekends when I can run in daylight! I even got in a 3 a.m. treadmill slow jog before a flight this morning. So happy to be back at it!

2.5 miles at 3:19

So that’s me. What about you?

  • Does travel give you anxiety?
  • Are you ready for the holidays yet?

Linking up with My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher for the  Fit Five Friday linkup and the Ultimate Coffee Date hosted by Coco and Deborah
 

Exploring Boston with Kids: Family-Friendly Fun

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I love Boston! It’s a city full of history, with plenty to do, and easy to get around. Plus, Boston holds a special place in my heart — it’s where B and I met while at Boston College! I love the city, and we recently went back with our kids for the first time. I hadn’t been back since I was pregnant with FW in 2016 and found that the city is still incredibly walkable, packed with history, and surprisingly kid-friendly.

Spending time in Boston looked a little different from it did when I was in my 20s – but there were still so many fun things to do! Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning with little ones in tow, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Boston as a family.

Getting Around

Boston’s public transportation system (the “T”) is easy to navigate and a fun adventure for kids. Ours loved riding the train—and bonus: kids ride free! We just purchased a week-long adult pass and we were good to go for our 7-day stay.

Where to Eat with Kids

The North End (Little Italy)

Whether you’re with kids or not, this charming neighborhood is a must-visit. It’s packed with Italian restaurants, and most are kid-friendly, especially if you dine out for dinner early. A few favorites:

  • Mike’s Pastry – Iconic cannoli tourist spot. It’s cash only, but worth it! We tried other cannoli places in the North End but this still came out on top.
  • Pizzeria Regina – Famous Boston pizza with a location in the North End.
  • Lucia’s – A cozy spot we’ve enjoyed in the past (reservations available).
  • Nando’s – Great for families! They even made off-menu spaghetti and meatballs for our kids. They also take reservations.

Prudential Center

  • The food court – Options for even your pickiest eaters.
  • Legal Sea Foods – I’m not saying this is THE PLACE to go for the best seafood in Boston. Yes, it’s a chain, but it’s a Boston staple with a kids’ menu. They have several spots, but went to the one in the Prudential Center, which is easy to reach by T.

Quincy Market at Faneuil Hall

This is bustling food hall where everyone can find something they love, or at least everyone in our family did. From orange chicken to acai bowls to hot dogs to clam chowder, there really is a great selection here. Warning – if you go on weekends it’s BUSY and hard to find a seat, but weekdays are less packed and more manageable, especially with hangry kids. There are often free samples in the market and street performers outside too!

Ice Cream

We went in the summer, so yes, ice cream deserves a category of its own. Here are a few local spots:

  • JP Licks – A local ice cream favorite with spots throughout the city.
  • Gelato in the North End – Always a hit after dinner, if you end up not stopping at Mike’s (or even if you do!).
  • Jamie’s Ice Cream – Smaller place with outdoor seating in Brookline but right off the T. Their flavors are so good, I love “Dump Him” the most!
  • White Mountain Creamery – A staple if you’re near BC

Fun Things to Do with Kids

Boston Duck Tour

A land-and-water tour with a pirate guide and lots of quacking. Super touristy, but the kids loved it. Look for early morning discounts or combo tickets with other attractions. We took the 9:30 a.m. tour to snag the early-duck discount. This was one of the highlights of the trip for sure! The kids loved “driving” the boat when it went off the land and into the water.

Boston Public Garden

Ride the swan boats and visit the Make Way for Ducklings statues. A peaceful, picturesque spot for a stroll.

Freedom Trail

Follow the red line through historic sites like Paul Revere’s house. Great for older kids or history buffs. We only did some of this with our kids, since the 3-year-old couldn’t care less – but I’m hopeful my older kids will remember some of what we saw when they learn more about the American Revolution!

Boston Common

America’s oldest public park, and it’s perfect for running around or relaxing.

Newbury Street

Upscale shopping and dining but there are fun kid-friendly stops like a Harry Potter store and Ben & Jerry’s. Beautiful for just walking down on your way to the Boston Public Garden.

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market

Shops, food, and entertainment all in one place. We got souvenirs, lunch, and walked around a few times. Our kids loved the street performers (and yes, there was some breakdancing involved by my oldest, too!).

Sports!

Our kids enjoy watching professional sports teams, and Boston has plenty to choose from. Since we went in the summer, we caught a baseball game at Fenway and it was great for the kids to see some ball in America’s oldest ballpark. (See a pattern? Lots of OLD things in Boston!)

Playground & Splash Pad

There are playgrounds throughout the city, but one that we frequented a few times was right outside the Government Center T stop and made for a quick break on our way to and from the T.

Rainy/Hot Day Options

  • New England Aquarium – A highlight of our trip! Penguins, sea turtles, and touch tanks. Our 3-year-old still talks about touching a sting ray and watching the penguins eat.
  • Museum of Science – A bit harder to get to, but worth it if you have time.
  • Boston Public Library – Beautiful and right near the Boston Marathon finish line, which is worth checking out, as well as the memorial.
  • The Prudential Center – A big, air-conditioned mall with food and shops (mentioned above also).

Bonus: Visit Boston College

If you’re near Chestnut Hill, consider a visit to Boston College! It’s where our story began! Stop by Cleveland Circle for a bite to eat at Pino’s Pizza and let me know if you want other food or coffee recs nearby.

Final Tips

Boston is a city best explored on foot or by T. We’ve driven and parked in our hotel before, but this time we flew into the city and took the T from the airport to our hotel. We also discovered a VERY affordable bus to and from downtown to the airport (Logan Express is FREE to downtown and just $3 to the airport). From Fenway to the North End, everything is accessible and easy to get to! And if you do make it to Mike’s Pastry, grab an extra cannoli for us, it’s now FW’s new favorite dessert!

Here’s some more inspiration from my recent Instagram reel:

Highlights from our Berlin Family Vacation

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

Before kids, B and I made travel a priority in our lives. We both were brought up traveling abroad at a youngish age, and have a love for visiting foreign countries, exploring new places, and going on new adventures. After we got married, we did plenty of traveling together, going to Costa Rica, the British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ireland, England, Canada, Mexico City, and more places. Our passports were stamped regularly, and never expired. I swore that once we have kids, our lives wouldn’t change — what parent doesn’t think that? But after kids, our lives did change. The thought of traveling abroad with kids wasn’t something that excited me. We took them to Canada, but never anywhere else. There were so many reasons (in my mind) not to — the cost! everything we would need to pack! the time difference/jet lag! the inconvenience! the anxiety about something happening and not being near their doctor, etc.! communicating in a different language about our kids’ needs! finding food they would eat!

But I missed travel. Sure, we’d go on vacations but they were all driving distance away and not the same. As much as I love Philly, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and New York, I really wanted to fly somewhere abroad. I looked longingly at my friends’ travel photos, especially those who traveled overseas. So over the summer last year, I told B, I want to go to Berlin to see my brother (where he lives). He immediately told me to go. But I felt bad leaving him and the kids behind – and knew it may be hard to find someone to watch the kids for the length of time that would make a transatlantic visit worth it if B came too. And when I suggested we bring the kids, he was not only game, but eagerly on board, planning the whole trip, finding us flights, a hotel, and more. And so, our trip came to fruition and I can safely say that my travel bug is back!  I can’t wait for us to go on our next adventure.

But first, here are some highlights from our week in Berlin, Germany. 

Visiting my brother and seeing his neighborhood. While we stayed in Mitte, which is in central Berlin, my brother lives only a few miles away or a 20 minute train ride on the outskirts. He lives in a beautiful neighborhood with tree-lined streets, gardens, and even a city farm nearby! We were able to see where he lives, join him for breakfast and also take a walk and see the animals (pigs, chickens, sheep, goats and more) not so far from his place. Later in the week, he and I also got in some 1:1 time, as he took me on a nighttime tour of a few of his favorite neighborhoods in Berlin. In Germany you can just buy a beer and drink it outside while walking, so instead of going to bars, we just grabbed a drink, and walked for a few hours.

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greg

Seeing the Brandenburg Gate and Siegessäule. I wanted to see an iconic German site and these were some of them! We saw some others but these were my favorite. We got to see them a few times, including the day that the Berlin Half Marathon was running, which was an amazing experience to spectate. I also was lucky enough to go for 3 runs, 2 of which I ran through the Tiergarten to the Siegessäule.

half
We watched the finish of the Berlin half marathon, which was right near the Berlin Gate. Of course I had to represent Cleveland while I was there!

Visiting the Reichstag. B arranged for a tour of the Reichstag – the German legislative government building – for us before our trip and I’m glad we did it. I admit that it wasn’t a kid-focused tour – we learned about how laws are made in Berlin, plus saw some historic parts of their building, including underground tunnels and where the wall used to be – but we also got to go to the top of the building into their gorgeous dome and get a 360 degrees view of the city. The kids loved the audio tour of the dome and were thankfully really well-behaved during the tour.

dome2
Making silly faces with the Reichstag building in the background – see the dome on top?

dome
We’re nearing the top of the dome in this photo

Eating local foods (and then some). Bratwurst? Check. Currywurst? Check. Spaetzel? Check. Giant soft pretzels with spicy mustard? Check. Schweinshaxe? Check. Doner? Check. Schnitzel? Check. We tried so many traditional German foods, but also enjoyed Chinese food, Italian food, and more. I love that the kids were open to trying most foods, but I’d be lying to say they didn’t have “buttered noodles” (or buttered spaetzel) or “chicken tenders” quite often.

foodgermany

Enjoying a biergarten. We lucked out with 70 degree weather 2 days, and on one of those days we were able to enjoy a visit to eh biergarten in the Tiergarten. It was so crowded but we enjoyed a table, some beers and lots of fun.

biergarten

Visiting the Zoo. This was the main kid-focused item we did, and it didn’t disappoint. We packed in tons of amazing animals, including rhinos, monkeys, orangutans, reindeer, mountain goats, golden eagles, penguins, sea lions, and probably the highlight for the kids – the hippos and panda.

zoo1

Experiencing the history. We didn’t do as much WWII/history stuff as I would’ve liked, but with a 2, 5 and 7 year old, it’s not easy to do all of that. We did get to see the wall in several spots, and I was able to visit a memorial without the kids.

walking

Spending a day in Potsdam and seeing a palace. Before we went on the trip, we asked each of our kids what they wanted to do in Germany. LM mentioned she would like to see a castle or a palace, which was perfect! We took the train and spent the day in Potsdam and visited the Sanssouci palace. They had an audiotour, which was entertaining for the kids and before the palace we took a tour of the nearby windmill, climbing to the very top for some great views.

windmillpalace

Walking around a ton. I’m in heaven if there’s a place where we don’t need to get in a car and can just walk everywhere. It’s why I was so sad when we left downtown Cleveland. Anyway, I digress. I have to say, I am impressed with how our kids handled the days of walking everywhere. ,We took as many walks as we could to truly experience the city. I averaged 20,000 steps a day and even hit 30,000+ steps 2 days during the week. The kids were great troopers, spending a lot of time on their feet with little sleep.

31K steps

Taking public transit everywhere. Berlin is REALLY easy to get around. Where we stayed, in Mitte near Zoo, there were so many trains and buses, from the S-bahn to the U-bahn and tons of bus lines. It seemed like every single bus or train went to our neighborhood, so we lucked out and took trains and buses everywhere. This was part of the fun for the kids – they loved taking the train  and looked forward to it. I’m also lucky that B is so good with knowing how to get around – his amazing sense of direction made taking the train easy. also took the train and bus everywhere.

bus

We had SUCH A BLAST! I can’t wait to go back to Europe and travel again with the kids. We were so lucky that everything worked out and we had no mishaps, no issues, and no problems. For a few more photos, check out my Instagram reel.

Questions for you:

  • What’s your favorite place you traveled to?
  • Any tips for traveling overseas with little ones? GM was the hardest, being 2, but as he gets older I know it will only get easier!

2023 Summer Family Vacation — Part 1, Upstate NY

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We just got back from our summer family vacation! We spent a few days in Upstate NY and a few days in Philly and it was great to have time off from work and time for us to spend as a family.

In NY, we had tons of fun spending time with my family and friends. Here are some of the highlights:

Spending time with my parents. We stayed with them and it was nice to join them for meals, on walks with Sweetie, reading with the kiddos and just doing normal everyday activities.

Going to Huck Finns playland – formerly Hoffman’s playland, a kiddo amusement park I used to go to growing up. The kids LOVED it!

Getting ice cream with my parents. There’s a local ice cream shop we used to go to, and it’s always fun taking the kids there.

Enjoying pedis with my momma. I don’t spend nearly enough time with her – and it’s mostly when the kids are around, so it’s such a treat to get alone time with her.

Seeing my friends from high school. We went to a local science museum and met up with one of my friends, Lauren, and her family one day. I hadn’t seen Lauren in many years (they live in Vermont) and it was great to see her and her girls!

We also met at a playground with my best friends Jane and Melissa for a picnic and playdate. I’ve never met her kids, which was unbelievable – I started crying when I saw them I was so emotional about the experience! It was so much fun to watch the kids hang out while we got to catch up.

I got in a girls night with my friends- we met up at a taco bar, did a mezcal tasting, and then went to a bar in Troy. We used to do girls weekends every year after college, but then with COVID and then kids, they stopped. We hadn’t all been together since 2019, and I missed them so much!

We also took a side day trip to Connecticut to spend a day at a local lake with my good family friends. The kids had so much fun swimming in the lake, playing tennis and running around the area. And I loved seeing family I hadn’t seen in many years.

It was a great trip, but of course felt too short. We left Monday afternoon to get on the road to the rest of our trip … Philly!

Much Needed Family Time in New York

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 1 Comment

What. A. Wonderful. Weekend.

After a year of pretty much staying put in our house in Cleveland, we FINALLY made it back to New York to see my parents. My brother had flown in from Germany, so we braved the 8+ hour car ride with the two kids to see him and my parents for a quick weekend. We hadn’t been back to New York since December 2019 – it was crazy to think how much has changed since then. Not just with the pandemic, but even with our kids  — LM was still nursing, in a crib, in diapers, and not talking; FW could barely remember what my parents’ house looked like, and was hardly independent, etc. Oh yeah, and I was not 6+ months pregnant. It really seems like another lifetime. 

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It was a quick trip  – way too quick – but so great nonetheless. I got to enjoy home cooked meals and baked goods, quality time with my whole family, and even some runs with my brother. Here’s a little of what the weekend entailed:

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A Weekend With Family in NY

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This past weekend I got to travel – by myself – to New York! My brother was in town from Berlin and somewhat last minute I decided to get on a plane to see him and my parents.

It was such a good decision – I hadn’t been home since Christmas and it was great to see my family and also get in some quality time.

The weekend started with a quick stop in the City to see  Jane. We were able to grab a quick lunch and catch up before I caught the train up to Albany with my brother.

Friday started off with a run around my old neighborhood. I saw cows and even caught my brother who was out for a bike ride!

That afternoon, we went to the Hyde, a nearby museum and old house. It was a GORGEOUS fall day in the area, but chilly.

And the museum was really cool – they had a Picasso exhibit going on, but you also get to see the interior of the house, which is preserved since the family lived there in the early 1900s.

Friday night, we went out to dinner in Saratoga Springs. I had an AMAZING grilled octopus dish.

Saturday, we decided to escape town and go for a hike in the Catskills. My brother, mom and I got in the car and after a kinda long car ride, got to the bottom of the trail at the mountain. After hiking up, we saw some amazing views.

The trees were all yellow and orange.

Then, we climbed up even further — you can see the house down below right where I took the picture above.

That night, we had tickets to the Albany Symphony Orchestra! It was a great performance at the beautiful Palace Theater downtown.

Unfortunately, that was the end of an amazing weekend. I hadn’t spent time with just my parents and brother in several (8? 10?) years, and it was just what I needed.

Questions for you:

  • When was the last time you traveled by plane?
  • Do you live near your parents? Siblings?

A Weekend Away With Friends: Hocking Hills

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 6 Comments

B and I just got back from a weekend away with the kids. It was our first trip since our summer getaway to Toronto and Ithaca, and it was our first trip ever with some other couples with kids. And it was a success! We all got (some) sleep, had good food and had fun on some hiking trails. We spent the weekend away in Hocking Hills, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from our house (longer if you’re traveling with 2 kids and one gets carsick about halfway through …).We got into town around 8 ish or so on Friday night. We had dinner with the kids and just hung out for a while talking after the kids went to bed late. We were beat – the car ride down had not been easy. LM cried for a good portion of the trip, FW needed to get out to go to the bathroom when we were in the middle of nowhere, and then LM got carsick twice. But we did have this pie waiting for us when we got there (made by my friend Anson).Saturday, we started off with breakfast. I had made a French toast casserole that we just had to heat up before the day began. Our activities began with a drive to Ash Cave and a hike to the cave. We hiked the Gorge and Rim Trail. Those trails were only about 1/2 mile or so, so we ended up walking a bit on the Grandma Gatewood Trail before turning around and making it back to our car for a picnic lunch.After lunch, we opted for another trail – this time to Old Man’s Cave! We hiked the lower falls and Gorge Trail, both of which were fun and not too hard to do with the kids – we had the little ones in backpacks and preschoolers with us at all times (basically FW was holding my hand as we walked up the tons and tons of stairs and anytime we were along the cliffs).Then, back to the cabin for nap time. We finished the afternoon with a cookout, complete with s’mores and the s’mores cookie bars I had brought.

These were pretty good 🙂

Sunday morning we had to pack it up and leave. But not before one last hike! This time we walked a little around the property. It was 80s and the kids were getting tired so it wasn’t too long of a walk – just enough to get out some energy before the car ride home.

All in all, it was a great weekend. Being around 5 children at a time could be a little overwhelming, but I would definitely do it again!

Questions for you:

  • Have you been to Hocking Hills?
  • Have you done a trip with other couples and their families?

A Weekend In Chicago with the Girls

/ Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

I’m just getting back from a girls weekend. I was able to spend several days with some of my best friends. We have been friends for 20+ years and we try to go on trips together about once every year or other year. This year, we planned a trip to Chicago – just us. No kids, husbands, pets, etc.

What does a girls weekend entail when you’re 30-something and have 2 kids? Well, it was pretty perfect. It included:

Some drinks.

Some delicious dining. Including deep dish pizza (of course!), breakfast sandwiches, homemade bagels and lox and birthday treats.

Some relaxing by the hotel rooftop pool.

Some exercise. We did one run along the lake, and one gym day with circuit training. We also took a rainy walk along the 606.

Some site seeing.

I even was able to sneak in a short visit with my friend Cuoghi who moved from CLE to Chicago last year. I was so happy to get in a quick visit with her! We enjoyed some cupcakes in the park.

I’m feeling so lucky and grateful to have such amazing friends. Despite many miles keeping us apart and many life changes over the past 20+ years of our friendship, we are still able to pick up right where we left off every time.

Some questions for you:

  • Do you have friends that you’ve kept in touch with for many years?
  • Where should we go on our next trip?