My Independence Day was spent in Hawaii this year with Gina, David and James. Because we are the furthest west, we celebrate last.

The trip was amazing, more photos to follow (I hope...)

The Fourth was especially neat because there were so many people celebrating on the beaches all over the island. Super relaxing... people surfing, canoeing, playing beach volleyball... setting off fireworks. And the bbq on the beach!!! Smelled amazing.

(The photos are rather wide, so you may need to expand your window to full width)

Tonight, just a few minutes ago, I received this in the mail from my fiancé.  He has been traveling in New England for the past (forever) week.

  

I had a fantastic holiday. Last year Kim was flying in at 10:00 Christmas night to see me in Hawaii.  While I'm definitely not complaining about spending Christmas surfing in Hawaii, it was really nice to spend it here this year.

 


I got to do all the Christmas Eve/Morning festivities with Pete's family.... really it was like a 24 hour celebration with a few hours break for sleep before I heard Santa's sleigh bells jingling, signifying Christmas morning... and Carolyn loud whispering "Jeanette, wake up!" like the sweetheart she is. (Apparently they teased her about not waking up early the year before as is the youngest child's duty...so this year, in true Carolyn fashion, she woke up in plenty of time to wake the rest of the family. Love that girl)
Thanks, Parker, for the photo!



After Tampa festivities, Pete and I went home to spend time with my family. As always, it was grand to spend time with them. I love them so much! I also got to see my best friend Maria.  Whom I also love so much.  And her family (Italian=amazing), whom I had not seen for the past few holidays. Pete and I got to hang out with my parents the day after Christmas, ride around in the back seat of the truck. It was great.


After the brief break after Christmas, Pete and I headed up to Roswell, Georgia to visit my Aunt Jill, Uncle Tom and cousin Amy and her husband Chris.  It was so nice to see them! Which also included the dogs... Lucy, Sky and Bear. (I am such a dog person, it's hard not to have one sometimes!) Jill gave Pete, Stephanie and I a tour of her studio. She is an amazing artist. Check out her aspen paintings. I love them. And the pears, and all of it.
We also drove up with Stephanie and dropped her off with her wonderful new boyfriend. It was so nice to get to spend some time with her!  She's amazing.


Next, Pete and I drove back down to St. Augustine!! Whenever we can, we try to go there. It holds a special place in our relationship. As part of our Christmas presents to each other, we went to our favorite restaurant Opus 39 for New Year Eve. Had a seven course meal, and champagne at midnight. It was delightful. After that, beach, surf for Pete (no wetsuit for me), lighthouse, time with Kelly G. (!!!!!), fun foods, bike rides, downtown... it was all fantastic. But what made it so was that I got to spend it with Pete.














I really like this.

Road tripping with Pete is great. I sure do love him.
   


Also... count down to Hawaii... 24 DAYS!!!!