Gnome Adventures: Lisbon, Portugal

We spent a week in Lisbon, Portugal for my cousin's wedding (more on that later). The gnome and my suitcase safely arrived with me this time. Unlike when we went to Ireland.

*Remember to read the photo captions in a British accent.

Don't back up! I might need to get new trousers.

 

I am ready for battle at the castle.

 

Tiffany & I share a love of small doors.

 

Now where did that pen go, I just had a EPIC idea.

I do love a good a Coke Zero with lemon.



Relaxing poolside

This is not the golden gate bridge, did I fool you? It's the 25 de Abril Bridge.



I highly recommend the Hippo Trip tour.



I'm glad I am on this side of the glass.

Ready to take flight.

Family photo on the tram ride.

Time to sit back and relax. Another great vacation! Where shall we go next?

 

Ireland Photo Book

I have fallen in love with making photo books on Blurb. I have always scrapbooked our vacation and holiday photos but when we got married I wanted an actual book. I saw a few other bloggers using Blurb and I thought I would give them a try.

To start I made a book of our honeymoon photos first using Blurb. Once I received it in the mail I was hooked. After that book I made a larger sized book of our wedding photos. From now when we take vacations I am going to make a photo book and scrapbook all the other stuff I collect on the way.

I still love scrapbooking but I really like just having a book of photos to look at and remember. Also the books are easy to leave on our coffee table and guests can look at them when they come over. I tend to store our scrapbooks away. I think its because they are so much larger and a little bulky.

The first big vacation other than our honeymoon we have taken was our trip to Ireland last September. I am bit slow and getting around to make the books but once I sit down and get to work it, it's well worth it. Blurb has software you can download and use. They have prebuilt templates as well but I like to design as I go. They have a variety of sizes you can choose from as well as cover & paper choices. So far I have only used their standard paper and love it. I have gone with the wrapped hard cover (no dust jacket) each time and love it.

*This post is NOT sponsored by blurb.com but links throughout are affiliate because I have used their service and have had a great experience.

Gnome Adventures: Dublin, Ireland

Back in 2013 we took a week long vacation to Dublin, Ireland. Of course I brought the gnome, but he didn't make for 4 long days. He was safely packed away in my suitcase which didn't make it when I did. Everyone one else had their bag except me. It was a very long 4 days without a lot of my things and my gnome! Luckily thanks to my mom I had packed a few things in Larry's suitcase. When my bag did arrive (it went all the way to Germany to get Ireland for some reason) I jumped for joy in the hotel lobby! I did get to take the gnome on a few adventures before we had to leave.

*Remember to read the photo captions in a British accent.

Oh dear, I wonder how much postage will be.

Took the train to Waterford for the day.

Just relaxing on the bed watching the telly before bed.

Do you know what "Brown Sauce" is?

Eating a traditional Irish dinner of Guinness Stew, potatoes and a dark beer.

Its a wee bit chilly in Ireland.

Just waiting in the hotel lobby.

 

Gnome Adventures: Bora Bora

We honeymooned in Bora Bora. It was a 8 hour flight from LAX to Tahiti then a short 45 minute flight to the island of Bora Bora.  I kept telling everyone it's living in a postcard. We stayed 5 nights in a over water bungalow at the Pearl Beach Resort and Spa.

Of course we had to bring our gnome on the adventure. The photos I took look like he does in all those tropical vacation commercials.

*Remember to read the photo captions in a British accent.

Look how cute the little jars are.

I found a small palm tree to relax under.



I went kayaking.

Nap time in the hammock.

Island paradise.

Oh dear, I don't think I am very good on sand.

Swimming in the ocean.

The view from our bungalow deck.

I didn't want to burn my face.

Gnome Adventures: S'mores

While we were in Palm Springs, my parents recently purchased a fire pit for the patio. Seeing my dad like to have fun he decided this fire pit would be perfect to make S'mores. That's right people we here in California we are making S'mores on our patio - no camping required!  

I am staying nice and warm by the fire.

Oh my gosh that marshmallow is gigantic!

Oh dear how did this end up on my hat?

Gnome Adventures: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was nice and relaxing this year. I did remember to bring our gnome along for the adventures.

That is one big bird - looks yummy.

I love a good bread basket. Now if only I could reach one.

Look at this, a whole "mini" bar to myself!