March 4, 2018 - Twin Tested

On Wednesday morning at 2:00 am Parker rolled over in bed and said, “this isn’t good” the details after that moment don’t need to be shared but I soon realized that we would not be boarding our flight to Cancun at 9:00 am that morning. Not that it was the end of the world, but we had been looking forward to the trip for the past three months…

After getting Parker some medicine for his sudden case of the stomach flu, I started the cancellation process. Talk about depressing! However, after it was all said and done I decided I couldn’t let our entire week go to waste. Grand America to the rescue! I have always loved The Grand but it is especially convenient when you need a last minute escape. We have stayed at the hotel before but this time was special because we got to bring our little lady. Here are some insider tips we found out during our stay:

Upon check-in, they gave us a special token for Lila to use at the Jou Jou toy store. When you enter the store and redeem your token your child gets to pick out a new toy! Lila got a little, stuffed fox and absolutely loves it, it’s pretty cute.
Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies in the check-in area. Maybe my very favorite thing about The Grand. The cookies are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfection.
Tell them your story. If you are staying for an anniversary or special occasion or like us – need a last minute escape, they will make it special. When we entered our room they had set out a dessert platter with an eclair, creme brulee, chocolate cake, and cheesecake because they wanted us to feel special even though we didn’t make it to Mexico.
They have a program called Family First where they totally take care of you if you bring your littles along. They supplied us with a crib, rocking chair, and diaper genie in our room upon arrival. Talk about amazing!
The pool and spa area are incredible. It was fun to take Lila for her first ever swim in a pool. However, if you are there for a romantic escape make sure to go to the pool between 9-10 pm when it is adults only.
My very favorite treat at the grand is the Salted Carmel Bread Pudding. Even if you are not staying at the hotel you need to pick some up at La Bonne Vie. I took some to go and one order is plenty to share between two people. Bonus = it is only $4.50!

Now it is time to start planning a trip we can take in the next two months. All suggestions welcome and appreciated! We loved our stay at the Grand and I am so glad we were able to spend time together as a family!

We were lucky enough to be able to travel to Oceanside, California for a work trip. We decided to make it a real party and bring our babies, our mom and Brooke’s mother-in-law, Linda. The grandmas were angels and watched the babies while we shot segments all day. We’ve traveled to Oceanside before, and it’s always been a family favorite beach spot. It was extra fun to introduce our babies to such a beautiful place! If you’re not familiar with Oceanside, it is the quaint beach town situated between Los Angeles and San Diego. The great thing about Oceanside is that it has such a laid-back, local and beachy vibe. We loved our time there and plan to go back soon!

What to Do:

Helicopter Tour: by far the most amazing thing we did! It was so neat to see the California coast from the sky at sunset. I felt like Brooke and I were on a Bachelor group date with our photographer and pilot haha. It was magical. You can get more information about Waverider Helicopter Tours here.
Dolphin & Whale Watching Boat Tour: it’s so nice to get out on the water. This is perfect for any age. We saw sweeping coastal views and beautiful water on our tour, but the definite highlight was the gorgeous dolphins that played right next to our boat. It was also neat to get a little information about the sights and animals we were seeing from the Captain of the boat. You can get more information on Oceanside Whale Watching Tours here.
SURFING Lessons: Ahhhh! I was terrified. Brooke spent a summer living in Hawaii in college, where she took many surfing lessons and learned to really like it. I have only had one previous lesson from my brother and his friend a few years back. It didn’t end well – as in I mooned my brother’s friend while trying to stand up on the surfboard!! I know. Sad. We got a surf lesson from the Hemsworth’s American brother. He was the greatest. He pushed us on our boards and helped us both get up multiple times on the surfboards. The cold California water scared me, but wearing a wetsuit I honestly didn’t even notice it. I definitely want to try it again. We went with Whitlock Surf Experience and they were amazing. Not only do they teach lessons, they also have a surf factory and print shop. You can find out more here.

What to Eat

Local Tap House & Kitchen: my favorite meal of the trip. Fresh and delicious. My hosts in Oceanside convinced me to try the quinoa burger and it was delicious. Everything we tried was good and the chef is constantly changing the menu. If you’re looking for a late night snack, you can stop by for a gourmet hot dog.
Oceanside Sunset Market: the town hosts this awesome street fair every Thursday night. They close down several streets to host food vendors, crafters, local artisans and musicians. We ate some of the best food of the trip here. Food vendors are put through a very strict vetting process before they are allowed to sell there. They must produce high-quality food that you can’t find anywhere else. This creates the most unique, fun atmosphere with some absolutely incredible chefs. If you go, make sure to try the salmon, authentic Belgian frites and homemade carmels. We ended our night with a horse-drawn carriage ride around town for wait for it… $5!
The Flying Pig: locally owned and operated farm to table restaurant. The owner coined the name flip flop fine dining. That’s exactly what it is. Great food with a casual vibe. Another huge bonus – it’s family friendly! The homemade pasta is to die for.

Where to Stay:

We stayed at the Marriott Springhill Suites. It sits right on the beach in the middle of everything so you can walk most places, plus has a great free breakfast every morning.
Our friends at Visit Oceanside set up our trip itinerary and it was perfect. If you need any help planning your trip or finding discount tickets, go here.

(the prettiest harbor! Lots of fun to kayak/paddle board on the calm water here) (the prettest whiteside dolphins. they were huge!) (lots of pretty palms in Oceanside) (Joanna Gaines would love Apotheque – the cutest shop/spa in a historic building)