Boca Raton

Back in February Matt went to his yearly conference in Vegas.  I have yet to miss one of these conferences because each year they are somewhere different and always really fun.  (this next year it's at Disney World so we are pulling the kids out of school and taking them with us--how could we not??).  This year I decided not to go.  Hayes was just a little over 4 months old and I really didn't want to take my baby to smoky Las Vegas.  Each year at these conferences they always give out awards for top performers from the previous year.  They give all kinds of awards from Visa gift cards as a 'thank you' to great cash bonuses all the way to the big dog--an all expense paid vacation.  It's a pretty big deal to get any sort of recognition while at this conference, but the vacation---well, it's pretty incredible for the few that get this award.  One thing you need to know about me is that I am Matt's biggest cheerleader.  I am so proud of him and how hard he works for us.  I want to always be his strongest encourager.  I pray everyday for him at work, the people he comes into contact with, and that his kindness, character, and heart for the Lord is what people leave remembering about him.  I thank him all the time for how hard he works for our family.  I never--ever want him to think I take him for granted or that he is unappreciated.  SO back in Feb when I got the call that he was awarded this years vacation to Boca Raton, I about DIED.  I had never been prouder of my man.  I was heartbroken that I wasn't there, but still I was over the moon excited for him (and us)!  Matt's boss and his boss' boss at Wells Fargo sent me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers thanking ME for my part in Matt's success.  Behind every good man is a......ha!  No really, it was such a surprise and so so thoughtful.  Meant a lot to me especially since I wasn't there in Vegas to celebrate with Matt.

We sure did become masters of the 'selfie' pic this summer.

The vacation was set for the end of May/early June.  This could not have come at a more terrible time for us.  We got back on a Saturday and were closing on our homes on Monday.  Can you say CRAZY???  It was nuts, and my head might still be spinning from those few weeks.  BUT needless to say we WERE going on this trip!!

This was our first post baby vacation after Hayes.  I always have such heartache leaving my babies as the time approaches, but let me tell you once we get past that dreaded goodbye, I am 100% on board and focused on my man.  We really were so excited to get away together and I was so ready for a break.  It was HEAVEN!!!
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We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria Boca Raton.  On these trips they really do roll out the red carpet.  It was amazing and we were spoiled to the max.  I could go on and on...  It was wonderful.  We felt so pampered and so relaxed and we lived it up and soaked it up.

The best part of the vacation, for me, was our spa day.  Might be the best spa experience I've ever had.  I would go back just for their spa.  We had this thing called a 'ritual bath' before our massages.  Heavenly.  No words.

We spent our spa day at the Spa (really all day long---I guess that is why it's called a Spa Day??).  We lazed by this pool and were pampered all day. Heaven on EARTH!

Our week there was spent laying on the beach or by the pool, reading our books, going to their entertainment each night, eating some of the best sea food everrrrr, and soaking up our alone time.  It was perfect.  The evening activities were really fun and we enjoyed going to them.

Ya, Hi we are Matt and Allison and we are 15.

NYC's Serendipity was in our resort.  SINFUL.

We had dinner on this one evening.  Was beautiful.

Mixology class---told him not to quit his day job.

Morimoto's Sushi bar was also there in the resort.  We went twice.

Awards Ceremony

This was at Matt's awards ceremony.  I was BURSTING with pride.  Here is what I shared on Facbook/Instagram:  "I could not be prouder of this man. No one in my eyes deserved this award and recognition, and I could not be prouder to be called his wife. He deserved every bit of this week. He works so hard for our family, provides for us, is so kind and humble, and the best husband and daddy I know. I couldn't love him more."

All of the wonderful pics taken from our trip are long gone.   Matt took our phones to get our upgrade and alas many of our pics from the week are gone.  These posted were all that I took on Instagram.  Matt and I love to travel, and we love a good beach vacation.  So this trip was such a blessing to us.  We appreciated so much all that was given to us and the kindness shown.  It was wonderful to get away and reconnect.

One thing we decided early on in our marriage after we found out we were pregnant with Hudson was that we had to keep us #1.  To remain an "us" and to always keep each other first.  This family started out with US we want to end this life with US.  Traveling and spending time together is top of our list when it comes to our priorities (next to our savings account).  We love our kids more than anything, but we love each other most.  We are better parents when our marriage is at it strongest.  To us, the greatest blessing we can give our children is thru our marriage.  We try to get away together yearly....some years we are blessed with a couple of getaways, some years it's just once.  One thing about us is we  make a great team.  We can run this family blind folded, always two steps ahead of each other.  He gets home & plays with the kids, I do dinner, he does baths, I do dishes (Or visa versa), I lay out pjs, he starts getting kids ready for bed, I make Hayes' bottle, & rock Hayes, he lays with Harper, I lay with Holton, SWITCH, he reads with Hudson, I take a quick bath, THEN everyone is in bed, we are exhausted---there is no time AT all for us and if we did not stop in the crazy, busy life of ours, I can see how we would get lost somewhere in the chaos.  Our time away is priceless, a treasure, and this vacation to Boca was no exception.  When we thank family for watching our kids, we always thank them for investing in our marriage.  Because without them, I don't think we would be where we are today.  The selfless commitment enduring a wild and crazy week with our 4 kids is NOT an easy task--at all.  There is little to none down time.  It is a priceless gift to us, and we could never say thank you enough!  (ahem, Karen and Melissa)  xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox