Oh, the Places We've Been

I have travel on the brain! It seems like as soon as I get back from a vacation, I'm already planning our next one. Devin and I only had a couple of days off during Christmas, and it only left me wanting more. I could really use a week long vacation every 2 months... I would settle for one week every quarter.

Since I've only recently started blogging somewhat consistently, I wanted to document (reminisce) all the (big) trips Devin and I have taken since we got married, and I want my next post to be a bucket list of all the trips I still want us to take! This way I can strategically plan out how to use all my vacation days and maybe save a few for if I get sick.

So from the present... all the way back to where we started... here's a look at what we've been up to!

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Orlando, FL - Disney World!

Thanksgiving 2011

We visited my sister for Thanksgiving this year. While we were there we hit up Disney World and Universal Studios. 4 Disney parks + 14 hours = Extreme Disney Worlding.

Thanksgiving dinner. Jae has the coolest friends.

On our Safari at Animal Kingdom

Hollywood Studios

Epcot

Magic Kingdom

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Euro Trip - London, Paris, Munich, Fussen, Venice and Rome

September/October 2011

We spent 18 days gallivanting around Europe this fall with our best friends, Brian and Vania. I have started a blog post with just London pictures, but there are SO MANY to sort through! It's going to take a while, but eventually I will blog about each city we went to. Part of my New Year's Resolution.

*Click the link for each place for a little history.

London, UK - Tower Bridge

Paris, France - Tour Eiffel

Munich, Germany - Hofbrauhaus

Fussen, Germany - Neuschwanstein Castle

Venice, Italy

Rome, Italy - Colosseum

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Mexico with Friends

January 2011

Fall asleep in a hammock listening to the ocean - check.

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Asheville, NC - The Biltmore Estate

October 2010

We took a weekend trip with our good friends Justin and Jessica to visit the Biltmore Estate. Justin has his private pilot's license so HE flew us there! Ride in a 4 person plane - check.

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Arizona - Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Jerome (haunted town) and Sedona

August 2010

Me and the hubs at the Grand Canyon.

A helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. We saw it from the air before we saw it from the ground. So cool!.

The view on the drive into Sedona.

The Jerome Grand Hotel - it used to be a hospital and is now known as one of the most active haunted locations in the world!

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Honeymoon - Jamaica

August 2009

Our adventure started with this one. Our honeymoon to Jamaica!

None of these trips would mean anything without Devin by my side. I have loved every minute with him and I can't wait for all the adventures to come.

What I long for...

Each day I count down the hours for this.

DIY: Spray Painted Door Knobs

When we moved into our house, we loved the paint colors the previous owners had chosen and we loved the updated light fixtures. The only thing that was less than perfect was the brass door knobs and cabinet knobs. We spent about $50 replacing the kitchen cabinet knobs with new ones. We were going to spend about that much to get hinges for the kitchen cabinets when we just decided to spray paint them. Since that worked so well, we decided to do it for all of the door knobs. So with one can of oil rubbed bronze spray paint, we were able to update everything for cheap! See our before and after pictures below.

I set up some paint cans and used two 50 cent rulers from Walmart to hold the door knobs so that I could get to them easily. I also bought a $2 Christmas tablecloth on sale so I wouldn't ruin my patio table.

12 new door knobs would have cost us about $180-$200. We spent $5.77 for a can of spray paint and a few hours watching the knobs dry.

And because they are so cute...

The Laser

Molly loves chasing the laser pointer. Apparently she'll even chase the laser she's chasing in a video we've taken...

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Simms!

We tried to take a family photo with the auto-timer and it just didn't work out. This is the best picture we got. Max was afraid of the lights, and when you're on the ground, Molly just wants to bite your face. Oh well. I did get a pretty cute one of Devin and Molly while we were trying to see if this would work! :) I do love my little family with all my heart!

We did our tree a little differently this year. Since our room is green all year round, we just added a little red and gold to go for a rustic look.

Our first Christmas together... 2004. <3

Pinterest is my new addiction so I decided to get a little crafty this year. I made the monogram canvas a long time ago and I still love it. I actually got a sewing machine and MADE stockings! I almost quit after the first one... I must learn patience!

I saw these on Pinterest too! You just get those foam cones that are in the floral department at Hobby Lobby or Walmart and wrap them in yard or twine! Again, patience is something I'm working on.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Breakfast with My Love

I love Saturdays.