The last year has been...well, it's been pretty insane. When I signed on as an Alamo Chief Travel Mom in 2014 as part of a sponsored campaign, my resolution for 2015 was to spend more time with my husband during our travels. We took a trip to New Mexico together to spend a white Christmas with his family, we spent a quiet weekend together in Sunny Isles Beach in the Spring, spent a romantic weekend in Jamaica in May, and even planned a trip back to New Mexico to attend his 20 year high school reunion in June - we were well on our way to traveling more together when he asked for a divorce. So while the focus on my end of summer party as an Alamo Chief Travel Mom was supposed to be celebrating accomplishing that resolution - which I did, though it matters little at this point - Angeline and I threw a party to celebrate OUR travels together this past year. Marriages may end, but parenthood is forever. And hopefully, so is our shared love of travel.
While life isn't perfect at the moment, I am so grateful to live the life I have. I love to travel, and I've passed that passion onto my daughter, who accompanies me on many a trip. She's my little traveling buddy!
So where have we gone this year?
The trip that stands out for this year was our Spring Break in South Africa! Angeline had one item on her travel bucket list: a safari in South Africa. I was able to make that dream a reality this year, and that alone is worth celebrating!
We began our South African Bring Break Trip in Cape Town, where we cage dived with Great White Sharks in Shark Alley...because yes, we are insane.
And yes, it was totally awesome and something that we will both remember for the rest of our lives!
Then it was off to Johannesburg, where we spent three days on safari in Pilanesburg National Park. We saw the big five - and even tracked a leopard on our last day there!!
Just that one trip alone was reason enough to throw a party, as we hadn't actually sat down with my family to show them all of our photos prior to this party!
Alamo sent me a great party kit to help me celebrate and we had a blast setting up the house for our get together.
We even had sunglasses, games and Alamo Drive Happy prize packs for our guests!
They were full of an assortment of travel-related goodies - of course they were, it was a party all about travel!
Notice all of those cool Alamo Drive Happy sunglasses? Well, those are totally going to come in handy down here in Miami!
And of course, no party is complete with fun photo props, am I right?!
Photo props provide fun for people of all ages, and really liven up a party, especially for the kids! They have so much fun deciding which prop to use, using more than one prop at a time and posing for selfies!
My cousin thought the mustaches-on-a-stick were hilarious!
And then you have your jokers...there's one in every bunch, isn't there?
I was especially happy that my cousin Nick showed up to our party because he's recently caught the travel bug and is planning his first trip somewhere exciting and new! He's heading to San Francisco and then to Yosemite National Park. As I've been to both places (I've actually been to San Francisco quite a few times), I am extra excited to hear about his adventures! We even spent a little time talking about maybe bringing him on as a contributor to my site during his travels and I gave him some pointers on growing his Instagram following prior to his big adventure.
You know it was a successful party when even Angeline posed for photos...
This get together with my family was just what I needed after a long year of traveling...I'm sending Alamo a HUGE thank you for inviting me to participate as an Alamo Chief Travel Mom for 2014-2015!
Where did you travel this year? If you haven't gone anywhere exciting yet...where do you want to go?
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
We have actually traveled quite a bit this year and I am sure we're not done yet. Looking forward to more adventures.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I'm just coming off a trip to Ireland. So, you know. AAAAAAHHHHHH!
Liz Mays says
What an awesome way to celebrate your year of traveling! I've followed a few of your adventures through the blog and they've been great.
Valerie says
I have traveled a lot the past year as well. No where quite as far as Africa though. It looks like you had a wonderful party!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
OMG, the sharks. I would have LOVED to have seen that, but I'm not sure I would have gotten in the cage.... "we're gonna need a bigger boat..." Congrats on a full year with Alamo!
Catherine S says
What a fun party and it looks like you had an amazing trip. That was one big shark. I don't think I would get in the cage. I would stay on the boat.
Isabella Grey says
As someone who has never left the Midwest, this trip looks AMAZING.
Marcie W. says
I consider any travel opportunity to be a reason to celebrate but you definitely crossed some amazing destinations off of our bucket list this year. I am glad you were able to commemorate your time by having some fun with your family.
Pam says
You have been on so many cool adventures. Diving with great whites is a little too scary for me.
Kristi says
Wow.. how amazing was the South Africa trip! Would love that one. My last big adventure was taking our two girls to England a year ago. 17 days we wandered and traced back to where I was in college. Loved that trip.
Felicia says
You guys have had some great adventures. I've loved reading about them.
Christie says
What a bittersweet ending to your Alamo ambassadorship. I loved watching your travel journeys and wish you many more
Debbie Denny says
Great adventures, I have not done as many trips this year,Enjoyed all.
Jeanine says
So awesome! We don't travel like ever so I love posts of those who do, I enjoy reading and looking through photos. Congrats on the 1 year!
Ann Bacciaglia says
Photo props are so much fun. It looks like you are having an amazing time. I would love to go to Africa someday.
Ora Lee Gurr says
I'm sorry for the bad news, but glad your daughter was able to step in and travel with you. Making the decision to be brave and soldier on makes you a better person with even more great things ahead. I like the party you put together with the package from Alamo.
Melissa says
I love watching your travels. That Africa trip was amazing. What a fun party!
Crystal says
Disney World was the highlight trip of our year. It's so important to me to make those memories with my kids and help to develop their love of travel.
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
Wow; no kidding your year has been 'insane'! What a shock about your husband and what a triumph to take your daughter to South Africa! You have a great attitude and I'm sure next year will hold even more excitement for you.
Chasing joy says
I so admire your positive out look and the way you switched your travel focus to time with your daughter. You got some great pictures in South Africa and made great memories.
Rosey says
Big kudos to Alamo. I love the pictures, it does look really fun.
Camesha | Mama Motivator says
That is one spring break I'm sure she won't forget! Those pictures are awesome. The shark is amazing!