Nanaimo, BC

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to take a trip out to Nanaimo, BC with my mom to watch my brothers hockey team play in the Western Canada Cup. After a very dreary, snow covered, non spring like April I was more than willing to hop on a plane and get away to greener pastures. The island didn't disappoint. We watched a lot of hockey but thankfully we had a lot of down time to go and explore. I love the west coast - the trees, the ocean, the character, the charm. Everything. This trip did nothing but expand my love more.

We had a little bit slower pace of life for the week we were there and it helped us to really take in and enjoy our surroundings. So thankful for this trip.

I took out my SLR for our day trip to Cathedral Grove but for the rest of the time I documented our trip with my iPhone. Some highlights....













I may have gone a little instagram crazy....

Cathedral Grove

This week my mom & I are in Nanaimo, BC to cheer on my brother at the Western Canada Cup. The games are fairly spread out though so we have lots of down time on our hands. We decided to take a drive up to MacMillan Provincial Park to see the trees at Cathedral Grove.

We pulled off the highway, parked, and from the moment we stepped foot onto the path it felt like we stepped into another world. A magical one. One with giant tower trees, moss growing wild, bright pink little flowers, and so many different shades of green.

It was incredible.

The overall amazingness was hard to capture in photos. So I focused on capturing all the little details that make up this beautiful grove.

The Draw of The Ocean.

There is just something about the ocean that speaks to me and makes my soul content. Any ocean in any part of the world. Standing looking out into the never ending waves - it just does something for me.

To wrap up our whirlwind two days in my new favourite city we went out to Coronado Island. We held hands and walked along the sandy shoreline with the salty wind blowing in our faces. We dipped our toes into the water and then ran away laughing because it was shockingly cold. He held my flip flops so I was free to snap photos.

'Let's just sit' he suggested. And so we did. Side by side. Staring out at the ocean. I wrapped one arm around his and rested my head on his shoulder. And I felt it. All the reasons the ocean calls out to me - the calm, the serenity, the wonder. I felt gratitude and happiness and love. I felt so blessed to be sitting on that beach staring out at the ocean with my love.

And then, I kid you not, we saw a pod of dolphins surfacing in the ocean just a ways down from us. 6 or 7 we counted. How could I ask for a better ending to our trip than that? Happy heart over here.







*Truth Time: These photos were actually taken at Mission Beach with my dSLR. I already posted the iPhone photos from Coronado Island and wanted to write about our time on that beach but didn't want to reuse the photos twice!*

Sea World.

While in San Diego we had to make the most of our limited time in the city. So, unfortunately, we had to choose between going to the world famous San Diego Zoo or Sea World. I hear you can feed the elephants at the zoo - huge pro for going to the zoo in my books - BUT we decided to go to Sea World because it was something we couldn't do everywhere and I had never been.

Plus, I used up my take-husband-to-the-Zoo-and-make-him-stare-at-elephants-for-hours coupon last year and I don't think I get another one for a couple years now ;)

I wasn't sure what to expect going to Sea World. I honestly thought it was just the couple shows and that's all - maybe a few gift shops thrown in there. My expectations weren't set too high.

I was completely BLOWN away by how amazing of an experience it was.

We had so much fun. SO MUCH. I was probably more excited and giddy than all the six year olds at the park. I couldn't believe all the rides, exhibits, animals, PLUS all the shows!! We jammed so much into our day and STILL didn't see/do everything! We did manage to ride their brand new roller coaster, Manta, a few times though.

Our hands down favourite part of the day was the One Ocean show. Orca's are incredible animals and we were so impressed with this show. We made sure to sit just above the 'splash zone' so we could just laugh at all the people getting SOAKED from the whales splashing the crowd!

I loved every minute we spent at Sea World - truly an amazing experience.

The time we went to San Diego.

It was on my wish list for a while. Since last year actually. Visit San Diego. I don't know why but it stuck in my head - I needed to go. I just had this feeling that I had to visit this city.

Maybe it was the draw of the ocean. Or the beach.

Maybe it was just the desire to explore a new city I've never been to.

Maybe I knew Scott & I needed this little vacation to spend quality time together before leaving Phoenix and starting our crazy summer lives back home.


San Diego. It was so much better than I could have ever imagined.


We only spent one night and two wonderful days and I am completely smitten. I love this city. From the moment I stepped out of the car and took a deep breath of the salty ocean air - I knew. The soft sand under my feet, the ocean breeze blowing, strolling hand in hand down the boardwalk, dinner down in the Gaslamp District, exploring Sea World, sharing ice cream on Coronado Island. Every moment made me fall more in love.

The time we went to San Diego, in iPhone photos.



I now want to live in a beachfront house. Waking up to the ocean every morning? Yes, please.






So many kids on Spring Break while we were there - we pretended that they were just making Scott Borsa 2013 love hearts in the sand for Scott. He was very popular down there ;)

2012 Favourites: Personal

I thought that to finish up a week of sharing my favourite photos from the last year that I would do 'personal' photos. Ones I took just for me. Photos that documented my life. That make my heart happy and bring a smile to my face.