Ben has been on the road every week for the last several months so when he told me that he had some strategy meetings in Palm Beach, FL and that I was invited, I quickly made arrangements for our little getaway! We made the three hour drive to Houston on Sunday and left Belle and our car with Aunt Alee and Uncle Nick to find Grammie and Grandpa later. Isabelle was not the least bit sad for us to leave and kept telling me I'm in good hands mom! Ben and I then returned quickly home before boarding the private-jet first thing the next morning. The plane ride was lovely as it was just the 10 of us going together from San Antonio and we skipped all of the usual airport baggage-screening, etc. Once in Palm Beach we took a car to The Breakers Resort where we enjoyed a quick lunch before Ben headed to meetings for the afternoon. I stayed busy myself enjoying a manicure and pedicure at the spa and ironing clothes for our dinner reservation that evening. After a yummy dinner we were surprised how tired we were and slept heavenly in our ocean-view room.
The next morning we had free time together and we spent a few hours at the beach. I also relaxed with a prenatal-massage while Ben rented some ocean-sport equipment and braved the wide open water. It was incredibly hot and I think we both could have laid under the cabana for several more hours but a dinner-cruise was on the itinerary so off we went. It was fun to see some of the spots Ben and I had toured 8 years prior on our honeymoon on Singer Island and again we were full and tired when we returned back to the resort. After another quiet day for me and a few more meetings for Ben, it was finally time to return back to reality. I boarded a flight to Houston and Ben was off to Washington DC to continue working.
I was thrilled when I was greeted by a happy Isabelle and Grammie at the airport with a welcome home balloon and flower. Isabelle had had a wonderful vacation of her own playing with Aunt Alee and Grammie. They had shopped, made crafts, baked, decorated for Halloween, visited friends, etc. We were able to continue the fun a bit longer as Belle and I enjoyed another couple days playing in Houston. Two of Belle's most favorite activities were chasing and playing with Alee's cat Koshka and going on a date to McDonald's for dinner with Grandpa.
After visiting three more states for work, Ben then flew into Houston as well and he and I took one more opportunity to have a little fun together listening to U2 Live! I had bought the tickets back in April and had no idea what October would bring but knew that I could never let Bono get this close and not get Ben tickets. We have actually enjoyed several awesome concerts this year and this was no exception. Ben indulged me with yet another Gary Allan concert in February, we had sung along to Billy Joel/Elton John in their Dueling Piano Tour in the Spring and rocked out to Coldplay in the summer. U2 was the icing on the cake and after Bono's third encore and another very late night, we barely made it back to my parents before we were fast asleep.
Finally after 12 days it was time to really return to reality and make the drive back to San Antonio. Isabelle cried and said Can't we stay too long? She can never get enough of Houston and of playing with her most favorite people. It was a very nice break for all of us and we are so grateful for our family and for all of their help in making it possible. Now it's time for Halloween and although Ben is yet again on the road, Belle and I plan on being in San Antonio for at least a few weeks!
