Last week we were not shoveling snow. We weren’t wearing coats or scarves or gloves. We were in sunny Key West!
When Karen {my mother in law} was diagnosed with a cancer recurrence last fall, she told us she wanted to take us on a family vacation. The trip started with just Matt, Mazen, Andrew {Matt’s brother}, Karen and me. But we kept adding to the group and my parents and sister were also invited. We ended up having a blast with all of us there. {We missed Matt A., who was working, very much.} It was one of the best vacations ever!
We stayed in a house just off of southern Duval Street, which was a great location. We could walk everywhere and there was so much to see, do, eat and drink.
We had a hot tub and a plunge pool that were both fun for swimming because the beaches near us were not all that great. We did take Mazen down to the beach, and he was not too excited about it!
While he didn’t love the ocean, Mazen LOVED the chickens that are all over the island. He called them “bok boks,” and pointed them out wherever we went. We spent hours strolling him around and walking with him to see the chickens – Grammie Buzz in particular!
He knows the word baby now too, so he loved the “be be bok boks”
We took him to a playground
And he loved playing with his family. He learned signs for Uncle Brain and Aunt Larbs!
Mazen also learned to eat pizza! A very important skill…
And ice cream!
We were thankful that the grandparents did some babysitting so we could chill out a bit too
Dancin’ in the moonlight
We watched the Cat Man’s show – crazy!
The weather was near perfect. While we didn’t do much sitting around at the beach, we young people got to sneak away for a snorkeling cruise!
My suit is from Albion Fit – I have a post + giveaway coming up! You might recognize it as the same one Caitlin wore on her cruise : ) I loved it!
The snorkeling was really fun, although very cold, and we were SO happy to have brought dry clothes for the hour boat ride home.
We sipped rum punch and champagne to keep warm!
Speaking of drinks, it was a party week!
We had so much fun. I would definitely recommend Key West for a winter vacation. It was nice to be so warm yet we still had our cell phones and all the simplicity of staying in the US. There was so much to do there too!
Until we meet again Conch Republic!
Up next: all of our restaurants + food!!
Looks like you guys all had a total blast! Love your swim suit. Very vintage and cute;)
So glad you all had a chance to go on a big family vacation! Looks like you had fun and can’t wait to see the food post. My BIL/SIL are Key West freaks and it’d be nice to pass on to them before their next trip.
What a beautiful place with beautiful people–your happiness shines from the inside out. 🙂
we are thinking of renting a house for our family for our 30 year anniversary…where is the house you rented? how did you find it? would you recommend staying in town?
Our house was a block off of Duval Street and was a great location. I’d definitely recommend staying near the town so you can walk to everything – unless you get an amazing oceanfront property : )
how did you find the house….it looks nice….it might work for us we have 8 people..thanks for your help
A site called Vacation Homes of Key West
We go to Key West every year. It was my son’s first time last year at 4 months and we have a great of him at the same beach. I love seeing some familiar spots. Did you have a chance to stop at Sarah Beth’s or the Porch?
The Porch yes. So many great places!
Anywhere warm in the winter is awesome! 🙂
All those pictures look amazing!!! I’m glad you had a good time and got to get away from the freezing temperatures/snow that most of the country has been having. I’m really, really trying to book a spring break holiday somewhere warm and tropical since it’s been 3 years since I saw the ocean and I think one more month in Colorado might actually make me lose it. I just need a Mojito and some time in the sun, I don’t think that’s too much to ask, right? 🙂 Can’t wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Also, I loved the bathing suit! I thought I recognized it from Caitlin’s posts and it looks great on you too!
I’m super jealous, looks like an amazing trip. You’re so fortunate that both of your familes can come together and share a good time! That’s one small downside of an international relationship…my in-laws don’t speak English, and my family doesn’t speak French…!
Can’t wait to see more about what you ate and drank, looking forward to your next post!
I love love love that suit! Very very cute! I love that belt across it. I hope you share with the rest of us where you got it!
Wow that is awesome! I am slightly…really…jealous right now as I look out my window to see snow piled high.
I cannot get over how adorable Mazen is— this seems like such a fun age! I also do love your bathing suit. Super stylish!
oh looks perfect, kath! my husband and i are trying to plan a little weekend away to miami, can’t wait to feel that florida sun!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/02/nelson-famous-green-beans.html
I love the proximity of where you guys traveled, but that it was still such a tropical vacation! I am jealous of all those drinks and shorts! I need some sun in my life again. Love that Mazen was smitten by the chickens- so fun.
Key West is awesome!! We were just there too. We went to Santiago’s Bodega for dinner Friday night, incredible food. It’s such a beautiful place and you can’t help but feel relaxed the whole time.
I love your swim suit, super feminine and looks comfy too.
I love your grey jacket! Can I ask what brand it is? The sunshine looks beautiful after just plowing about a foot of snow in our driveway!
Thanks it’s Lululemon…herringbone!
Looks lovely! I adore Albion Fitness – thinking about checking out their bathing suits as yours looks adorable.
Looks like a blast!! I love that striped shirt!!
Perfect time to get away from all the snow and bad weather in Virginia!
annnnd Baby Bok Boks win the post!
your pictures are gorgeous! I love FL :)!
Aww, chickens roam around Key West? How funny! I love Mazen’s sweet, loving nature.
I hope Karen’s doing well! I’m sure you’re respecting her privacy by not telling us more, and of course detailed regular updates wouldn’t be appropriate for you, but she looks well, and I’m sure we all hope she’s at a good place in treatment. I can’t wait to hear good news.
She is doing well – thanks for asking. All of her treatments are over and things are stable for now. We will cross our fingers it doesn’t come back!
Thanks, Kath! Good to hear!
– Your reply to me was the 26th comment. 🙂
did you see Hemingway’s house!?
I didn’t make it inside for a tour, but we looked at it from outside
Love the Albion suit – looks great on you. When you do your post and giveaway, can you touch on the sizing of this brand? I’d like to order one, but bathing suits sizes are tough- and Id hate to order online and have to go through the hassle of return, exchange, etc.
Thanks Kath!
I ordered a medium so ensure the top was big enough and it’s a great fit.
Ahhhh that looks amazing! I haven’t been to a beach in probably four years! Shouldn’t have moved from Charleston to Chicago…
How is your MIL doing? Is she in remission? Looks like an awesome vacation!
She’s doing well now – all treatments are over and things look good for now.
Looks like a blast! Mazen is just so cute in his swim trunks! It has been freezing here so some pictures of the sunshine were much needed!
Great photos! Makes me yearn for warm weather even more!
Oh my goodness I can’t believe how old Mazon looks! He looks like a little boy now…not a baby at all! Love the grey jacket as well. You’re making me want a drink 😉 …although it’s 1:30 in the afternoon.
Cutest photo of the post and that I’ve seen today…learning to eat pizza for sure! Looking forward to the restaurant and food round up! Beautiful bright pics all round…you’re glowing as always!
We took a vacation to Marathon (halfway between Key Largo and Key West) a few weeks ago. We had a great time and LOVED the weather! We got a great condo that was right on the ocean…probably more affordable there than Key West, although probably not as many good places to eat! We wanted to drive down to Key West for a day, but with a 2 year old that wanted to spend all his time at the pool and the beach it just didn’t happen!
awww, how fun!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
Looks like the best! I’m in sunny CA but I really want to be THERE.
Looks like such a fun trip with beautiful views! I haven’t been to Key West since I was a kid but remember loving it. Too cute that Mazen calls them “bok boks” haha
We just got 8 inches of snow today. I would love to go to key west. Glad you had a good time.
You look smoking’ in that pink dress, girl!
Thanks <3
I hope your mother-in-law is well. I was an inpatient oncology nurse for five years (in grad school now!) and had the opportunity to take care of some of the strongest, most courageous people I’ve ever met. Karen sounds amazing as well.
Also, I love your white and red(?) dress! Would you mind sharing where you bought it?
Thanks! She is strong : )
And the dress – I think you mean the white + pink one – is from Mahi Gold!
Thanks, Kath! And thanks for your hard work! I’ve been enjoying your blog since 2008 and hope to for many more. 🙂
Love your suit!
Gonna check the site and see if they ship to Canada…!?
It looks like you had such a lovely time!! I love your dress and the swimming costume (?) you are wearing with your shorts!! Looking fabulous!
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful gift of family time for your MIL to give herself and her family! Sending healing thoughts and prayers her way!
Your posts are not showing up on your page. I have to access thru the link on twitter
Thanks for letting me know. We’re working on fixing the cache
I love Key West! My partner’s parents own the Cork & Stogie on Duval Street (I wondered if you were there in the picture with the pink chair?) If so, it would be great if you could give them a shout out on the blog! Their website has just been updated and we’d love the traffic 🙂
Yes! I totally forgot about the bars. I’ll update it!
Oh great!!! Thanks!! I remembered you were going to KW this year but wasn’t sure when – I’m so glad you stopped there! Also saw you went to Blue Heaven which is one of my faves too.
Updated the post! Sorry for leaving it out : ) Our house was nearby and Mazen loved watching the chickens that hung out in the empty lot next door : )
They are so excited that you’ve linked to their website…. they posted your blog on their Facebook page!! I hope it’s a mutually beneficial link-fest – HA!
Yay!
Diamond Dave was a great bartender too!
heheh – Diamond Dave is my partner’s brother! He’s hilarious! I feel like, in a small way, part of two worlds collided! 😉
Cool!
Hi Kath…I was just wondering where you got your colourful shorts?
They’re from LOFT. I have them in about 5 colors : )
Thank you! I will definitely check them out. Have a great night!
Thanks for letting me live vicariously through your beautiful, sunny pictures!
Kath, I hope this isn’t a silly question, but I’m from the Midwest and I’ve only been to a coast a couple of times in my life. To me any beach is like a once-in-a-lifetime wonder to behold, so I have no idea how to assess them. We were actually thinking about visiting Key West, and I wondered what you meant when you said the beaches near you weren’t very good. To me, a “not very good” beach would be one that was packed shoulder to shoulder with crowds of other bodies, or covered in garbage, medical waste or weird washed-up creatures that creeped me out! Or maybe dangerous tides and waves so I was afraid to go near it. But what did YOU mean? What makes a “not very good” beach to you? I know you’ve been to coastal areas and even islands.
The one near us (South Beach) just wasn’t ideal for swimming. It was rather enclosed (by a hotel on one side and a pier on the other), small and the water was kind of murky. Some people were swimming, but it wasn’t the most swim-friendly water.
That makes sense! Thanks for the response, Kath!