Sounds like your vacation was like my trip to DisneyWorld in September. Crammed full. And I came back so rested (or was it exhausted?). Glad you had a fantastic vacation. Welcome back.

Brad, glad to hear you were enjoying yourselves.  I always make time for family vacations.  I think like Debi regarding the trips to see the Mouse.  I always get back home exhausted.  But what fun!

Hey is that NickM surfing?

That sounds great!! :)

There is nothing quite like your entire family re-connecting without anyone having distractions!  We did Disney World in March and it was terrific as well - but yes, it is exhausting there and you almost need to build in a day just to rest when you get back.

Welcome back Brad!  I'm so happy you and your family had such a great time.  I'm jealous and convinced it's time to go.  I'm ready!  Just wanted you to know how much I love your foot photo! Are those 'Happy Feet'?

Linda

Great advice, easier said than done sometimes, but I know what you are saying!

I couldn't agree more.  When it seems impossible, that is when you need it most! 

Absolutely, to remove yourself from will only make you come back stronger & more aggressive.  A vacation is a must at least once a year.  Great Post!

Nice post - great pictures of your family.  Glad you all had a wonderful time.  My turn next????

I am going to Charleston, SC for Memorial weekend.  I need it and can't wait.

Brad...

If you ever gone back (way back) into my blog you will see that I have turned my life into one loooooong vacation :)

I live on a private lake surrounded by orange groves in a very small town. Disney World is just one hour away should we have the urge to "Mouse Hunt" :)

I am so glad you had the opportunity to spend some down time with your family. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I should take some down time. Nah. LOL.

TLW...ROAR!

Brad--Sounds like you had an awesome time with your family...Glad to see your back! Everyone needs family time and down time to recharge their life and business!!

Hi Brad...Glad to hear it was such a great vacation!  Is it true what they say about the person just returning from a vacation needs one more than the person that never left?  Doing a little "catch up" right now?

Regards,

Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts 

Your message couldn't have reached me at a better time.  I'm totally burned out right now and really need a vacation.  Thanks for the reminder.

=)

Glad you had fun Brad - and I hope your son enjoys Poly - SLO is a Great town and Poly is a great school. 

I am on my way to one especially after todays debacle.

Brad-Nice post and today I was just saying I need a vacation! It seems you got a lot of site seeing and fun things accomplished.  Am wondering though do you need a vacation after the vacation? 

sounds like a great vaca. I live in Michigan and basically everybodys vaca consist of going up north and sitting around a campfire, drinking heavily, until monday.

Scott

www.hummelrealestate.com

Brad..

Working hard and making money yet not having time to spend it is just crazy.  Life is short and should be enjoyed, I look forward to vacation every year.  Glad you had a great time. 

I'm always ready for a vacation...lol

Work hard play hard...I'll be back soon enough Hawaii and Vegas :)

Scott

Boy are you right...

I JUST returned back this past Monday from a much NEEDED vacation.

I have to admit it REALLY helped clear out some cobwebs... so new ideas could come in.

Me

Hi Brad - love this post because it's a great reminder to stop and smell the roses.  I rarely take 'real' vacations, but have been trying to make a more concerted effort the last 2-3 years to do more than go to conventions for 'vacations'.  Thanks for the vacation reminder!

Ann

Alright so I started searching hotel rates and found this http://pickthespot.com/

Other favorite sites?  I am ready for the west coast.

JB

Debi - Thanks, it's great to be back...Crammed full is right, exhausted? You bet!  Worth it? Absolutely!
Next time I know what to do though...... TAKE 2 WEEKS INSTEAD OF ONE!!  LOL  :-)

Maggie - we did enjoy ourselves, at times, maybe even a little too much!!  (smile) oh, by the way, the West Coast Mouse says "Hi Everyone".

Jay - It never dawned on me that might be Nick...I didn't see a plastic bag in his hand with Flat Caleb in it, so I am assuming it's not him.  Any other guesses who it might be? Might have to search the members in Newport Beach to find out...hmmmm!!  :-)

Diane - It Was!

Steve - I agree 110%. In fact, I will build in 2 - 3 days to recover next time, and I will increase my vaca time by adding an additional week. Wait a minute....no blogging for 2 weeks?!?  No Way, that's suicide!!  LOL

Hey Linda - Great to be home! Yes, those are very happy feet! Very tired with alot of miles and blisters (literally) but very happy feet! Came by your office today, sorry I missed you!  Be by later this week!! Thanks for catching my post and commenting!!  :-)

Can you guess who these people are? This really nice lady cuts these out of black paper with a simple pair scissors. We did it 10 years ago, and had to do it again this time.. what a blast!! 

Ana - your comment tells me you are in denial. (big smile) It is hard to do sometimes, yes, but sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horns and ride him to your vacation destination. See what a great attitude I have? It wasn't like this 2 weeks ago!  I would have shot the bull and made bologna sandwiches!!
Take a vacation Ana, I know you know what I'm saying, but will you do it? You know you want to..Promise? Ok!

Ron - Ana posted a comment just before yours. She needed to see your comment! You were right on!! I hope she'll come back and catch that.  When it seems impossible to go, that's when you must!!   :-) 

Open Home Mortgage - Can I just call you "Open" or do you prefer Mr/Mrs. Mortgage? LOL - Once a year is not enough. Every 6 months for sure. Every 3 months if at all possible.  I am committed to taking more time on vacation now that I've had a taste of it. I've turned into a "Vacation Monster" oh no!!  OH YES!!  :-)

Peggy - Thanks, I have an awesome family and we did have the best time! So where are you going to go?
Yes, you are next...let us know ok?  Hey - you just made me realize another powerful ue of Active Rain.  A Travel Advisory Group. Great places to stay, eat, shop, golf, sleep, swim, relax, save money etc. I think I'll start a group!  Thanks Peggy, what a great idea to come from your comment. That would be very cool! I think I'll call it (T.A.G) you're it!

Michael - Way To Go, have a great time.  If you need to network your travel, check out the "Travel Advisory Group" just started it today! Would love for you and others to join.  Could soon be a TOP group on the rain.

TLW - are there fish in that lake and oranges on those trees? Man! What a great life you have. A permanent vacation sounds like the way to go.  I think you have probably paid your dues and deserve every bit of what you have. Enjoy!!  My vacation, on the other hand, I was captured on film, shooting at Zorg and helping Buzz Lightyear find the Infinity and Beyond, and my oldest son helped. I think I like the private lake and orange grove better. (LOL) Thanks ROARER!!

Teri - Thanks...Battery is recharged and back in fool gear! ...  I mean full gear!  (LOL)  :-)

Jay - that was a great comment!! I had to read it and think 3 times about it.  That's what a great vacation can do.  I am going to mess with the comment readers on this one, they'll have to go back up and read your comment and figure out the answer to your question on their own....this'll be fun!  Thanks Jay, great comment.   :-) By the way.... the answer is "Yes". 

Diane - You got the hard part over! You recognize it! Now Go, Go, Go...It'll all be here when you get back.
Trust me, pack and go now, you'll have no regrets!

Abraham - I think he's going to love it there.  It is a great school and we love SLO. Just 10 minutes from some beautiful beaches...there I go again, already thinking of my next vacation!!  Thanks for the comment and the positive affirmation.    :-)

Neal - Now your comments are getting too complicated for me. (LOL) Debacles? You better take that vacation my friend, you are due and deserving!!!!!!!   :-)

Midori- We did accomplish quite a bit in 5 days, and yes, I do need a vacation after this one...it's alot of work to go on vacation.  I think I'll start planning the next one now. In two weeks, we're going camping!! Now is that a vacation or considered work...hmmmm!! 

Scott - do you bring the acoustic guitar for the campfires? Or just the shot glass (Big Smile) :-)

Jennifer- All work and no play (money or not) is just senseless.  Vacations don't have to cost alot, the medical bills from not taking vacation can be way more expensive.  I hear the funny farms are pretty pricey!!

Scott G - Great choices of locations to play hard after working so hard. Thanks for commenting, now get on that plane and have the time of your life!!

Craig - Welcome back and hope you enjoyed!!  The cobwebs are lifted, and you're ready to rock and roll, it's a great feeling huh? I like it!!  :-)

Ann - I hope you'll endulge in a trip for yourself.  Conferences and seminars don't really count.  You don't need a reminder, you need a little push!  Go Go Go and have fun fun fun!!!

Jim - you should check out the Medieval Times Dinner and show.  It was definately a "Knight To Remember" PickTheSpot.com has some cool stuff, you should join our "Travel Advisory Group" too for info on what to do and where. It's a brand new group that started based on this vacation post.

Brad, Great pictures :)

it seems that you had fun and great days :) I am happy for that, we missed you

Anna,

I heard you wanted more information on the Nile.  Anyone else how needed a picture of DeNile, here it is.

All the Best JB

Ray - thanks, it's good to be back home! 

Nice Jim, I swam in Denile many times..   :-)  Great Shot!!  Was this from your vacation?  LOL

Hi Brad - Sorry I missed you when you came by.  I have to tell you your vacation photos are so fun.  The family cutout is pretty cool.  What a great silouette.  It makes me wonder how it compares to the one from 10 years ago??  Debbie looks so calm and happy.  I'm delighted for your entire family.  Keep up the good work dad, you're doing a great job!  See ya.....

Thanks Linda, you are too kind!  I Sure appreciate you!!  :-)

I love Disneyland.  We were supposed to be there in June, but being that it's my first year in real estate and 3 closings the same week we had planned to go, I had to barter with my family and change the plans.  Although we won't be going to Disneyland until May 2008 (I will be much more disciplined to not change plans with my family), we are on our way to West Yellowstone for 4 days, starting tomorrow.  Woo Hoo!  Your post is inspiring and I look forward to my family time. Thanks for sharing yours. 

Julie - it's nice to see you have your priorities with family, work and travel in order. Sometimes we have to compromise and make sacrifices in all segments of our lives.  Don't worry, Disneyland will be waiting for you when you're ready to go.  Have a great time at Yellowstone, and don't forget to do a post about it when you return.  Take lot's of photo's for the rest of us to enjoy too! Be safe and have fun!  B-)

we all need a vacation from time to time - it keeps our battery charged!!!

Barbara-Jo and Bill - just make sure you recharge those batteries before they are completely drained, that's the secret and key to a successful and memorable vacation!  Make sure you let us know what you do and where you go on your next "Battery Charged" vacation!!  :-)

I'm taking one of these right now, headed camping today! WooHoo, love the outdoors!  :-)