Our Latest Adventures: Family, Travel, and Gratitude
Hey, friends!
I am so sorry for the silence lately — the last few weeks have been a little crazy! We’ve had quite a bit of travel (well, a lot for us), work has been busy, and I haven’t been feeling 100% myself.
The good news? I can now say with certainty that my posting will become more regular again! I’m about to start a six-week sabbatical from work, which means I’ll finally have more time to slow down, reflect, and connect with you all.
So, let’s catch you up on what’s been happening in the Pizarro world!
✈️ Tri-Cities, Washington
First up — we took a trip to visit my family in the Tri-Cities, Washington. As I’ve mentioned in other posts, my grandparents’ health has been declining, and after a few bad falls (my grandpa broke his ankle and my grandma broke her neck), Ian and I decided it was important to spend some quality time with them.
We were able to visit both my parents and grandparents, which meant so much. My mom, grandma, and I got our nails done together and shared a meal afterward. Ian and I also treated my grandparents to Olive Garden — their special request. We opted for takeout and enjoyed it together at home, which was perfect.
Our time with them was shorter than we’d like since they tire easily, but it was so meaningful. Even in just four days, we had some wonderful conversations and moments I’ll always treasure.
☀️ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
After a week back home, we headed to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! We stayed at Secrets Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa and highly recommend it. The room was lovely, and the food was delicious — if you know us, you know that’s the most important part!
We did a couple of excursions while there:
- Rhythms of the Night – The evening began with a sunset cruise across the Bay of Banderas to a hidden jungle paradise. (I get very motion sick, so “breathtaking” had a bit of a double meaning for me — but Ian absolutely loved it!) When we arrived, we were greeted by flickering torches and the sound of waves against the shore. We followed a lantern-lit path to an open-air amphitheater where we watched an incredible Cirque du Soleil-style performance created by Mukhtar Mukhtar. The talent, music, and atmosphere were unbelievable. The night ended with a gourmet candlelit dinner by the ocean — the perfect, romantic finish to a truly magical experience.
- City Tour – We explored downtown Vallarta, wandered through local flea markets, experienced a tequila tasting, and enjoyed a delicious meal with a local guide. It was such a fun and authentic way to experience the city!
We did go during September, which meant rain and humidity, but honestly, it wasn’t bad. It usually only rained for an hour or two, so we still had plenty of pool time. After six days, though, we were ready to come home!
❤️ Back Home
Once home, we had about three weeks to settle back in — and during that time, we began prepping for our annual Thanksgiving Drive through our nonprofit, The Call to Give.
I’ll be sharing a full post next week all about The Call to Give — how it started, our mission and vision, and why this work means so much to us and our community. Stay tuned for that one!
🦀 Rockaway Beach, Oregon Coast
Our last trip of the season was to Rockaway Beach, Oregon, with Ian’s family. My father-in-law, Emil, has been wanting to go crabbing since he retired about ten years ago, and he finally made it happen! Two of his brothers, Rusty and Bernard, joined him, and together they caught their limit!
The day we arrived, we cooked together and enjoyed oysters (thanks to Uncle Rusty) and fresh crab with clam chowder — my favorite! The next day, Rusty and Bernard headed home to San Diego, and the rest of us — Ian, Marie (my wonderful mother-in-law), and I — took a quick trip to Cannon Beach.
If you’ve seen The Goonies, you’ll recognize Cannon Beach! I grew up visiting there, and it holds so many special memories. We stopped at my favorite bakery for a marionberry turnover (the best ever!) and explored downtown before heading back to Rockaway when the weather turned.
Later that afternoon, Marie’s brother Johnny and his girlfriend Jamie joined us for the night. It was so lovely to meet them both and see Ian reconnect with his uncle, who he hadn’t seen since 2018. We shared a great meal and conversation!
The next day, Ian and Emil went crabbing again — this time at my family’s favorite spot, Jetty Fishery. Even later in the day, they still caught six or seven crabs (cue all the kids saying, “six, seven!” 😂 that’s also what we were for Halloween!). If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping by, even if you don’t crab. You can still buy the freshest seafood — always a treat!
🌿 Wrapping It Up
All in all, the past few months have been full of fun and family, but I’ll be honest — travel just doesn’t hold the same appeal it once did. I think when you build a life you love, surrounded by people and routines that fulfill you, your idea of “escape” shifts.
There was a time when I traveled every week for eight weeks straight — and while that was exciting, these days I find the most joy in being home with my dogs and my person. I’ll still aim for a trip each quarter, but the constant travel? No, thank you!
How have you all been? What’s new in your world?
I apologize again for my absence, but I promise I’m back for good this time — and we have so many exciting things to share in the weeks ahead.
Make sure to check back soon for updates!
With love,
Britt 💛