November 2023

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View this email in your browser Greetings Friends, I hope you are all doing well and enjoying autumn.  October was a busy and fun month for our family. I typically do my recaps in chronological order from the beginning of the month to the end, but I feel like it’s appropriate to start at the end - Halloween! This year, Sarah's costume started as a princess, but by the end of Halloween had morphed into a butterfly.  Peter went as a dragon.  We went to multiple celebrations - school, Girl Scouts, city trunk-or-treat, and then finally, the regular “Halloween” trick-or-treating.  The night was cold, it's Wisconsin - anything can happen weather-wise!  Peter did a great job - he ran fast to keep up with the big kids.  I was impressed!  The kids received more candy than they needed - and I have no problem taking a few mini-Snickers from time to time. The other big event that happened in October was Sarah turning seven.  On her birthday, I was a “Watch Dog” at her school.  This is a program where dads/father figures go into schools to help be a male presence.  It was an eventful day, and I was happy to be there with her.  The following weekend we had a birthday party with about twenty of her friends from school and other areas of life.  Sarah had a great time celebrating, and as a parent, there’s nothing better than seeing your kids happy. The rest of the month was rounded out by finishing up the fall soccer season by coaching Peter’s team, swim lessons, and school conferences for both kids.  And last, but certainly not least, I spent a weekend in Chicago with two great friends seeing Phish.  These were my third and fourth Phish concerts of the year for those tracking at home :) From the travel side, I wanted to highlight one other resort from my visit to Mexico last month - Impression Moxche by Secrets.  This resort was on the same property as Secrets Moxche, basically a "resort within a resort".  However, it has its own unique and exclusive features.  I'm not exaggerating when I say this was probably in the top 3-4 resorts I've ever seen. For starters, before you even arrive, your butler will call you up to get your preferences for your stay.  Upon arrival, you are able to check in and go to your room, regardless of the time.   There's no "waiting until 3 pm".  The same is true when you leave, if you have a late flight, you can stay in your room as long as you need to, there's no "out by noon".  The resort is never at more than 75% occupancy to make sure it never feels too crowded. The rooms were large, with great views of the ocean.  One room we saw had a private plunge pool, which was bigger than any private pool attached to a room I've seen at a resort.  There are three restaurants and a snack bar just for Impression guests.  They also have access to all restaurants at Secrets Moxche. I said this with my review of Secrets Moxche last month, but the pools here were outstanding.  At Impression, there were three pools, including an amazing rooftop pool.  The vibe overall was relaxed and unhurried.  If you are the type that wants a VIP vacation, with lots of options, but also some exclusivity, then this is the resort for you. One last thing related to travel this month that is worth repeating from time to time - the importance of travel insurance.  I always recommend it for each trip you book.  Best case scenario - you never need to use it.  Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario is that you do need to file a claim.  This summer I had multiple clients need to cancel their vacations for a variety of reasons.  Lucky for them - they all had purchased insurance and didn't lose any money.  Not to mention, if there are ever flight cancelations, lost luggage, or even a situation where you need medical coverage outside the country, you are covered. With Thanksgiving coming up, my family tries to discuss something we're thankful for each night at dinner during the month of November.  To be honest, it's an exercise we could and should do year-round.  One thing I do say each year is how thankful I am for you - my wonderful clients.  I genuinely hope you have a nice Thanksgiving, and are able to take some time with family and friends and enjoy a meal, adventure, or just relax and reflect. Please don't hesitate to let me know how I can help plan your next vacation.  And perhaps I don't say this enough, but I always appreciate any referrals. Have a great weekend, Brian Contact Today See previous monthly emails here.