Families That Play Together, Stay Together (Day 6)

After our busy day at California Adventures we wanted to take a day off to just relax and hang out at the pool.  We had to run to Target that morning, we scared Lunnie with some silly Halloween masks and the remainder of the day was spent lounging at the pool.  Have I told you how much we all enjoyed this vacation?  We had so much time with nothing to worry about.  We were able to do so many things that we never get to do, like lay in bed with my husband and watch TV and read Elizabeth Smart's entire book in just a couple of days.  It was fabulous.  Everything was fabulous!  One of the girls favorite things about the resort were all of the little ducks and bunnies they saw roaming around.  

(Day 5) Surprise!!!

 Dustin and I were keeping a secret from our girls.  It was a hard secret to keep!  We got up pretty early and told them we were going for a drive, maybe we would do something fun.  About two hours later Brinley looked at the window and asked, "IS THIS DISNEYLAND?"  "No, Brinley, we are't in California." We lied.  She was confused, all of these people crossing the road with Micky Mouse ears on and Disney buses everywhere.  We were careful not to let her know we were in California the entire trip because to her California equals Disneyland and we really wanted to surprise her.  We found a place to park, gave the girls each a gift, Minnie Mouse shirts and other Disney goods.  We walked in, I think Brinley was excited and knew we were doing something fun, but still confused, her memory told here we were in Disneyland, her parents told her otherwise.  We got the tickets, walked in the gate, she grabbed a map opened it up and threw her arms around me, "WE ARE IN DISNEYLAND, YOU ARE THE BEST PARENTS IN THE WHOLE WORLD!  THIS IS THE BEST SURPRISE EVER!"  Priceless!!!  We were just here a couple of months ago, but what can I say, It's the happiest place on Earth!  We were just so close, we couldn't not go.  We love Disneyland!  The day was an absolute BLAST!  We spent the first day in California Adventures and enjoyed World Of Color that night.  This day defiantly goes in the memory book as one of the best days ever!  It was so great to spend so much time with the girls, and with my cute husband!  I freaking love my life!  London was so cute with the characters, she loved them!!  Such a magical day!

A Lazy Day 4

We spent the entire day at the resort!  It was so fun!  The resort was even better than we thought it would be.  We had a condo style room with a full kitchen, washer dryer etc.  The resort had two playgrounds, a movie theater and a dozen or so pools and hot tubs.  We spent hours and hours floating the lazy river.  

Palm Springs Tram Day 3

Saturday we spent the day at the resort and went to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway that night.  

 Brinley didn't like riding the tramway, apparently she's not a fan of heights, but it was still really cool.  At the bottom there were desert animals and palm trees, but because of the change in altitude there was pine trees and snow at the top.  We didn't quite expect such a change in temperature, but it was a beautiful site once we got to the top.  We were able to eat dinner at a restaurant on top of the mountain and when we headed back down it was dark.  It was so pretty to see the city lit up below from the tram.

Vegas Baby (Day 2)

We woke up in Southern Utah and packed up for more traveling.  We gave each of the girls a little gift to keep them entertained while on the road.  Again, they were fabulous!  We stopped in Vegas for some kid friendly attractions.  

 London loved the Coke bear!  Brinley didn't want to have her picture taken with him, but when London wanted to, Brinley decided she would go along.  London loves characters where Brinley doesn't even like to go see Santa.  Lun was giving the bear kisses and everything and when we left, she yells at him, "I yuh (love) you bear!"

 After much driving we finally arrived at our beautiful resort in warm and sunny Indio California.  

11 Days in the Desert (Day 1)

We braved a massive road trip with these two.  Day one consisted of... driving. The girls did great!  We stayed the night in Southern Utah.  

Fall Fire

There's nothing like a fall hot dog roast.  There's just something about sitting around the fire with these guys.

Just Some Girls Creating

Hard At Work

Our summer was too crazy to have a Lemonade Stand so the girls had one this fall.  It was London's first year of selling, but let me just tell you, Brinley had it down this year.  She could pretty much manage it herself.  It wasn't your typical  hot lemonade selling day, but these girls did great thanks to their loyal customers.  

Lunnie's TWO!

 

Can you believe this little angel is two? Words can't describe how much I love this girl!!  London you radiate joy and I honestly don't know how I lived so long without you in my life.  I'm so lucky to be your mom!  Happy 2nd Birthday baby girl!

The First Day of First

Can you believe we sent this girl to first grade?  It was hard, really really hard!  It's not that I'm used to spending all day with her.  I guess it's the fact that she no longer spends the majority of her days in the arms of someone I love and trust.  Have I taught her everything she needs to know?  I'm certain I have not.  Plus, I will miss her.  I 'm not used to her not being by my side.  First grade has been rough, but this girl is super smart and we are struggling our way through it. 

Colter Bay 2013

We decided we wanted to take another little trip to Colter Bay, so we set aside 5 days and invited anyone who wanted to join us. 

 

Our little family spent the first night at Allred Flats.  The girls look so sweet and innocent here, but the truth is, Dustin and I were both ready to feed them to the bears.

 

We then spent a few nights at Colter Bay.  The scenery is always breathtaking.  My Parents, Grandma Bette and the Shockey's met us there.  It was so much fun to have a group there with us.  We really miss camping with family, especially at Colter Bay.  So many of our childhood vacations were to this very spot.  The water was nice, we rode bikes all over the place, my parents treated us to a night at Bar J Wranglers where London danced her little legs off, the kids had so much fun playing with their cousins.  Amanda watched Brinley one night so Dustin and I could do a little mountain biking trail.  We took Lunnie with us, it was so fun.  We miss mountain biking. 

 

We sent poor Grandma home with a black eye.  It was kind of hard to come home from this trip.  There was a sad realization that we may never be able to be here as a family again.  However, these memories will always mean so much to me.  This place is magical.  Wait, I take back what I said, it's not that we will never be here as a family, but that our family will be different.  I hope to stay here with my grandchildren and great grandchildren someday, to enjoy these very same surroundings with a different and wiser perspective. 

Not to far from home we had some car trouble.  Luckily the Shockey's were behind us and came to our rescue.  They took the girls and our trailer home while we waited for Mike the tow man.  As soon as they pulled away with our girls it was silent.  We sat there waiting in the heat, dying of thirst and Dustin breaks the silence with, "Wow, this kind of feels like a date."  I joked that it was probably going to be and expensive date... $5000 car repair!  WOW, that was defiantly the most expensive date we have ever been on!