{Surprise Vacation- Day 3}

Day 3 found us at Huntington Beach! I may not be much of a playin' in the water girl, but I L.O.V.E to be by the water. As we drove to the beach and came to the top of the hill where I could see the ocean, I admit, I was giddy. I love the beach atmosphere, sounds, smells.... really everything about it, minus actually being in the water!

Derrick rented a couple of boogie boards for a few hours and the boys were excited to try them out.

and when I say boys, that does include Derrick!
Mr. Brock, hangin' out on the beach! My boy is growin' up.... I'm amazed at how old he's starting to look in pictures!
This is the extent of Miss C's boarding bravery. Actually, she didn't get more than her feet wet the entire day and she's my water girl? She was POSITIVE that the sharks were going to get her and was completely content to play in the sand!
All the boys spent some time in the water....

while the girls enjoyed the sun and the sand.

(I enjoyed more sun than everyone else, and got BURNED dang it!)

Carlie and her Daddy!

This tiny little crab made Kaleb's day.... Kaleb + Critters (lizards, crabs, bugs) = BLISS!

Case in point, the only thing on his Christmas list this year is a Bearded Dragon Lizard? Heaven help us!

We took a little walk down the pier. Kaleb went to stand by this bird so I could take a picture and it got his shirt in it's beak.... wish I would have been quick enough to catch that picture!

When Derrick and I went on our cruise a year or so ago. The taxi driver took us down to the wharf to the fresh seafood market where we had the yummiest food. We wanted to take the kids back there, but after much unsuccessful driving we thankfully stumbled upon a similar little joint. Brock the seafood king was in heaven. While he enjoyed his shrimp and crab... Derrick and I feasted on swordfish and coleslaw! I'd have to say it was worth all the driving!

{Surprise Vacation- Days 1 & 2}

Who doesn't like a surprise? Especially a surprise vacation! We decided a few months ago that it was way past time to take our kids to Disneyland, and really they are all at great ages for it. We originally planned to go in September for Carlie's birthday, but we were in the middle of refinancing our house and things just didn't work out like we'd planned (good thing this was a surprise vacation, so no one was disappointed but Derrick and I). So we decided to go over Fall break. The kids and Derrick got out of school early on Friday.

I had their bags all packed and loaded in the car. We told them to get in the Tahoe, we were going on a ride (yea, they had no idea how long that ride was going to be). Can I just say my kids were CLUELESS! The day before we left Derrick asked the kids what they wanted to do for the weekend. Brock wanted to go to the Jazz game (we had tickets) and Kaleb wanted to go camping at White Mountain. He reminded them that they didn't have school on Monday and Tuesday and also mentioned that they were going to miss Wednesday too. Kaleb picked right up on the missing Wednesday, asking why. To which Brock promptly replied, "It's a budget reduction day, dummy!" Ummm, not so much buddy, but ok? As we headed out of town Brock was sure we were going to the Jazz game until we got on the freeway headed south and not north. I thought the poor kid was going to cry. We finally told them that we were going to a place called Buffalo Bills in Primm, NV.

We got to Vegas around dark and decided to take a detour down the strip. That's when the small town came out in the kids. I was crackin' up, it was like sensory overload for all of them. Some of the best things I heard.... "Look Graffiti!"-Kaleb, "I bet they have to have those stop sign-ey things here (stoplights)."- Brock, "Guys, look on my side. HOLY FREAKIN' COW!"-Carlie

When finally got to Primm and got checked in. The kids wanted to go out and explore, but we were waiting for a special phone call, from Mickey Mouse. He called right on time, I put the call on speaker phone and this is what he told the kids.....
Good morning, pal! It's me, Mickey. Your parents told me you've got a real big day planned. And that you're taking a trip! Oh boy! That sounds like fun! Gee Pluto, what should we do today? Guess we could go fishin' or visit Donald and Goofy or go on a picnic with Minnie. I think he wants to do all three. Guess Pluto and I better get movin' then. Well, I hope you have a swell day, pal! And I'll see ya real soon!

At first none of them really got it, but when I asked why Mickey would call them about a vacation and say "see ya real soon", they freaked! Brock thought we were leaving right then and was bummed that we weren't staying at Buffalo Bills! He got over it real quick! Everyone was too wound up to sleep so we walked down to the arcade and the bulk candy shop. The kids all got to sign their names on the wall and thought that was the coolest thing ever..... you were allowed to write on the wall, even encouraged?!?! Kaleb picked a tiny spot where the wall curved right in the front window, pretty clever!

We finally got everyone to sleep. Carlie though her bed of two chairs pushed together was the coolest thing ever. Everyone went to sleep good, almost too good. I should have know it wouldn't last. Carlie woke up about 12:30 with an earache. She couldn't get back to sleep and I didn't pack any medicine. I finally went on a search around 1:00, with Carlie (she refused to stay). Four gas stations later, right before I headed back to Vegas, I found some Motrin. Note to self, DON'T leave town without some children's meds!

Saturday morning, we all piled back in the car and started driving again. All I can say is thank heavens for DVD's in the car! And for GPS....we would have been lost, literally, without it!
I got each of the kids a little journal to record the trip in. It was fun to hear their thoughts as they asked how to spell different words and read us what they had written.

By the time we made it to Anaheim, we were ready to check in and relax for a bit. Our room was a suite, with a separate little room for the kids. I really loved that we weren't all crowded into one room. The kids could go to bed at night and Derrick and I could watch TV or whatever without bothering them.

The pool was in the center courtyard right outside of our room. I think the kids were almost as excited for the pool as Disneyland!

I loved the cheery red doors and yellow walls.... so me!

It was nice to relax a bit and just chill while the kids swam!

After swimming we got some dinner and explored. This huge mural was painted on one of the outside shop walls.

Along with this one! While we were eating dinner, a family with a handicapped boy was sitting just outside the glass window from us. I kept noticing the mom watching us a bit. As they got up to leave she came in and gave me some coupons for the diner were were at and told me they had extras and she hoped they would help with our families meal. I was so touched that she would go out of her way like that! Guess what else happened to be right down the street from our room? Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory! Yep, we had Apple Pie Carmel Apple almost every night!

We walked down to Downtown Disney for a bit. The kids were in HEAVEN in the Lego shop. Kaleb especially couldn't get enough!

It really is amazing the things they come with built out of Lego's!

Carlie, Woody, Derrick, Brock and Kaleb

One last picture before we headed back to bed! Stay tuned, days 3, 4, 5 and 6 still to come, along with many, many more pictures!

{The Best-est Bloggy Girls Weekend EVER}

A few weeks ago, ok, really it was almost a month ago, but a few weeks sounds better, so I'm goin' with it... I had the chance to go on a little girls getaway weekend to Bear Lake. I have to be honest, of course I was excited, but I was more nervous, like so nervous I really wasn't sure I wanted to go. Why? Well, out of the 10 gals going I really only knew two in real life. The rest I knew through their blogs, but lets face it, how many of us put the real us out there on blogs? I'm not saying we completely mis-represent ourselves, but there is a LOT that gets left out. A lot you aren't willing to share with the world. So, I was a bit apprehensive about the whole trip. Not to mention that it fell during Derrick's elk hunt, so I had to have other people helping with my kids.

Anyhow, I picked up Ann (my BFF, who made everything much more comfortable) and Heather (a friend, I worked with at the airport years ago) and we headed off to Garden City. The drive up Logan Canyon was beautiful and of course we had to stop and take a few pictures.

Me, Heather and Ann
We were the first ones to pull into the cabin, and I was impressed! Isn't it nice? But as we sat and waited for some of the others to get there, I was having a bit of a panic moment! Cherie, Katie (Cherie's daughter), Keely and Melissa all arrived at the same time, and the fun and laughter started. From then on I knew it would all be ok....there was no awkward minute, it was just fun! The rest of the group, Tauna, Kimmie, and Brittany (Cherie's other daughter) arrived a bit later.
(I've linked to all their blog post about the weekend. You should check them out. They all have some great pictures and different takes on everything. Really you should just check them all out period. They are each just plain fantastic.....who knows you may end up being real life friends someday too!)

Cherie planned the whole weekend- from the cabin to the food assignments, it was all great and come to find out.... it was her birthday the day we got there! Talented Heather made a cake and yea, we made her blow out a candle for each fabulous year of her fantastic life! We stayed up late and visited and laughed and talked about an assortment of things from Brazil to crafting, hehe!

If you are lucky enough to celebrate a birthday with Cherie, you get the honor of joining her "Big Lips Club". Don't we all look Fan-tab-ulous?

Melissa, aka-MCat, had to head home Friday morning darn it.... so we all posed for a few pictures before she left (minus Katie, she was snoozing away still)

Top to bottom, Ann, Mo, Heather, Keeley, Kimmie, Cherie, Tauna, & Melissa

and one more with Brittany and minus Kimmie who took this picture!

Ann, Kimmie and Tauna

The views of the lake were beautiful and we decided to take advantage of a break in the damp weather to enjoy the sun peaking out and drive down to the lake!

Katie and Brittany were SO stinkin' cute and reminded me so much of my sister and I . They were just happy to be together and enjoyed every minute!

Pretty scenery and fun friends.... what more could a mama ask for on her break from reality?

Keely, Tauna, Katie, Brittney, Cherie, Heather, Monica and Kimmie

JUMP!

Keely, Tauna, Monica, Cherie and Kimmie

The Fantastic Bakow Girlies

The last night we were there, Ann, Heather, Keely, Katie and I stayed up way too late and had a great talk. I can't even begin to tell you how much I learned from these girls and how much their stories and testimonies touched me.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of the cabin itself, and honestly I could steal some from the other girls blogs, but that would take time and this post is a month past due, so I'm not going to. Anyhow, take my word for it, the cabin was nice, really nice, and there was plenty of room for all of us!

My roomie and I!

Mo, Ann, Keely & Heather

One of the last few pictures we took before leaving.

Can I tell you how sad I was to leave these fantastic women? I left with a heavy heart, and I missed them all before I even made it home. I doubt they will ever know how much each of them touched my life! I loved that we could all laugh together, cry together, share things that were really important to us and feel safe, not judged. These were truly spectacular women and I honestly love each of them!

And just as an added bonus, Ann and I stopped at Kneaders Bakery for lunch before I headed the rest of the way home for dessert I had my favorite fruit tart (ok, I actually bought 6... yes 6 or maybe 7? But I did give 4 of them away to all the people who helped me with my kiddos, so don't judge, they are yummers and you'd eat more than one too!) The perfect ending to a fantastic weekend! How long till we do this again girls?

{Gram & Papa's Punkin' Patch}

Every year, my mom and dad plant a section of pumpkins in the their garden for the grand kids. We all get together for a Family Home Evening and everyone gets to take home the pumpkin of their choice.

The Pumpkin Patch

and from another angle. I love it when the weather is nice, the kids can play and we can all just enjoy being together! This year my cute cousin Cami was spending the afternoon with my mom, so she got to be included in the fun too. Doesn't Kaleb make the best scarecrow?

All the kids take turns drawing a number to decide who gets to pick there pumpkin first. Cami may look confused.... Her number is one, but she is holding up two fingers??? She was just really digging the peace sign that night!

The Dearden Clan-aka, my kiddos!

Brock decided to go Elk hunting with his dad and miss out on the pumpkin fun. So, I picked him out a pumpkin and took a picture of it, all by it's lonely self!

The Teeples's Peoples-aka, Lisa's kiddos!

and last but not least, The Beckstrand Bunch- aka, Shad's girls and Cami!

What a great bunch of kids, all with their pumpkins!

and of course the silly picture (that's more realistic anyhow)!

After the pumpkin fun we all roasted hot dog and cooked tin foil dinners in the fire pit. I feel so lucky that both my brothers, my sister and our parents are all so close. I love that the kids are growing up together and I'm thankful for the the time we get to spend together! I also love that my parents do this and we don't have to go buy pumpkins!