Utah

We had a nice, however exhausting, trip to Utah! Eric couldn't get vacation during the Summer, so I decided to take it with the kids anyway. My mom hitched a ride and we split up the drive by staying in Mesquite since I was the only driver. The kids did suprisingly well on the ride (aside from totally trashing the suv). My Aunt Carla was nice enough to let us crash at her beautiful home in the mountains in Draper. It was really pretty! Halle got to stay in my cousin Paige's room and she thought that was great! She idolizes my cousin and want to be just like her! Paige was a good sport and even got into the Hanah Montana 3D concert, sporting paper glasses and all. I got to see my bestest cousins growing up- Dustin & Missy- all in one trip and that was amazing! We were also able to see both sets of grandparents and my aunt Shiela. I took the kids up to Smithfield to see our friends that moved from Ca and the kids we in heaven being with their frinds day in and out. I think they stayed up until 11 or 12 every night! We brought Halle's little friend katie home with us to visit for 2 weeks. While up at Mike and Melissa's I was able to stop in for a YUMMY breakfast at my Aunt Lisa's. We made it home alive, if only partially for myself, but the jury is still out on wether or not I will attempt this sort of undertaking again. It was worth it too see all the family though!

~our vacation~

Point Loma~ we went up to Point Loma a couple of times to see the monuments and the view! My dad loves to teach the kids all about military history and take them to see everything. The tide pools there are amazing too. The kids saw hundreds of little crabs and could have stayed there all day exploring.

The hotel~ there were some fun features, like the fire pits by the water and the kids really liked the whale fountain

The hotel pool~ Huge pool right off the marina.

Waverunners~ we rented a waverunner and rode it all over the bay. There were plenty of aircraft carriers in to see up close and it was really cool to see downtown and go under the Coronado bridge. Halle like it as long as I didn't go too fast. Gavin would have nothing to do with it so he rented a little red floating disc, more or less, that shot water out.
Seaport Village~ a wonderful seafood dinner and a carraige ride as well as a little shopping

San Diego Zoo

The first day of our trip we went ot the sd zoo. The weather was really great (as always in sd) and the kids had a great time. at the sd zoo
isaac loved the zoo!!! he walked around everywhere just like a big boy!! halle on the skyride- i love this pic- she looks so grown-up

the single most exciting exhibit for the kids- a sank eating a mouse ("why" "BUT WHY" gavin kept wanting to know)

Crazy Sunday Mornings

I have to admit that I have been feeling a little burned out by the Sunday morning grind! I am so tired of hauling the kids there by myself every week, I am done before we even get there usually. I have been working really hard to change my attitude about this and make it one time! We are two for two Sundays so far and counting. The secret: "pillow take downs" as my kids call them. I never let them take all the couch cushins off, but Isaac discovered that he could recently and it has provided them more fun than anything!! I have never seen them so happy on Sunday morning- and we even had time for pics!!

Museum Field Trip

We had fun at the San Bernardino County Museum right before school ended. Helping out with the 40 5 and 6 year olds made me appreciate her dear teacher even more. We had fun though! They had a building with different bugs and reptiles and we saw the madagascar hissing cockroaches that made an appearance nearly weekly on Fear Factor. I always liked to think that I would be able to eat all that nasty stuff by just closing my eyes and envisioning the cash... i have now decided otherwise!

halle and the roaches