Monday, September 29, 2014

California Vacation Sept '14

Last time I updated the blog as to why we've made choices and where we're headed next. I also mentioned that Travis had finally been given the A-Ok to take his boards exam. The test was being offered in California, St. George, and Vegas, so we chose California and finally took our family Vacation that we've postponed 100 times. Once we'd made the decision to take the test in Cali, everything once again fell into place; soon our vacation unfolded:

Day 1: We woke up in St. George at my Aunt Jenny's home where we spent the night. My uncle made us delicious German pancakes, he showed Maddix all his "army guy" stuff, Travis studied, then I walked the boys over to the park where we had a pretty dang fun time:)
I got a kick out of pulling
myself up the pole like
America's Top Ninja ;)

This Cutie LOVED the park

Striking a Pose in front of the red rocks!
After lunch we finished our drive off to California and made it for dinner and Trav's Uncle Lee's. The drive had it's up's and down's. Aaron still tries to hold his breath to pass out and he tried it in the car. I couldn't find the squirt bottle so I grabbed my water bottle, filled my mouth with water, and spit in his face... that stopped him.

Along the way Maddix decided he had to pee REALLY bad and couldn't wait... and of course we had JUST past the last exit for awhile. As soon as their was a shoulder we pulled over and he began peeing (I had a bottle all ready and everything). He peed on the hubcap which was HOT so it steamed. He was SO happy and told me his pee was on fire.


Day 2: I woke up sick! Can you believe it?? So we did very little. Travis studied, we went and grabbed lunch at Del Taco, and somewhat lounged around. 
Mmm, I love my burrito

Me feeling sick :s


Day 3: T-Day (~Testing Day~)
Travis left to take his test and I was starting to feel better. Trav's Aunt Ann was so sweet and took Maddix to run errands with her while Aaron and I napped. After lunch I took the boys over to a Splash Pad where we met some new little friends and had so much fun!
When Travis came back I couldn't tell if he was beaten, relieved, or so exhausted that he was going to fall over. He sat on the couch and just zoned for a bit before speaking. Then he came around and we went out into the pool; he said it was a very surreal moment to be in the pool NOT feeling guilty that he gets to be with the boys and he wasn't studying.
Getting those fountains! 

Love this boy

Maddix played real well with this
little boy
Day 4: Beach Day! Need I say more?

I LOVE the beach

~It's a PaRtY~

"I'm gonna chase these birds!"

Sandcastle operation

Sand-EATING operation

Maddix requested to be buried.

While he was buried, Aaron walked over and dumped sand in his face
ha ha, I think he slapped his head also:)
Pay back for Maddix always picking on him! 

He broke Free

Successful day at the beach= passed out in the car
Day 5: DiSnEyLaNd!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This day couldn't have been anymore fun than it was! Aside from one melt down from both boys around lunch (and a mini one around dinner for Maddix), it was as special and magical as it could get.  

There was MUCH anticipation at the front gate as we bought our tickets
 They couldn't suppress the giggles as they looked around
 Welcome to California Adventure Park
 Let the rides begin

All during the wait Aaron kept pointing all around
and chattering. He really wanted to die the ferris wheel.


He even snuggled! 

So that's where we headed next

At first he really liked it.

But when the bucket started rocking, he LOST it
Maddix's FAVORITE ride of the morning was Soaring California. He went with Trav first and then I went with him after. He had to explain to me all the things he and Travis had talked about his first time:) He pointed out the pictures, their facts, the lights, the movie at the entrance, and showed me how to buckle me seat. Once it started he through his hands up in the air and went "Wooooh!" as it lifted into the sky. One the way out he said, "I can't believe it! I can't believe I didn't have a single fear on that ride!" 
I love that he is tall enough to do all the rides with us now:)
He's so goofy... and goofy is in the background

Bear River Run

Wilderness Explorer Course

Wilderness Explorer Course

DOUG
 As we FINALLY walked into Cars Land, Maddix looked up at the sky and exclaimed, "Thanks you Disneyland for letting me come ride all your rides!" Then he jumped up and down.
Maddix was finally tall enough for the Cars ride so while he and daddy went, Aaron and I waited. Then Maddix and I went. Oh! his face....
... his elated face made the whole day worth it.

First crash of the day



He had even more fun than Maddix

We even ran into Jake

These boys don't know how spoiled they were that there was
no line and they received so much undivided attention from
the Wonderland twins and Jake the Neverland Pirate!!







On the walk back to the hotel
to get the car and go to dinner

Water sculpture at our hotel

Dinner at Mexicasa! 
Travis HAD to take the boys here for dinner. 
This is where Travis grew up going to dinner when his family would go to Disneyland
 And then they crashed as we got back from dinner... so we changed them to Pj's and they caught a second wind as we headed back for World of Color
 This boy has been saving his money for months to buy himself a bucket of Legos from the Disney Lego store!

My NEW bucket
 Final Moments of Disney... this day was really SO Magical!


Disney we love you. You encompass everything to us that childhood should be. And now it's what our children will associate childhood with as well.
 And this is how you know it was a successful day:
Day 6: Swap Meet, Swimming, and the BYU Game

Found that baby in the furniture section

BYU Game

Running the punt return back
for a touchdown! 

Playing pool 
Day 7: Sunday~ Just relaxing. Got to go to church, go for a nice walk, and spend time with Travis's Aunt and Uncle's family. 
Day 8: Beach Day #2
He was concerned about his daddy in the water, that he couldn't
wait any longer and just ran over to him. I love the footprints
in the sand. 


Maddix's turn on the board

Aaron's turn on the board

He enjoyed the board more on the sand

Buried! 

This was a good moment ;)


Sand Castle

Lovin' the beach

My turn to be buried

He had a good day
Day 9: The Journey home. 
It started at 5:30am and drove straight home. We got back just in time to have a bbq with our friends and run over to our Softball game. 
This was such a gorgeous sunrise!
Thanks to the flood, Arizona and the Nevada deserts
have never looked more green! 

I just got prettier and prettier. 


Night at the ball field

He played an amazing final game! 

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