Another Perfect Family Vacation!

Well, instead of going on a summer vacation, this year we decided to go in September instead. We headed off to California with some of Bryce's high school friends and their families to stay in Laguna Beach. I was a little nervous about staying in one house with three other families that consisted of 13 small children total, but to my surprise the vacation turned out great! The house was on the beach and we spent a lot of time there. The kids got along great and they all had a ton of fun. We went down to San Diego Wild Animal Park, Bryce and his friends got to go to a Chargers game to see their other friend play, of course we hit Disneyland for a few days, and it was an awesome trip! The worst part is for sure coming home. I hate all the aftermath from a trip. I think I could just vacation all the time and leave it all behind PERMENANTLY! But, that never seems to happen, so here I am, trying to pick up all the pieces of our life and put them back together again and dreaming of our next vaca! Trip highlights. For S, he could FINALLY ride Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Sorin' over California, and the best, Splash Mountain! For K, riding California Screamin 6 times! For V, rekindling an old friendship with friends Izzy and Addie and boogie boarding and learning how to duck dive a wave. For Bryce, hanging out with old friends and his family at the same time, and for me, those precious moments every night after the kids went to bed and listening to the waves all night as I sleep.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Early Friday Morning I awoke early to a text. I opened it and there was a message from my DH. "Eleven years ago today was the happiest day of my life! Happy Anniversary my Love!" I have to admit it was a complete shock since the previous week we had been on a very busy vacation and I didn't really even have time to think about it. It was the greatest text ever! Our day, was not so great though. Bryce was driving home all day from California with three of our kids while I was home in Utah with the baby all alone. He finally arrived at 10 o'clock at night and recieved an amazing anniversary dinner complete with bacon and eggs and toast, then our day was over. No it doesn't sound so romantic, but it was fine. It was nothing like our anniversary trip to Hawaii last year, but they can't all be Hawaii now. He took me out the next night and we had our time. I couldn't have agreed more with his text. That day was also the greatest day of my life. We have had eleven amazing years together and to my shock, they just keep getting better and better! I truly did marry my best friend and life is so much sweeter with him around. Thank you baby for eleven truly wonderful years! I can't wait for the next eleven!! I love you!

Where to begin!

The Spider tree.

Kael and His Fish (he earned it!)

We Love Uncle Brian!
The Ferris Wheel Incident.
Saxon got stung by a bee in the eye, sorry dude.
More of the Killer Ferris Wheel.

So many fun things have happened the past few weeks, and I have been a slacker and haven't posted any of them so this will be a catch-up post.

My brothers Brian and Scott came out for a (way too short) visit. We had a lot of fun seeing them. We went out for a trip on the boat, had a BBQ, and pretty much just enjoyed their company. I hate that you guys live so far!!

I got brave and decided to take the kids (sans Cache) to the State Fair last week and it turned out to be the best day!! I promised them only two rides and they chose the Ferris Wheel and the Gravitron (anyone remember that one??) I usually don't get that excited about the rides, but these two will always have a special place in my heart after this trip. We started on the ferris wheel. Kids were so excited we went up and up and up, then the operator left it at the top for a few minutes to let us have a good view. Well it was at that time that my dear daughter decided that she was afriad of heights! She had a mild panic attack and started bawling! This is the same girl whose favorite ride at Disneyland is Space Mountain, go figure! I am so glad I took a picture to capture the moment. She eventually got over it when the ride continued. Then we went on the Gravitron. OH MY was that the funniest thing I have ever been a part of. All 4 of us were laughing so hard that we had to b-line for the bathrooms when it was over. What a great time. We had treats, looked at some livestock, fished, got to see some pretty impressive Carnies, what more could you ask for. Definately one of the funnest times I have had with the kids. And at the fair, who knew?

On Sunday we went up to one of out favorite places up in the canyon, Cascade Springs. What a beautiful place. I love having the mountains so close. We packed a picnic and had a great time. The kids found a "spider tree" and had to climb it.

So now we start another week. We are leaving for Southern California this week so it's time for me to start the packing process, oh how fun. Here are a few picks of the great times we've had!