Family Vacation

I thought a lot about my own family vacations as a child while we were on this trip. I always knew the were really nice, but now I know they were REALLY nice. And, generally, when we would go it was for 4-10 days. My parents were saints to put up with us during all those times in the car, hotel, hikes, picnics and restuarants. I'm sure they would tell you they were some of the best memories they have just as they are some of mine. But I'm also sure they would tell there was a lot of "you're on my side, she's touching me, look out your own window" junk too. They took us to a lot of really great places and we learned a lot in the process. I really hope we can do the same with our children. There's something about just being with your family and learning to get a long in such tight quarters for days at a time. You appreciate each other more and less of everything seems to matter. And for those days, those precious children are all I have to think, worry or care about it. I wish more days could be like that. Perhaps... a new goal for the new year.


Zion National Park

I love this park. It is abosultey breath taking! We haven't been there since they implemented the shuttle bus and it really was quite pleasant. You could see and enjoy a lot more. Plus, the random tidbits of information were kind of interesting.

We took a few different hikes. Nothing too outrageous since we had the kids. I have never struggled much with a fear of heights until recently. I started thinking about when this all changed and it just so happens it occured with the birth of our children. My stomach was churning during several stretches of the hiking. Joey even informed me that I was hurting his hand I was holding it so tight. Guilty!! But, if you've meet Joe or Katie and seen how they don't pay attention (especially when frolicking through nature) and they seem to dance to where ever they're going to, then you would completely understand. And, I must be so much more paranoid about it than Todd. Of course, there were times when his voice firm and his grip was tight, but he was rolling his eyes at me more than a few times.

Like this bridge. Totally paranoid Joey was going fall through. And now, as I'm looking at this picture I'm thinking I'm really nuts. But, I swear it looked so much more dangerous when we were on it and he was trying to poke his legs, head or whatever through.

A feeding frenzy! Seriously, they are like wild beasts who haven't been feed in weeks when they hear any sort of wrapper. I promise we do feed them frequently.

Joe really wanted a picture with the red road, but thought he the pose would be better suited on this rock. Sometimes I wonder about that kid. Oh, and not like the above picture is doing him any favors as he digs for gold. Yikes! Just noticed that. And, poor Katie is totally wiped out waiting for the bus. I couldn't believe how well and how far these two hiked on their own.

The sleeping arrangements for this trip proved interesting. The plan was to put John in the Pack n' Play and Katie and Joey would share the other bed. Very bad plan! Joe was so excited he jist didn't know what to do with himself. He was all over the place and a complete pest to poor Katie. So plans changed and Joe went to the pack n' play and John slept on a bed of hotel towels atop the luggage rack squished between the bed and a chair. He didn't seem to mind.

And, nothing beats trick or treating in the mall on Halloween. Especially a mall that handed out nothing but choking hazards. LAME! So I had to make a run to Walmart for child friendly candy post mall trick or treat. The upside, we didn't have any Halloween candy to create sugar highs for more than a day! Really though, if they had had more age appropriate candy the mall really is a good gig. Quick and safe!

Bryce Canyon National Park

The last week in October we took a little family vacation to southern Utah. We had a ball. I hadn't been to many of these places in years. I was somewhat surreal to be back there married with my children. Who would've thought?! I suppose when you're a teen you aren't really thinking about your future family vacations!

My dad used to make us pose with all the signs of each national park we visited. We used to tease him and still do. But, now I'm realizing it just seems a little more official that way.

Katie is extremely displeased about this photo spot. I had just explained to them that they needed to mind and stay away from the edge so they didn't fall off. She felt like this was "too close" to the edge and was very angry with me!

This kid is hilarious!

On all our trips growing up we could "earn" treats for spotting animals. Generally, there was a smaller treat for the more frequently spotted things like a deer or elk. You could upgrade to a larger treat if you spotted something more rare like a coyote or moose. These "larger" treats were usually gummi worms. We loved gummi worms. They just tasted so much better than a gummi bear. I'm not sure why I felt this way, but I still do. So in attempting to carry on some of the family trip traditions I purchased some animal spotting treats for the trip. Now that I'm the one "calling the treat shots" in the front seat we skipped right to the gummi worms. No small treats for us. We were going all the way. So after some careful explanation to our children we implemented the spotting treat. As we left the parking lot of a hike in the park Joey shouts, "Mom, I spot a tree! Can I have a gummi worm?" Man, that kid is tricky. Apparently, we didn't clarify what was a legitmate "spot."

The weather wasn't too cold once we got off the ridges. The hikes were so pleasant. It was so nice to not be totally drenched in sweat when you finished a hike!

This place really is unbelievable. Todd and I kept wishing we could've seen the million year camera to see how all of it was formed.

These two just crack me up. I could just squish them with kisses.

At least this one still lets me!

Just building a few Hoodoos.

Memorial Day

We decided to take a little "vacation" for Memorial Day! We headed up to my parents house for the weekend. The kids were totally bummed because they were out of town--they didn't really think it was much of a vacation. Oh well, we didn't sleep in our beds so it felt like one to us! While we were there we took baby John to visit Grossmutter. She loved him!

On Monday, we headed to the Ogden River Parkway for a bike ride. Todd and Katie cruised the whole thing together on there bikes. Joey and I were on a bit more low key trek. I had John in the double stroller assuming Joey's legs would eventually tire out and he would want a ride too. However, it wasn't his legs that tired out as much as it was his fear of every dog that would walk by. And, there were a lot of dogs as you can imagine so it was more a game of musical stroller and bike with him. As long as there were no dogs Joey loved it. He was fascinated by the river. He was a little worried about the dinosaurs despite my reassurance they were not real!

**Apparently, those dinosaurs were a little more frightening to him than I realized. The next morning when I went to retrieve him from his "housebed" he was frantically crying and begging me to get him out. When I finally got him out and he calmed down he told me there were dinosaurs in his bed trying to get him! Poor little guy.

Deer Valley

Every year our good friends from medical school come to Utah to ski. So we make a vacation of it as well. And, every year I vow to take more and better pictures and every year I fail miserably. I don't have one picture of the kids sking---but I promise we did!

San Diego

The first of October we were able to take a vacation to southern California with my family. It was certainly a fun filled week. The kids were passed out every night within a minute of their heads hitting the pillow. I think we were equally as exhausted!

Joey and Katie had a ball at the beach until Joey spotted the seaweed. He was absolutely convinced they were snakes out to bite him.








Since the invention of the car DVD player I'm sure family vacations have become much more pleasant for all parties involved. At least that was the case for us! I suppose I should be slightly disturbed by Katie's face, but it certainly made our drive very pleasant. The only downside...whenever she asked a question she would scream at us because of her headphones.

And seriously, it should be against the law to travel with this much random crap attached to your car. This guy is seriously trapped in his car and he has officially kept the Saran Wrap people in business!








SAN DIEGO ZOO



I think the zoo was one of our favorites from the trip. There were very few people and the animals were extremely playful with the cool weather. Katie was absolutely fascinated by all the snakes. We even had to go and see them again before we left in the evening.






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This chimp was hilarious. He kept flirting with Katie and then he would act like he was mad at her by turning around and ignoring her. Then he would flirt some more. She loved it. Of course, once the chimp was near the glass Joey was terrified and kept saying "Bye bye monkey, bye bye!"


SEA WORLD

The kids loved Sea World! The shows were awesome because they were only 20 minutes long. Just perfect for restless excited children. Katie went on her first real roller coaster ride and was terrified and hooked. She went on it four more times. When I went through she kept reminding me not to be scared as she would snuggle in tighter to me. I loved it!

Katie thought feeding the rays was awesome! She said it felt like a vacuum sucking on her hand when it would take the fish.












Joey was aboslutely fascinated by the acquariums. He loved seeing "Nemo, tootles (turtles) and whales!

HUNTINGTON BEACH

On our way up to Disneyland we stopped in Huntington Beach for some lunch. Todd had some fish tacos from one of his favorite places while he lived there. Then it was off to the beach. Katie fell in the water fully clothed and Joey was terrified of the seagulls. If I wasn't holding him and a gull was within 10 feet he was screaming and crying. I don't know what it is with him and living things. He is terrified!!! So to top off a soaking wet daughter and a crying toddler we got a parking ticket. Apparently, we can't count and we parked during a week parking wasn't allowed. Seriously, why do people make it so hard. I shouldn't have to think that hard to park. The sign said, "No parking Mondays and Wednesdays the first and third weeks of the month." SERIOUSLY!!! We were sure it was the second week along with the five other people parked there with tickets! Stupid city!

DISNEYLAND

I don't think I've ever seen this little girl more excited in my entire life. Disneyland was made for her. She was in heaven.

We started our adventure in Adventureland on the jungle cruise and then headed for Pirates. They've upgraded that ride a lot since I was last there. Katie was terrified. Apparently, she thought the people were real and shooting at her. She was just shaking with fright next to us in the boat. Joey of course was completely clueless and yet totally enthralled. We had to have a long discussion about how all the rides in Disneyland have robots. Nothing is real. She still wasn't entirely convinced. When we went on Peter Pan she peeked through covered eyes the entire time.

By day two she was finally beginning to believe us. After all this we decided it was probably best not to take her in the Haunted Mansion. She begged and begged. We finally gave in. I took her in and she was crying before we even got on the ride. By the end she had recovered and wanted to go again.

Joey was absolutely terrified of Mickey Mouse. He wouldn't even let me hold him on the side Mickey was standing on. He kept saying, "No mouse, bye bye." When we finally left he said, "Thank you mama!" I couldn't stop laughing. It was so stinkin' cute! Poor kid.
Who new the kid loved ribs!! We had to pry the bone from his hands to leave.

Katie's face on about every ride. I think this was actually Small World. She was practically incoherent on all the rides, totally mesmerized!








Joey's favorite ride was definitely Winnie the Pooh with Nemo as a very close second. He loved it. He just kept saying, "Pooh, geen (again)."

Katie was dying to meet the "princesses." So we stood in the hour line hoping her favorites would be there when it was our turn. Apparently, there are only three at a time and they rotate every half hour. Fortunately, our turn was right during the change over and we happened to luck out and meet 4 princesses. And Mulan was there. SCORE!!!! This is probably the most shy I have ever seen Katie in my life. She would hardly talk. Usually I can't get her to stop talking.

Attempting a picture in front of the castle at night with 8 billion people around.

It was definitely an awesome trip. I'm so glad we were able to share it with my family. They really are the best. Thank you so much!

Katie has asked almost every day when we will be going back. She still can't decide what her favorite ride is. It generally consists of half the park.

Joey has been in love with Mickey Mouse since we got home---go figure.

(*I have to admit I loved the Buzz Lightyear ride. It's Sweet. Todd's favorite was the California Screamin' coaster. It was pretty awesome. The 0-60 in a seconds was a serious rush!)