sea world

we decided to go out of town for our last weekend before school. we planned a quick weekend getaway with jen and ray and their kids. we booked a hotel in san diego and got tickets for sea world.

i was so excited to go. we drove up on saturday and then went to sea world on sunday and drove home from there. we only got to stay one night but it was very fun. the hotel had a pool. we changed into our suits and went swimming right away after we checked in. the kids loved the hotel. mason said "this place is amazing," making me realize that my children are pretty deprived. we never stay at hotels, and this was not a super nice hotel like miles and i used to stay at. we all went out to dinner at a restaurant in the gas lamp district. it was cool. i liked walking around.

today we woke up early and went to sea world. the last time we went to sea world we only had mason so it has been a really long time. everyone was super excited. it is also jen's birthday so that added to the celebration.

mason wanted to go on a real roller coaster because his friend archer had been on one so uncle ray was nice enough to take him on manta. yikes! his first grown up roller coaster. he was so brave. i was actually too scared to take him on it myself. after it was over he was cute and said he would go on it again but maybe not right now.

connor's favorite ride was the sky buckets. they gave you a beautiful view of the bay. all the kids loved the sesame street section where they got to climb through rope mazes. they would have loved to spend all day there. we saw most of the shows. i liked the sea lion show the best because it is funny but they are all good.

it was such a great day. i really wish we could have stayed another night. i am sad tomorrow is school. i don't want our summer to end.

river trip

we just got home from another fun filled river trip. i am always sad to come home. the week goes by so fast. i love to just sit in the sun and play in the water with the kids all day. our trip this year was also cut short by one day because miles had to work on sunday. we didn't get there until monday evening. at least miles got to go with us though. we were not sure if he was going to get the time off or not. i would have been so sad to go without him.

it was a nice trip. nothing went wrong this year. i did run out of gas while driving the sea-doo with dahlia and had to be towed back to camp but that was it. no drama. hurray. we were pretty relaxed this year. we spent our days sitting by the water, going on boat rides, and swimming. the evenings were all about cooking outside, playing board games, and staring at the stars. miles brought a movie projector and the kids got to watch movies projected on the side of the motorhome.

dahlia and mason were in the water with me all day long. they loved it. connor was funny. he would come out of the trailer and play in the water for a little bit and then say he wanted to go back inside. he must take after miles. miles was in the trailer for most of day. i don't think i saw him play in the water at all. connor did like to come out once the day started to cool off and then he would practice fishing.

the weather was very mild this year. it is usually scorching but this year was great. on thursday morning it rained for a bit. after the rain stopped the river was so calm and still. it was gorgeous. i really loved the trip. it is nice to feel connected to nature again. i want to keep that feeling with me always.

family snow trip

we just got back from our annual trip to the snow. we were lucky again and got to stay at the cabin that my sister's boss owns. it is so nice to not have to rent one. we left saturday afternoon and stayed until monday afternoon. it is only about a two hour drive from our house so we had time to play in the snow on saturday before it got dark. we had all these plans about leaving early in the morning but i didn't finish packing in time so it was almost noon when we finally got on the road. you think i would know by now not to wait until the morning of the trip to start packing.

the cabin is nice and big. we stayed there with my three sisters, ray, and their kids. there was 6 adults and 6 kids in all. we got the downstairs den with a sofa bed and everybody else stayed upstairs in the two bedrooms. the kids wanted to go sledding right away so we did that first. we went back to the same place as last year only to find a big sign that said "no snow play." i was so bummed. we played there anyway though. we only had about an hour before it would start to get dark so we decided to risk getting caught. rebels. i was worried though. i don't like to break the rules. i hate to get in trouble. i am the person who usually follows the rules and then that one time that i don't, i get busted. we were lucky this time though and no one caught us. christina was making fun of us being so paranoid.

the next day we decided to find a legitimate place to go sledding so we could stay for a while. this took a bit but we finally found an information center that told us where to go. there was definitely not as much snow this year as the previous years. it was warmer out and the snow was a bit slushy in places. we hiked a bit up a hill to find a nice secluded place to sled. it was great. we were really the only ones around. the kids were so funny sledding. they were all so brave this year. they all wanted to go down by themselves. connor even went down the hill by himself. at one point christina got on a sled with four kids piled on top and they all went down together. we even got susan to go sledding. she said she hadn't gone since she was a child. of course we also made a snowman and snow angels. the usual stuff.

the last day we had breakfast and decided to go on a walk around the lake before heading home. there wasn't any snow around the lake. it was a really pretty day. i really enjoyed our little walk. the kids all searched for the perfect pine cone to take home as their treasure and then we said goodbye to the lake and headed home.

river trip

we are home from the river. what a fun trip we had this year. i was so happy to have miles join us. it was so much easier taking care of three little kids with another adult helping. we stayed at the same echo lodge resort we always stay at. this year we had three campsites. my brother and his friends decided they did not want to sleep outside and they rented a trailer like us. we shared our trailer with jen, ray, bodhi, kira, and susan. there were kids and stuff everywhere. so fun and super messy!

all the kids were excited to be at the river. as soon as we got there they jumped out of the car and ran to the water. that is pretty much where they were the whole trip. swimming in the water and playing in the sand. it was crazy hot there. over 100 degrees during the day. it usually takes me a day to get used to it. i always have a moment when i am unpacking our stuff and i ask myself "why do we come here?" of course by wednesday i am wanting time to slow down so our vacation can last longer.

we were lucky and didn't have any drama this year. hurray! no boats sinking or trips to the emergency room, just lots of relaxing by the water. we did all our favorite river activities like water skiing, riding the sea-doos, swimming, cooking outside, playing games at night, and gazing at the stars. dahlia was such a little fish. she would be in the water all day. it was so nice to spend the week with the family. we all got a little sad when it was time to pack up and drive away. "goodbye river" the kids and i chanted while we drove away. see you next year.

sledding

we had a really great weekend. we took the kids to the snow for a weekend getaway. my sister's boss owns a cabin in crestline and let us stay there for the holiday weekend. christina, zena, jen, ray, bodhi, kira, susan, and doug all went with us. what a wonderful trip. miles and i didn't think there was going to be any snow because the weather has been so warm lately. we were even thinking of canceling the trip and not going. luckily we decided to go anyway. what a surprise we had in the morning to see snow outside the house.

there was just enough snow for the kids to sled down in the backyard but not enough for a snowman so we decided to make the short drive to arrowhead and find more. we ended up at a lake arrowhead state park. we found this great place that was not very crowded and had lots of snow for sledding and making a snowman. we stayed until the kids were tired and cold and it was starting to get a little dark. then we headed back to the cabin for hot cocoa and warm baths.

we returned to the same little spot the next day. we wanted to get a little more sledding done before heading down the mountain. our short trip only lasted two nights but it was so great to get away. i know the kids had a blast and i am hoping we can return in the summer to enjoy the beautiful lake. thank you christina for arranging such a fun trip!

the river

i survived! i am so happy to say that i took all the kids to the river without miles for six nights and they did not drown or get severely injured. whew! i was really worried about being the only parent responsible for three little kids while camping next to a running river. luckily i had lots of help from all my family members.

this had to be the most exhausting vacation i have ever had. i still have not fully recovered. i am so glad i went though. the kids really love it there. so do i.

of course the river trip would not be complete without something breaking and a little drama. this year our boat almost sank! my dad took the kids, christina, jon, the dog, and me on a boat ride down river and the boat started to overheat. luckily my dad decided to quickly get us to shore. the rubber cover for the exhaust had melted off and the boat was quickly filling up with water. it was super lucky that we happened to be right next to a boat ramp. my brother, dad and i pushed the boat to the boat ramp and then we flagged down my brothers friends passing by on their sea-doo's to rescue us. i was so shocked at how quickly the boat filled up with water. we had to bail out the water with buckets to keep it from going under. i just never thought a boat could sink so easily. thank goodness everything worked out and everyone was safe. the kids thought this was all such a great adventure. they got a ride on a sea-doo back to camp. so exciting.

the rest of the week was spent riding sea-doo's, digging in the sand, fishing, swimming, and lots of relaxing. my dad and brothers fixed the boat by friday, just in time to take everyone across the river to the pizza place. the kids really loved going on a boat ride.

i was so ready to go home yesterday. it was a long week without miles. we all missed him and the kids were super excited to be home.

snow trip

we had so much fun last year in big bear we decided to go again this year. the place we stayed at last time was booked so we rented a private cabin instead. it was so nice. way nicer than the place we had last year. we booked it for two nights because one is not enough. i would actually say that two is not enough either. next year we should stay three!

our trip started off really bad because we got a late start and ended up having to drive in a snow storm. when we stopped to put chains on the car a truck slid on the ice and rear-ended us. no one was hurt and our car was drivable after getting a jump but it sucked to get in an accident. ugh. it was the longest drive to big bear ever. i was so paranoid after getting hit.

the rest of the trip was great. really fun. the cabin was huge. jen, ray, bodhi and our family were upstairs and christina, zena, doug, and susan took the bedrooms downstairs. we had a big crowd which made the trip even more fun.

there was a huge snowstorm on friday and most of saturday. it was so beautiful to see so much snow falling. the kids had never seen the snow fall. i loved it. our car was buried in snow! ray had to shovel a path from the front door. these are all completely foreign concepts to a southern california girl like myself. we didn't really do much on saturday because of all the snow falling but the kids were happy to play outside in the backyard and on the porch digging in the snow and making forts.

christina, zena, and doug were very adventurous and decided to get in the hot tub outside while snow was still falling. those crazy party people. later that night we all cooked dinner and had some wine while playing games. it was nice and relaxing.

sunday we all went sledding before it was time to drive home. we didn't have very much time but we got to sled for at least an hour. i got to go sledding this time since i wasn't holding a baby. yay. i can't wait to go again next year.

unpacking

uh yeah. we brought all that stuff.

home from the river

we just got back from our family vacation to the colorado river. we usually go every year but skipped last year because we were so broke. this year my dad was super generous and decided to treat the whole family. yay. it was so nice to have a vacation. we only stayed for five nights and the time just flew by.

we had two camp spots with my parents motor home and a rented trailer. everyone came this year. we shared our trailer with jen, ray and bodhi. it was so fun to have all the little kids together. every morning they would wake up and (after the dreaded sunscreen rubdown) run down to the water where they would pretty much stay and play until sundown. it was great for me because i got to be outside all day.

the weather was pretty nice this year. only around 100 - 110 degrees. we were lucky because last week the temperatures got up to 116. so happy to have missed that. i was proud of myself and actually got up and water skied. it has been at least three years since i have done that and i was a little worried that i would have have trouble getting up. luckily that was not the case.

we did all the usual river activities such as the boat ride to parker dam, pizza night out at buckskin, swimming in the pool at little paradise, building lots of sand castles, fishing, riding jet skis, and staying up late playing games. so fun. i can't wait to do it again next year.

getting ready

it's that time of the year again. oh yes. river time. time to get out the boat and shine it up. count all the life jackets and pack up the motor home. we are all so excited to go on vacation. the kids had so much fun today cleaning out the boat and trying on the life jackets. we leave for the river on sunday. i can't wait.

mini snow trip

we just got back from a really short but super fun trip to big bear. we had so much fun the last time we went to the snow we just had to go back. this time we rented a super cute cabin at the pine summit christian camp. they had really affordable rates for a very nice three bedroom cabin that would sleep up to fourteen people. i really wish we would have stayed for two nights but we are all really broke right now and one night was going to have to do. jen, ray, bodhi, christina, zena, miles, and i with all our kids were able to say in one cabin. so nice and cozy. (sorry to those there about our kids screaming during the night).

mason and dahlia had so much fun playing in the snow and sledding. it was really cold this time. much colder than the last time we were there. i was worried about taking baby connor out in the snow so we took turns staying in the cabin with him the first day. we did take him out to see the snow in the morning before we left because it was a much warmer day. we didn't want him to miss out. i loved hanging out in the cabin after dark. cooking dinner and playing apples to apples. family time is so much fun. it would be so cool to stay for a longer trip so we wouldn't feel so rushed to fit everything in. it was so beautiful. i just remember waking up and looking out the window with a silent gasp at how gorgeous the scenery was. i was so sad to leave. next year we are definitely going to plan a longer trip.

camping day

we are too broke to take a vacation this year so we decided to camp at home instead. we set up the tent in the backyard on saturday morning. christina, zena, jen, ray and bodhi all came over to camp with us. we had such a fun day. the kids spent the day swimming and running in and out of the tent. they loved the tent. we stayed outside all day. grilling dinner and then playing cards. of course no camping trip would be complete without smores. they were yummy, but very sweet. i tried to have dahlia and mason sleep in the tent when it was time for bed, but dahlia woke up screaming and mason never fell asleep. he just cried. so around 11 pm, (way too late for my kids) we changed plans and moved inside to a comfy bed. christina and zena were the only brave ones who actually slept all night in the tent. go campers. jen, ray, and bodhi didn't even try. they knew bodhi would not sleep there.

yesterday the kids went on a little nature walk and then it was time to clean up camp. mason was sad to see the tent go down. i think we might do this again this summer and keep it up for 2 nights. i was glad we had the house nearby though. i never would have got any sleep. maybe next year we could do some real camping.

river trip

we are home from what will be forever known as the worst trip ever. i hope. i really hope this was the worst trip ever and i never have one that sucks more.

our annual family trip to the river started out great. we camp for a week by the colorado river every year. our family has been going there my whole life. my parents met there and have gone back almost every year since then. it is our tradition. the river runs along the border of california and arizona. the weather is always really hot. my parents own a motor home and a boat. my brothers bring their jet skies and we hang out all week relaxing by the water. there is always some water skiing and floating down the river. our campsite is super nice. it is right on the water. i love it.

this year we had a smaller crowd. my sister and her husband ray along with my mom and some friends did not come. that was a bit of a bummer, but not a big deal. some years are more crowded than others. miles and i had rented our own trailer for us and the kids so it was very roomy. it was nice to spread out. my father, two sisters, two brothers, my brother's friend, and niece were in my parents motor home next door.

we were planning on spending seven nights there. we got there on sunday and had a full two days of lazy river bliss. we swam and mason learned how to fish. so cute. on wednesday morning miles got a kidney stone. we had to take him to the emergency room at the not so nearby hospital for pain killers. after pain killers and some fluids they sent him back "home" to pass the stone on his own. he was in so much pain that we were back at the emergency room on thursday until 3:00 am. friday morning he asked me to pack up and head home. miles went back to the emergency room in los angeles the minute we got back in town. i was so sad. not only did it suck to see miles in such pain, but my whole vacation was ruined. i know i shouldn't be such a baby about my vacation, but it was the only one we were taking this year and i was really having fun. ugh.

things have not been great since we got back on friday. i have been watching the kids and doing everything by myself while miles lays on the couch recovering. i am not much of a nurse. i find myself just getting annoyed. for the most part i have been taking the kids out so we can just get out of his way.

oh well, at least we got two days of fun. here are some pictures.