CALIFORNIA BABY!!

Vegas-First stop to California!!

 

My family decided a couple years ago that every other year we would do a week in California and go to disneyland with all the kids. Well this was the year once again. We started planning a while ago where to stay this time, what we did and didn't like and had our plans underway. With everything planned and we were getting closer to go, fro realized he hadn't asked for time off!! Big URG!! He normally wouldn't have a problem but a lot of other guys were scheduled to be gone for school. So he couldn't get the dates off we had planned. SO I set into REVISE mode. We had to reschedule everything. It was a bit of a pain, but i would much rather do that than go on vacation without my husband. Once we got it figured out with everyones schedules, and the condos we were good to go!!!
We planned to stay the first night in Vegas to break up the drive. Our first road trip with the kids and I was a little nervous!! They did awesome and it was fun having Bud and Camille with us in the rented minivan!!
Our night in Vegas was fun. There is just some crazy energy there that makes it crazy and fun. I could just sit and watch the crazy people there. We happened to be there sunday night of Labor day weekend so it was really Crazy!! We took the kids on some tours around the strip explaining before hand not to take anything from anyone and that there would be some inappropriately dressed people.I was crossing my fingers nothing to bad would be seen. You never know in Vegas!! I hadn't been there in a while and it was fun to see all that had changed. We all loved the water show in front of the bellagio, and then my sister in law camille took us to her favorite little pastry shop- i don't know the real name sorry camille!! Ali loved the chocolate waterfall it had. There were so many fun colorful things to see and my kids were pretty good, but very tired from the drive.
The next morning we just relaxed and took our time at the hotel pool. The kids had fun and got to play with their cousins. We then headed out only to hit HORRIBLE traffic. How come no one told us the secret rule that you don't drive from Vegas to California on a sunday or on a holiday!!! That was a huge mistake on our part!!! It took us over 7 hours to get from Vegas to Carlsbad which should have been under 4. It was a long day in the car, but it made us REALLY excited when we got to Carlsbad.

We stayed at a fun resort just off the ocean and all of us had our own condo next to each other so we were close, but also far enough away it wasn't total chaos with all the kids!!
We played tennis and a few matches i want to forget, and we swam, played, played some more and just enjoyed vacation schedule!!

First Beach Day

 

The Beach to me is the ONLY reason to go on vacation. I think I get that from my dad since he grew up in California by the beach. I love it!! Everything-- The hazy morning air, the saltiness, the water, the sand (not so much the chaffing from body boarding) but Everything else. I love that you can sit there all day and not even realize the whole day is gone!! I loved just watching my kids run from the waves, and I loved the endless fun Cam had chasing the seagulls that stole our chips!! Ali hadn't body boarded since the last time in Cali which was 2 years ago and it wasn't very successful at the time. So we encouraged her and with the help of Madison her cousin who was fearless they both attempted the waves. She loved it and had smiles most of the afternoon. She went under a few times and it scared her but luckily she got back out and had a lot of fun. I loved body boarding and watching everyone catch the waves, and the fish come up with the waves. It was such a great day and a great way to kick off the vacation!!

Second Beach day and Huntington Beach

 

We had planned for at least 2 Beach days and were trying to squeeze in a third. We love the beach!! The second day we stayed at Carlsbad again and soaked up the sun some more. Some of my family were already very sunburned from the first day so they were not as enthusiastic about the sun!! We spent the whole day body boarding which ali was now really getting good at. We played a little paddle ball in which we smoked bud and Camille!! (they then beat us, but we didn't get to rematch!!) then just enjoyed more of the water!!
Our last day after Legoland and Disneyland just me fro, ali , cam and baby Chapin, headed to Huntington Beach to squeeze in one more beach day. I was so glad we did because there is nothing better than ending a vacation with the beach. We played, build a sand lady, chased the seagulls, and watched some guys play a very funny football game that envolved hitting each other where it hurt! Hilarious!!! It was so great and fun to have a little alone time with just my kids. I loved Huntington Beach and we decided to go again next time we visit!

Lego Land

 

Lego Land-- Many people told us to visit Legoland because the kids would love it. It is very kid specific (meaning a lot of rides are just kids- they even had ones that let 3 year olds drive cars) Cam loved it all from the miniland- that had miniture lands built out of legos -to the rides. It was amazing to see all that were built from legos and the rides were a great warm up for Disneyland. Fro kept calling it the Getto, but we still had a good time. The last hour we were there the power went out in parts of California, Arizona and Mexico. We didn't know it was that big of a power outage at the time, but that the whole Area of Carlsbad was out. Luckily Ali had just finished a ride and we were seated to go, when it went out, so we were not stuck on top of some ride. It made for a litte adventure and we all got free tickets to go again!! Though i am pretty sure now that we have seen and done Legoland we won't for a very long time!!!

Disneyland 2011

 

Disneyland September 2011!!
From Day one Fro decided we would only do 1 day at Disneyland because we could do the beach everyday and be happy. I was a little nervous at first that we wouldn't be able to see everything. I kept pushing for two days. He held strong and I am glad he did. One day was plenty for me. I know many people would think I am crazy but after fun, chaos, waiting , more people, expensive food, and tired kids, I was good!! I love the fun and excitment of Disneyland for kids, but I LOVE the BEACH a lot more. We had a great time and the lines were not bad. Cam was excited that he could go on EVERY ride (except Indiana Jones) because he was tall enough!! He also wanted to go on the Buzz ride all day, and of course once we get there he had fallen asleep and missed the ride!! bummer!! He got to do the Toy story ride and that made up for it. Ali was really nervous at first to ride anything and the motto of the day was convincing her that she would love it and sure enough after enough coaxing "she loved it!" It was a great vacation and I am so glad a lot of my family got to come and have fun with us!!

Baptism Pictures

 

Here are some of my favorite pictures my best friend Lindsay took of Ali and My niece Madison before they were baptized. They had such a fun time doing them and they were adorable in their matching baptism dresses. I love they are the same age and best buddies.

Alis Baptism

 

It is amazing to me how time always flies by. In every aspect of life but especially when it comes to children. I can't believe she is 8 and I really can't believe we just baptised her. She is the most amazing example to me of how Christ wants us to be. She always wants to do what is right and she is CONSTANTLY reminding me to be better. I can't even express how much love I have for my little Ali-gator!! She is my brightest star and makes me so proud as a mom. The past year we have really tried to focus on what it means to be baptised because we we wanted her to know what it means. She caught on fire wanting to know more and more. She would remind us to read our scriptures and pray and she wanted to know all she could. She is AMAZING!
Since her birthday is the same month as my niece Madison she was able to do it together. They were originally scheduled to be baptised the same day, but different times, so we made it work to have them baptised together. It was so special to see them both so excited and full of life. My dad baptised her and she was so cute the whole time. She wanted to just stay and swim in the water with my niece. It was a great day and so fun to have family and friends there.

catching up with summer

 

In August my brother in law Alex got married!! He married Amy Andrus. They were very cute and it was a good but busy day!! They were married at the Oqquihr Mountain temple. Ali and Cam were not big fans of all the waiting for pictures but they did a good job. After all was said and done we decorated Als car to leave with a huge bag of packing peanuts and then decorated the outside with whatever we could find. My little nephew accidentaly got mustard on the outside of the car and made the paint turn a little yellowish. SO never use mustard on a car!! Then we almost ran out of gas on the freeway and it made for a very eventful night.We are excited to have a new sister in law in the Derrick family!!