Family First

It was that time again, I needed my family/California/beach/Disneyland fix. The only difference was, this time we took Jeff with us! We just love it when Daddy comes too! We went for Conference weekend - no church duties to keep us home - and had a great time!

We left Wednesday night as soon as Jeff got home - and we all snuggled into our beds and watched movies while daddy drove us safely to California. The next morning we woke with renewed energy and headed to Disneyland! Every time I go I think, maybe we shouldn't come so often, that would make it more special. However, as soon as I enter the gates - I LOVE BEING THERE! Mom came with us and Dad met up with us later that day. It's always way too much fun there and I hate leaving. I love the smells, sounds, and the fact that I can always get a few family members to come with us and take a hand or a stroller! Paige is becoming a thrill seeker and starting to go on different rides, Nathan is following her lead and we are getting to go on a few new rides each time we go.

The next day we headed south. I have been craving fish and chips like no body's business, and our favorite place to go is in Oceanside. We decided to make a day of it and head to the Carlsbad Outlets to spend some quality time and money - that place never disappoints! Then for dinner we headed back up to Harbor Fish and Chips and played on the beach to get really hungry and try to fly our cheapo kite which, though it wouldn't fly (even at Austin's masterful hand!), created many memories and side aches from laughing so hard! Then it was off to dinner in the harbor to devour the tasty tidbits! YUMMY!

Saturday, the sun decided to come out full force and we headed to the beach again, in our new swimsuits, and soak up the sun! Sarah and I soaked up a little too much and we were positively glowing at dinner that night! The water was freezing! but that didn't stop my crazy children from getting in and trying to get knocked down by the waves. Paige would get knocked down and then come up out of the water with two thumbs up to let us know she was okay. What is it about the beach that just makes you want to stay forever and ever? Is it because my children are always happy? Could it be that we are always there with my wonderful family? Who knows, but I just love it there, oh, and the food always tastes better too!

Sunday was Conference - one of these days I will get to listen without rewinding and pausing through the thing just to hear the funny or uplifting thought!

Monday was time to go home and I was in a downer mood, along with a couple of my children, so my wonderful husband decided we needed to stop at Disneyland on the way out and the smile spread from ear to ear! This time we took the kiddos to California Adventure only and talked them into going on a few new rides (for them). My favorite of the day was when we talked them into the Grizzly Rapid Run ride - "YOU WILL GET SOAKED!". We kept telling Haley and Megan that it was just a big inner tube that you floated around in and there were no slides like on Splash Mountain (they weren't too sure about that ride after going with Grandpa last year). We all got on the boat and off we went and soaked we got. Nathan won the "most wet" award with Megan and myself coming in at close second! As Nate got a face full of water and we sat poised for the cry, all we got was, "that was totally awesome! I got wet!" He cracks me up. This last trip to Disneyland he was tall enough to go on a few bigger rides and he went on almost all of them with the same expression on each, "that was awesome, let's do that again!" I love this part of the boy in him - we'll work on the girls later.

In these last two pictures Paige looks upset - and she is - upset that she didn't get more WET!

I love going home and as we drive away I am already planning on when we are going to return. Thanks mom and dad for a great weekend - and Sarah and Austin, you drive so far to come see us and we love it. I love my family and they are always first in my book!