California: Days 1-3

As so many things do in our world, our California road trip kicked off a bit more slowly than we had hoped.

One of the more unexpected side effects of homeschooling is that our kids tend to run entirely on their own time.  Even though we maintain a pretty well-scheduled routine, getting our kids anywhere in a timely manner is not our strong suit.  

Our intention was to be in the car, on the road around 7 a.m.  

At 7 a.m. back in the world of reality, bleary-eyed children were straggling out of their rooms without pants, all attempts at breakfast were going poorly, and the car stood, trunk open in the driveway only half packed.

After only a little bribery, a lot of patience and some mad running about, we did eventually make it out the door.






















We stopped for a picnic lunch in Vail before heading on, ultimately stopping in Saint George, Utah for the night.

We are so lucky that our kids are good travelers.  I had been prepping things to bring for several months, and I had a whole bucket of treasures stored up.  The biggest hit by far, though, were these sticker pads from Melissa and Doug.  They were great for both kids, although they kept Leah entertained literally for hours.

The next day, we stopped in Vegas for lunch, and to let the kids take a quick look around at the Venetian.

Because... man is there a lot to see at the Venetian!

From the gondolas to all the treasures in shop windows, to gelato and even a living statue.

Vegas was actually a great place to stop with the kids.  There was plenty of space to get out and stretch our legs, and lots to see and do to keep them entertained.

We have done our share of traveling by car, but this year was particularly fun because our littles are big enough to pay attention and enjoy a book on tape.  We listened to Frog and Toad, The Wizard of Oz, and a variety of short books we found on youtube - mostly that they were already familiar with - like Pete the Cat, Room on the Broom and the Rainbow Fish.

I wish that I had taken more photos of our hotel room those first couple of days in California.  We stayed at the Double Tree in San Diego, which had a separate room with a bunk bed for the kids.  They were absolutely thrilled!

I can tell you that they loved the pool!

Even though we didn't get in until about 7:00 that evening, the kids were so excited to get in the pool!

It was really sweet and fun to have the kids all in the same room together.  They did an awesome job, maybe in part because we kept them busy and they were worn out!  Success!  Logan is our little up with the sun boy, and he takes his job as family alarm clock very seriously. 

We came in the next morning to find that he had abandoned his bunk bed in favor of Olivia's pack and play.  Go figure. 

Up first on our California agenda: Sea World!

And it was ah-ma-zing!!!

The kids had so much fun exploring, touching and learning about these little sharks.  Along with our CC curriculum, we're learning all about animals - classification, vertebrates vs. invertebrates, etc, and at the risk of getting all "educational" (c'mon, you knew I would, right?), this was such a fun opportunity to take an up close and personal look at the things we've been memorizing.

They also stuck their hands into this little pool of sucker fish - much to their mother's horror.  ICK!

We had such a fun morning.  But the stars of the day, by far, were the whales and dolphins.  

Because, that face right there?  It's exactly how we all felt!

Oh my.  They are incredible. 

Even Livvy gaped and smiled and clapped and pointed with all the excitement her 14 months could muster. 

It was so much fun.  It really reminds us of the wonderful world God created for us to enjoy, and how important it is that we are good stewards of our world.  

We had lunch at the park, and a little somebody got pretty sleepy.  We are lucky that she is still in baby mode - Olivia fell asleep right on me.  While she slept, we went inside where it was cool and dark to see the aquarium.  

After the littlest one woke up, we pet and fed some stingrays. 

I was super proud of Leah, who went on a raft ride with me that was really fun and quite grown up. 

And, of course, we got soaked!

After little ice cream, we were ready to watch the dolphin show, which was equally as awe-inspiring as watching the whales.  

I love, love, love dolphins!  They are magical!

The kids were pretty enthralled, too.

Despite the fact that we had warned the kids that they would get wet if we sat down low, they insisted.  Adamantly.  They wanted to get splashed, they said.  It would be fun, they insisted.

Of course, when push came to shove, and they actually got soaked, it wasn't quite as endearing.  There was a bit of crying.  It may or may not have been hysterical.  And some very last minute running up the stairs to reach drier ground.  

It was an absolutely wonderful way to kick off our vacation.  Our little adventurers had such an awesome time!  And, because I am sappy, I have to mention that it is entirely more fun to experience these moments with my children, through their eyes, than simply on our own.  

And, I have to make special mention of my wonderful husband, who made one of my life-long dreams come true!  But, that's a topic for another post. 

The day we made their (our) dreams come true

When Leah was three months old, we packed up the car and drove out to California to visit members of Casey's family.  It was quite a big deal for us.  We were brand new parents to our shiny new baby, and we were worried that we might forget something she desperately needed.

When I say we loaded up the car, I really, really mean it.  We packed everything.  The pack and play with changing table attachment.  The bouncer.  The entire, giant stroller.  A million changes of clothes.  We even bought clothes once we got to California, though for the life of me I can't remember why.  I'm amazed the car didn't break down in the middle of the desert, gasping under the weight of our inexperience.

Just in case you thought I was kidding.  Yes, that's me with Leah and the whole, huge stroller-with-car-seat-attachment at New York, New York in Las Vegas at like 7 a.m.  Evidently it took longer than three months to discover that you can just carry the baby.  Some of us are a little slow on the uptake.

What can I say?  We were new at the whole parenting gig.  It took us a while to figure it out.

But one thing we did know for sure: we could not be that close to Disneyland without making the trip.  After all, it would be years before we'd make another trip out there.  Surely, we had to take advantage of the opportunity while it was available.

Yes, I understood that our little one was too small to hold her head up.  Yes, it occurred to me that there would be a ton of things we wouldn't be able to do.

But gosh darn it, we were a family, and we were in California.  What would it be without a trip to the happiest place on Earth?!

And, as you might have guessed... that's exactly what we did.

Well, thank the Lord we had the huge stroller!  How could a person possibly have a baby at Disneyland without it?!

Riding "Pirates of the Caribbean" 

We actually had a wonderful time.  It was one of those "I can't believe I'm really here with my child" moments that absolutely took my breath away. It didn't matter that we couldn't ride half the rides; the very fact that we were there with our very new family was more than enough.

We resolved on that day, when Leah was too little even to eat solid foods, that we would be back.  We would bring her back - with her hypothetical brothers or sisters - at a time when she could really remember and enjoy it.

And guess what???

That day is FINALLY here!

In just a few days, we are loading up the car (hopefully, a bit more sensibly this time!) and taking a road trip to California.  We'll make several stops along the way, but one of those will absolutely be Disneyland.

I am so excited, I could just burst.

In typical me fashion, I couldn't just come out and tell the kids.  No.  I had a plan.

I ordered these awesome shirts, and made a series of scavenger hunt clues that would lead them all around the house, and ultimately to uncover their destination.

Can I just tell you how much I love that Leah can read?  

It was SO MUCH FUN to watch her do this, largely by herself!  They had an awesome time running from place to place trying to decipher the clues!

I'm not the world's most creative when it comes to things like this, so some of the clues were pretty hokey.  Particularly because I was trying to make sure that they all rhymed.  Ha!

I also had some little helpers making sure we got the whole thing on video, which was pretty fun.

They did an awesome job.  After running all over the house, and outside as well, they ultimately had to go up to Olivia's room and look in her crib....

...where all the shirts were waiting for them.

I didn't take any photos, because I was busy with the video camera, but let me assure you: there was much screaming and jumping and celebrating.

They were absolutely thrilled!

And, who am I kidding?  So am I.  I can't wait to take those little sweet peas to Disneyland, and to watch the wonder and magic through their eyes.

And so... we are OFF!!!

Back to where it all began

Even though we haven't done it every year, taking a fall trip to Vail is one of our absolute favorite fall traditions.

We did it in 2008.  Right after we did this:

Obviously, we were back in 2009.

In 2011, we took a wonderful weekend get away with our sweet little plus one.

And again in 2013, this time with double the number of that original visit.  

So it was a natural fit to bring the whole gang back this year.  And we had a blast!

One of the highlights was taking the kids to Donovan Pavilion, the same place we stood on our wedding day.  My little actors did an awesome job recreating the scene. 

There is a park right next door, so we let the troops have at it. 

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Pardon, dear internet, but I'm about to post a bunch of ridiculously cute photos of my children.  (Mostly my girls, truth be told.  Logan doesn't hold still long enough to capture him on film.  He's like a very small, very noisy version of The Flash.)  I'm pretty sure that's what you came here for, anyway.

The Livvy Series: 

The girl is loving sticking her tongue out right now.  And we are loving every minute of it, too.

The Leah Series: 

The All Three Series: 

And Logan!

As the kids are getting older, it is so much fun to see them experience things and places that we love.  Vail has always held a special place in our hearts, but seeing it through the eyes of our children adds an element of joy and wonder that makes it even more fun.

The seven year ich

Marriage is one of those funny things that is both simple and complex at the same time.

What could be easier than saying "I do" to the person you love most in the world?

Still, once the sun sets on that single day - the one and only day that your marriage looks like the stuff of fairytales - the work of molding two separate lives into a one becomes painfully apparent.  

What comes next - the building of a life, the starting of a family, the success or failure of each day - is all based on forging choices and priorities.  

The choice to set aside self. Choosing to act with humility and tenderness when raging pride, anger or hurt rears its head.  To work hard when it feels easier to give up.  To live every day, sometimes every hour of your married life with intentionality and purpose with no real guarantee that your spouse can or is doing the same.  

It is a process that refines and strengthens us, that prepares and equips us for everything else along the path that is unfolding from the moment we slip those rings on our finger.  

And I'm reminded on this, our seven year anniversary, that the man I chose to stand by my side through all of life's ups and downs, is truly a blessing from God.  

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,” Hebrews 10:23

Unswerving.  

Because every day that I wake up with this ring on my finger, married to the love of my life, is a gift and a blessing.  Every day is not easy.  Not every day is perfect.  

But the truth is that there is no one in this whole, wide world that I would rather navigate this messy thing called life with.  I know he will keep working hard and fighting for our family to have, not just a life, but the best life we are capable of living.  And so will I.

Happy anniversary to the love of my life, my best friend and my husband.  I love you more with each day that passes, and I hope I make you as happy as you make me.