Where to start?

I'm going to have to post about this trip day by day....but that's ok. Each day deserves its own post. What a fantastic trip. The company. The weather. The fun.

Personally, I think this would make a great Christmas card photo for Grammy and Papa! All of their family in one place! Love!

Remember the Alamo!!

....errr....and other such things that we saw on our third day in San Antonio.

A little known fact about me...I lurve me some history. For awhile there, I wished I lived in the 1880s {but then I found out how awesome hot showers are vs cold ones! or some such thing....}. But alas, I can only go and visit history...and make some of our own!

One of the places, other than Sea World, that we wanted to visit was The Alamo.

We braved downtown SA, found some parking, walked some shady streets...but finally ended up there. With a long ole line. SO!

We took a picture...

to prove we were there!

Maybe next time {not on a state-wide spring break week} we will check out the inside. There is nothing more unappealing than small spaces with small children and a crowd!

But it truly is a magnificent looking building. My knowledge on the history of the Alamo is very slim...hey, I watched the movie with whats-his-face-Thornton....but I doubt they got the complete history correct ;).

After we walked around the outside of the Alamo....we headed on over to the Riverwalk. We had NO IDEA where we were going... so we meandered around and finally found a staircase to take us down. It was so fun and pretty down there! It was a bit crowded, of course...and we were starving....so we walked into the first Mexican place we could find! It turned out to be quite yummy, too....but we will definitely try another place next time! {Oh...and don't ever use their bathrooms...the place was called The Original...and well, I bet those were the original bathrooms, yuck!}

After we ate, we took a river barge tour. It was so worth the cost and surprisingly long! I thought we'd be out and back in 15 minutes...but nope...it was a good 40-45 min tour. The girls we so excited to be on a boat.

Poor Jax, tho. The night before he woke up with the most amazingly crazy fever. His little hands and feet were hot. He didn't sleep very good, to say the least...and neither did we :\. So he was a little bit out of it that day. And yes....we were the bad parents that didn't cut our trip short for a sick kid...we kept on truckin'.

So, there you have it! Another fun little trip under our belt. I will blog about our last-minute Minnesota trip soon, too. We are just travelin' fools! It's totally worth it {even tho, I usually have a moment or two where I think to myself: what was I thinking!? but only a moment ;)} our kiddos are for the most part good travellers, and how is that a bad thing?? I hope we can continue taking trips like this! Next time, I want to go to the BEACH and rent a beach house! That will probably be next year, since we are only going one place this summer: Nauvoo. Yay for family reunions!

Day Dos.

Trying to keep up!

Our second day at Sea World was the "wet day". We rode a few little roller coasters and saw a show, then the girls and James went to the waterpark they have there.

If you know me, you know I hate roller coasters....haha. I just can't handle them. They make me sick. Seems I have passed this lovely trait onto my Bella. She used to LOVE them like her daddy...but now she's gotten a bit timid and scared. So now it's Aube who LOVES coasters, like her daddy.

I really do hope at least one of my children likes them....James needs a coaster-buddy!

This was an itty-bitty coaster, too...I still couldn't put my hands up!! Oh well. It was fun, tho...I'm laughing at myself b/c I was so nervous!

This is just a random photograph I took...of a turtle...on an ALIGATORS BACK. Why does this seem weird to me?! It kind of seems like the gator should be chomping on the turtle...not chilling. I should make a print off this picture.....put "Make new friends" at the bottom. Ü

We were able to catch a Believe show that morning....I am so fascinated by Shamu! In another life, I would have loved to be a taking-care-of-killer-whales person, or whatever such thing they are called ;). To have a connection and be able to train such a ginormous, beautiful animal....would just be too cool!

After the show, we grabbed a bite to eat....roasted corn, oh yum!
I ♥ these kiddos!

While James took the girls to the waterpark...I took Jax back to the hotel for a snooze. The night we arrived in San Antonio, I made a pit stop at the local Joanns...which was conveniently located RIGHT across the street, how nice! I picked up a few things to craft...since I knew I would have some down time and I like to keep my hands busy {heaven forbid, I take a nap!}. So, they played and I crafted....actually, I wrapped jute around a letter K....and watched Kingdom of Heaven. Fun stuff. Aren't I odd that I'd rather be doing that than going down a waterslide?! haha.

We made it back over to the park in time for dinner....and caught the last sea lion show.

I ♥ family vacations!

Sea World! Day one.

For Spring Break this year, we decided to take a little vacay.

Usually...we go visit family for vacation. I can't remember the last time we just went somewhere, the five of us. It was a fun, fun time...

James booked us a great one-room suite, complete with microwave and full-size fridge. We are learning as we go, travelling as much as we do, that we will happily pay extra for conveniences...such as a separate room to sleep in {so James and I can relax into the night and watch some tv}. We are even getting so particular that since we forgot our fan at home, we ran to the nearest Walmart to buy one.

{I wish I had gotten a picture of it...that fan was a doozie! and loud!}

A fan is a must in a hotel room! It blocks out SO much noise.

Anyways...our trip took us down to San Antonio, to visit Sea World and some other sites.

It was a 'measly' 5 hour car trip Ü.

Which seemed easy-peasy in comparison to our 16 hour trip 2 weeks before!

When we first got to Sea World, James checked the girls height to see what rides they could ride! Turned out they only rode one or two rides because of the GINORMOUS lines {note to self, dont go to a theme park on Spring Break week!}

But te one reason I love Sea World is because of the SHOWS! :) This is my cool family, decked out in their shades....the weather was perfect! Overcast in the morning, with the sun showing her lovely face in the afternoon. {I made James buy a pair of aviator sunglass, woohoo}

Every chance we got....we sat in the SPLASH ZONE!! But amazingly....we never got splashed! boo!!

And every chance Jax got, he tried to escape.....

The last show we saw on the first night was called Azul....and it was absolutely beautiful. Dolphins and acrobats and divers diving from high dives....so neat!

I am always amazed at how these animals can be trained! I get teary-eyed watching them!

We were vamooshed after our long first day...the kiddos were all zonked the minute they got into the car!

Sight seeing....

On our last day of the trip....we took some time to sight see.

We stopped at a place I call The Cadillac Ranch
{Don't know if that's the official name. But its a country song. Oh wait! It is called that.}

My dad showed me this place over 10 years ago....when he was bringing me home from college.

Good times.

It's a row of Cadillacs....buried in the ground.

Crazy, huh?

I think its neat that I got to show this to the next generation....and hopefully they will see these pictures and want to take THEIR kids {or we'll stop there again when they are moody teenagers and they'll have rose-colored memories of road trips with mom and dad....THEN they'll want to take their kids there ♥}

Next up....Texas is so full of rinky-dink stuff to see! You've all heard of "eat a 72oz steak and you get it free" right?! {if you haven't...you need to get out  more} Well, we stopped and ate there for dinner in Amarillo. We obviously didn't get the ginormous steak....thats too much for us to handle! But we got to see a guy try....and the littlier steaks we ate weren't too shabby, either!

Yumm!!

He looks so happy....probably because he DIDN"T gorge himself on steak ;) haha.

7 hours-ish later we were home! We hit some nasty rain on the way there, too....slowed the progress down. It's always nice to come home to your own bed!

We're not planning to travel again until July...thank goodness.

The kids did SO much better than expected, the little rockstars.

I'm so thankful that we were able to take this long, extravagant, busy, rainy, family-filled, lovely trip! So many memories to cherish!! And Aube {over a month later} has finally stopped asking for "Grandma with the brown hair". I wish we didn't have to travel so far to see family! sigh

One day.

The beginning of the end.

We drove home by way of Las Vegas....we had every intention of not stopping in Vegas, but the weather kept us from taking the back "scenic route" thru the mountains from Cedar. And also because of the weather, we weren't able to go and visit my Gram's during the week, so we wanted to make sure to stop by and see her.

Which we did....and a big thanks to Las Vegas for having great big blue skies and wonderful weather for us to bask in. We had a lovely visit with my Grams....I was very nervous about this, to tell the truth. This side of the family has had a rough time this past year, to say the least. Grams lost her sweetheart a year ago now, and it seems like the road has been all downhill since then. But....I was nervous because I live so far away and hadn't had the opportunity to visit with my Grams since the funeral. I had heard several things about her deteriorating condition, her failing memory and just didn't know what to expect. I also didn't want to overwhelm her with my brood {yes, I have a BROOD now...}

But it was lovely. I shouldn't have worried so.

I had James and the brood wait outside her room, so I could go in first.

And her face lit right up. I couldn't keep my tears at bay...I've missed my Grams!!

We spent a little over an hour there with her, talking about Texas, the girls, the new little dude...she asked a few questions several times...but it was easy enough to re-answer them and move on with the conversation. I enjoyed her getting to re-know my girls again, and to meet Jaxson Merlin for the first time.

I have never wished so much to be back in Las Vegas....to be able to visit that beautiful lady more often!

I didn't get a picture tho....Grams is funny about getting her picture taken. If only she knew how pretty she IS! {and always has been....} After she turned down my request for a picture....she was getting all bashful and I took her by her sweet little hands and said "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL".

She looked at me and asked: Really? You think so?

Of course. You're my Grams.

So here is another beautiful thing....well, it is to me. I always like seeing Lake Mead as you pass thru Boulder City to cross Hoover Dam. It's like an oasis....in the ugly dirt. ♥

 And then we had to drive, and drive, and drive again. Poor Jax....he did SO WELL, I'm still baffled. We kept him amused with the little things really....like taking off his socks and putting them on his hands. Haha....lasted maybe 10 minutes, but what can you do?!

 We drove from Cedar City to Albuquerque that first day of the trip back home....it was a loverly 10 hours or so. Because we spent extra time with my Grams, we didn't get to our hotel as early as we wanted {James booked us a fabulous hotel....complete with indoor swimming}. But that's ok....I wouldn't take that time back!
The next morning....we woke up to cloudy skies {actually, it was mildly sunny...the window was just heckudirty} and hot air balloons!

 So James and the girls and the little dude swam after breakfast.

And then we headed to our next destination.....HOME! :)

Good Ole Christmas Morn....

It is officially over a MONTH since all of this happened....and my memory is quite bloggy-foggy.

{oooo...I think me's just made up a news words}

Quit complainin' lady and git on wit it.

Christmas morning.

Lots of presents under the tree.

Lots of fun together.

Unwrapping in no particular order (which is SO not like us).

Bella was ecstatic to get a letter from Santa!!

The kiddos got one big-ish present from Santa, and the rest was the little stuff (the crap that mommy finds on the floor, in between the seats on the couch...ya know...). We tried to make this a "smaller Christmas" because of the whole spending-4-days-at-Disneyland dealio. Buuuut....we always end up spending too much on them....we just can't help it! Kids toys are so much fun!!

Aube finally got her Sight Words DVD....seriously....I love DVD's that teach my kids things I never knew existed! (Sight words?! Whodathunk.... but duh)

Emily was quite the center of attention with the the little men's. They loved their little stuffed animals!

Jax was a pro at shoving all the loose paper in his mouth opening presents on his first Christmas.

And big Daddy John made us all his world famous Christmas tree pancakes. Yum!  Bella sat and watched while he did....learning the tricks of the trade.

 I loved that we were able to share in the Christmas spirit and fun with my family this year. It's been 3 years too long!! It's the upside and downside to being married....having to split up holidays, wanting to be with everyone at the same time! Christmas 2011 we are staying home (as of now) which is always fun...yet kind of depressing, too, not having a big support system around to celebrate with! But we'll make it fun all the same!

Just a few pictures I ♥ from Christmas Eve.

Someone stuck this hat on him and he kept it on for quite awhile, crazy boy. He was just crawling around, giggling his little behind off.

 We were making him choose....do you want the camera lady...or the funny man. The funny man WINS!  But only by 2 points....I think he had food in his pocket.

 We had the traditional Christmas Eve dinner....well....maybe not traditional, I kinda feel that way any time I eat ham. Ü Just feels traditional.
My daddy cracks me up...he's always a....ham.

 Jax is always fascinated by facial hair....he likes to poke and prod at it....and stare.
I'm so grateful for a Grampa who adores his grandkiddos.....he'll get down and play, never minding when he gets put at the kids table, and always ready with a 'stubble kiss'.

And...like you couldn't tell...I love to brag on my family. I have a very talented family, so my bragging is not for naught....or however that saying goes....or doesn't go.

My sister Laura and I took piano lessons for years....she practiced (I didn't) and is fabulous, even taught herself how to play the organ. The next one down, Jen, is a fabulous flute player....I wish I knew how to play like her! Then there is Emily....who has taught herself how to play the piano, the bassoon, the guitar and the saxaphone. Goodness gracious. And last, but not least, Hannah....she's a youngin' and following in the musical footsteps of Em, with a side of dance. She put on a fabulous show for us on the last night we were in town!

Anyways....a little off track there....follow the yellow brick bragging road, whydontcha.

But knowing how musically inclined my family is...I love seeing pictures like this. I love being THAT family...the one who spends a lot of time around the piano...playing or singing or even banging (thanks Jax), Especially with all the beautiful songs during the Christmas season. Bella's favorite this year was Angels we have heard on High. She would sing it everywhere! Hopefully I can teach her more piano this year....or find her a better teacher!

There's Snowbody like You.

Or...Snowone had more fun than they did! Or....Snow me the money!

Err....something like that...

In order to do some sledding....my dad took us all (minus mom, Jax and I....cause we are wimps Jax needed a nap) up the mountain....well, halfway up the mountain, since the road was closed further up.

The found a nice, partially wooded spot....and had some fun!
Emily and Bella.

Hannah had the fun task of taking Aube on a sled down a few times....until Aube decided to freak out about snow on her boots. But this picture proves that she DID have fun....look at that face!

Bella and Bubba (my youngest and only brother) are about a year and a half apart. They are the best of friends....and the worst of friends.They miss each other terribly and  fight like siblings when they are together. BUT they do love each other so much....so that's all that matters.

James looks like a vampire.
But isn't it the cutest picture??

One of the many cool things about my dad....he thinks outside the box.
They brought us back a present from the afternoon in the mountains....
A Snowman!

Bella, Emily and Bubba (and me) had a blast decorating the frosty fellow.

Dad joined in....making holes for the eyes, mouth and arms with a chisel.

We never named the cute fella...but he stuck around for the rest of the week! We proudly displayed the only snowman on the block for the entire week!!