Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday was our 12th Anniversary. I can't believe we've been married that long, but on the other hand it seems like Seth has always been part of my life. I am the luckiest person alive to have such a wonderful husband and partner. I know it's cliche' but Seth is truly my best friend and I'm a better person having had him in my life. He is the best father I could ever hope for for my kids, and the most patient loving person ever (it's hard to believe that life isn't always a picnic with me.) He works harder than anyone I know, but also knows how to have fun. I can't believe how handy he is around the house. He knows how to do everything, it's amazing! I love you babe and can't wait to grow old and gray with you. You go first...

So, I was lucky enough to get to go to girl's camp with the girls from church last week. We left Tuesday and headed up to WY where they have a place set up for the girl's camps. Seth decided that he would also play hooky a couple of days last week and took the boys up camping also in WY. So LUCKY ME!! I left the Girl's camp on Saturday morning and joined up with the boys. It was sad that I was looking forward to spending the night in the camper, while everyone else couldn't wait to get HOME... I did have a real bed, solid walls around me and a shower, so it was all good... Taylor looks as tired as I felt, but as you'll notice I'm not posting any pics of me. You're welcome.
Here's Eliza getting ready to go do some SERIOUS riding... Olivia is on the quad ready and waiting...
Here the boys are just shooting the breeze with our friend Kira and her son Riley. Riley is a little bit older than our boys so they think he is way cool.
Drew getting a little wild with the jump. Not too bad though as he knows I am watching closely...

Day 5 & 6... Bear with me, it's almost over!

Day 5 was a great day at Universal Studios in Hollywood. I couldn't believe that we weren't tired of parks yet, but we weren't apparently.

The Revenge of the Mummy was a great indoor rollercoaster similar to Space mountain. Yes, you're completely in the dark. Yikes! This was Seth's favorite ride for the whole week.

This once was the house of the Cleaver family. (Leave it to Beaver) Now it sits on Wisteria Lane (Desperate Housewives) Oh how times have changed...

Drew doesn't look like he's enjoying being eaten by a shark. (Jaws)

Taylor on the other hand could write a book on how to look cool doing almost anything including being eaten by a shark.

We ate dinner at the Hard Rock cafe here in Hollywood. The boys are in this picture, just not very visibly. The photog isn't very talented at the flash vs. no flash thing.

Time to head for the airport. The boys had their own room with bunk beds in our hotel, it was great.

I think I was ready to get home, ya think?

On the way to the airport we stopped at Long Beach to write Seth's sister Darci this note for her Birthday. (#27 in case you're wondering)

I love palm trees...

We had some extra time to kill at the airport, Drew opted for a nap after a long week of late nights, lots of lines, great rides, shows and an all around wonderful family vacation!

There, now you're all caught up! Thanks for hanging out at our blog and getting all of our trip highlights.

Day 4 cont. California Adventure

I took this at night (thank you Captain Obvious) so hopefully you can still see it ok I just thought it looked so cool. This is outside of CA Adventure.

I am in love with this bench! It was in the Bug's Life part and I took a picture of it so Seth can build me one once we've started and then completed our collection of old tractor seats.

Isn't that the cutest bench you've ever seen? (easily impressed...maybe)

This was the ride that Seth and I gracefully declined. The boys went all by themselves. Parents of the Year awards here we come!

They loved it! I think they used up their quota of "awesomes!" for the day on that one.

However, California Screamin' was one of the best rollercoasters I've ever been on. Very fast, but smooth. Highly recommended. 5 stars!

Day 3 & 4 Disneyland

Here we are at Disneyland, the craziest place on earth...

Hard to believe that Drew would choose such an impractical souvenier...

The Buzz Light Year ride got a little competitive. I think Taylor won by just a few, but Seth sure tried hard!

This is an oldie but a goodie. I don't remember ever really listening to the guide before, but they are hilarious. Very sarcastic dry humor, right up my ally.

What?! I'm not screaming, I'm yelling "Bring it on Splash Mountain!"

Splash mountain won.

Yeah for the matterhorn! (sp?) Great but very rough ride. The kids liked this one a lot.

This is my favorite picture from the whole trip. It almost looks like they're skipping, but we know Seth a little better than that, don't we? Such a good daddy though...tear.

Coming soon to a computer near you... California Adventure!

Day Two... Sea World

Here we are at Sea World. Seth's really happy to be here, he just smiles on the inside...

Here's Trent, clearly he smiles inside, outside and everywhere in between. He's gotta be top 5 cutest kids ever. ;)

Yikes! Walking through the glass tunnel in Shark encounter is a little unnerving. You can't help but get that one theme song running through your head. How does is go? Oh yeah. Doo doo, doo doo, doo doo... You get the scenario.

Here we are clearly sitting out of the "Splash Zone" at the Shamu show. (Drew moved down after this because he wanted to get wet) Apparently Shamu doesn't read very well because we did get very wet. "Trent was pissed!" that's a quote from Cam. He was just falling asleep and got splashed, not a happy camper!

How fun would that job be?

Here's Drew happily in the "Splash Zone." I'm not sure how much water he's able to deflect with his little hands, but he's sure trying hard!

Somebody should tell this whale that he weighs almost 10,000 pounds and there's no reason he should be able to get himself that far out of the water...

In the background of this picture there are (count 'em) 5 killer whales. That is so amazing and awesome to me. They are humongous, but so beautiful and graceful. I LOVE getting to see the whales. Drew was a little disheartened thinking that they had been "kidnapped" from their home in the ocean just to come and "make money" for people. I explained to him that these whales were born here at Sea World and don't know how to find food for themselves, so they would probably die in the ocean. (that's true right?) I just didn't want it to ruin his day.

It's tough being this cool, but Taylor makes it look easy.

Tune in next week for: Disneyland the Happiest ( most hellacious) place on earth...

Day one California...Some Beach

Our first full day in California was spent at Laguna Beach. We packed a picnic, bought a boogie board and set off.

This is me and Cam's wife, Jenni. Cam and Jen and their baby Trent drove in from Wickenburg, AZ to spend a couple of days with us in CA.

I guess we forgot to tell the boys that the water was FRIGID, here's Cam teaching Drew how to maneuver a boogie board. Towards the end of the day, I'd say Taylor and Drew both had it down pat. Til Uncle Cam broke the board. :(

Here's Trent enjoying his turn with the board. Nice and safe, no worries about sharks this way.

Drew and I were playing a game of catch with the velcro mits, I remembered playing with these on the beach when I was a kid, so when I saw them of course I had to get them.

We counted ourselves very lucky to actually catch this moment on film. They are touching eachother nicely and smiling. Take a moment to enjoy. However, this was the first day...

Stay tuned for chapter 2 of our family vaction slide show. You're excited I can tell...