Las Vegas...The Grand Canyon...Disneyland

The first rule of travel, especially when kids are involved, is that you cannot come home from a jaunt without stories.  I'm not just talking adventurous oh-the-things-we-saw kind of stories.  Those are, of course, inevitable.  I'm talking funny stories--the ones you're not thrilled about as they're happening but rather come to appreciate them later for their humor, their memories and their ability to keep it real--as if we need more of that around here.  Let's begin by stating some facts.  We're not exactly savvy travelers, even though before trips I envision our family sauntering through airports in chic travel attire and wheeling beautiful luggage behind us.  "Oh, what's that, TSA agent?  You need my identification?  Why, of course, let me just pull out my passport from this vintage Italian leather passport clutch."

No, we are the modern day Griswolds.  We tote broken, beat-up suitcases, we drag carseats, we take our shoes off for security only to be mortified by the state of our socks and pedicures.  We walk through terminals, oblivious to the fact that people are chasing us down, alerting us that we dropped a bottle, a boarding pass, a shoe and half a bag of Doritos three gates back. (That didn’t really happen, but it could have!)  This will change as "Become cool savvy traveler and purchase fabulous luggage" just moved up several notches on the bucket list. However, I can say our kids are very good on flights, and we are proud to flaunt that fact given it's about the only thing we have going for us when we travel.  They are ridiculously good--quiet, calm and happy.  I'm so proud of them. 

So stories...

The kids thought we were going to Las Vegas and then driving to the Grand Canyon.  I do realize now that my geography was a little off, but hey they were none the wiser.  We loaded into our second minivan of the vacation, (the first died after our adult night out in Vegas…nothing “Hangover” style, just a blown fuse), and off the “Grand Canyon” we went.  Somehow we made it to the hotel with sleeping kids, unloaded them and got them to the room without them realizing that we were across the street from Disneyland.  I’m still not sure how that happened.  So we started the 7 minute walk to the main gate and decided we needed to spill the beans.  “Mommy and Daddy have lied to you”, I started…”We aren’t going the Grand Canyon.”  They were pissed.  Then I told them we were going to Disneyland and they didn’t believe me!

They aren't buying it...

After some convincing we were there…we arrived and the fun began!

We started in Disneyland and walked on rides.  We learned that it is probably not the best idea to take your kids on Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy as their first ride...but they recovered.  

We also learned that Rob should ride in the back on Splash Mountain, and Bodie should not be in the front seat...we doesn't like getting wet!

The kids were animals...I never thought they would love the thrill rides...but they did!  McCall went on Tower of Terror and Bodie went on California Screamin!  

Classy Mister in the back seat...way to ruin our picture!

Second day we woke up early and went to California Adventure...

Cars land was amazing!  

The kids each got some Mater teeth!

We had a blast exploring that park and Rhys had a great 3rd birthday!  We went to Ariel's Grotto for dinner, and after overcoming a minor sleep deprived meltdown, we enjoyed a delcious dinner and got to see some pretty princesses!

Rhys's 3rd Birthday Dinner!

 Saturday we park hopped...starting at Disneyland and then returning to California Adventure for lunch.  We had an amazing lunch at Carthay Circle Theater...beautiful.

 We explored the Paradise Pier boardwalk...Sissy got her face painted.

Rhys met Doug from "UP" on the Wilderness Explorer Trail...To say he loved Doug is an understatement :)

We ended the night by watching World of Color...it was amazing!

Sunday was our last day :( We slept in...to rest our weary feet, so after a relaxing morning we were ready to finish up our adventure!

Toon Town :)

Jax was an awesome little traveler.  Isn't he the cutest?  I know right? (Left...just for you Bri)

After a busy four days we visited Downtown Disney to do a little shopping before heading back to Las Vegas.  Bodie made a car at Ridemakerz...

Then we did some damage at World of Disney and then after a stop (or two) at In-n-out we were on our way back to Nevada.

So that's it.  Our trip is over and I'm a little (OK a lot) sad. But I am feeling fulfilled and grateful to visit new places and meet new people. I have a couple broken suitcases and a s*#tload of laundry to attend to.

It's almost October!!

I'm bracing myself for October, my busiest month; things feel slightly overwhelming--big projects and big schedules.  Without fail, the antidote for this feeling is to go small.  Focus on the good little things that are continually present in my life.

All or nothing never works for me.  I love the simplistic trend that is seeping back into our generation, but it sometimes overwhelms me too.  I can easily feel guilty for not being "simple enough."  The fact is, I thrive on both simplicity and complexity.  In a perfect world, we'd split our time between a quiet farm where I watch my kids chase goats and play in the fields all day and a city house where we go and do and see and crash late at night, our brains rich with culture and stories; our bodies tired from good stimulation.  And you know what?  When October and all its craziness and travel and work and school is over, I'm going to look back and think "I loved it.  I freaking loved that high."  And it will come just as we slowly dip our toes into a delicious November, drenched with slow family simple moments that will seem all the sweeter, contrasted against the craziness.  Maybe that's why I love these last three months so much--for the dichotomy present which brings to light both the fulfilling frenzy and quiet calm that we love.


I have a lot of work to finish this week.  But we are still enjoying little things.

Loving:

 My countdown ticker:

 

Our vacation is getting closer!  And somehow we just might pull off the best surprise ever...I can't even stand how excited I am.  I may have started to pack.  Rob may  have told me to calm down.  We are going to the Happiest Place on Earth...is he crazy.  How can I calm down!

Rhys's new love...emptying my purse on the floor...

First Day of School....I know, I know, but better late than never, right?!?

Brotherly love:

Road trip to Orifino: 

Western Idaho Fair: (Thanks Rachel for this shot!)

 Sassy (the horse) loved how Rob scratched her butt.  She couldn't get enough!!

 Mr. Mustache...

 Best kids meal prize ever!!

My fresh eggs...

Despite our two...count them two...dog/chicken encounters which have both led to the unfortunate and untimely death of our lovely ladies, we still have five ladies laying.  (Sounds like a Christmas carol!)

Target's Halloween aisle:

 That is all. Peace and cookies.  Happy Sunday!