Lake Powell

Two weeks before school started we planned one last boating with Shaun and his family. We had never been to Lake Powell (except for Bill many years ago) and have always wanted to go since we got our boat! Shaun and Mistee had been several times so we were extra glad to go with some veterans. We camped off the beach in Bullfrog. I loved the drive down since we were able to go through Capital Reef - my happy place as I refer to it. I have always loved the red rock mountains and Lake Powell was nothing but.

Our first day was hot. Hot. HOT. We played in the water most of the time. It was 78 degrees so it was amazing! Shaun took us to a cave and we swam in there every day of our trip. We loved it! Stella especially. She's my mermaid. Such a water-baby! The kids chased each other around in the water, put wet sand all over their bodies, snorkeled, and loved every minute of it! Our running joke throughout the trip was "What time is it?" We'd all guess and it was always so much earlier than we thought it felt. Don't get me wrong, it's great when time goes by slow while on vacation, but this felt ridiculously slow at times!

Friday morning was stormy. We woke up to lightning in the mountains behind us which then turned to all around us! We huddled under the canopy and watched how awesome it looked! I tried to get some really good pictures but was never fast enough. Grrrr. It cleared up for a few minutes so we did a little skiing, fishing and swimming. Of course as we got back to make dinner a huge wind storm came and got into EVERYTHING. It took Shaun approximately 2 hours to cook their pork chops! We all gathered into our barely 4 man tent to play some cards and complain. Shaun's tent blew down and Makayla's was on the verge.

Saturday was beautiful! Perfect weather. We spent most of the day driving down Moki Canyon. It was incredible!! I loved it so much! Incredibly tall red and white mountains. I kept thinking how much I wish my grandpa were there to see it. He would be thrilled. Bill and Shaun cliff dived, we fished some more (still no fish to this point) and more swimming. We all enjoyed some yummy ice cream from the dock. Tristan caught the first fish and Bill caught a teeny tiny fish that night. It wasn't what he expected the fishing to be, but when you're somewhere as beautiful as Powell what's not to like. The day was absolutely perfect!

Sunday we cleaned up, packed up, loaded up, and headed on our very long journey home after a bit of knee boarding. Tristan got up and was even showing off (shocker, I know) by doing it one-handed. No hands at first when the handle was still attached. Stella didn't get up but liked being pulled around on it. Now for the pictures. Lots and lots of them. You've been warned!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!! (and Cali)

That is the song my kids (and Bill) woke up to me singing the day we left on our vacation! I think it's very safe to say I was more excited then my kids or hubby. There is just something about Disneyland that is magical. Yes, I know that's cheesy. But I love it! The music you hear as you get closer, the kids excitement, the funny Mickey ears, the churros. Ah. I want to go back already!

We spent the first day in Disneyland. It was so much fun! We did almost every ride we had missed the last 2 times. Indiana Jones was my favorite. Tristan loved Pirates and Stella loved the Star Wars ride. She however would not go on the Haunted Mansion. Can't say I blame her! Some of these rides I hadn't been on since I was 7 so it took me back to those days.

Our second day we went to California Adventures. My favorite. Not to mention on my birthday! My mom who traveled and stayed with us during the trip, kindly bought me some FABULOUS ears. Hot pink animal print with black and white feathers. What's not to love?? Cars Land was absolutely adorable! I want to live there! Especially at night when it's all lit. Radiator Racers was one of all our new fave ride. It was fast and so fun! Tristan's absolute favorite was Grizzly River Run. We did that many times while we were there! No line - probably because it was pretty cold.

And our third day we had our list of all the rides we wanted to go on one more time before we left. Half the day in CA Adventures and half in Disneyland. I was so sad to leave!!! Already half way done with our vacay. Sigh.

That night we checked into our hotel in San Diego. Much nicer than our one in Anaheim. The kids were thrilled to have a bigger, nicer pool to play in. And I was glad to have a hot tub to relax my tired feet! Friday we went to Sea World. Yay! We love Sea World! We sat in the wet seat section for the shows, but didn't get splashed! We were hot too! Dang. We got to see baby Shamu and loved all the shows again. It was relaxing.

Saturday we went on the USS Midway. The actual ship that was attacked at Pearl Harbor! By far one of the coolest things I've done. I love anything WWII! Even the kids stayed interested. This was Bill's favorite part for sure! We could spend all day reading everything and just soaking in the history of it all. However, you can not go to San Diego without going to the beach! We went to Coronada Beach. It was a little chilly, but we still stayed a few hours. The kids made sand castles, Tristan got buried, Stella collected seashells, and they just enjoyed being free! And for the parents it was nice to let them run and be loud for once!

I now have many wonderful memories of our vacation not only as a family, but was happy to get to share it with my mom, sister and her cute family! Other than the morning tantrums from T and losing Stella it was amazing! Can't wait to go again. Now, I just have to convince my husband...again...

Now for the pictures. Many many pictures.

On our way!

Quick stop to see my cute grandparents in St. George

Us at the very cold beach on Monday

Me & Em (she's not really taller than me)

Peace! Waiting in line at Disneyland

Where to go next???

Autopia. One of Tristan's favorite!

Goofy boys at the Mater ride

We love Cars Land! Except for it jacking up the price of our tickets.

Salute!

Celebrity Photo Op

California Adventures. My mom totally looks like she's photo bombing this picture!

Ah, Disneyland.

We saw the princesses just chillin' in the front entrance! Stella was so excited!

Sea World

Inside the USS Midway

Coronado Beach

Stella in heaven. 

The whole bunch of us! My kids think they're being funny.

Mini Vacay

For the past few months I have been wanting to go back to visit my grandparents in St. George. I have been promising Stella who had been asking almost daily. Of course the weekend we had planned to go we were sick so it got postponed until New Years weekend. Sunday we went to my grandparents for a couple of hours. My grandma made dinner that she of course felt wasn't good enough. Bill helped fix their sink which just thrilled them. But most importantly we got to spend a couple of precious hours together and our goodbyes were very emotional. It's sad knowing they are so far away and with my grandpa's heart condition he got teary-eyed thinking this could be the last time he see's us. It's hard to see them get to this point. I guess it happens to us all at some point if we are lucky enough to live that long!

We drove through Zions National Park on our way out. It was beautiful! I loved the snow on the red rock mountains. I would love to go back when we have more time to do some hikes and when it's warmer. The kids liked the long tunnel.

We stayed at Shaun and Mistee's on New Years Eve. We played games and had a chance to get caught up. It was a great weekend! I wish we lived closer because I love our time together! Bill and Shaun went ice fishing and caught quite a few good sized fish. It was freezing cold so the kids decided not to go. We hung out and played Just Dance. It was a quick, busy, but relaxing little vacation weekend. The kids loved staying in a nice hotel and swimming and I particularly enjoyed my time with my family I don't get to see as much as I'd like.

Yellowstone

Right off the bat I am going to give you fair warning that there will be MANY pictures on this post. These are just a few of my faves from our trip. It was so BEAUTIFUL in Yellowstone. Just. Beautiful. Bill and I had both been there over 20 years ago (gasp).  Well over 20 years. There was so much that I did not remember. I remember being less than enthusiastic about Old Faithful which I thought was cool, but should not be the main attraction. I remember seeing the famous fire as we left the park. I remember the nasty smell of sulpher. What I loved this time around was the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Amazing!!! The water is so strong and powerful with beautiful mountains surrounding it. 

Bill of course loved the wildlife. Don't get me wrong, I did too. However, I am more into the sights. We did see a mother bear (who had 2 baby cubs in a tree but we couldn't see them), 2 huge bull elk, cow elk, deer, lots of buffalo (not Tristan's favorites), antelope and an eagle. I wanted to see a moose, but no luck. 

Our first day we didn't get there until around 4. Later then planned. Our campground was off of a beautiful little lake which had paddle boats to rent for way cheap so we did that in the evening. The kids loved it! Quite possibly their favorite part of the whole trip. We spent the next two days in the park just driving, looking, and driving some more. The kids did great but were getting pretty restless and bored towards the end. The last full day in Montana was all about the kids. We went to a cool Bear & Wolf Museum, shot guns, more paddle boating, shopping and ice cream. They couldn't have been happier! Anyways, here are my pic's. Do not adjust your computers. It really was this spectacular and then some! 

Checking in at our campsite! Finally there. 

The 4-man paddle boat. Pretty exhausting I must say. 

Yummy, messy s'mores. A camping MUST! 

Excited to explore Yellowstone! 

A little waterfall

Some hot pots at Artist Paintpots. So many cool things to see in this little area. 

These little blue pools were so pretty. One of my favorite things there.  

Stella getting tired on our little hike. 

Lucky for her she has a strong dad who will let her ride on his shoulders! 

Norris Geyser Basin overlook 

Tristan was getting a little tired of posing I guess. 

This hill was gorgeous! I wish we could see more of the purple flowers in this picture. 

Doesn't do it justice. 

Mama Bear 

This was another one of my favorite things there. This was by where 

we stopped for ice cream. If we hadn't stopped for food we would have drove right

past it! Reminds me of Superman for some reason. 

Big 6 by 6 elk 

Traffic jam caused by buffalo 

Day 2 in the park! 

Old Faithful 

By Yellowstone Lake so the kids can throw rocks. 

Stella is already a good little photographer. Plus its nice they are old enough 

to take pictures so Bill and I can be seen together!

Rawr. Here at the Visitor Center. 

Goofballs

We got a little rained on here! This was my favorite. 

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Pretty awesome. 

So happy to finally be shooting his BB gun! 

The Bear & Wolf Museum. No animals were harmed in this picture. 

Another museum on our way out! Such a fun trip. Can't wait to do it again!!!