Getting through our last few days of school before sping break was rough. All of us were eager to get to California and were counting the minutes until school was out!
Even Nixon, who was finally feeling better, was looking forward to having his sisters home from school (they provide hours of entertainment).
On the last day of school before spring break Macie and the Kindergarteners had an Easter egg hunt in the park.
Mom and Nixon enjoyed watching Macie collect eggs, and stayed afterwards for a picnic. Macie ate so much candy that she reminded Mom of Beavis (from Beavis and Butthead do America) after he consumes too much sugar:
After school that Friday afternoon we were ecstatic! Unfortunately, it was hard to sleep that night as our minds were full with anticipation of all the fun that lay ahead of us. We woke up that next morning and happily jumped into the car. Saying goodbye to Dad was hard- we never enjoy leaving him behind. 1000 hugs and kisses later, Mom and Uncle Will strapped us all in and we drove off for the coast.
We headed west towards San Dimas where we were spending the afternoon with a long time Friend of Mom's and her family. The drive was long, and we had to stop along the way to feed Nixon. It's a good thing he isn't a finicky baby, because he didn't complain when he had to eat a luke warm bottle in the front seat of the car (not the most comfortable, or roomy, place to relax). After a good burp, he was back in his car seat and we were back on the freeway.
We arrived at Miss Kristin and Stu's house 5 hours later and couldn't have been more ready for fun! They were more than gracious as they welcomed us into their home. All sorts of food and activities were waiting for us- it was awesome. We ate, played, swam, and had a blast with little Amanda and her family.
By the time evening came, we were all worn out from a long day of travel and fun. We thanked the Johnson family for their hospitality and headed to our hotel for the night. I was really concerned with the sleeping arrangements for the evening. We had 2 rooms for the 6 of us, and I wasn't sure just how it was going to work out. Mom told me that Macie, Mom, Nixon, and I would be in one room while Presley and Will would be in the other. With a sincere (and straight) face I looked up and Mom and asked "well, there are only 2 beds in our room- where will you sleep?" Mom looked at me and said that she would sleep on the floor (I guess she meant that sarcastically). I quickly replied "good, I don't like to share a bed with anyone, I need my space to move around!"
Once we got settled in the room Macie and I passed out almost immediately. Mom and Uncle Will tried to get Presley and Nixon ready for bed in the next room. Presley had all sorts of fun with the hotel phone- so much so that Mom had to unplug it,
and Nixon decided that he was more interested in conversing than sleeping:
That next morning we woke up (way too early for Mom's liking), and after packing the car drove out to Huntington Beach to spend time with the Jacklin Family. Jeff and Susan were SO excited to see all of us, and, as usual, they had their home stocked with all of our favorites- toys, nuggets, etc. They are so good to us! We had a wonderful afternoon seeing our family and were grateful for the time we were able to spend with them.
That night we settled in to our new hotel. Mom decided to change up the sleeping arrangement for the evening, and Macie and I were in separate rooms (that way Mom and Nixon could sleep in a room with Macie and Mom could sleep in a bed instead of on a floor). While we were falling asleep Mom and Uncle Will kept Presley and Nixon occupied in the hallway. Presley took rides on the luggage cart while Mom and Nixon played games in front of the mirror. After a while the hotel clerk came by and gave Presley a lollipop- that made her super happy!
Not long after Presley was ready for bed. Mom laid her down in the crib in my room and went back out into the hallway where she and Uncle Will watched TV on the Ipad and hung out with Nixon. The sleeping arrangements worked wonderful for everyone, and we all woke with smiles the next morning.
Before leaving Huntington Beach to drive down to San Diego we walked down to the beach and met up with Jeff. We spent some time with him walking up and down the shoreline. Mom sure enjoyed being back in Huntington Beach. It brought back all the wonderful memories she had of the time that she spent there with Dad, Uncle Shawn, and Jax. Jeff drove us back to the hotel in his truck, and Macie loved feeling the ocean air on her face as she stuck her head out the window:
We all gave Jeff big hugs as we said goodbye and thanked him for all the fun!
We arrived in San Diego just before nap time that day and Mom set Nixon in his bassinet while she unpacked the car and set up our bedrooms at Grandma's. That was when she realized that Nixon must have grown in the last few days because the bassinet had gotten a little snug!
It was a good thing that she had an extra crib for him. He was much more comfortable napping with all the extra space.
That afternoon when Presley and Nixon woke up from their naps, we drove out to see Miss Alyssa and her girls. Mom enjoyed catching up with an old friend and seeing all the girls playing together.
After a great night of sleep we all woke up ECSTATIC to be at the beach! We raced through breakfast, and quickly put on swimsuits; we were ready for some fun in the sun!
The walk to the beach was full of smiles all around.
Nixon chilled out in the beach chair while the rest of us ran around and played in the sand.
A day on the beach sure was fun. That afternoon, after cleaning up Mom took me to meet up with Pa and Michelle for my very first sleepover at Pa's house!!!! I was having a Riley/Pa night, Macie was having a Macie/Grandma night, Presley was having a Presley/Will night, and Mom was getting some alone time with Nixon!
Mom couldn't believe that I was so grown up; she wasn't worried about me staying at Pa's because she knows that I will make him follow the rules!
Nixon enjoyed his time with Mom; they walked the PB boardwalk and enjoyed the amazing weather and gorgeous views.
Presley and Will met up with a friend of Hayley's and spent some time with her and her son, while Macie and Grandma had some fun Mission Beach style; they walked the pier, went to Belmont park, rode rides, played games, watched the wave machine, got a sparkle tattoo, and ate sushi.
Everyone had a fun evening (and some of us went to bed WAY too late)!
The next morning Mom, Macie, Will, Presley, and Nixon drove out to Rancho San Diego to meet me, Pa, and more family at the park to celebrate Grandma Jean's birthday!!! Apparently Macie had so much fun the evening before that she PASSED out on the drive to the park that morning. Mom was shocked; Macie never naps, and she was out cold!
When Mom arrived at the park I told her all about the fun evening I had with Pa and Michelle!
We enjoyed a nice morning at the park with family. Grandma Jean sure enjoyed seeing all of her grandchildren together for her birthday!
We were incredibly grateful to Aunt Liz, who at 9 months pregnant drove out to the park so that we could spend time with out cousin Avery. After playing and eating, Aunt Connie brought out some Easter baskets and surprised us with an Easter egg hunt!
What a special surprise from our family!
There were 100 eggs hidden all over the park, and the 4 of us ran like crazy finding the treasures!
It was lots of fun, and we made out with tons of candy and treats- Aunt Connie sure knows how to pick the good stuff!
After the park we spent the afternoon with Grandma Jean and our family at the Umbarger's house. We are incredibly grateful we were able to spend so much time with our favorite people!
The next morning we woke up so excited for the day ahead; we were going to Legoland, but better yet, we were seeing the Grzelak family for the first time in 3 years; OMG, so excited!!!!!!We arrived at Legoland and couldn't wait to storm the gates.
Inside we took a picture to send to Dad before heading off for some rides.
Nixon was really excited to be out and about!
Waiting in line was a tough concept for us to grasp. We have been spoiled from years of Disneyland with no lines (thanks to Jeff). Just as Macie and I were lamenting that waiting 20 minutes for a 2 minute ride isn't really worth it, Grandma Judy started playing games with us and made the wait time much more fun.
Our first ride was a boat ride through the 7 wonders of the world- all made out of legos.
It was really interesting, but not very exiting, so Will and Grandma took me and the girls on a car ride while Mom and Nixon walked around and looked at the sites.
When the ride was over we made our way to the park entrance where we waited for the Grzelak family to join us.
Mom tried to get Nixon to sit in the double stroller, but his smile only lasted for a few minutes before he starting crying and was back in Mom's arms.
The next thing Mom knew, Miss Elizabeth and her family were there. Mom didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or shriek with excitement.
Within moments it was back like old times- good friends hanging out and having fun!
The day was chocked full of rides, laughs, and fun together.
Macie could hardly contain her excitement when we turned a corner and saw WildStyle from the Lego Movie. Mom had to pry Macie away from her when her turn was over...
Later that afternoon the Grzelak family had to leave early to drive up to LA before flying home to Ohio. Mom was again filled with so many emotions. As grateful as she was to have had time to spend with Miss Elizabeth, she was devastated to say goodbye again. Being with them reminded her of all the amazing times we had together- such effort less fun. It's hard to have such amazing friends so far away; No matter how many new families we meet, none will ever fill the void that their absence leaves behind.
Our family spent the remainder of the day at Legoland riding more rides. Thanks to Riley Grzelak, we were able to bypass the lines and enter through the exit. This cut our wait time drastically and allowed Macie, Will, and I to ride all of the coasters over and over while Mom, Grandma, Presley, and Nixon enjoyed the play areas.
The next morning we relaxed at Grandma's and enjoyed a casual breakfast before heading out for a day at the beach.
Mom tried some sunglasses on Nixon and he was not amused. Apparently he does not like looking like a dork.
It was a beautiful day at the beach!
For dinner that night we got some local Mexican food, a favorite of Macie's and mine. When Mom was out of the room Grandma Judy decided to let Nixon try some food for the first time. She let him suck on her burrito, and boy did he like it! Mom was disgusted yet fascinated.
Dad flew into town later that night and the family was so excited to be together. We had a lazy morning, relaxing on the couch and hanging out together. Macie and I kept Nixon occupied while Mom cleaned up after breakfast.
Mom and Dad had a appointment with their tax accountant that day, so Macie and I spent the day at the beach with Grandma. When they got home we cleaned up and drove out for an Easter dinner with Pa's family at Uncle Ryan's house. It was great spending more time with the family. We ate, played, and enjoyed each other's company.
We hadn't planned on staying in San Diego for Easter, but were having so much fun that we just couldn't leave. On Easter morning Macie and I went to church with Grandma Judy and Paul. Mom threw together some Easter appropriate attire and sent us on our way.
Presley stayed home with everyone else and had some Easter morning fun on the beach.
Mom and Dad brought some plastic eggs and had an egg hunt for Presley.
Dad enjoyed being on the beach with his family.
After church Macie and I raced to get our swimsuits on and took off for the beach!
The family stayed at the beach all day, grateful to be having fun together.
Spending time at the beach is one of our favorite things.
After a full day, we sadly packed up the car and drove back home to Nevada. It didn't take long for some of us to fall asleep- we were all tuckered out from an amazing week of fun in California.
We are grateful for all the time we were able to spend with family and friends. So many wonderful memories with so many wonderful people! This coming month we have lots to celebrate- Uncle Will is having a birthday, Presley is turning TWO, and Nixon is turning 6 MONTHS. Check back soon to hear all about it!ri
