I've been boycotting...

OK, so it's been awhile since I've even sat down at my computer because I just needed a break from it all! After our family got home from a glorious 10 days in sunny Southern California, we spent a week at home having a "Staycation". Rich took the whole week off and we had plenty of time by the pool, doing puzzles at the kitchen table and sleeping in! It was actually kind of nice to get relax time at home. Although I did have 12 loads of sandy laundry to get through, it's all done now, ironed and put away and it feels so good to be back!

I have pictures from vacation that I haven't posted so I'll do my best to highlight. After a fabulous 4th with my sister's family at the beach, we took a couple days to just do NOTHING! We went to the hotel pool, went out for pizza, went to the beach and slept in LATE! It was nothing short of wonderful! Then it was off to the happiest place on earth for 2 days with Mickey and his friends! Tuesday we went to Disneyland and the crowds were down. The big kids were able to do every ride and Rich and I spent the day taking Hailey everywhere her heart desired. She met so many characters and rode so many rides, she was plum tuckered by the time it was time to say goodnight.

Wednesday was our little princesses 4th birthday. We had reservations to have lunch with all the Disney Princesses at Ariel's Grotto that afternoon. We were not disappointed - 5 princesses at once! Hailey hit the princess jackpot! She was in 7th Heaven! So we left the grotto with a MUCH lighter wallet and many happy birthday memories and set out to ride the rides of California Adventures. It was another great day with minimal crowds and once again the big kids rode every ride while Rich and I took Hailey to see all there was to see. They were 2 very long, tiring days, but they were great days!

We had a few more days of lounging on the beach and dinner with family and before we knew it it was time to pack up the 'Burban and head back to the heat!

So there's my fastest summary of Summer Vacation 2009! Before we know it, we'll be back to school! (Yeah! for me!)

I do have so many more pictures of Hailey's birthday, so they will wait for another entry! TTYL!

Summer Vacation 2009

DAY ONE.....

Well, Day One got off to a slow start as we couldn't leave town until Rich got off work on Friday =(... so we got the car loaded and hit the road by 6pm. We got to our paradise by the sea at just before midnight. Our arrival at the beach was somewhat anticlimactic....oh well...tomorrow - THE BEACH!!!!

Day 9

La Jolla Coves
Originally uploaded by heather_n_lv

Sunday August 10, 2008

Today we decided to head out on an adventure. We weren't 100% sure where we were headed, but we headed south toward San Diego and decided to go where the road took us.
Originally, we thought we'd go down to SeaPort Village and walk around and window shop. But while we were driving, I remembered these cool sea caves I'd seen years ago in La Jolla and asked if anyone wanted to go check them out. Everyone seemed game, so we went on a little tour of downtown La Jolla in search of the caves. After stopping for ice cream, and to ask diretions, we finally found them! They were soo cool! And there were sea lions all over the place! Brendan and Parker got within a couple of feet of one sunbathing on the rocks! Then we decended the 145 steps to one of the caves known as "Sunny Jim" - apparently the opening, when viewed during daylight hours, forms the silouette of an Indian. It was a cool adventure. And apparently you can go on Kayaking and snorkeling tours through all 7 caves - maybe when the llittle ones get a bit bigger.
So, on our way back to our car - we passed a beautiful, red, Ferrari F40 parked in front of one of the hotels, so we decided to take a picture for the testosterone factor.
When we got back to Kim's, they were surprised to hear that such caves even exsisted! Imagine, they've lived here their whole lives and have never been. So now they're planning a trip down with some friends!
It was such a fun day!!!

Day 8

Saturday August 9, 2008

Day 8 found us at yet another beach! We headed just south of my sister's house and found ourselves in San Clemente, so we thought, what the hay, we'll stop here today! I just love being on vacation...no schedules, no timelines, no agendas, just go with the flow! I have to relish it while I can, because I know it's coming to an end - and all too soon! :(
So, we're sucking up as much of this beautiful California sunshine and ocean air as we can while we still have it to enjoy.
After the beach, my sister, Kim, and my brother-in-law, Kenny, took us out to a birthday dinner. It was nice to visit, and a great meal too! Thanks you guys, so much, for the dinner, the hospitality, and all the love and friendship you've extended our family while we've been here. I said recently, that the older I get, the more my family means to me, and the more time I want to spend with them.

Days 5,6,and7...

Since I'm getting really far behind pictures and events of our trip, I'm going to have to throw a few days together!!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 found us packing our bags to head up the coast to Laguna Niguel where we are now enjoying the hospitality of my big sister at the Casa de Messick. The kids immediately jumped in the gigantic pool and were in seventh heaven.

Thursday, August 7, 2008 we took the crew to Knott's Berry Farm. Camp Snoopy was a huge hit for the little ones, and the older ones loved all the roller coasters. Parker got to ride his first roller coaster, but was sad to discover that he was too short to ride the bigger coasters with the kids. The best part was the short lines!! You've gotta love Knott's Berry Farm!!

Parker and Hailey got to meet Snoopy!!

Hailey has no fear of anything!!

Friday, August 8, 2008 was the end of the trip for Elissa's boyfriend, Zach. He had to head home to Utah to move into his apartment in preparation for college at the end of the month. We dropped him off at the Santa Ana airport then headed up the freeway to Westminster for a day with Rich's dad and step-mom. Grandpa Joe and Grandma Sharon were great to put up with all the kids. We had fun playing in the backyard and looking at pictures of family members that we don't get to see very often. After a nice dinner to celebrate Rich's and my birthday, we headed home to my sisters to get some sleep!! It was a great visit and we're grateful for the times we get to share with family. Thanks grandpa and grandma, for everything. We love you so much! We miss you when we're so far away, we look forward to seeing you again in October ,when you come up for Rich's Navy Retirement Ceremony!

Day 4 - Back at the beach!

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008


Back to the beach today! Parker decided to test his skills on the boogie board. He caught a couple of small waves, and took a few rolls, but he loved every sandy second of it!! It was a nice relaxing day in the sand and the surf. We took it easy today because tomorrow we pack up all this sandy stuff and head up to my sister's house in Laguna Niguel. Can't wait to see the fam!!

Day 3 - Sea World

Monday August 4th, 2008

Once again, Shamu did not disappoint. It was hotter than blazes, and really humid, but the show was phenom. Hailey loved every second of it, especially because her big brothers and sister sat with her in the "soak zone" so she got splashed and thought that was great!!
We managed to hit every show - except the 4D theater - oh well. The kids also explored the tide pools, where the sea stars live, the bat ray pools, the Manatee Rescue, the Arctic Zone - where the Polar Bears, Beluga Whales, and Walrus' live, the Penguin Habitat and the Shark Encounter.
Parker said that the Cirque De La Mer was the best show at Sea World, but Hailey LOVED the dolphins. Elissa likes Clyde and Seamore - the Sea Lion and Otter show, and the big boys just liked the girls that worked there!
Personally, I love Pet's Rule, and Rich loves the Belugas whales in the arctic zone and the funnel cake!!
We closed the park down - stayed for the fire works and all. Hailey and Parker ran to their little hearts content in the new Sesame Street play place, then immediately passed out almost as soon as their seat belts were on!
Another summer, another trip to Sea World - we love it!! It never gets old - expensive, yes, but not old!
Tomorrow it's back to the beach for a little r&r.

Day 2 - Beachin' it!

So Hailey didn't want anything to do with the sand when we first got to the beach, but she quickly got over her little phobia!!!

Hailey before liking the sand.......and after getting used to it!!

She and Parker both took sand baths, they were covered in the stuff from head to toe, and loving every second of it!
A good time was had by all, the water was perfect, the sun was out, we couldn't have asked for a better day.

After the sun and the sand, we came back to our hotel for a quick dip in the pool, then we showered and headed out for dinner at our favorite pizza place in Carlsbad, "The Pizza Port".

It was as yummy as ever. After pizza and beer buddies (their name for their yummy garlic bread), we headed over to "Cessy's" for the best soft serve ice cream on the beach. We then loaded up the little ones, with their ice cream cones in hand, and headed over to Frazee park to watch an absolutely amazing sunset, along with about 50 other Carlsbadians. After watching "Robert the fire juggler", we headed back to our room to get ready for bed.

Tomorrow - SEA WORLD!!!

Day 1 - Carlsbad or Bust!!

The only thing I wanted for my birthday was to watch the sunset on the beach...well, this was as close to a sunset as I got - the marine layer had settled in. But at least I was on the beach!! It was beautiful anyway, and it was only 71*...a far cry cooler than the 109 that it was in Vegas. We packed all our suitcases into the Burban and piled in all 8 bodies for a trip to the beach. We made it to San Marcos by dinnertime, so we got to eat at our favorite restaurant "The Old Spaghetti Factory". It was so yummy, we wish they would come back to Vegas.

Then it was off to the beach to watch the sunset, and finally we made it to our hotel to settle in for some rest. It was a wonderful birthday - frusterating teenagers and all!! Thanks, babe, for a picture perfect day!

Our home away from home.