Vacation

Gentry and I have been wanting to take the kids on a vacation with just our family. We have never done it with just our family and we thought it would be fun. So we started looking for places to go and decided to take the kids to Sea World. The boys have never been there and Alyssa hasn't been there since she was a baby. We also decided it would be extra special to not tell the kids and just surprise them.

So we did all of our planning and packing without the kids knowing. We decided to start driving and then I was going to act like I was just taking a picture with my phone but really I would be recording everything. But let's just say things never seem to go as planned. To start off, before we even get a mile from home Brock is literally crying because he wanted to go to McDonalds. So Gentry says to the kids "Hey guys I have a good idea. We should go to Vegas!". Meanwhile Brock (who thinks we are teasing him) starts crying harder and hitting my phone because he doesn't want me taking a picture of him crying.

As you can tell this "vacation" is off to a crappy start.  Gentry then tells the kids that we actually aren't going to sell their DS's and Kindles anymore.  (You see we had to tell them we were selling them so that they would gather them up so we had them for the drive.)  But that whole idea backfired on us too.  Now we have Brock crying (about Mcdonald's) and Alyssa whining because she didn't get to sell her stuff...and get money?

At this point I turn to Gentry and we both say "well this isn't quite how we imagined it!"  So now Gentry and I are staring at the road wondering why we are even taking these 'brats' on a vacation at all....but of course I can't let it go so I turn around and tell the kids how disappointed we are and how this is costing us a lot of money.  They actually looked at us a little confused.  We are now almost to Provo at this point and they are literally JUST FIGURING out that we are ON OUR WAY to vacation.  Suddenly they start screaming and clapping about how excited they are.  (If only this was their original response.)  So now Gentry proceeds to tell them that we are going to Sea World after Vegas.  But they don't want to go to Sea World.  They wanted to stay in Vegas and play with their cousins.  (So much for our 'family bonding vacation' and we haven't even gotten to our destination).  

Missy called us as we were driving down and wanted to meet up with us.  I hadn't told them that we were coming because I knew all of their kids were still in school.  But she said she didn't care and she was going to check them out.  Which turned out to be a good thing because they came over the next morning and went swimming with us, and then we took the kids to the ADVENTUREDOME and Circus Circus. The kids LOVED IT!!!  And Gentry and I had a great time visiting with Missy...and let's be honest, our stomachs don't handle the rides so well now that we are getting older.

Missy called KC and told him to get some dinner ready that she was having us all over for dinner.  They also invited Chris and Jenni with their family. It was so fun to be able to relax and visit with everyone.  Not to mention the food was yummy too!

 Cooper and JT won a couple fish and gave them to my boys.  Boston and Brock named the fish Cooper and JT...pretty creative right?!?

 Dinner at Missy and KC's house.

 Alyssa and Kate...we didn't bring Alyssa's swim suit so Haley let Alyssa borrow one of her old ones and we used some safety pins too.

 Missy, CJ, Chris and Gentry

 Haley, Jenni and CJ

Brock doing some serious cheerleading lifts.

 Wednesday morning we checked out of the hotel and were heading to San Diego.  Of course we had to do a quick detour to the outlets.  The kids weren't thrilled about this part but they were good sports.

We stopped at Alien Beef Jerky on our way to San Diego. It was way overpriced but the kids thought it was fun.  On a side note...does Alyssa look 16???  Holy cow she is getting tall and looking older to me:)

When we got to San Diego I went to check in to our hotel and they told me that they couldn't find my reservation.  Long story short...somehow the dates got messed up, but they were still able to get us in to our room...THANK GOODNESS!!  Then a quick visit to In N Out for dinner.

Thursday morning we were able to find a Chick-fil-a for breakfast.  YAY!  Then it was on to Sea World.  We signed up for the Lunch with Shamu.  A bunch of people raved about it, but to be honest the food was terrible (think of left over stale cruise food) and the "show" only lasted about 20 minutes.  I was disappointed and $140 less to spend on something else.  The rides were fun and so were the different shows.  After we were leaving I asked the kids what was their favorite part was and they all said Adventuredome....darn we coulda saved a LOT of money just staying in Vegas.  Oh well it was still fun.

 Checking out the dolphins

 On the ride again without Mom and Dad...our stomachs just don't do well.

 Lunch with Shamu....(over-rated in mine and Gentry's opinion)

 We got garbage bags so we didn't get wet....hey it was cheaper than the $10 per poncho they were selling at Sea World....and they worked GREAT!

When we got back to the hotel the kids wanted to go swimming.  They loved their hotel room because it was a separate room from us with bunk beds and a balcony.  The next morning we saw them looking outside on the balcony at the view...aka parking lot.

Friday we took the kids to the beach and then we went to Sea Port Village.  The kids got a pair of sunglasses and a stuffed animal.  But by 1:30 we were asking the kids what they wanted to do.  We asked if they wanted to go to Sea World and they said no.  Gentry mentioned going to Vegas and they started screaming saying "Yes, PLEASE!?!?"  So I called Chris and he said they would be happy to have us early.  So needless to say within 15 minutes we were packed and heading to Vegas a day early.

Saturday morning Jenni and I went to get the kids doughnuts for breakfast.  Then we took the kids to a trampoline place called Flip'n Out.  They loved  it and about 15 minutes after getting there they were all tired!...of course they still stayed and played though.  Then Missy came over to get the boys to play with her boys and the rest of us did a little shopping.  (Which was nice so we could grab a couple things for the boys birthday.)  Missy called me and told me that she was making a cake for the boys birthday too.  She saved the day because I hadn't done anything for a cake.

Unfortunately Missy had to work that night so she wasn't there to sing...and she didn't even get to eat her own cake!

The boys had been swimming all day....and they are growing their hair out, need I say more?

Sunday morning (their birthday) we woke them up to 'open' their presents...aka look at them.  (I didn't wrap them.)   We had gotten them bikes before we left.  Then we met Adrienne and Ian for breakfast with their kids.  They were in Vegas for the weekend and we didn't get a chance to meet up with them before.  The boys were sad when they realized we were leaving Jett and Tenli, but I told them they would be up soon.

 As soon as Boston saw me he said "Hey Mom, I'm 8 today!"  He was so excited!

Brock is faking sleeping...I thought he was asleep.

A long board and a tent! WAHOO!

 The kids were so excited to see Jett and Tenli!

 Surprise Adrienne, I'm over here!!!

 And I was so excited to see Adrienne!!

 We had to do the "Las Vegas" sign...we've never done it before!

On the drive home Boston had hives (I think from swimming everyday) and Alyssa said "Boston, maybe you're allergic to Moab." (Chris and Jenni's dog)  And Boston said "No, Moab is really nice."  I laughed.

When we got home we let the boys unwrap their FINAL present which was a Power Ranger Suit.  And they wore them all night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROCK AND BOSTON WE LOVE YOU!!!