There is really no good reason to mash two vacations together as closely as we did, especially with kids. This is why there are so few pictures from this trip. 2 adults + 2 little kids = no one to hold the camera. But Zac had a recruiting activity in Utah last Thursday, so we left the houseboat a little early and all flew up to visit some family and friends for the Labor Day weekend. We had about 16 hours between getting home from the houseboat on Wednesday and leaving for Utah on Thursday. We unpacked and repacked, slept a little, and were off the Utah on Thursday morning. After a 2 hour flight where both kids slept little but were pretty well-behaved, we drove the hour down to Provo, stopping to see Cami at work, Nicole so I could borrow her pack-n-play, and Juli to see her dorm and have some dinner on her Dining Plus:)
After dropping Zac at his recruiting activity, I drove down to Salem, where we were staying with Zac’s grandma. The kids were so exhausted, and Nolan screamed the whole 30 minutes drive, but we got there safely, and got everyone in bed about 2 hours late. Zac’s grandma commented, “Wow do your kids usually go to bed that easily?” Ha! No way, but when they are as tired as they were, they both fell asleep immediately. This was a tender mercy for me, because I was stressing over how the sleeping arrangements were going to work out. And sometimes when baby (or toddler) is overtired, they have a harder time calming down. But luckily it was easy, especially since Zac wasn’t there to help me.
The next day we went to BYU’s Bean Museum, where Addie loved seeing all sorts of animals and pointing out all the ones she knew, and giving them names. Then off to Zub’s for lunch (yum!), and back to Grandma’s to spend the rest of the afternoon/evening.
Saturday we had a playdate! We went to Rock Canyon Park with some friends and family and just played on the playground and talked. I’m sorry if you weren’t able to come or didn’t know about it. I literally sent out the email on our way to the airport, so if I missed you, I’m so sorry! I did very little planning ahead on this trip. Later on we hit Cafe Rio for lunch (of course), Cami and Juli came to visit us at grandma’s, and then Kami and Matt came down later that evening. Thank you for all making the trek down to Salem to see us!! We loved seeing you and wish we could have been there longer!
Sunday we spent some time at Salem Pond, feeding the ducks and playing on the playground. Addie LOVED Salem pond. The weather was gorgeous, so we spent a lot of time outdoors on Sunday. After a big fun family dinner that night, we were exhausted and had to get packed and ready to leave at 5:45am the next morning for our flight. I told you, we are crazy!!
Swings
Feeding the ducks
Splashing in Salem Pond
Salem Pond
Addie and Dad
It was a whirlwind trip, where 3/4 of us got colds, but we are home now, and are getting back on our schedules and trying to catch up on our sleep. Next up…..a new school year. We are starting a co-op preschool with Addie next week, where I will be helping with the teaching.
Does it seem like all our family vacations are boat-related? That’s because both our families own boats and have chosen that as their family activity of choice for the past 20ish years. This time we went with Zac’s family to Arkansas for their first houseboat trip. We made the 6 hour drive without incident (our longest drive with 2 kids so far) to Lake Ouachita. Then we spent the next 6 days relaxing on the beautiful lake in amazing 90 degree weather! We had 7 adults and 5 children under age 5, including 2 babies, so it was a little hectic, but all in all we had a great time.
Sunrise
Houseboat
We swam behind the boat.
Swimming
Rope Climbing
We waterskiied/wake boarded.
Boat
Addie
Andrea
Addie jumped in to "save" me
We went in the hot tub.
We threw rocks in the lake.
Down to the shore
Addie and Caleb
We went for 5am walks around the island (the kids were up this early almost every morning. ugh)
Bubbles
We barbecued.
In the kitchen
We slid down the slide.
Slide Trick
Sliding
Sliding together
We fished.
Austin caught this one
Caleb fishing
Zac teaching Addie how to fish with a stick
Addie fishing
Grandpa caught a HUGE catfish!
We played with our “twin” babies. (While on our grocery run to Sam’s Club, a couple of different people asked if these boys were twins. Nope, but they are pretty close in age)
Nolan and Kaiden
What a ham!
Hats
Dimples!
We loved it! We are definitely planning on doing it again sometime.
This was my birthday weekend, which might make you think that that is the reason for the blog title, but no. Tonight my Dallas Mavericks won the NBA finals. The Mavs took their talents to South Beach, and won the NBA title. GO MAVS!
Celebrating with Nolan
2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks!
Honestly the rest of the weekend was great! We went to my parents cabin for Friday night and Saturday. We had a nice time just relaxing and spending time together, which is my language of love… (FYI). Here are some photos of my weekend.
Out Little Model
All Smiles
Addie found the "Power of the Holy Ghost"
Addie loved playing in, on and around Grandpa’s new (’53 Ford) truck. At one point she opened a little tray on the floorboard of the truck cab and found the battery. She looked at me and said “this is the power Daddy, the power of the Holy Ghost.” I looked at my Dad and we both started laughing. I don’t know if I was more amazed at how she guessed the battery gives the car power, or the Holy Ghost reference. Apparently Addie listens in nursery. She helped Grandpa pull the fenders off and after all the work Grandpa had time to take Nolan for his first four wheeler ride. We even went for a little canoe ride in the river. This was a great weekend, a great birthday, caped by an amazing victory by my Dallas Mavericks!
When we were on Kauai, we went to this little burger joint in the Poipu shopping village called Poipu Tropical Burgers. The food was great and both times we went there was some live entertainment that Addie enjoyed. One time she even went up front to be the guitar player’s little hula girl.
Addie love playing on the beach and building sand castles. Too bad she thought throwing the sand at the bucket was the best way.
Our hotel had a water slide that Addie enjoyed. She wouldn’t do it unless we were going with her, but as you can see from the video she always wanted to go again.
We have spent the last four days in Kauai, and although it has been rainy and overcast we have had a good time. We even got to spend an extra night in LA because we left Dallas a day early so we could avoid another winter storm. Addie has loved it here and has become very accustomed to the beach. She loves to play in the sand and hates to leave. Luckily we got upgraded to a nicer room so the beach is only 50 yards from our hotel room. I’ll spare you the travel log details but here are some photos from the week.
In n Out, Andrea’s Must Stop in LA
Addie’s start to a new modeling Career in LA… Maybe
Our Hotel Room
Our First Morning began at 5am
Addie in her Cabana
Our Reward for driving up to Waimea Canyon: Clouds
