spring break

Spring time is long gone, but the memory of our jam packed Spring Break trip to California is still fresh in our minds. It seems like every time we go to California it is all Disneyland. So for Spring Break we decided we just wanted to "be" in California. We wanted to relax and enjoy some of the things we never get to do there. And so that's what we did, although we didn't really relax. We were just too busy "being" in my home state. I condensed this post to only 18 pictures (the most I've ever done). This was out of 100's. We were busy everyday. And we had a blast.

This is hotel Allred. The most gracious people in the world live here and they never hesitate to let our large family of 9 come and camp out whenever we are in California. My kids practically consider it their second home. Thank you Uncle Merlin and Aunt Sally for your never ending hospitality and beds and couches and linens and food and company.

We spent our first night on the town. Down town Disney that is. So even though we weren't going to Disneyland, I still had to get my fill. And I got it. The magic was definitely there.

Rain Forest Cafe. Always a must. Always a hit. Especially that volcano cake.



One day we went to La Brea Tar Pits, a memory from my childhood. This is not a tar pit, just a bear statue at the tar pit with a boy bear impersonator.

This was in the Tar Pit museum. We were fascinated. Really someone actually found that bone in a pile of dirt and then knew what it was? Really?
I could never be an archaeologist.

We took a walk to Thriftys and treated all the kids to a double scoop of the ice cream of my childhood. Double malted crunch, chocolate brownie, and coconut pineapple. Now that's what I'm talking about.

We got $2 tickets to the Angels game. We were on the very tippy top row. And you better believe we had peanuts, popcorn, AND cracker jacks.

We spent multiple days on the beach. My kids just can't get enough of the ocean. They explored, caught crabs, swam, buried each other and ate sandy oreos. All part of the experience.
I don't think I ever remember a day on the beach without a sandy oreo.

The highlight of this day was the seal that swam up right next to Kara. Can you see it out there? She was a bit freaked out, but it made for a great story.

We spent one day at Knotts Berry Farm. My childhood memory from here was panning for gold. But by the time we got to the panning station it was already closed. I was heartbroken. I really wanted my kids to have their own flask with a tiny fleck of gold floating around in it like I did. Oh well, maybe next time.

My girls braved Montezooma's Revenge. The rest of us didn't.
( I love Ashie in this one)

We spent another beach day at Balboa Island. Riding the ferry, walking through the shops, looking at shells and lots of big fancy houses.

And you can't go to Balboa without getting a Balboa bar. (I used to buy them at the mall all the time) Tasty and so Californiaish to me.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Harbor cruise and listening to the stories about the houses and the people that live there. Seriously, some people just have too much money.

Kara was so happy because practically her whole school was here for a Choir trip. They just happened to be at the same beach we were at. Kara went frolicking off with her friends as if she was on the tour herself.

Luckily her friends had all boarded back onto the bus right before this happened. We laughed and laughed and laughed. I told her it was good luck to get pooped on by a bird. She didn't think so.

After being at the beach all day we got home and the Garcias asked us if we wanted to go play laser tag. We were exhausted. That didn't stop us. Of course we went. And then out for frozen yogurt. Play hard is our motto.

We took one afternoon and enjoyed Olvera street. Another childhood memory of mine. I remember the field trips and the famous confetti eggs. I bought some for my kids and when we got home to Utah we made 3 dozen of our own confetti eggs. We still haven't used them yet. We are waiting for the perfect time.

Kara tried to hone her Spanish skills the whole time we were on this quaint little street. This was one of my kids favorite things believe it or not.

We then headed down to Hollywood where we saw a few hand prints, a few wax figures, several impersonators (I swear Michael Jackson was really there...twice) and sought out our favorite stars.

Mine, obviously.

Ashlyn's, only because she couldn't find Belle.

And Trevor's (sometimes he can be so into himself).

And we ended our trip with a visit to where my eternal family started way back when. The beautiful Los Angeles Temple. I told my kids how I remember being sealed to my parents when I was 10 in that very temple. Now that's a tender memory.

Yes, it was a great trip.

It was a full trip.

It was a fun trip.

...except for the poop.

(But even poop can become a memory, right?)

Puerta Viarta

There are 3 trips I took last year that I have not documented yet. It is my goal to do them all this week. So pack your bags and get ready to see lots of pictures as we travel the world together.

In February Trevor and I went to Puerto Vallarta for a week.

We had a fabulous time.


And who wouldn't when you were staying in a house like this. When we arrived there was homemade guacamole waiting and fresh virgin pina coladas to sip. There was a maid that came every day to clean and cook if you wanted her to (yes, I thought I had died and gone to heaven, I no longer was the maid, now I had one!) Every room and bedroom was just open to the view of the ocean.
It was spectacular.

On Sunday we were able to attend a small branch for church. We didn't understand a word (well, I understood a few words after 3 years of Spanish in high school) We laughed at the man who was conducting the sacrament meeting. He announced the song then ran over to the piano to play, then ran back to the pulpit where he turned the time over to himself as the main speaker. We chuckled all the way to Sunday School, where you'll never guess who the teacher was!

It was a great day.

We ate out all the time. Most places we choose were great. This one not so much. These are cricket tacos. Look closely, the crickets are whole. Sick! Even Trevor, who eats just about anything couldn't stomach them, but he did try them. I can't say the same for myself.

We actually relaxed and read books. This rarely happens for us at home.

Actually, it never happens for us at home.

We strolled the cobblestone paths of Puerta Vallarta. There were tons of sand sculptures and street vendors. I took a picture of some of the sculptures because I thought maybe my kids could copy them for our family reunion at the beach.

We didn't even come close.

We did all of these things with our dear friends. Couples we love. Together we relaxed, played games, ate crickets, took walks, shopped and talked and laughed until all hours of the night.

One of the greatest blessings in our lives are good friends.

This dinner out was one I will never forget. Look at that. We were eating right on the beach. The food was delicious, the sand in our toes, the ocean crashing just a few feet away. It was pure heaven. I didn't want the week to end.....ever!

But all good things do have to end. And just like this spectacular sunset eventually ended, and we watched until it did (this picture doesn't even do it justice) our vacation had to end. I had to say goodbye to Mexico, to dinners out, to sleeping in, to good conversation, to homemade guacamole and chips, and to my own personal maid. I had to because I needed to get back to the little ones I left behind. Despite all the fun, I had missed them and I'm sure they had missed me, their own personal........Old Maid.

But we'll be back someday.

Mark my word.

October random

I have been trying to catch up like crazy. And now I am finally ready to wrap up October. Here are a few random October happenings in our house.

We were only able to squeeze in going to one home football game to cheer on our Cougars. It was a fun game. We saw Elder Neil A. Anderson, Elder L. Tom Perry and Jimmer Fredette. We ate cougar tails and ice cream. Oh, and we won the game. By a lot.

Red Ribbon week at school. They were supposed to wear jerseys from their favorite teams. Thank goodness for older brothers. I thought this picture was cute. Say no to drugs by the way, because my kids sure do.


We tried the recipe for these tiny carmel apples. They were so easy and so yummy. You just cut out circles from an apple using a melon baller. Then you dip them in melted butterscotch chips and then dip them in nuts or sprinkles or whatever. We gobbled them up in minutes.

We took our Japanese exchange student to a corn maze. "OK, here is what you do. Just run around in circles in this field of dead corn stalks for a long time. Then try to get out. No really, it's fun."

Bryson made a haunted house in school. It was really cool.

Of course we did a little carving. Is there really anything in this world that smells better then pumpkins burning on a front porch on Halloween night? I don't think so. Especially with our little trick of sprinkling cinnamon on top of the lid before you light the candle. I could just sit out there and smell them all night long, but I didn't because that would be weird.

Kara spent most of Halloween night trapped in this giant Jack-in-the-Box for the Haunted Hallways spook alley at the school. The student council did a circus theme. I am kicking myself right now that I didn't get a picture of the ape and the giant yetti. It was creepy. She had a really bad headache when she came home.

And my 4 youngest spent the last night of October trick or treating. We absolutely couldn't have asked for better trick or treating weather this year. It was perfect. How do you like Bryson's costume? He had been planning to be a classic ghost since, oh, last Halloween. Next year he wants to cut a whole bunch of holes in his sheet and carry a bag of rocks like Charlie Brown, and I just may let him.

And that's all for fall, y'all.

(Or at least October)

the teen

He's been acting like a teenager for years (in a good way).

And now, as of today, it is official.

Thirteen.

He started his morning with a french toast requested breakfast.

And then sadly, he had to go to school.

He graciously spent his birthday at an event sponsored by the Japanese exchange student program. He ate half cooked hamburgers in a high school cafeteria and then spent 2 hours at a program for the host families with lots of Japanese speaking and dancing. He didn't even complain.

He is the hardest person to buy for. What he really wanted was a Buccaneers jersey. I looked online. It was $150. He didn't get one. But he did get some pretty sweet football gloves.
Close enough, right?


He is just like me and doesn't like cake so he requested 7 layer bars for his birthday treat. I was thrilled to make them for him since they are my favorite too.

He is always on the go. Active. Athletic. Friendly and happy.

This teen is going places.

I will never forget holding him in the hospital. A nurse came in, took one look at him (he was beautiful) and said, "Wow! He's a keeper!"

And so I kept him.

His birthday makes me happy. He makes me happy. It is a privilege to be his mom and to watch all the amazing things he is doing.

He is dependable and organized and smart.

He is still beautiful.

(I think all the girls in the ward and school would agree)

He is a teenager.

At last.

Happy Birthday Brandon.

which witch is which

How have I lived in Utah for so long and never known about the Witch Fest at Gardner Village?!? We went for the first time last year and had a blast. This year was our second time.

I now consider it a true fall tradition for our family.

Gardner Village is the most quaint, festive, whimsical place to visit. Cornstalks and pumpkins and sunflowers and the shops... oh, the shops.

We ate in the restaurant, fried green tomatoes of course, and then set out on our quest to find all of the witches.

Here is the first one we found.

And another doing a cannonball.

Here's the one eating a hot dog.

And the one on her bike flying through the air.

The last one we found was "Witchy Poo."

You just can't leave until you see Witchy Poo.

We always end our evening in the candy shop with a bag full of candy and a box full of fudge. The lights were twinkling, witches were strolling around everywhere, leaves were fluttering to the ground and crunching under our feet as we strolled along.

Yes, my pretty, it was a magical evening indeed.