Spring Break part 1

Where to begin...there is so much to show and tell!

We were lucky enough to go to California over Spring break, we were gone for 9 days!  I think that is a record for us.  Two of those days were spent driving to and from, and 6 out of  7 days were spent at different theme parks!! I can see why this would be a total nightmare for some people, but truly, this vacation couldn't have been better.  We had the best time, the 6 of us. 

We went to Anaheim first, spent Saturday at Disneyland.  We were prepared for the park to be really crowded...but it wasn't!  We were there when it opened at 7:00 am and by the time it was 9:00 pm, we had done every ride at least once; many 2 and 3 times.   The park was open until midnight, but since we were able to get so much in today, we opted to go back to our room and watch the fireworks from there and get in the hot tub.  I love the picture above because it captures Quincy's expression perfectly.  She truly was in heaven.


Quin LOVED the "caterpillar ride" and the teacups.  Here they are on "It's a Small World"

 

We waited in line to see Rupunzel...we HAD to see her!  And Flynn Ryder.  We love Tangled!


 The next day we went to Universal Studios in Hollywood.  We loved the Backlot Tour with King Kong, Godzilla, and Jaws; the Jurassic Park ride, the Simsons ride, and especially The Mummy ride. The kids had fun seeing where and how movies are made.  They also have several shows like Shrek 4D, Waterworld - with real stunts, and Animal actors with real animals doing tricks.  Hilarious!  One of the best things about here is the Curious George playground with waterpark outside and a giant dome inside with a million foam balls and contraptions to shoot them with.  They kids could have spent hours in there.

 Nothing like a Coke!  Kept her going all day long :)

At the bottom of the huge drop of Jurassic Park!

 

It was cool because "Hop" came out the week we were there so there was stuff for this movie everywhere.

The only thumbs down went to "House of Horrors."  We thought it would be a ride like the "Haunted Mansion" but it was not!  It was a walk-through haunted house with all of the scary evil characters from horror movies.  Chucky scared the daylights out of the kids!  It was very scary.  Cool effects, but scary.

Here they are in the family truckster after hours of driving...but still smiling.  Notice the boys' neck pillows - worked like a charm. 

Pooped

Here is one pooped little girl. Why?

She has spent the last 3 days in Disneyland, California Adventures, and Universal Studios.  Pretty sure she thinks she has died and gone to heaven.  We have 1 more day at Disneyland then we head down to San Diego for the beach, Sea World, and Legoland.  Having a fantastic vacation so far.
We heard it snowed 2 feet back at home...a sunny 72 degrees here sure feels gooooooooooooood!

Skiing!

We love love love skiing! This year, we got passes to Solitude.  Millie got the sweet 5th grade pass.  The only problem has been that it has been hard to find enough days to go skiing!  The kids have missed school twice this winter to go.  We've been blessed with good health this winter and they hadn't used any sick days (actually as I type this, Millie is getting over strep throat but that was after the fact). 
This past Thursday which was a beautiful, warm day.  The 5 of us went while Quincy was at preschool then to a friend's house.  It was fun to be able to do some "real" skiing.  The 3 little jammers can pretty much keep up with us on the blue square runs.  I love that they love to ski through the trees because I do too!

Sambo and Millie:

This is Millie and her friend Haley.  She lives right next door to us and is a great friend!  Her mother and I took our girls to Sundance for a mother-daughter ski day.  It was another A+!  We loved eating at the cozy restaurant with really yummy food!

 On President's Day we met up with some friends.  Here is Will, Kalob, and Sambo:

 Millie, Skye, Sambo:

We are hoping to cram in a couple more spring skiing days before the resorts close!

Will's Birthday

Will turned seven on March 18th! 

I have mentioned many times how funny and witty he is.  He adds so much joy and comedy to our family.  He is also a real thinker, always wondering about things and thinking up questions.  He has the best manners out of all of the kids and we love his willingness to try anything once.  He even tried sushi as a 5 year old and has loved it ever since.  He is open-minded and accepting of things.  When he gets really upset or hurt, he is very tough and only cries for a minute...he can get over things really easy.

Here he is rock climbing.  He was so proud that he made it all of the way to the top and rang the bell!  He's not quite as athletic and coordinated in team sports like his big brother, but when he sets his mind to something he is totally awesome!  What he lacks in physical ability, he more than makes up mentally.  He has his mind set on starting golf lessons and "keyboard" lessons this spring and we know that these are right up his alley.

Here, we are celebrating his birthday at the cabin (along with Quincy and Bode's):

 

Showing his cool new wallet made out of duct tape.  Of course, he has more cash to put in it than any of us!

Here, we are celebrating his and "Grandpa Judy's" birthday! 

Grandma had this huge tulip candle that played a melody once it burned for a minute.  But it was almost a minute too late because it malfunctioned and almost started the whole cake on fire!  Look at everyone's faces!

After we came home from Las Vegas, we took some of his friends to Boondocks for arcade games, laser tag, and mini-golf.  He absolutely reminded us that Millie and Sambo got to do something fun with their friends for his birthday, so we had to be fair :)

 Quincy in on the action:

 With these wild boys, we were lucky to walk away with only one injury!  His friend Van had a mishap with the door and cut his head.  He had to get stitches!

Here's baby Will on his birth day...look how happy his brother and sister are!

We LOVE you Great Man!