Out trip to California to see Sean, Brenton, Melissa, and Kingston, and Family!

**********WARNING, THIS IS A LONG POST**********

So Tuesday morning I called Blayne at work and asked him to try and get the next 3 days off, he asks,"WHY?", I say "because I want to go to California tonight!" WHAT!?!?! Completely out of my norm, I usually pack five days ahead for things like this, to top it off Blayne didn't know for sure he had the time off until 3:30pm. So yes, we packed,got out the sleeping bags, took the studs off the Subaru, and left for Cali.(with the help of my in-laws who, brought up dinner. Dad helped with car, and Mom helped pack Me and the kids.) So I wanted to be out by 7:00 but of course being a last minute trip we left about 8:30pm.

Heading to Fresno to spend a few days with Sean. Sean had to work but Aunt Sharon (Blayne's Aunt) lives in Fresno and Brenton and Melissa drove up from San Diego for Wednesday and Thursday.

We got there at 9:15 or so, went by Sean's house, dropped all of our stuff then headed over to have breakfast at Aunt Sharon's and meet Brenton and Melissa there.





Then after everyone had gotten there. We had eaten breakfast. Someone mentions the Zoo, let's go to the zoo. So we did, we all packed up and went to the Fresno Zoo. The kids had fun seeing the animals that weren't in our zoo. Animals like the Kangaroos and flamingos. They even had a spot where you paid to go in and "pet" the stingrays. Did my kids enjoy this, No, but did their Dad make them do it anyway, Yes!
We had our family, Brenton's family, Uncle Scott and Aunt Sharon with grand son Payton, and cousin Kara with her two little ones Grace and Ethan.
















After driving through the night, then having a full day we were spent. We went back to Sean's and I think the kids weren't out in matter of 2 minutes.
The next morning, Brenton and Melissa met up with us then we were meeting Sean for lunch before they headed home.
While we were killing time before lunch Blayne's was playing with Kingston, or should I say Kingston was playing with Blayne's hat.






We met Sean at a place called Dog House Grille, his favorite place. I gotta tell ya, I had the best tri-tip sandwich EVER! Gavin played with Kingston a bit before them taking off after lunch.




We had dinner at BJ's pizza, can I tell you how tired I got of eating out. But when your staying with a single brother who lives with 3 other single guys, there isn't a whole lot of home cooking going on. (I love you Sean!)





We wanted to take the kids to the beach, after deciding every beach was about the same distance away we decided to go to Pismo Beach. We got up early, met at Aunt Sharon's with Payton, Kara and her husband Carlos with Grace and Ethan and then headed out! The beach was warm and beautiful. A tad windy, not anything like the Oregon Coast. The kids played in the water, ran from the waves, Victoria found several whole sand dollars. Blayne found a huge sand crab and tried to get the kids to hold it. Maddalyn freaked out, Gavin held it but then started laughing because it was tickling his hand. After a few hours and a little shopping we headed home to meet up with Sean after he got off work and went to In and Out for dinner.

















On our way out to the beach Carlos took us by the James Dean Memorial. It was interesting, I didn't know he died in a motorcycle accident.




Saturday, knowing we were leaving early the next morning, was very laid back. I sent the boys to the Bagel shop to get breakfast, they were gone forever, apparently the entire city was at Fresno Bagel. So we ended up eating a late breakfast. We went to the mall, got Blayne's iPhone warrantied out, went to a few other stores. Then we went out to Rally's, an only in Fresno joint. They had good fries, Sean loves them for thier BBQ wings. I missed getting a picture of Blayne and Sean with BBQ sauce all over thier faces. We went to say our good-bye's at Aunt Sharon's. The kids and I took showers. We were killing time, Sean room-mate was having a get together. We still went home farely early. Got up at 4:30am, left by 5:00am and we got home about 6:00pm. It made for a long couple of days but we had a lot of fun. I asked the kids what thier favorite part was and they all said the beach, Victoria threw in Kngston too!

The Oreos and The Turbans

Maddy vs. The Oreo Cookie!
I think the jury is still out, as the Mom....look at that dirty face, of course she lost!!

The turban head girls!
My wonderful Mother in-law bought Victoria and I these out of the shower hair wraps instead of using a towel. Maddy has now decided she needs to use one. I do have to admit, she looks pretty dang cute in it. These our pictures we sent Blayne to tell him goodnight when he was at work late one night.



Take note of Victoria's shirt, "Don't make my Daddy shoot you!" She is definitely her Daddy's girl!!

Blayne's shopping trip with Tori and Gavin!

Blayne took Gavin and Victoria shopping on Saturday and came home with a new trampoline. They love it! Unfortunately Maddalyn fell asleep before they were done so she missed out on jumping on it.
Blayne and I being the naughty parents we are, when she woke up at midnight we took her out and showed it to her finished. We got on it with her, she wouldn't jump at first. Blayne laid there with her showing her the stars and she still wasn't interested. So I grabbed her and started jumping. She wasn't quite happy until I jumped then landed on my butt, then she started cracking up! "Again Mommy, Again!" It was kind of like when you wake your kids up Christmas morning because they aren't old enough to understand that's what you do.

Love of February

Thought I would add a note and post a few pics from our visit to
Mt. Hood with the family. It was great to have Sean come visit
from CA. So, as Aerin posted earlier - we took a day to go play in the
snow. It has been awhile since we had a family snow day. We had so
much FUN! It was a great day! Maddy was so funny as she kept plopping
down in the snow and sliding around. Gavin & Tori did great on their
snowboards with Blayne & Sean's helpful guidance. I did the picture
taking, cheering and just enjoyed being out in the beautiful mountains
with my family.
This month we were saddened to learn of several friends and family
who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers have been with them!
I am so thankful for our eternal blessings! Time with family and friends
doing simple things and just making time to be together are memories
to cherish! I am thankful for friends and family who have been such great
examples of faith when trials are before them!
Now, we will see if I can post some pics from the snow adventure, (if I can
remember how to do it!!!!!)
Love 'n hugs, Mary :)

Some Cute Pics!

We have taken a few trips to the parks and also a trip to Prineville to visit Uncle Jake and Aunt Ashley's. Blayne is still helping Uncle Jake build Aunt Ashley's house.
Sunday morning on our way we stopped in Government Camp to have breakfast at The Huckleberry Inn, it was fabulous. As cold as it was we walked through town and hit up a few ski shops. the kids had fun. Gavin loved his breakfast, he managed to finish it all. So here are just a few fun pictures.

Family Fun in the Snow!

Blayne and Sean trying to make the most of Sean's trip to Oregon tried to make up to Mt. Hood as many times as possible. I think they did pretty well. Thursday Victoria played hookie from school and we took the kids up to use their snowboards that Uncle Sean bought them for Christmas. Sean wasn't here for Christmas so this is their first chance to take them up, and take them up with Sean.

Gavin did great and was boarding all by himself by the end of the afternoon. Victoria also took a short run without Sean holding on to her. I am definitely proud of the effort they put in and since they both had a positive experience I think it will be that much easier to get them both up again.

Blayne and Sean went up boarding by themselves on Friday and Gavin asked if he could go. Blayne told him maybe next time, he was quite disappointed. He was sure he could go and keep up with them. I definitely think he is a natural, but maybe not quite ready to go with the big boys.

While the boys were boarding the rest of us went back and forth sledding. G'ma and G'pa, Maddy and I took turns sledding. Maddy didn't even need a sled, she was perfectly fine with wallowing all over in the snow. I think she may be part penguin. Hmmm, what does that make me? It must come from Blayne! :)