VACATION

In early September we took a big trip to Southern California.  We did Disneyland, and then visited family in LA and Ventura.  Disney was so awesome.  Ryan got us a room looking out at downtown Disney, which is always fun.  Live music, people watching from our balcony, and as a bonus for me, I could see the fireworks (no way the kids would make it in the park until 9).  The room also had bunk beds, which I'm pretty sure Ryan was most excited about.  Branson slept on top, even though I was worried the whole time he was going to fall off.  Genoa slept on the pull out trundle, which was her first time ever in a big girl bed.  As always, we stayed at the Grand California.  Good food (hello Disney Spaghetti!), amazing service in all aspects, and the best part is it's proximity to the parks.  We were able to walk back for "rest" time (no one napped).   The kids were so well behaved most of the time.  They enjoyed meeting their favorite characters, and they were both old enough to go on a plethora of rides.  The last time we went Noa was only 3 months old, and B was just barely 2.  If you ask them, meeting Jake and Mini Mouse was the best part.  Branson was dressed as Jake the day they got to meet him, and it was pretty amazing to see his face light up.  Noa loved all the characters, meeting and hugging them all, but Mini was her favorite.  It was a trip filled with sugar, Disney, and more sugar.  After that we headed into LA to visit my family.  My cousin was kind enough to host a lunch for us at his dads house.  It was pretty amazing to see my kids enjoy the zoo, the game room, and all the amazement I enjoyed as a kid.  After lunch we went to my aunts house.  She also hosted a beautiful spread of food, good company and laughs all around.  My children bonded with my cousins like I've never seen.  Marston and Cooper could both be nanny's if they ever need a job :)  It's always wonderful to see Mema and Aunt Kim.  They are so important in my life, and catching up is always a blast.  Adela made a beautiful dinner, with amazing food!  A few close family friends also were there, and it felt like  a reunion.  We were sad to leave.  Buuuut, we were STOKED to head to Ventura to see Ryan's sister and her fam.  We have missed them so much since they moved.  The kids were beyond excited to see their cousins.  They showed us the ropes, and I have to say, I love Ventura and can't wait to go back.  Main street is adorable, there is good food, and HELLO beach! They showed us where the girls go to school, and then we headed to the beach.  We finished with dinner at an awesome little Mexican joint that has the best Mole I've ever had.   My nieces have grown so much, and are so beautiful and sweet.  They definitely look like the belong in Southern Cali with their tans and bleach blond (natural!) hair  We missed them the second we left.  But as always, it was so good to be home.  7 days away from routine is a lot for our kids (and probably more so for me).

Enjoy the pictures :)