Day 7 - Life's a Beach

Woke up bright and early to Peyton snuggling up against me in bed. She's such a cuddle bug sometimes.

Taniya started a pot of coffee, it was perfect to start the morning. She started breakfast, scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.. just as the 'BOYS' (Ben and Michael) went to get a newspaper, and came home with bagels and cream cheese for everyone. Everyone ate bagels and bacon, and the eggs were yesterday's news. Poor Taniya.

We cleaned up the kitchen, everyone took showers and then we headed to the beach, all before 10 am. We rented some paddleboats and played around in the Lake for a couple hours. You could walk out about 400 feet before the water got to deep. The kids found lots of shells and splashed around in the water.

We ate lunch at Big Daddy's and then went back to the cabin for 'more showers'. Bianca, Nat and the lil ones stayed at the cabin while the rest of us went to North Shore... which turned into a trip to Carson City. It sucked. It was 20 degree's hotter in Carson City than in Tahoe and Ben never uses the air conditioner in the car.

Next stop... The strip. Got Jamba Juice then Ben and Michael disappeared to the Casino's while the rest of us went back to the cabin. Taniya took the bigger girls to the arcade and dropped them off for a couple hours. I took the lil ones for a walk.

Later Ben suggested sushi and everyone thought it was a good idea, 'off the hook sushi' sucks... Don't ever go there. We spent almost $100 and it was like a teaser... The kids got Pizza and pasta from Fat City (i think that's what it was called) Ben, Michael and Taniya went to the casino while I stayed with the kids. They watched scary movies while I read.

Ben won some $$$$ I ♥ when he's LUCKY.

Nikki & Bianca

Sydney & Peyton

Sydney, Bianca & Nat

Peyton & Sydney

Nat, Bianca, Michael (left side)

Taniya, Vanessa Nikki (right side)

sand castles

Daddy helps out

Michael is looking for deeper water

Nat & Vanessa race for the sand

Bianca & Nikki search for shore

Day 6 - Heading to Lake Tahoe

I got a call late in the evening on the 5th day of my vacation.... I'd be waking early and going to Donate Blood first thing in the morning. What fun. Hooray.

Sleep ended at 7 sharp...I finished all the last minute packing and had everything downstairs and ready for my ride.

I hit Peets on my way to the lab, got a piece of zuchinni bread and a short blonde, only had two drinks before I made it to the lab. It took an hour at the lab, they couldn't find my paperwork and I had to make a phone call and have the dr fax my lab request over. Two minutes later I had given the two viles needed and was back in the car finishing up the morning ritual.

Ben and I cleaned out my ride. We had to take out the carseats because we were putting them in Taniya's Expedition for the drive to Tahoe. There were impressions in the middle row where Sydney and Peyton's Captain chairs sit. I can't remember a time they weren't in my truck. We found enough cheerio's to fill a box ;P

We unloaded Taniya's truck and reloaded it after we got the carseats in. They were in the 3rd seat and the girls had the best view, though they both fought over who got to sit on Nikki's side.

We were on the road by 1230, made it to Tahoe around 245. The trip up was uneventful. We unpacked and then took a trolley ride around Tahoe.

Here are some pictures.

Our tour guide while on the trolley was a local, not overly feminine, but female. Long blonde hair pulled into a low ponytail. Perfectly arched eyebrows, no make up. Ugly mandatory uniform. She welcomed us aboard, collected the $2 and we started to make our way down the trolley. Peyton had to stop and ask 'Why is your hair long' I thought it was an odd question but we kept going til we found our seats... Sight seeing was fun. We made a pit stop about 30 minutes into the trip. We had to pee.

Everytime I talked to the driver or explained to the girls what she said, Peyton tried to correct me saying 'He said' I kept telling her the driver was a girl, but she wasn't buying it... At one point while Taniya and the driver were talking Peyton was talking too... 'why are you a boy? why do you have long hair? are you a boy or a girl' I was embarressed, trying to do everything I could to get her away from the driver.

Peyton fell asleep on the last leg of the Trolley ride still arging with me that the driver was a man. Let's say I was glad to get off the Trolley.

After a few unacceptable stops for dinner we found ourselves eating. Taniya got a boring salad prime rib salad with blue cheese, Vanessa had a chicken sandwich, Nikki something with Steak and gravey. Sydney had pancakes and eggs, Peyton a quesodilla and I had bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and toast.

We did a lil grocery shopping and then back to the cabin to relax. I finally got the girls to sleep around 1030.

Ben, Michael, Bianca and Nat arrived around midnight.

On my 5th day of Vacation

my true love gave to me.... 4 kids and some cash so he could get rid of us for the entire day. The gang - Me, Bianca, Emma, Sydney and Peyton met up with Tia Andria, Dominic, Donovan, and Devin for some more fun, this time at WAC. We got to sleep in a lil bit, the place didn't open til noon.

Pulled into the packing lot a few minutes after 12. We made a quick stop for safety, and totally skipped Starbucks even though the Cult was calling.

We planted our double jogging stroller, Large ice chest, small ice chest, 9 beach towels, 5 bags in the shade, spread out, it was great. First stop - Sunscreen for all. Tia was last to get any screen, but we didn't let her completely forget.

WAC is huge, lap pool, diving pool, waterslide pool, mushroom pool, regular pool, kids play area. We hit them all. I think the favorite was the lil kid pool with the waterslide, play structure and lots of squirting water features. The water was 1 foot 4 inches at the deepest, perfect for all the kids.

Bianca and Emma did the waterslide and divingboards (high and low). Dominic, Bianca and Emma spent a lot of time playing in the mushroom pool while the rest of us lounged around in the zero entry part of the pool.

The kids had a great time, most of my pictures didn't come out because my camera dial was moved and I didn't actually preview any photos...

We played about 4 hours, I can't wait to go back... I wished I would have blogged sooner about Day 5 at WAC, but I had to pack and get ready for Tahoe and Day 6, 7, 8, 9....

Vacation Day 4 - Morse Park w/ the cousins

Morning came way to early for me, but Sydney and Peyton were wide awake and reminding me that we were going to do Rock Band with Andria. What's up with all the Rock Band comments? Subliminal messages or something?

Even right now as I'm typing this blog.. Sydney is next to me telling me that 'it's time mom, we're gonna be late for Rock Band'

Bianca was the hardest to wake up.. ALWAYS. So the big girls 'Bianca and Emma' got ready while I got Sydney and Peyton ready, took a shower, packed the ice chest and car. We made it to Tia's house at 931, we made great time. Peyton was yelling for me to leave the turbo button on. Sydney was screaming that her 'Freaky Friday' song was over, that she needed another song before I could get a turn. Bianca and Emma were yelling for some air in the back. It was lovely.

Followed Tia Andria to everyone's favorite spot.. The Cult (Starbucks) The drive thru is our friend. I ♥ Starbucks. Andria was first in line and bought the drinks... I was thankful, of course Peyton snuck in some Madalines as well. Hooray for cookies. More Screaming, Yelling, Fighting on the car ride to Morse Park. Tia Andria is a NASCAR racer, so she was flying through the streets, and we were trying to keep up. Once we arrived I knew way.... All the shade around the park was gone... and it was going to be 102.

I climbed out of my noisey SUV and silence... it made me smile, Tia Andria appeared and my first comment was... 'Wish I would have gotten a Gin and Tonic instead of starbucks.. I think I need a stiff drink before we even start' (I've never really had a Gin and Tonic, I should have said a Midori Sour or a Margarita, hell even those Jello Shots I had once upon a time would have done the trick.)

Unloaded the kids who were screaming because they could see their cousins. Everyone said hello and we hauled most of our belongings park side. Ran into Shannon, Stella, Diego, Emily and Grandpa - What a pleasant surprise ;P. Wasn't that the plan. We didn't get to hang out to much, as all eyes are always on the kids, and they run, race, and splash everywhere, hard to have 2 eyes on 4 kids, or 7 as the case was.

a lil while later Joan, Andrew and Luke strolled in. 'Kristie, where'd you park?' Me. I pointed to the parking lot. Beautiful, Sparkling Silver SUV 'Oh, right over there' Joan laughed and informed me she meant ... around the water park structure. 'Oh' I laughed pointing at the sorry excuse for a shade tree where only a piece of a stroller and those Fabulous starbucks drinks sat.

The kids played, the camera snapped. 3 hours later we packed up and headed home. I really needed a nap and lunch. We took Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches for the lil ones, but Sydney left her starbucks bag and towel at the house, that bag contained PB&J. So she had to settle for a Turkey Sandwich instead. I helped her devour it. Bianca and Emma ate too, the rest of the kids snacked the entire time. Goldfish, Chocofish, Pirates Booty, Capri Suns and Water. Why didn't anyone eat the Go Gurt?

The Familia was all there. Me (yep I'm first) Bianca, Emma, Sydney, Peyton. Andria (she's younger) Dominic, Donovan, Devin. Joan (she's the baby) Andrew and Luke.

Okay back to home.... unloaded a hot, the air conditioner was running SUV. Noisey. Yes, still we arugued over who's song we'd listen to. I fed the lil ones and sent them up for a rest. They didn't sleep. I took a rest too. Facebook and a magazine. It was loud.

Ben, Bianca and Emma went to soccer practice and I dropped Sydney and Peyton off at Grandma and Papa's for a couple hours while I had coffee. It was great. I could have done without sitting outside in the heat.. but we got a buy one get one free delicious surprise. I had a dark chocolate mocha Fredo. It was bliss. I almost fell asleep while drinking, even though I was talking to my friends.

How safe do you have to feel to sit outside in the 102 temp, sipping cold dessert drinks with friends and close your eyes because the warmth puts you to sleep? I never did fall asleep. Oh well, it was still pleasant.

Picked Sydney and Peyton up and went home. Those two fell asleep on the way, carefully I laid out some towels in the Family room and dumped them. Finally quiet. More FB and a book. Two hours later... KAOS again... but I got to run off for soccer - where we ended with a tie and recruited a new player.

Peyton was being a stinker and wouldn't take pictures with anyone.

Bianca & Emma

Donovan & Sydney

Dominic & Andrew
Luke

Devin

Tag

and the winner is....

Sydney and Devin

should we?

Day 3 of Vacation - Great America

The plan was to leave at 7 am. Poor Amy has to wake up at 5 am so that she can get ready and be to our house at 7.... She showed up at 720 and Ben was grumpy. She showed up in Jeans and a long sleeved shirt and I thought she was on crack... so I offered up some boardshorts and off we went... She tried to catch some zee's on the way, but instead she got poked from the left and from the right... no sleep for her. "it's morning time, see the sun, time to get up"

Curious George DVD, Freaky Friday Soundtrack in the CD Player, plus Taylor Swift, we were set for the long drive.

Starbucks stop - loaded up on donuts, and breakfast sandwiches.. no coffee. What's wrong with this picture?

Lathered everyone up in sunscreen and off we ventured... There are no rides open until 11. Why did we rush to arrive at 10? First ride? Carousel... it was the only think open at 1030... Next ride was a kids coaster in the kidszone. it was fast and jerked you around. Peyton screamed cuz she was afraid, Sydney screamed cuz she got stuck riding with Daddy. Round Two - Ben and Peyton sat out, and Sydney and I rode together. No more tears....

Ben went to get a collectors cup while the rest of us snuck off to the log ride. Bianca tried to jump off when we started the ride. Everyone's hands in the air. Check. Everyone wet. Check. Peyton had enough after one trip. Sydney was game for a few more logs.

The rest is a blurr.... Lots of rides. A few captured digitally. Ben and Amy rode the Demon three times straight. I rode the Demon once with Amy. We rode the Grizzly a few times. Psycho Mouse Trap - Great photo op on that ride. I need to scan the picture.

We saw a couple shows. Sponge Bob and Dora the Explorer. Dip n Dots were a hit - the banana split is my favorite.

We played at the Spray Garden, the kids water slides where a HUGE bucket of water dropped on our heads... We were drenched... Us big kids did the big waterslides.... even Bianca did one.

Around 4 Sydney decided she'd had enough, she was tired, and wanted to go to sleep. Ben still wanted to go on rides and had a melt down... trash talking Bianca because she didn't want to go on the log ride... Sydney, Amy and Ben go for another log ride... I ended up joining after the line was shortened. More rides, more food, more soda...

Then came Sydney's melt down. She goes all Cave Woman on us... grunting and hiding in the stroller, tossing crocs around... and finally just screaming... Lots of screaming and people staring... so yes... melt down number three.. MINE... I was pissed and ready to go. Amy and I took the girls to the bathroom while Ben and Bianca were supposed to be shopping. Instead they were getting funnel cakes. More crying, mean faces and lots of standing around with hands on hips.... everyone settled down and we ate strawberries, whipped cream.. oh and funnel cakes.

730 - we are finally walking out. On the road by 8, picking Emma up at 10 and home by 1030. I'm exhausted. Two babies in bed. Two big girls rockin out with Karaoke. That means no one is sleeping and we have an early playdate in the morning....

Hopefully I'll post some pictures tomorrow. I'm excited that I'm actually blogging.

Day 2 - Folsom Lake

The girls and I went to hang out with Uncle Ty and Tia Amy on their boat. We drove to Granite Bay and launched. I didn't get a picture of the boat.. Next time. We did get a few pictures. As soon as we launched Peyton wanted to drive... She wasn't patient at all. Finally she got her chance to be Captain, i think she was a bit disappointed there wasn't a Captain's hat to wear. Her favorite button was the horn.... Horn works, Check, Horn still works... Check

Sydney, Peyton and Uncle Ty took turns driving. I got a chance to try the knee board. Let's say that I never actually got completely up and going. I did manage to get on the knee board, couldn't buckle it on, my knee was rubbing against the velcro - ouch.... Three times, and no charm. I should have opted for the Wake board, might have been easier.

We ate lunch on a private beach, met up with Cheryl, Chris, Greg and some girl. Two boats and a Jet Ski...

I think we need to gather the family for one of our annual cook outs at Folsom. Everyone can bring their boats and jet ski's... hint hint to Tia Andria and Uncle Rudy on the jet ski's... amd i Uncle Erick too....I can't rememeber a time where Tia Carmen and Tio Martin actually brought their boat out, but Uncle Tom and Uncle Rafa can always bring their boats out and Tia Amy and Uncle Ty can bring theirs.

Peyton and Sydney both got a lil pink around the eyes, I guess I didn't get the sunblock around their eyes well enough, hard to get those places, I'm always nervous I'll get it in their eyes... at least it's just pink.... not red.

On her knee's

Captain Peyton & Ty

Left or Right?

Captain Sydney and Ty


Can I drive yet?