California Trip

I have always wanted to go to Disneyland and have never had the chance to go. Darren had some meetings in San Diego the end of April and the first part of May so I finagled it so we could take a family trip and experience a few fun things in California. The first part of our trip was in San Diego where we got to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel. We definitely were out of our comfort zone (meaning Hotel 6), we pulled up to the hotel, our doors were opened and the gentlemen informed us it was valet parking only; they would take our luggage up to our room and park our car. We weren't quite ready so we needed to take a trip around the block to make sure we would get everything we needed. We were staying in this hotel for 3 days, so being so "cheap" I had packed food that we could eat up in our room. I wasn't prepared for a lot of people to see just how conservative we really were. I stuffed all the food in suitcases, camera bags and anything else that we could smuggle it in. We were now ready to park...let me mention that Darren is a freak about being prepared so in our trunk not only did we have our food (food, water, shelter) we also had 2 gallons of diesel, a safety back equipped with everything from water purifying kits, ponchos, battery cables, waterproof matches to a hatchet just in case we needed to every start a fire and had to chop wood...the safety kit in our trunks is a little treat from my dad. Every year on Christmas Eve Dad goes shopping and buys things to add to our car kits, love it but not the point of my story...we were finally ready to be parked and escorted to our rooms. I had not been informed that the bottom of the Hard Rock was a happening place for the nightlife, fully equiped with security guards in tuxedos and red velvet ropes that had to be crossed to get into the lobby. Kennedy really got to see some short low cut dresses and also some other very interesting attire. I wonder if I would have noticed what people were wearing as much if my 7 year old's eyes weren't popping out of her head. We made it up to the room and it was awesome. The Padres stadium was directly across the street and there were many quaint little shops to walk through during the day while Darren attended his meetings. We became quite accustomed to being taken to the front of the line with securitey...Kennedy was a dead give away, I guess, that we weren't there to party and were no real threat. There was a rooftop pool where we spent much time-we had our own private cabana equipped with a big screen t.v., personal fridge, and 2 couches. I truly wondered it we had gone to heaven. Here are some pictures of the first stop on our trip.

California Trip Continued

We were able to see many other tourists attractions in San Diego. We went to the docks and toured the USS Midway. I cannot get over the size of that ship, it was incredible. My good friend Spud told me they are fun to look at and around but they suck to live in. I am greateful for those willing to sacrifice, it was a humbling place to be. We were touring on a Sunday so wanted to keep what we did to a minimal, but we stumbled on to the church's Mormon Battalion Center. We went on a tour that actually brought everything to life. We were able to complete a journey with the men, women and some children that marched in the Mormon Battalion. At the end of the tour you could type in a name of an ancestor and read their history of the time they spent with the battalion. We also got to pan for gold and see how brick were made. We also found the San Diego temple and were able to look around it. It seems like even in the middle of chaos there is still such a peace on the temple grounds. It is a beautiful temple.

Sea World

The next part of our trip was going to Sea World. We picked the best day in the world to go there because no one else was there. It was awesome. No waiting in any lines and got to sit up close and see whatever we wanted. It was a wonderful day and we had tons of fun. Kennedy loved everything except the ride Journey to Atlantis and that's just because she's a chicken. Darren and I love roller coasters and scary rides and so therefore, she had to go on it...kicking and screaming the entire time, but she made it and 2 out 3 isn't bad for having fun!

We have spent the entire day down at dad's arena and have had such a great time. I can't believe I am watching my daughter practice the barrels and roll in the dirt and open chute gates, I grew up doing the same thing. Where does the time go? We have the big team branding event down there tomorrow-we came home so cold today but I am sure we'll be there again "horsin around"...I must say chutes have come a long way from when I was a kid. I was the gate puller and the alley help, they don't even have a gate puller anymore-it's all by remote control, Kennedy pushes a button sitting on a barrel and the gate opens then closes. I think she needs to experience runnin the chutes the old fashioned way!

Kennedy started snowboarding lessons this Saturday and it was so much fun. We decided to rent her equipment for the season this year because she will grow out of it by next year. She can't seem to stop talking about it and has been wearing her helmet, goggles, and board boots around non-stop just waiting for next Saturday. She also is practicing moving around and getting up and down and other things that I don't know what are! We will be going every Saturday until the end of March. I hope she keeps on loving it!

Christmas is by far my favorite time of year, I love the magic that it brings. I love the lights, Santa Clause, all the baking and wrapping and most important remembering our Savior. I am so thankful for the magic that children bring into our lives and help us be a little lighthearted and joyful and BELIEVE in good things and miracles!

The little girls performed the other night against the game with Kemmerer. They all did so good and were adorable!