Girls California Trip

We finally made it happen, a girls only trip with no husbands and no kids.

We flew in on the evening of Tuesday Sept. 20th, spent the next three days walking many miles around Universal Studios, California Adventure Park and Disneyland and then flew out on Saturday Sept. 24th. It was so much fun to have that time with my sisters and my Mom. We were only missing Hannah but she was too pregnant and sick and had just moved cross country the month before. She had also just started her new job and didn't feel like she could ask for the time off. We missed her but we have promised to do it again! Carly was also pregnant and very nauseous. She wasn't able to ride any of the big rides but still walked around with us and enjoyed the slower rides and shows. She knew going in to the planning that this would be a possibility and babies are always worth it. 

It was also so nice to have have any kids with us. No whining about hurt feet or long lines or being hungry. We could go where ever when ever we wanted. So nice. The weather was perfect and the park was not too crowded. The lines were not long at all. We planned to play Disney heads up while waiting in line but barely got to play because we were moving too much. We landed on a good week because the next week when other people went they said they waited in long lines.

Our first day was Universal. I had never been to this one. I did get to go to the one in Orlando but that was when I was 15 (about 20 years ago). Rides have changed since then. We were very excited to go here because Harry Potter World was now open. It was amazing, every little detail was there. The Hogwarts express, the castle, all the shops, and Hagrids Hut. We had lunch at the Three Broom Sticks and tried the Butter beer (butterscotch). It was good but so sweet.

We started the day riding some of the big rides: Jurassic Park, Transformers, and The Mummy. Then took a break for a show and a large doughnut in the Simpsons area. We saw the Stunt show and the Waterworld show. No one knows the movie anymore but the show is so cool that I guess they leave it. We had lunch and explored Harry Potter World. On the studio tour we saw Mindy Kaling (from the office) from afar. We yelled and she waved!

Lucy!

Day 2 was spent at Disneyland.

It was already decorated for Halloween. We headed straight for Adventure land and got our fast pass for Indiana Jones then moved onto the Pirates or the Caribbean. Carly was able to ride this with us. Then we headed to Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. Carly watched the parade at some point. We were able to ride everything we wanted. I think Carly rode a few of the small rides like jungle cruise or Buzz Lightyear more than once waiting for us. We also ate some yummy food and saw a condensed version of Tangled. The Jedi Academy was going on while we ate lunch and looked really cute and fun. Carly and I know our kids would have loved it so only a little guilt there, just for a second!

Pirates!

Day 3 California Adventure Park

We got our fast pass tickets for Cars and the World of Color night show first thing then walked all the way to the back to ride Woody's Round Up and the Roller Coaster. We were so lucky because we actually walked on the coaster two times in a row. Then we headed up to the Tower of Terror and Soaring over California. We did Cars Land and by lunch we had hit all of the big rides. That afternoon we took it slow and saw the show Frozen and the parade. It was so good. That night we watched the World of Color Show and even though our feet were killing us it was so worth it and gave us the energy to do last minute shopping. Then it was time to say goodbye and head home the next day. Thanks for a fun trip ladies (and husbands)!

Cars!

Tower of Terror!

Olaf and Anna and Elsa

World of Color

September

Happy 35th birthday to me! I got some great gifts from a wonderful husband and kids. Love them all especially the fit bit and the Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit game and shirt (only it was too small) all in preparation for my trip to Disneyland/Universal with the girls.

The weather finally cooled down enough for me to get up the energy to paint the front door. I desperately needed and update. I went with a bright fun light blue and I love it! I also spray painted the hardware and got new shutters (they are not up yet).

The annual Heart Walk with Quinn's work.

Couldn't resist this cute little girl dragging me outside so that she could ride the scooter. She was so proud of the outfit she picked out for herself and her wild hair. Love this girl!

First Day of School

August 24, 2016

First day of school or as I like to call it the Most Wonderful Day of the Year!

Emma was so excited to wear her new tiger shirt to third grade. She has Mrs. Killian. We don't know much about her except that she is short, young and got married with in the last year.

James is in 1st grade and excited to go full day (or I should say Mom is excited he is full day, James is excited to take his lunch). His teacher is Mrs. Goodrich. We don't much about her either except that she is from Brazil and has an accent.

Lavender Vacation Fun

The third week of August the Lavenders headed to Lava Hot Springs Idaho. We rented at large house called Inn at Owl Hollow. On the way there we stopped at The Golden Spike National Historic Site at Promontory Point. It was a special train day too so they had extra activities for kids such as buffalo chip throwing, coloring pages and train hats. The program that they reenact is a bit long even for adults. Plus you are in the hot sun the whole time but overall I we had fun and I'm glad we stopped.

Once at the house we played games, ate food and watched movies. Cousin time is the best!

The kids had fun watching for animals like birds, squirrels, deer, rabbits and snakes. Uncle Kyle even caught a snake for Emma to hold. She loved it of course.

One night we had the Lavender Family Olympic Games with basketball, golf, target shooting, ping pong bounce and the javelin with straws. Quinn took the silver medal!

One day was spent at the pool. James and Emma loved going down the slides. James and I were brave and went down the slow slides and Quinn and Emma were brave and tried the fast slides. Emma also enjoyed jumping off the diving boards. That night we relaxed in the hot pots which were really hot! Only one was very enjoyable. 

The most fun I think was running the river. I think we had time to do it 4 or 5 times and everyone had a blast. Mia stayed home with Grandma though. But Quinn and I had double tubes which we shared with one of the kids. James we nervous at first but then quickly decided it was a blast. However when he switched and went with Dad they flipped over! He was okay even with Quinn landing on him. Uncle Shawn went by right at the right time and just picked him up out of the water and put him on his lap. The only casualty was his hat.