Oceanside California - 2009

I am definitely the biggest blog procrastinator! This post has been on my list of things to do since the day we got home (September 19th)....so here goes.....

This year our big family trip was to a beach house in Oceanside California for 1 week! We flew out early on a Saturday morning and came home late in the afternoon on the following Saturday. We had a total blast - here was our agenda:

Saturday: Arrive, Go straight to Legoland

Sunday: Beach

Monday: Beach

Tuesday: Disneyland - Carson's favorite ride - TOWER OF TERROR (he is only 3 and barely tall enough to ride, but loved every minute of it)...Grace's favorite rides - Matterhorn and Soarin'!!!

Wednesday: Beach

Thursday: Beach

Friday: Farmers Market in the am, Beach rest of day

Saturday: Pack, clean and cry as real life starts to settle back in....fly home.

As you can see, we didn't do a lot except for sit and eat! I feel like I ate and ate and ATE....good thing I am pregnant so I could blame my hand to mouth problem on "eating for two"!!! The kids had a total blast living in their swimsuits, playing with cousins and hanging out on the beach! Since we have been home, both Grace and Carson have asked me several times when we are going back to the beach! I was a little nervous wondering how Chloe would be, but she was AMAZING!!! She napped regularly, hung out in her stroller on the beach and the few times we let her down.....she headed straight for the ocean and LOVED every minute of it! You will see from some of the pic's below, she would have no problem being a California-girl! It was so fun to go with family and friends so our kids would entertain each other and we had the opportunity to spend time with family and create memories together. I hope we can make this work for next year....with baby #4 coming the end of January.....I don't know how "relaxing next year would be".....we are going to TRY, TRY, TRY to make it work next year......we'll see.....here are some pic's from our trip:

Dad, Grace and Chloe on the airplane!

Carson on the airplane!
Just arrived - waiting for dad and the rental car!
Locked up at Legoland (I need some of these at home)

Carson lovin' life!

On the log ride with dad!

Dinner for Misty's Birthday!!

View from our balconyCarsonPlease pass the Diet Coke!
Chloe's 1st time in the ocean!

Chloe getting "tossed" by her dad!

California Adventure with Mater and Lighning McQueen!

Chillin' with Minnie....
...and Goofy...

....and Jessie....

takin' five...

Castle pic...

Washin' off the sand...

Happy 1st Birthday Chloe!!!!

Last Thursday (yes, I have been a slacker getting this post done)....Chloe had her 1st birthday! We waited until Friday to celebrate with lots of cousins and grandparents (thanks to all who came!!!) She had a great day and we decided that next year instead of presents, we will just get her some balloons! She absolutely loved the balloons, cake, presents, wrapping paper....and most of all being the center of attention! I can't believe a year has already gone by - it really is true to the saying "the days go by slow....but the years go by fast"! We are so proud of Chloe and are grateful to have her in our family! Here is to another year that will bring: first steps.....more words....more hair....more teeth.....a baby brother....and many other fun memories that we will hold close to our heart. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Chloe-Bear....we love you! Here are some pic's of this past year and her party(sorry about all of the picture's....this is for my journal)

Grace lost her 1st tooth!!!!

Grace first realized her tooth was loose when we were eating corn on the cob and her tooth was bothering her. Troy asked Grace if her tooth might be loose and she disappeared as fast as she could to the bathroom to take a look in the mirror. When she came down the hall, she was so cute......smiling from ear to ear and her eyes as wide as they could possibly be, she asked me if I had her kindergarten teacher's home phone number because she HAD to call her and tell her that she had a loose tooth :).....

.....So for the past 3 1/2 weeks, Grace has been diligently wiggling, twisting and loosening her cute little tooth. On Sunday when we got home from church Grace came me a little upset because her tooth was bleeding......Troy was not home, so I got to do the honors! All it took was a little tug and it was out - Grace was so brave and so excited that she lost her first tooth! The tooth fairy doesn't come to our house on Sunday's so last night, she put it on her bedstand and when she woke up this morning, there was a $2 bill there....Grace was so excited and now you can find her trying to wiggle her other teeth to loosen them up so the tooth fairy can strike again......