spring break '11

Since when does Spring Break start on February 25?!  Well, for Ben and Jake it did, and we tried to make the most of our time.  They get 2 weeks off from school because it's the end of the term, and we usually go to California for most of that time, but because Will was still in school we scaled it down to one week.  Daren was gone to Mexico the first week they were off.  We really had a fun time together, but it was really hard for Will to get excited to go to school each day when he knew his brothers were home.  

We made it up to him one day by going in to Will's school and helping out for a while by taping books together that the first graders read.  Most of the books are 30ish years old and need some TLC, so we tried to help out a bit.  We barely made a dent in it, but at least we helped out a little.  Jake was in charge of finding the books while Ben and I taped the books together.  After that, we went to lunch with Will so the boys could see what Will's school was like. 

There was a lot of reading time during the week too.  The weather was nice, so they would take out some books, snacks, pillows, blankets, and read on the trampoline.

By the end of the week it was time to load up the trailer with a table that was going from my sister, Brenda, here in Utah to my brother, Eric, in California.  As you can see, we chose comfort over style by taking the van.  Not that the van isn't stylish, but you know what I mean...

Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast, finished loading up and headed out to Vegas, where we were going to meet up with Daren.  When there aren't movies to keep the boys entertained, they find their own entertainment.  Jake got a hold of my phone and took pictures galore.  I did get a picture of Jake sitting in the front seat with his arms stretched as far as they could go so he could be the "first one in Las Vegas." 

Jake has a hard time going to sleep at night most of the time.  Daren was so tired from his motorcycle trip that he crashed early and hard that night.  Daren also snores a bit, and when Jake couldn't go to sleep because of Daren's snoring, he tried to come up with his own plan to block out the noise.  I was having so much fun with my phone camera I didn't want to pull out my big ol' DSLR, so all of these pictures have been from my phone.  But eventually I got back into it.

On Sunday we drove the rest of the way to Gpa and Gma Airplane's house.  Gma Waterwheel was there too, and we all ate lunch together.  Will was so excited to read The Monster at the End of This Book to anyone who would listen, and Gma Waterwheel was kind enough to sit with him for a few.  

Ben is a very streaky eater like me...he gets into something for a while until he's eaten so much he can't stand it anymore.  His latest craving--peanut butter.  While reading a book, of course. 

Monday was California Adventure with Gpa and Gma.  It's been a couple years since we have been here, so the boys were really looking forward to it.  On our way there, Will made the comment that he was NOT going on the Tower of Terror because he just did not "want it to mess up my hair."  Gma laughed so hard I thought she might pass out!  It was only around 60 degrees that day, so we were in jackets most of the time.  

Someone had to stay out of the water to take pictures, right?! 

Gpa was a good sport going on the bumper car ride with Jake, while Gma was a good sport going on two rides she never thought she would--California Screamin' and Tower of Terror.  It wasn't until we got to the front of the line, just about to board on California Screamin' when she found out it went upside down!!  She was a trooper and still went.  First and last time, I think!  But she did it, and here are the pictures to prove it.  

We ran into some school friends that night, and then went to see the new water light show.  It was just ok.

Tuesday we went to Mt. Baldy to see Gma Waterwheel.  Daren and the boys went out for 2+ hours hiking/exploring around in the mountains while Gma and I sat and got to visit with each other.  It was so much fun for me, and for the boys.  She is still going strong at 90!  

Wednesday was back to Anaheim for Disneyland, this time without Gpa and Gma.  It was a perfect day, close to 80 degrees, and  NO LINES.  I kid you not, we basically walked on every ride with little or no wait.  We rode Thunder Mountain 3 times in a row because we could get right back on.  However, my stomach was  a bit queasy after the third time, so Will and I went to the Nemo Submarine ride to settle me down.  The first ride of the day, besides the train, was Indiana Jones.  This was something Will had been looking forward to for years, and he wore his Skechers just to make sure he was tall enough, but...he HATED it!!  He kept his head down the entire ride.  He had something going this time where every ride scared him, poor guy!

Will holding onto Daren for dear life in the Haunted House

Thunder Mountain, third time!!

Thursday was pretty low-key. We went out that afternoon to see the movie Rango, 

but the boys spent the majority of their day putting together...

The Lego Star Wars AT-AT.  This is a new phase we have entered, one which I had hoped we could just skip.  Lego has got a market in Star Wars like nothing else, and something clicked recently for my boys that got them into it, and now they can't get enough.  Ugh--and of course they are the most expensive Legos out there!!  

Friday afternoon we went to see my brother, Eric, and his family, and they just recently moved into a new house...with a beautiful pool!  The boys were in heaven--a pool party and pizza for dinner and a whole bunch of cousins to play with; it just doesn't get any better. 

Of course I forgot the boys' swimsuits so they had to make do with what they had on.  The slide was a bit rough on Ben's shorts, which were old anyway. 

After days and days of exploring and playing outside, these guys were just worn out.  

Saturday morning it was time to say goodbye. :(   We had such a great time--thank you Gpa and Gma!!  

When we were back on the road again, I was back to my phone pictures again.  The best thing about driving the van is there is extra room for all to move around, and Jake has claimed the back row of seats for him.  On our way home he built this "security system" *ahem, barricade* so that nobody could disturb him.  Even better?  He couldn't disturb/bug/pester anyone else, namely Ben.  It was AWESOME!  

Favorite game of the trip--Angry Birds on Daren's smart phone.  

Life saver on the trip--all the Calvin and Hobbes books we brought.

All the pictures and memories on the trip--priceless!