Finally Cali & A Last Minute Trip to SLC

Yes... We like to do things out of the Blue!!

So on Wednesday March 7th Roberto decided that he needed a break. He didn't just need a break but he needed it NOW!  I would say I am pretty easy going about things.  When you tell me that I need to have the family packed for a week holiday in less than 24hrs I start with being excited about the trip, then I panic, I try to make a list in me head...that doesn't work, I put the list on paper, the list may have looked like this....

TO DO - Made @ 3PM

switch house cleaning around for the next week - Check

make sure someone is cleaning the office - Abuelos

find someone to clean the condos - Tricia

find someone to take care of Lady - Abuelos

find someone to take care the fish - Dianne (Sweet Lady in our building)

get someone to watch the apartment - Dianne again

Don't forget the Passports - Check

don't forget bathing suits - Check

Camera - Check

what stroller to take - Phil & Ted ...Check

**don't over pack.... shopping to be done** - DONE AND DONE

Don't forget Passports - Check x 20

Diapers & Wipes - Check

Puffers for Hannah - Check

Gum for Hannah on the plane (H now uses her ears as a n excuse for needing Gum) - Bad Idea

set alarm for  3:30AM  - Oops totally forgot

be at Airport by 4:30AM - Nope. Try 4:50

Due to being late at the Airport we got escorted to the front of US Customs and after Security we had time to spare.... I had just enough time to get Hannah out her Jammies and get Chloe out off her overflowing Diaper. I ended up throwing out her Jammies because she was so wet. Poor thing.

Because of how last minute the trip was we ended up having to fly to Seattle then San Fran then LA. If I can help it we will try to fly direct next time that is for sure. The girls were troopers though. No major meltdowns the whole trip. We stayed at La Quinta close to friends who live in Costa Mesa.  Rented our Car from Dollar Car Rentals and played every day by ear. That is how we roll!

Day 1 - Traveled 

Day 2 -  Went to Disneyland with Ryan & Jazzie. How awesome it was to have friends down in California. It was such a treat to finally get to meet Jazzie and spend a bunch of time with her and Ryan. It was so nice to have twice the eyes to watch the girls at Disneyland too!

Highlights of Disneyland were by far meeting Minnie & Tangled. What a Happy place it was.

Day 3 - Met up with Ryan and he took us to the Beach. Roberto and Him tried surfing and Momma and the girls hung out on the beach. The girls loved the Beach. Later that night we met up with Jazzie and we went to Huntington Beach and went for Dinner on the Pier.

Day 4 - Church with the Stronks and then headed into LA after lunch at Inn & Out. We met up with Roberto's Tio Lionel and his Family. We had a lovely visit with them and face-timed with Abuelo and Abuela back home. Headed to the LA temple to get some pictures, but by the time we got there it was a bit too dark so we hung out at the Visitors Centre for a bit. That was a neat place to hang out, so much so, that we stayed until they turned off the lights. I was reminded there that I need to try to be more Christ like, a better Wife and Mother. It is good to be reminded of our purpose here on this Earth.

We headed to Hollywood to find a Taco Shack and boy did we find one. The Taco's were great, the experience, Interesting! Let me just say that I am grateful for the Gospel and it's Teachings.

Day 5 - Shopping, Shopping, Shopping. We headed to Riverside, where Roberto Served his Mission and hit up an Outlet Mall. Ended the shopping trip with a Route 44 Strawberry Limade @ Sonic and headed back to the Stronk's for the Bachelor Finale and a BBQ

Day 6 - Headed back into LA to meet up with Roberto's Tia Vicki , who took us to the Jewelry District of LA where we got earrings for the girlies. We also made the last hour of the Fashion District where I scored my 1st pair of Skinnies for $20. Tia Vicki insisted on feeding us so we went for Pupusas where we ate way to much and then left ready for bed. Thank you Tia for showing us around! 

Day 7 - Up Early to get to the Airport and this time we were not late.

All of this was made Possible by Abuelo, Abuela & Tia Brenda. 

Thanks so much for Sending us on a much needed Vacay!

Thank Goodness for the Ipad and the Beats!
They kept Hannah entertained!

and Chloe too!

Planning Our Day @ Disneyland

On the Shuttle to Disney with The Stronk's

 Chloe on Alice's Wonderland Tea Cup Ride with Daddy 

Hannah with her Bestie

Waiting to meet Minnie Mouse

Finally we met her!

Hannah really was excited... her face doesn't show it!

The Day is Done, and what a wonderful time we had.

Hangin by the Pool at the La Quinta. We were unaware that we had to ask for them to turn on the heat for it so  it we cold!

Our Beach Babe

Yelling at Dad and Ryan to come in from Surfing

Hannah insisted that she take a picture of Mom! I just wish I had the skin colouring my girls have

Dad and Ryan made her into a Mermaid

Pool Time!

My Girl!

Meeting Dad's Family

Visitors Center

Too many Pupusas

Mom is ready to go home to her Own bed in Canada and Hannah is too

SLC here we come - 2 1/2 Weeks Later.

Once again I am informed that a trip is going to be taken and I have 4 hrs to prepare. 

so like Cali I make my list, pack light because it is going to be squishy in our Vehicle with 5 Adults and 2 Carseats. And it was. However it made for some good bonding with the in-laws. Abuela & Abuelo had is easy most of the ride Cuddling in the far back seat while Roberto, Brenda, and Myself navigated our way to SLC. Not much Navigating to be done as it is pretty much a long...very long straight road. We drove through the night so the girls would sleep. Stopped in Idaho Falls for Breaky at IHOP and then continued on our way to Tooele. During some part of the trip we were informed of the really purpose of our trip to Utah. Abuela had used Conference as an Excuse!!! But the real reason was Tatiana's 1st Birthday Party. She is a sneaky one I'd say! Abuela and I bonded! It was Good. She told me that the mountains near Salt Lake were white from the Salt from the lake???? I am not too sure about that one. She developed a bit of a Stutter..Patapatapata. The last couple of months we have made memories as a family and I am so grateful to a Husband that has a job where such is possible. 

Chloe Naked and bonding with her Cousin Tatiana

Horrible Picture of Miss Mary but we got to see some of Dads old stomping grounds! The Wonder Bread Store that was just a few blocks away from him home in SLC. So Fun!

Temple Square during the Saturday Session - 26 degrees

Enjoying each other!

Twinkies from the Wonder Bread Store

I love my Little Family

 "H is for Hannah"

Saying a quick Hello to Roberto's Cousin Ricardo.
*He has pretty Hair!! 

Even though the last 2 trips have been sporadic and a tad crazy, I wouldn't have changed anything and look forward to our next adventure. Thank you to everyone who helped us out during both of these trips so that we could enjoy our time away! Adsero's thanks ever so much for taking Lady so last Minute and for the Easter Party the Day we returned!

M