Disneyland in a 15-passenger beast.

Well the trip that I had been waiting for, for quite some time happened. Those that know me well know that I will turn up a trip to Europe for Disneyland any day (wow this is looking pathetic). I'm obsessed. So when the talks of a family vacation to Disneyland was in the works, Nicole was a happy person. It also was a great end to my month long October vacation (which we'll talk about later).

So when we found out that SJ would be making the road trip, a big van was purchased so all 8 & a baby could fit. I guess when I heard those numbers, I should have known that the thing was going to be massive. Truth is, we didn't know how monstrous the thing was until Audrey came home with it and it wouldn't fit in the garage. 15 passenger all the way. The St George polygamists loved us. 

{yes the boys did deck the van out with all the electronics it could hold}

Usually in groups, you find that some don't really like sitting in the long line for the characters. I was so glad this wasn't the case because I wasn't leaving without a Mickey shot. Yes there may have been some annoyances with me and my OCD photographing behavior, but it was appreciated in the end!

To split up the long Disney days, we made our way to HOLLYWOOD. Which is not what it's cracked up to be. Although it is a must to do at least once in your life. I stuck with my old timers such as Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Harrison Ford, & Cary Grant. It's sad that I sometimes feel like the hollywood stars are lame now. Our dear William is making it big out in LA so he met up with us for lunch. He loved showing us tourists around I'm sure. 

Beach day was fun. Hunington feels like home so I was glad we chose there to go. My nephew looked smokin' in his attire and the boys had fun boogie boarding. And we ended the night stuffing our faces with pazooki's at BJ's. 

Audrey was getting knee surgery the day after we got back so she was in need of some assistance. We probably got the most out of that scooter. And definitely got the most laughs. Seeing the person zoom off into the crowd. My personal favorite was the gigantic RENT ME sign on the front of it.

My memory card is full of this little man.

One of the best things that has ever happened was when they invented Magic Morning. Where you can go an hour earlier into the park. I couldn't believe how completely empty everything was. I have gone before but it was never that empty. This was our last day and everyone was kind of beat from the rest of the week so I was so happy that SJ & I got to just go and experience disneyland with NOBODY in sight. . .

...except Fred on space mt. He loved us kissing.

Flight back to Georgia was bittersweet but I think very much needed. I love family and am so grateful that I will always have them. But it's great to get back to life here and sleep in my own bed. And just right in time to see the leaves changing! Fall has spoiled me. And so did Disneyland. Life is amazing. 

Hey Ray Charles, it IS on my mind!

disclaimer: I probably will go back to Georgia & take back the following.

Well the truth of the matter is, I'm sick of Utah. Wait, that doesn't sound right. But it's true. It may just be because SJ has been gone for two weeks now going on three. It may be that everyone thinks I live here now since being in town isn't new anymore (after a month). Or it may be that my parents moved to another house while I was gone so this isn't the one I know. 

This is the longest trip ever. Which I'm trying to take full advantage of, when I'm not skyping my husband, sending letters to GA, or hiding out at my in-laws in Pleasant Grove (which I love doing). Good news is, in about a week, I will be reuniting with Shaun at Disneyland all week and then I'll fly home (home is Georgia in this sentence, whaat?). If only I could manage to bring the nephew home with me. But truly, I miss my Georgia home.

Along with:

humidity     soft skin     shaun     my own space     tetris     being responsible for dinner     my bed    

     

      the other half of my clothes in my closet    shaun     georgia friends     my yw   

  

my lake of a backyard         my own nail polish color

lauren & sam       shaun       shaun      shaun      shaun      shaun      shaun.

Canyon that is Grand.

Tuesday morning, a spontaneous girls trip down south was thrown together.

My Mom and I have never seen the Grand Canyon--and since we both have a lot of time, it worked out well. I love last minute---throw your bag in the car---kind of road trips.

We took full advantage of the tripod on this trip.

We made it down in time to attend a session at the St George temple.
I love all of the history and the old look in there. Sometimes it's non-existant in these new modern built temples.
But nonetheless, everywhere I attend, the spirit touches me the same.

Although at the time, it was very frustrating and comical hauling around the tripod through those narrow walkways and having people wait for you. . .IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!

It was a successful girls trip. So glad my Mom had the idea and we were able to do a Mother/Daughter trip with me currently living across the country.

Trip of Surprise & Fabio

Well the month of fun finally came! Yes, a few weeks after we landed in Georgia, the depressed feelings came and the lovely Husband & I decided to plan a surprise trip to Utah. But July thru September was a very long time with keeping a secret so my sister in-law may have found out the day that I bought my flight and my parents found out eventually too. 

The week before I was supposed to be leave, I became antsy. SO we changed my flight for a four days before my original flight to come out early. I had to lay low until Shaun came the next week so we could surprise everybody. FB & Insta fast was the hardest thing I have ever experienced, asked Shaun. 

So, what would you say if I told you that I have never flown by myself before? It's true. I am not an out of state college student and everywhere I have gone has been with friends or family. 

I have had a thought ever since I was little that if the plane was going to crash, it was okay because the people that I am flying with will also go down and die with me. Which was great! Because usually it was family. BUT BY MYSELF?? I don't get to die with anybody? (yeah, SJ thought I was insane when I said that thought out loud too)

Shaun felt like he was dropping off his daughter
 for her first flight experience.

The flight was survivable. I had my connecting flight in LAX. As I was finding my gate I spotted Fabio. Shaun told me to go back and take a picture with him. I decided against it because I was all settled at my gate. Had my laptop out watching a movie and I couldn't leave my luggage alone. Then I decided that I had a 3-hour layover and I would never see Fabio again. So I packed up and headed towards his gate.

Stalker picture was the
only thing that seemed appropriate
at the time. . .

Then I thought, nobody will believe me
with that side view. So the conversation went like this:
"My husband doesn't believe you are in front of me right now, could I take your picture?"and with Fabio's charmer of a voice, he says
"only if you're in it..."

 And Waaahhh-Lah! 

----

We only got 3 surprises on film {sister, brother, & mother in-law}

But we also surprised my Best friend brittany by stalking her during her jog.

Sadly, we didn't get Shaun's brothers surprise on film. But the family told him to meet us for dinner and he walked in and asked where Clark (his new born son) was. Margaret said "that man wanted to hold him. Isn't that weird?" And she pointed over to Shaun & I who are wearing hoods and we have our backs turned to them but you can see Clark's head popping over Shaun's shoulder. We then turned around and said surprise! He was in shock for a few mins after as well. Mostly trying to get over that his son's safety is not in jeopardy.

Goooood 

to be

home!