I just returned from a much needed vacation with my family and boy did we have a BLAST! But it was one of those vacations where you tell yourself, "why oh why didn't I just stay home and vegetate?!" LOL! But my kids had an AMAZING time as did I and my hubbs....
Let me share our journey with you... feel free to grab a cup of coffee or some chocolate for the ride. ❤
We started off from sunny Northern California and drove 9 hours southeast to Las Vegas, Nevada. Here are my boys doing some yoga stretches at a rest stop along the way.... (LOL, they crack me up!)
My parents have property in Las Vegas, so when we drive down, we typically don't have to deal with the craziness of the "strip", we just stay at their house which is literally 20 minutes from the strip. But this time, we stayed on the strip because we celebrated my Mom's 70th birthday over at the Wynn Hotel and Casino. Anyhow... we did a TON of walking during the day and let me tell you.... the 111 degree desert heat was NOT pretty!! Here are a couple of pics I took during one of our walks...
Here is a pic of my beautiful Mom at her birthday dinner at the Wynn (with my son Dylan.)
After Las Vegas, we took a 5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon.... and yup, it was just one of those day trips! We were up and out by 5:30am and back to Las Vegas by 9pm. CRAZY right?! But the trip was so worth it. I haven't seen the Grand Canyon since I was 10 years old and my kids just HAD to experience it... they had a good time... here are some more pics!
I'm such a poser... haha!
I love my boys!
My Mom and me...
Logan LOVES to hike... he had a great time!
GO Logan!
My 3 little men...
After a few more days in Las Vegas... we drove 5 hours west to San Diego to visit Sea World... the Sea Turtles ("honu" in Hawaiian) were my favorite... Logan's, too!
Great shot my husband took from inside the aquarium... doesn't it look like he's comin' at ya?! LOL!
Then off to Disneyland and California Adventure we went for a 3-day extraveganza! Here are some pics of the new Cars Land at California Adventure --- SO FUN!!!! The new Cars ride is a must ride!! :-) We all had a BLAST!
I felt like we were back at the Grand Canyon! LOL! But this is Radiator Springs...
At the Cars Land entrance...
This is what the vehicles look like on the Cars ride... but they come in an assortment of colors... we rode a green one and a red one...
One of the views while on the Cars ride...
A pic inside the ride... thats "Red" the fire engine!
And... you can't go to Disneyland with out riding the Pirates of the Caribbean, my ALL TIME favorite... The boys love it too, even Logan! I just love how they incorporated Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in some of the scenes on the ride...
I still get goosebumps when I read this... ha! A true Disney fan at heart. ❤
This sign is posted on the bridge at the Disneyland entrance...
In front of the Disneyland Railroad station on Main Street...
Last but not least... we HAD to visit Universal Studios to check out the new Transformers 3D ride... and OMG people, it is the BEST experience ever! And I say experience, not ride, because really... you feel like you are THERE... in it! It's a trip!!! SAVE the all spark! LOL!
With Bumble Bee... YES, there IS a person in there!!
My little guy...
Well... I could stick around and share more with you... but I did take over 500 pictures during this entire trip... way too much to share and even more to scrap! LOL!
Prior to leaving on my vacation I was hard at work creating CHA projects for both Graphic 45 and La La Land Crafts. I'm super excited to share the projects with you, so I hope you come back to visit soon!
Enjoy the week ahead and happy crafting! ❤
looks like you had an awesome trip with your fam, ar :)! your little men are so adorable and your mom looks so young and beautiful. love hearing about your adventure! have a wonderful week, ar! *hugs* and much aloha, steph :)
ReplyDeleteoh, happy belated birthday to your mom :)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph!! You're such a sweetie!! xoxo!
DeleteWhat a great trip! Thanks for sharing some of the pics.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful trip! Can't wait to see all of your projects from CHA I bet that they are amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow looks like you had a great vacation! I would need a vacation after that lol can't wait to see the projects!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like so much fun! My little one would love to see a real-live Bumblebee (his favorite and mine too).
ReplyDeleteGloria
looks like you had a wonderful vaction hugs Sara
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family you have Arlene. Thank you for sharing your vacation pictures with all of us. I can't wait to see what you will scrap with them. Hugs, Mary
ReplyDeleteYour boys are just absolutely precious! So glad you had a great, safe trip. HUGS :)
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures Arlene! Glad you and your family had a wonderful vacation. I'm looking forward to seeing all your creations! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome vacation! We had a trip like that growing up and it was so much fun and I have so many fond memories of it. Your boys will have awesome memories of such a special vacation. Love your pictures too. We did miss you though here in the craft world....lol! Glad your back and can't wait to see your latest creations!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you all had a great time. Arlene you look just like your mom....:)
ReplyDeleteI have to ask.....did you get to Viva Las Vegas rubber stamp store and dig in the rubber pit? LOL
TFS your family moments! Hugs Noel