California Christmas 2014

We did something we've NEVER done before. We went away from home for Christmas. Todd's brother lives in California so we decided this would be a good year for us to try visiting them through the Christmas holiday. Don't worry. I had my fears. How would we do this? The kids had things on their list that would require organizing, planning, and $$$$. Surprisingly enough, the expense to get to and stay in California was pretty reasonable!

We packed our things up on the night of Tuesday, December 23rd and headed to Vegas to spend the night with the Dennett's. The kids got to sit in the hot tub with cousins and do a little polar plunging in the cold pool that night. We never spend enough time at their house. My kids LOVE it!!

The next morning, we woke up early enough to change our clothes, let aunt Cheri make us some breakfast, give our Merry Christmas goodbyes and be on the road to California. 

The drive wasn't too bad. Of course having head phones and movies to entertain the kids sure helps. Traffic wasn't even that bad! 

We arrived alive at Tav and Amie's house to find the rest of the family there ready and waiting. 

The arrangements were pretty nice since Amie's sister had a house right across the street from Tav and Amie's and she was going to be out of town for the week. We got to share the house with Todd's sister, Tara and her family. Each family had a room and we unloaded our bags, changed our clothes, and did what our kids had been waiting to do since we started our Christmas Vacation ... we headed to the BEACH!

The weather Christmas Eve was so nice! It didn't even feel like Christmas! The kids played in the sand, sun and the chilly water. Then the sun started to go down and it was time to walk back "home" (I loved that we were 5 walking minutes from the beach!!) and get changed, ready for the Christmas Eve dinner feast. 

 Amie did a great job hosting us all and we had a delicious dinner of Roast, Mashed potatoes, delicious roasted carrots, green salad, fruit, and hot rolls. Everything was soooo yummy! Then Grandma Julie read the Christmas story while the grand kids acted it out with the hand puppets. PJ Elf made a stop and brought the kids pajama's. Then we all sat around and talked about our favorite Christmas memories. I'm hoping our kids will sit around one day and remember how they spent this Christmas.

 Then it was time for bed...which was CRAZY! They kids had just had hot chocolate, goodies, and it was CHRISTMAS EVE so they were wired and not ready to sleep!! Riley wanted to sleep with the kids too and after lots of talking, giggling, fighting of who got to sleep by who they settled in enough that I could slip back over to Tav and Amie's to see where Santa might leave his stash. Todd was happy to stay in the room with all five of the kids and I was happy to leave him there! I'm sure he laid down the law after I left because when I returned everyone was sound asleep. The rule was that we weren't going over to see what Santa had brought until after 7:30. The kids were actually really compliant with that request. I even heard Payton and Porter whispering in the night that it wasn't time yet and they better go back to sleep.

Christmas Eve 2014

Christmas Morning--This was the picture we sent to those staying across the street to let them know we were awake and ready to see if Santa found us in California.

 Christmas morning was a blur. I remember wrapping paper, smiles, candy, more wrapping paper, lots of wheels spinning and happy happy kids! Did I mention there was a lot of wrapping paper? The boys got new scooters. Julia got a new bike, which the first thing she said was, "I said I wanted a pink and purple bike!" Porter played off it quickly because he was ready to wheel and deal. He was going to trade her for his green bike at home. Jul's declined with a firm, "No!" Jess was happy with her new baby and stroller and I have her on film saying how nice Santa is. Yes. He is.

The girls with their new friends at the skate Park Christmas Day 2014

Breakfast was our traditional deliciousness made by G-ma Julie and Amie. We spent the day (which wasn't as nice and warm as the day before, but still a good day) at the skate park making new friends, and then went to the beach that evening to play and eat Tinfoil, or Hobbo, dinners. When the fire died it was time to hit the road and find some warm showers, tubs, and clothes.

The beached Sea Lion before the Sea World Rescue came for it. We thought he looked like he was waving for the picture

Porter and Jul's ran up and down this hill tons of times!

Leu and Tav after running down the sandy hill

Tressa and I's attempt at a selfie on the beach. It would have looked better with just Tressa in it

Grandpa Blair and Jess on the beach cruiser

 The next morning was our last full day. The kids loved the skate park so much we decided to walk there with their new wheels and play for a while. While we were there a man was doing HUGE bubbles in the park. The girls spent a good hour catching bubbles, blowing bubbles, and probably driving the man nuts because we weren't ready to leave. They LOVED it! I'm sure I have too many different video and pictures of those moments.

Julie, Blair and Tressa had to get home so we said our goodbyes at the park (without Tav, Amie and Leuca--who were napping/working/not there yet). Later we found out that it had taken them 8 hours just to make it to Vegas because of traffic. It may or may not have motivated us to leave the next day instead of Sunday like we thought we would.

The Utahites in California together for one last picture

Missing Tav, Amie and Lueca for this picture :(

One of my favorites of these girls trying to pop a bubble

Riley getting a chance to make some bubbles

Julia's turn to make bubbles

Even Jess got a turn to make some big bubbles

After the park and some delicious tacos at Tav and Amie's we went to "the Pier". Tressa had mentioned before that she loved going to the Pier every time she came. She was shocked I hadn't ever been. Now that I've been once, I'm shocked that she wants to do it every time she comes! ;) 

It was fun to walk out there and think we were surrounded by the ocean. We even saw some dolphins swimming and some surfers catching the waves. We decided we'd go back to the beach by Tav and Amie's and let Todd and Tav try some surfing (and Payton some body surfing) and let the kids collect rocks, and play in the ocean one last time.

Julia with a Pelican on the Pier

Love this crazy family of mine

Walking back from the Pier

I feel bad to say I didn't even get in the ocean this trip. My legs got wet and that was enough for me. What a pansie!! I did enjoy watching my kids play in the waves and sand, though. It was fun to watch the sun set our last night there before we walked back to our homestead. We had homemade pizza and watched a movie. Then it was off to bed. 

The surfer's

Julia made a "home" for the rocks she was collecting. Porter later wrecked it "for" her

As the sun was setting, this was my view

  After hearing how long it took Blair and Julie to get home we decided to get the car packed that night and be ready to head out early the next morning. It was a trick to get all the scooters, bikes, gifts and then our suitcases, bags, pillows and blankets into the car but we did it! We headed out early the next morning and made pretty good time and avoided the traffic. The worst part of the drive was making so many potty stops. WHY is the line to the women's bathroom ALWAYS twice as long (sometimes longer) as the men's? I was trying to reduce our stops by getting Todd to take the girl's to the bathroom but I got no response from my texts while waiting in the long lines that wrapped around the gas station merchandise.
It was nice to be home but it was sure fun to spend time with our California family for a Christmas I think we'll all remember. (Maybe that will make up for not getting a Christmas Tree this year--which is hard to say really didn't happen this year! :o I'll have to try and find a picture of our paper tree and post later.)

The last picture I took at the beach for 2014

Stinky Finger

Stinky Fingers. They happen. A lot. Especially with my boys. But, when my cute little Jess put a stinky finger in my face this is the conversation that transpired.

Mom: Eeew! Your finger stinks, Jess!

Jess (totally grinning, by the way): I know. It's because I stuck my finger in my bum.

And it was off to tub from there!

Love this cute button...even if she has a stinky bum finger.

Happy 6th Birhday, Julia

Julia turns SIX!

Julia started her day with a phone call from Grandpa and Grandma Turek singing her first "Happy Birthday" song. It was a good way for her day to start because she was smiling, instead of the usual look of "Leave me alone. I'm sleeping. And, no. I'm not going to school today" look. Her brother's and sister {and our neighbor, Kase} quickly {and loudly} sang her another Happy Birthday song and she rolled out of bed. Julia got to open a present {which was her new favorite boots!} and she got ready for school. She ate her favorite breakfast of German Pancakes with six candles {two of them started to melt and tipped over before we finished singing happy b-day-again, and she may not have even made a wish but she blew the heck out of the flames.}

She looked so cute in her new birthday outfit. Mom and Jess brought donuts to share with her Kindergarten class as a b-day treat. Her class made a cute book and she got to wear a birthday crown. Mrs. Stewart gave her a "floating balloon" with a pencil tied to the bottom.

After school Julia chose to eat lunch at Arctic Circle enjoying some fries, chicken strips, fruit snacks and an ice cream cone. That night she chose Home made Cafe Rio Burritos and then we quickly cleaned up so we could meet everyone at the bowling alley.

Dixie Bowl isn't what it used to be...at least not the night of her b-day. We waited, many many times, for our balls to come back. The kids would have benefited from the bumper lanes but we opted to stay by each other instead--mistake. The girls had a hard time keeping the ball out of the gutter but they seemed to find ways to keep themselves happy and entertained.

She opened presents {G-ma Julie gave her some 'Frozen' Barbies and a fun light up balloon and Tara/Riley gave her a light up secret diary} and then when it was time to go home the girls showed us a cute dance they had made up together. The end was the best part!

Happy Halloweeners!

I've never been a huge fan of Halloween...just because we have to get all dressed up, buy candy, walk door to door asking for candy...I just don't get it. It's really stupid if you think about it. Trick or treat? Really? But...you know who really loves it? My kids. And for that reason, we do the Halloween thing. It think the pictures will speak for themselves this year.

 

Little Buckaroos

We took the kids to the Rodeo this year. It's been a couple years and it is "Kids night" (which means the kids get in free so you shouldn't complain about paying $10/ticket for adults!...so they think). Payton had football practice at the park right by the rodeo so we loaded the kids up and 'let' Payton change in the van after practice and headed to the rodeo. Who doesn't love the rodeo? Crowds of people. Sitting on cement steps/bleachers. Kids begging for money to buy a burger or snow cone. Jess wanting to sit on your lap even though she will be kicking the person in front of you in the back. Ahhh. The blessed thing they call a Rodeo.

That being said, it was really fun. Jess liked looking at the calfs and sheep. They all begged to do the Mutton Bustin' and were bummed when I informed them they had to have signed up weeks prior to the rodeo. Their favorite part would have been the 'after rodeo' pary. They brought in a Motor Cross group and did jumps and tricks on their dirt bikes. The kids LOVED it! In all my 'Rodeo-ing' years, I've never seen them do that! I'm sure next year there will be four kids ready to hit the rodeo again. Good ol' Dixie Roundup fun!

Jess Gets A Haircut

Little Miss Mullet has been in need of a hair cut for some time not but I just couldn't bring myself to cut her hair. On a Saturday that Kandice was in town I told her it was time. She was good to sit still and I'm afraid now that it's short I won't ever do her hair because it looks fine without much help from me. I guess we'll see how long it takes for her hair to grow. Knowing our luck, it will just grow the mullet part back.

Another School Year

School has begun once again. We've had a great summer and got to do a good variety of things but it's always nice to get back in school and get back to some kind of routine...well, it's a work in progress, the whole routine thing, but it's nice to think we might get back into some kind of routine.

This year Payton is king of the school as a mighty fifth grader. He got the teacher he wanted, Mr. Eardley. He had him last year with the 45th grade (4/5th grade combined class) and loved him so much he wanted him again. I think he really just liked having him again because Mr. Eardley will play football or basket ball with the kids during recess. Just my opinion, though.

Porter is in third grade this year. He's enjoying having Mrs. Sabaitis again. He had her in first grade so we tease him that instead of going on to third he has to go back to first again. So far he talks about liking school but when it comes time to do homework, he's not showing that love to mom.

Julia started Kindergarten this year. She has Mrs. Stewart and on the first day of school she said it was a good day because, "I didn't get into trouble one time, mom!" I guess that would make a good day. Stay out of trouble = enjoy school and your teacher!

Jess (Julia's shadow) gets left behind for the 2 1/2 hours Julia is at school.  She will ask throughout the morning if it's time to go get Julia yet. She is doing pretty well to entertain herself while mom gets a few things done but she is Julia's "bestest buddy" once she gets home. Of course, we're only on day THREE of Julia being in school so lets home we make it the whole year!

One thing I love about this new school year is that Panorama Elementary is doing "The Leader in Me" series that is supposed to teach the kids 7 great habits--if my kids will only learn them! Porter had to learn the song for their first assembly last week. 

Habit 1- Be Proactive

Habit 2- Begin with the End in Mind

Habit 3- Put First Things First

Habit 4- Think Win Win

Habit 5- Seek first to understand, then to be understood

Habit 6- Synergize

Habit 7- Sharpen the Saw

My kids will be so much better off in their future if they can learn and apply these habits now. Let's hope something sticks! It's going to be a great year. I'm just hoping I can keep up to date on a few of the exciting moments that happen through the year!