Spring Breakers

So this is what I was up to on Spring Break. Have you ever seen a more beautiful group of peeps?! I'm the one on the far right. I'll explain later.

My mom, brother, kids and I drove almost 19 hours to Sacramento to see my sister and her 6 children for Spring Break. We had the time of our lives! So completely exhausted at all times from having so much fun. And to think I came so close to staying home to do projects around the house?! I think I made the right choice! We will have these memories forever but a clean garage would just get messy again.
We stopped half way for a free night at a Marriott. I am so grateful to my traveling husband! It was an oasis after a long day on the road.This picture cracks me up because everyone has a banana in one hand and a lollipop in the other?????

It had been 7 years since I last took my kids to Sacramento. I love and adore my sister's fam. Thank goodness families are forever because we already miss them so!Me and my angel sister.Jordan MADE this hovercraft and we had fun riding it. What talent!

Day One: Visit to IKEA and other stores I don't have here. Shopping with my sister and free babysitters? I felt royally spoiled. I bought the jars I've always wanted for my beach sand collection.

Day Two: SAN FRANCISCO!!! I grew up there and yet I couldn't wait to visit the city, the beaches, etc. It's been a long time. We walked the Golden Gate Bridge. Spitting off the bridge was a trip! Next stop, Ocean Beach. The highlight was catching 4 LIVE jellyfish and bringing them home. They lived for several days and were absolutely beautiful to watch.Alyssa was IN THE ZONE. I was in complete delight watching her lost in all consuming bliss.

Day Three: Fish Hatchery and resting up from the big beach party the day before.

Day Four: Jelly Belly Factory tour. These portraits made COMPLETELY from Jelly Bellies were my fave.

Day Five: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. It just so happened to be that if we dressed up like Mr. Six (the Six Flags mascot that's a dancing bald guy), we got in for SIX BUCKS! Regular price: 45 bucks. I bought bald caps for everyone, we made pipe cleaner glasses, and we were totally game. I don't think the teenagers were too excited, but the rest of us had no pride! And of course once we got into the park, I had to have a dance off with Mr. Six. That was fun! My favorite ride: the park bench in kiddieland. I felt pretty beat up after just two big roller coasters.
The 15 hour drive home was long and our DVD player broke a couple days before. I took it as a challenge to see if we could make it without it. We did it! My brother wore ear plugs the whole way home however. ;)

The day we got back our cousins from Seattle visited for a few days. One party after the next.
And Ava turned 3, April 6th!

Russ thought this picture showcases Ava's occasional attitudes. I recently busted her and said, "Ava, you be NICE!" She says back, "I NOT NICE! I A BUM BUM SHAKER!!"