our vacation in a nutshell.

Day one: We traveled to Salt Lake. We thought if we broke the trip up, it might be easier for Gavin. The kids got to swim and we learned that Gavin doesn't like play pens. News flash: he'll be sleeping with one of us for the rest of the trip!

Day two: We traveled to Las Vegas. After checking out the billboards we reallized just why it's called "sin city". We stayed at the Stratosphere, and basically never left the hotel. My mom and dad joined us that night after flying in from Montana.

Day three: We traveled to San Diego.

We packed, and repacked, and repacked again until it all fit.

My view from the back seat. I was sandwiched between Kate and Gavin which was the perfect spot to share cheerios with Gavin and watch movies with Kate on my dad's ipod.

We spent the rest of the day at the U.S.S. Midway.

Our kids were in heaven as everything was hands on.

This was actually really cool and interesting.

Colin and Maddie flying together.

Kate was thrilled that she could push buttons to her hearts content.

Day four: Sea World.

We learned that flamingos sleep on one leg, and that even seven year olds need to be reminded to stay with an adult at all times!

We saw Shamu, and then were splashed by Shamu and sought higher ground.

We saw dolphins which Kate kept calling sharks.

We saw Elmo in 4D. Kate's face was super cute as she scrunched her nose to keep her glasses on and giggled as Elmo splashed us with water. She loved it.

And Gavin was a trooper. Even though he spent a lot of time in his stroller, he was still so happy.

he fits right in.

So, every Friday night we have pizza and watch a movie as a family. Gavin is now very interested in what we're eating, and had a few bites of pizza crust last night. He loved it and I couldn't feed him fast enough. We finally gave him his own crust to gnaw on. He soon discovered the source of his delectible treat, and found the box was as great as the pizza.

I just reallized he had his 9 month birthday yesterday. Where has the time gone?

#1 mom.

So, I made the kids hotdogs the other night, and Colin brought his back and told me he wrote me a note on it. I couldn't tell what it was, so he revealed with a shy smile, "It says #1 mom!" I thought that was so sweet, especially since I haven't really been that great of a mom since school has gotten out. I'm slowly getting used to extra bodies around the house all day, and I'm trying to get over the extra mess and noise they create. Give me a few weeks, and hopefully we'll have a new schedule down and just enjoy one another's company.

He really is a good kid, and yes a #1 mom feeds her kids processed food, at least this one does.

pictures as promised.

Colin and Maddie's ballroom recital. Maddie's favorite part, hair and makeup. My favorite part was Colin's perma-grin.

"Houston, we have volume." Maddie wasn't too happy that I found her hair a little hilarious. This is what you get with a lot of curl and hair spray after the dance recital.

Maddie's other dance recital. She did tap and ballet this year, and had a lot of fun. She specifically asked if we would get her a "wose, like those gils got last year."

Gavin enjoying the trampoline.

Colin and Maddie as pioneer children. Jared took this picture, so I'm not sure why the silly faces.

Colin's last baseball game. He reallized I was taking pictures and tried to hide.

Colin playing catcher.

Colin and his trophy from his coach. He had a good time this year.

Gavin after Colin's game modeling some Dora stickers that a bored Maddie decided to stick all over him.

And sadly my cute little Kate jumped off a chair in nursery and ended up with this shiner.