Travel. . .

I am so behind, so bear with me, I am going to do a long post just so I can get some thoughts down, my brain doesn't work so well anymore and I tend to forget everything. I'm just going to blitz through this while Berkley climbs up my leg. . .

April 16th- Beach

After Disney we headed south for San Diego. The trip was nice and quick but once we got in the city it got bumpy, and after one quick stop I was holding Berkley and flew backwards off the bed and got myself with my head! I was pretty sore for the next few days. We found a great spot to park at Mission Beach. It was a little chilly and windy that day but we wanted to hang out on the beach. As soon as we hit the sand Braelyn started complaining that she didn't like it. She was scared of the sea weed and she didn't want to get her hands dirty. Always the diva. Berkley had a great time siitng on the towel and scruching the sand in her fists. We headed down to the water and Berkley loved walking on the edge even though it was freezing! Braelyn was scared and ran back to the towels. She eventually got into building sand castles but we left because both the guys were too cold. We got to the RV park and warmed up in the hot tub. The day was relaxing and a nice switch from the crowds.

April 17th- Seaworld

I was so excited for Seaworld, and even more excited when we decided to do Breakfast with Shamu. We got to the park early and walked through some of the aqauriums then we went to get seated for our breakfast. We walked into a private seating area then got to go through the delicous breakfast buffet. We all had tables right on the tank. They brought in two of the whales and two trainers walked through and told us some background info about Shamu and answered questions. We loaded up our plates a few more times and when we were stuffed they had the whales come up on the platforms that were just feet away from us. They finished with some tricks and ended with a big splash that got Braelyn and had her giggling. It was amazing to see them so close and offered a really personal experience with Shamu. As we were standing up to take some pictures a bird flew right onto our table and started eating Braelyn's muffin. She got sad, and I was upset because my Diet coke was over there and I couldn't get it, but Taylor saved the day and got the muffin and the drink! We watched all the shows, and walked through the displays. That afternoon my Mom and I took the girls over to Elmo's World. It was a madhouse of kids But Braelyn was so happy to just run wild. My mom noticed no one was in line to see Elmo so she grabbed us and we headed over, but right as we got to the line the worker announced they had to leave! Brae was disappointed, and I couldn't believe we had missed again, but Elmo noticed her standing there and stopped the worker and waved her in. Braelyn had her autograph book, but the worker said he just had time for a quick picture. Elmo shook his head again and handed the book to the worker and made her get his pen so he could sign. He posed for a bunch of pictures and then waited for her to take a picture with Abby-cadabyy. I was so touched and impressed that he would do that, and I wish I could tell him that meant a lot to her. They had lots of little rides and my mom was wonderful to keep Berkley so I got to ride all of them with her. We walked through the new artic exhibit and I loved the beluga whales! We also stopped to pet sting rays, Braelyn didn't dare, but I thought they were so cool to feel and kept laughing when they would come right up to your hand. The night we were there, they were doing two night shows called Ignite and Shamu Rocks! They were playing fun old rock songs and my dad got Tay and Braelyn glow swords, that they had too much fun with. They played "Fire" right before the trainers came out in flame wetsuits and Braelyn yelled, "Fire ladies!" when she saw them. It was so neat because you could see the dolphins swimming underwater and they are so beautiful to watch. One of the trainers did this weird swim to a love song wiht one of the dolphins and the interspecies love was a little uncomfortable, but it was still a cool show. After the the boys ran over to the Shamu stadium and got us great seats. They were playing even better songs here and when they played "I love Rock and Roll" we were singing and dancing and they put us up on the jumbo screen! It was such a fun way to end the day, and we sang the whole way back. Braelyn still loves to yell "Fire" and dance to "I love Rock and Roll!"

We were sad to head home the next day, but ready to be back at the same time. We drove the whole day and made it back just in time to get to bed. We are so lucky we got to do this and I know the girls and I will never forget all the fun memories we made.

Our baby's not a baby!

Berkley Kate turned 1 last week on May 14th!

We can't believe a year has already passed since we got to bring our second baby into our family. She came into this world on a beautiful spring day and has been our sunshine since. She has been such a blessing during this year.

Some things Berkley has done before she was 1:
*Traveled by car, motorhome, plane and boat
*Been to 5 states, been in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and seen the
Grand Canyon
*Survived a big sister who has feed her M&M's, dumped a bucket of water on her, pushed her around in a doll stroller, climbed into her crib too many times to count, "helped" her walk by grabbing her hand and yanking her onto her face, kisses and hugs her all day and makes her laugh so hard she can't breathe
*Gotten a new cousin
*Been on a 4-wheeler ride and sat on a cow
*Conquered her fear of grass on her barefeet
*Still doesn't walk on her own, but will crawl and loves to laugh as she heads face first for the stairs
*Finally slept through the night at 9 months but still takes 3 naps most days
*Still won't let any stranger hold her and cries if someone leaves the room or if she sees Mom and I don't pick her up
*Loves to eat but has a VERY strong sense of what she wants when she wants it. Likes yogurt, will eat fish, and wants anything she can stuff in her hands and feed herself
*Barely has enough hair for a bow, rips off any headband we put on, and is going to stay blonde
*Has three teeth
*Favorite toys are her dolls and she likes to feed them, give them a binky and put them in their crib
*Can give kisses, clap, signs "more", blows kisses, and knows what "bonk" means

We get told at least once everyday that she is the most beautiful baby people have seen, and we believe it.
We love our baby and can't wait to see what trouble she will get into this next year!
-Happy Birthday Berks-

We celebrated with cake and presents. I made her cakes to look like babies and Berkley devoured hers. She had us laughing when she took the last chunck and stuck it right on her head. She got baby furniture from us and loves pushing her doll in the stroller, baby clothes from Braelyn, a dress and teddy bear from Taryn, slinkies from Tay, a crib (for when we move) and steering wheel toy from Munga and Papa, and money from Ashley & Dallin and Grandma & Grandpa Allred.

More Disney. . .

April 14th- Disneyland and California Adventure

We were told that in order to meet any princesses we had to wait in line, so the second day of Disney we after a quick stop at Dumbo, we headed right over. The line was already huge but we figured it would only get worse. My dad got stuck with us again, and was good to hold Berkley because they wouldn't let us take the stroller in. Braelyn made friends with another girl in the line, so the hour plus of waiting wasn't as bad as it sounds. Once you finally get to the entrance they let each girl go in one at a time, and Braelyn was in total awe. She got to meet Belle first and she was very sweet and I have never seen Braelyn that quiet and focused. Belle told her they could be sisters because they both have brown hair, and Braelyn was thrilled. We got our pictures and autographs then moved on to meet Arielle, and she was just as sweet. I think the wait was worth it for my dad as well, and I think he was a little teary-eyed behind the camera. Such fun to watch them react and believe in their fantasies. After that we headed over to California Adventure. It didn't seem to be as crowded and we didn't have to wait as long for rides. The California Screamin' roller coaster there was so much fun, we did it over and over. My mom and I took the girls over to Bug's Life World and Braelyn liked all the rides. She laughed and laughed when she and Munga rode on the bumper cars. I took her on the spinning lady bugs and it started out really fun, but got a little bumpy as we went. The parade there was a lot more fun and we didn't have to push for a spot. We all had a good time dancing and seeing the characters.

April 15th- Disney

Our last day at Disney we wanted to meet Mickey and Minnie but when we got to Toon Town the line for both of them was over two hours. I wish they could have had a few more Mickeys hanging around because Braelyn was disappointed not to see them, but it's just too hard to wait that long with little ones. We saw Goofy hanging out but when we tried to walk up to him, his worker said he had to "take a break." It was too bad he couldn't just stop to say hi. There was a roller coaster that Braelyn could actually ride, and she had a lot of fun even though it got a little scary. She still talks about that ride. We spent this day making sure no one had missed out on any rides and doing our favorites again. Braelyn and Berkley loved riding Winnie-the-Pooh and we all went on the Haunted Mansion and I almost peed my pants when Taylor tripped and fell into the wall by the exit. Munga and Papa got each of the girls a baby princess, and even though we were exhausted we left Disneyland with tons of fun memories and lots of new experiences.

Travel Log

*We have had a fun-filled, frenzied few weeks full of travel and fun, so I am sorry about the travel log, but since I use this as my journal for scrap booking, I am going to be writing about everything that went on!

April 12th- Third day day of spring break and Easter Sunday

We were on the road for another day of driving. We took historic Route 66 and I have to say I was not impressed. It was just dirt and absolutely nothing else! We stopped at a truck stop to stretch and have lunch, so that was our big Easter meal! Of course Taylor had to climb something, and the girls were just thrilled to be out of the motor home.

April 13th- First day at Disney!

My dad got the job of escorting the girls and I for the morning and as soon as we got there we headed to Fantasyland. The lines there were not bad since I think everyone hits the big coasters first. We did Peter Pan first, then hit all the other rides in about an hour. Berkley did not love the lines but she did like the rides. Braelyn's favorite was Dumbo. We went to Pirates of the Caribbean, and Braelyn did not like being in the dark, or the scary skeleton pirates. In the middle of the ride she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Get me outta here!" Papa put her on his lap, and once she started looking for the doggie and the funny pirates she was okay. Berkley was wiggling all over the place but when we went down the first big waterfall, she went all limp and quiet. I thought we had given the poor thing a heart attack. We had lunch and the park kept getting more crowded. We found out later that 3 school districts in southern California were all on spring break too. It started getting hot and the girls were grumpy, so we got on the train to relax. We laughed as we passed all the parents that looked exhausted and the kids that had reached their limits. It definitely did not look like the 'Happiest Place on Earth'! My mom bought each of the girls a frozen strawberry lemonade and it totally saved the day and got them through the afternoon slump. We met back up with the boys and took turns doing Splash Mountain, and Braelyn got to meet Pooh Bear and Tigger. She is the perfect age for this because she truly believes they are real and is just awe struck. She had a little book for autographs and she quickly caught onto the drill of getting the signature then turning and posing for the picture. We did pirates again and Berkley fell right asleep on Munga's lap. While she let her nap we took Braelyn to Buzz Lightyear, and she wanted to sit with Taylor. The two of them spent the entire ride giggling while they shot us with the laser guns. They keep score of how many targets you hit and I was beating my dad by like 50,000 points, then about 30 seconds before the ride over he figured out the point of the game and got triple my score. We tried to find a spot for the parade and it was like a wrestling match, people would just push in front of you, and we had to keep pulling people from in front of Braelyn, and then the "parade" turned out to be just a bunch of cheesy dancers in sequins clapping their hands. It was so not worth it and we didn't even see Mickey. We had dinner then ended the night with a few more rides and another turn at the carousel. Tay jumped on his horse and was acting all crazy, and this little Asian girl saw him and threw a fit until her dad moved her to the horse next to his. I have no idea what she was thinking. We were worn out and headed back to the motor home for some rest.