California Vacation 2016 | Part II Disneyland

We went back and forth a few times on whether or not we would go to Disneyland and ended up deciding to go because it is really, really, REALLY hard to say no to Disneyland! Plus, my sister and her family were going too!

I loved being going with my sister and her family! They are seasoned Disneyland-goers so they knew how to navigate all the fast-passes, rider switch passes, etc. Plus, the park is hardly busy after labor day so the lines weren't long at all!

The kiddos LOVED the teacups and It's A Small World is always a hit, too!

The mother's room is pretty comfortable and very convenient, but I was even able to feed Barrett in a lonely corner of the Tiki Room. Nothing like being serenaded by birds while you feed your baby!

The kids had such a great time and I loved watching Chelsea run around holding hands with her sweet cousin.

One of my favorite parts was when my girls met my favorite princess of all time, Princess Aurora! These pictures make me tear up every time! I definitely need to get them printed off and in their room!

The kids behaved so well and having our double stroller there was definitely a life-saver!

Chelsea was tall-enough this trip to try out the Matterhorn, but if you ask her, she'll tell you she's not trying that one again until she's 99 years old! Haha! I'm so proud of her for trying it anyway! She came off with tears in her eyes, poor thing. I kind of had to laugh inside at that, but then my sister and I went on it together and I think her tears were totally justified! I don't remember the snow monster being so scary, but I haven't been on it since 2002.

It was such a wonderful day! I'm not sure it could have gone any better! Thank goodness for snacks and big strollers to hold everything, including sleepy babies!

I've got one more part of our vacation to share and I can hardly wait to show you! It was such a special day for me and Chelsea! One where the two of us got to go somewhere on our own to reconnect. I love my beautiful, brave, and energetic 4-year-old! Here's a sneak peek!

So come back tomorrow for the last part of our California Vacation 2016!

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California Vacation 2016 | Part I Beach

You guys... Our trip to California couldn't have been more perfect! It was exactly what our family needed to escape real-life for a little while and just enjoy each other and spend time with Grammy and Opa too, of course!

I think I could have spent every day at the beach with my little crew! The girls loved playing in the sand and Barrett was entranced by the ocean! It was so blue and warm and just perfect! The end of August or the beginning of September is the BEST time of year to visit Southern California because the weather and water are so perfect!

And I was finally able to get some photos of the suit I made for myself over the summer! It is my absolute favorite suit of all time because it fits just right, is such a lovely color, and I don't have to worry about anything showing by mistake! No fuss, no muss. I love it.

And I can't go without praising the girl's suits from Olivia and Ocean! An entire summer of use in salt water, lake water, and chlorine and they STILL retain their stretch, shape, and color. Amazing. They've just launched a line of boy's swimmers, too! Same quality fabric and vibrant color!

The first day we went, Andrew stayed home with Opa to work on a car while the ladies (Grammy, Aunt Kara, and I) took the kiddos. On another day, Andrew and I took the kiddies ourselves. Both times were wonderful. It is so easy to take the kids because the girls just play in the sand the whole time so we just have to worry about Barrett eating sand!

I loved watching Andrew build this little wall while Chelsea selected rocks to decorate it with. He is such a fun dad!

Once, Chelsea even went out with him to test the ocean! She trusts her daddy!

Oh how I miss the ocean! There's not a lot I love more than swimming out and floating with the waves! Every now and then I'll talk about my affinity for mermaids on here, and the feeling I get when I'm out there bobbing up and down with the waves is why.

Speaking of, I did a shoot a while back with two of my favorite people in the world, Amanda Conley and Lauren Gardner that I am SO excited about!

Click here for a BTS video of our day!

What do you think? I cannot WAIT to see the rest!

I'll post part two of our family vacation soon! Until then, keep it real!

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6 years – Happy Anniversary!

Six years. That's a 10-year-old vs. a 16-year-old, or a baby vs. a little kid. You can finish a college education in that amount of time. You can sleep-kick your wife who, in turn, elbows you in the face, then wake up in the morning with only the memory of fighting a bad guy in your dream and getting nailed in the head. You can whisper sweet nothings in Spanish, just because your wife wants you to. You can play chess with this loving wife and pwn her with your mental game SO MERCILESSLY that she decides to never ever play a mental game with you again, then throw a red vine at your head. You can comfort your wife at night when she says she misses her mother and tell her not to worry because one day, she will have a daughter who says the same thing.

You can create a family together in six years. You can take a birthing class with no idea what to expect, then end up playing on the iPad throughout the labor because your wife got the epidural. You can watch the nurses handling your firstborn baby with ease and then hold that precious little life in your hands, terrified that it will shatter if jiggled even the tiniest bit! You can look at that little girl with all the pride of a new parent.

You can have a second baby together, this time standing by your wife, tapping your toe in rhythm, counting, breathing, getting her ice, whatever it takes to help her have the birthing experience she really wants.

You can have a third baby together, and resist leaving for even 15 minutes to get some food. You can watch your daughters meet your newborn son for the first time and almost see Heaven.

You can take your 3-year-old to Disneyland even though you know she might not really remember it and get rained on until your shoes get soaked through, but thank goodness you brought an extra pair for the 3-year-old!

 I don't mean to interrupt all the feels I know you must be feeling right now, but does anyone know why there's a gun-shot hole in that jar of honey?

You can teach your children to appreciate nature and its beauty while enjoying it yourself.

You can buy a house and a mini van to accommodate your growing family. You can paint that house and assure your wife that it looks good when she tells you she's afraid that you've made a huge mistake. You can watch an episode of Seinfeld or "Stranger Things" and then go to bed with the knowledge that someone loves you and tells you with a kiss before you fall asleep every night.

.   .   .

These past 6 years have been the best of my life. When we were engaged, we always talked about working together and being a team. That is how I've always perceived you. As my teammate, my partner, my very best friend. I love making plans with you. I love knowing that there is, and always will be a future with you. I love knowing that great and wonderful things are coming and dreaming about what they might be. I love being married to you!

Happy anniversary, Andrew! I'm so glad we picked each other for our team!

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Father's Day (finally!)

Unfortunately, Andrew was out of town on father's day this year. :( And I'm a stinky wife and didn't end up doing that special music video I was going to do for him. :(  :(

^^favorite recent pic of andrew, even if he is a little blurry! oh, how i love that smile!^^

I am so grateful to have this guy as my partner in life and parenthood. We ALWAYS even each other out! When I'm frustrated or upset, he's calm and collected. When he's frazzled and stressed, I've got it all under control. He's the provider and I take great pride in his accomplishments and abilities! He's a man of many talents, not the least of which being a GREAT listener. I know our children will especially appreciate that about him as they grow. I definitely appreciate it!

He teaches our children, leads them, is a great example, plays with them, and gives mama a break! He's my confident and my advisor, my teammate and coach, and I could not do as good a job without him.

We all have things about our husbands that drive us crazy but we secretly love (Andrew, don't read this part!) Here's a couple:

1 - Every time Andrew says "It will be fine," I know I'm in for a difficult time. It normally has to do with whether or not to bring a stroller, or another diaper, or another set of clothes.

2 - Whenever it's time for Andrew to get a hair cut, he always, ALWAYS asks for a buzz. I always say no.

Drives me crazy, but I love it! Guess I was conditioned as the youngest of 12 kids to love being teased!

Although I didn't end up doing that video,  I did make a video of the time I spent with my dad and some of my brothers that Sunday, who are among the best dads I know! Man, am I lucky to have them!

Thank you fathers!

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