The Chavez Family: Vacation

California is where dreams come true

We took our annual family trip last week and it was so much fun. We flew into California Friday afternoon and stayed for 5 days. It was so nice to have my mom go along with us, she was such a big help and we loved having her. It was nice because Jared and I both had off work so we didn't hardly use any vacation time and still got an awesome trip in.

Day 1:

We flew into the airport and picked up our rental car and headed straight over to my cousin Jack's house to be with him and his family. It was nice because they live like 5 minutes from the airport and we were starved. We got to his house and my mom, Jared and Jack went around the corner and got some yummy Mexican style carne asada tacos and we devoured them. I miss real Mexican food! After visiting for a while we went to the Santa Monica Pier to walk around, had some ice cream and took some pictures. After that we were so pooped from traveling and hanging out we went to our hotel so that we could get some rest because we had lots of plans in mind for the next few days.

Day 2:

We headed to Hunington Beach after breakfast to lay out, play in the waves, and do some shopping and lunch. We had a wonderful time. It was so beautiful and I loved the smell of the ocean as we were walking up on it. I remember looking at everyone that lived there and checking out their ways, how they dressed, and what people did for a living in California. Everyone was so nice and friendly. I loved looking at my children's face as they stared at everyone in awe. Kade kept reminding me that everyone was half naked and I reminded him that we were at the beach and those were called swimsuits. LOL! He loved the ocean and I remember at one point getting chocked up because I thought "This is my baby girl's first time at the beach" and seeing her get to stick her feet in the sand and feel the ocean for the first time was absolutely priceless. She loved every minute of it. She didn't even flinch when we put her in the cold water. She is such a trooper and had such a good time. She would scream and giggle everytime a wave came and I couldn't believe how happy she was. She is going to be such a little daredevil just like her dad, scares the crap outta me. Kade is definitely more cautious like his mama.

After the beach and lunch we were all pooped so we went back to the hotel to take naps and get ready. Later on my Cousin Cindy, her husband Jerry and their 2 kids came to our hotel and we visited for a while and then we headed to an outdoor mall to shop and have dinner. The weather was incredible and everyone was so happy, it was perfect. Her daughter Dioney that is 8 ended up staying the night so she could go to Disneyland with us the next day and Kade was ecstatic. I can't believe how good Kade gets along with older kids, it just amazes me at how smart my little guy is; they had a blast together and I loved hearing Kade ask Dioney what her name was like 1200 times. So hilarious. He kept calling her Donay. LOL!!!

My Cousin Cindy and I after dinner

Day 3:

DISNEYLAND

Not gonna lie, I almost started to cry when we walked in. My thoughts were this: "My mom and dad had always taken me to Disneyland my whole life and now here I was with my mom taking MY two kids" It was an incredible feeling that no one will ever know I felt. Plus Jared had only been there once and didn't hardly remember it so that was also exciting. We had such an amazing time. Kade screamed when he saw Mickey and hugged Minnie mouse so much we had to pull him off. He was so happy. He loved the Buzz Light Mear ride (that is what he calls it), Toon Town, Pirates of the Caribbean, Churros, everything. Not one dull moment. A day to never be forgotten. Best part was that hardly anyone was there, deadest I have ever seen it. We waited no longer than 30 minutes per ride. We got almost everything we wanted to get in. We went home around 6:30 and got kids ready for bed, freshened up and my mom stayed with the kids so Jared and I could go back all by ourselves. It was the best date we have ever been on. I loved being there with just Jared. He didn't know I was a fan of scary rides and I sure showed him. We laughed so hard on Space Mountain and got soaked on Splash Mountain. We had the best time and by the end of the night, I could hardly even keep my eyes open. What a day!!!

Day 4:

We had intentions on doing Disney again the whole next day, but since we got so much in the day before we decided to hit up an outlet mall that was 30 minutes away and do Disney that night for the fireworks. We had a good time shopping, Jack and his family met up with us again to shop, then we headed to a little Mexican restaurant that was recommended by a local there in California and when we got there my mom realized that it was 2 blocks from where she grew up. It amazed all of us that out of all of California it was right by my moms old house where countless memories were made for her as a small child. I got a lot of history on my mom and loved finally putting a place to a story that I have always heard my whole life. It was so insane. I know we were meant to go there and I am so incredibly bummed and pissed at myself for not getting a picture of it. I have to go back to snap a photo of where she lived and where her school was. I love hearing about people's lives and how they came to where they are now. I understand now much more why my mom is so kick ass and laid back and I love her so much more now then I did. I appreciate her for her struggles, her heritage and what she has brought to me. I love her in countless ways.

After all that shenanigans we went back to the hotel to give the kids naps and don't let me fool you, I needed a darn nap myself. After freshening up we headed to Disneyland to find millions of people. We barely made it in time to find a spot to watch the fireworks and shortly after that we got a few rides in, some shopping and another CHURRO! Churros are special to me because they were a favorite of mine growing up in Mexico and always getting one in Disneyland. They remind me of so much from my childhood. We got home at Midnight and not 5 hours later we were getting up to head back to LAX for our flight. Thank God we made it home safely and everything worked out so perfect. All in all I wished I would have snapped more photos, but we had too much fun for me to constantly be worrying about my camera the whole time. We have countless memories in our minds and in our hearts.

Looking forward to our Family Vacation in 2012

May 18th-22nd
Wow, I have managed to not blog for a month, where does the time go. I guess it's time to recap the last month or so then.

We recently went to Vegas to celebrate my mom's birthday and it was a bonus because my brother lives there and my mom's sister Monica happened to be there from Mexico so it was a very mini family reunion. I haven't seen my brother since my dad's funeral and that is way too long (almost 2 years ago). I hate how life gets too busy to make the time to visit the one's you love the most. I vow to not let as much time go by that I see my Bro. We had a good time. Jared wasn't able to get the time off work so we packed up and went without him. The trip was fun, but tiring. It was interesting doing for the kids all alone on the trip, but I think I managed just fine. I had some help from time to time. Jared's younger sis Cam met me there from Utah to hang and help out with the kids and it was much appreciated. My mom was a great help on the way up there and back. (Yes we drove 8 hours with the kids).

We ate, shopped, went to the M&M factory, saw the lions at MGM, went to see the Lion King show, Swam, ate, visited and did a little shopping. We stayed at the Planet Hollywood and it was neat because there were a lot of celebrities in town for the Billboard Music Awards that were happening of course on the day we left. I saw that stupid girl from the Bachelor, Vienna (at first I couldn't think of her name and I kept saying "there's that sausage girl) at the shops in Planet Hollywood with her new love interest Casey that was on the bachelorette the following season and I also ran into Jerry Seinfield and Larry Miller (the bald dude off of Pretty Woman) at the forum shops in Cesar's Palace. It was a good time and I am very happy we went. Kade loved Las Begas!! ;)

My Girlfriend Elisha happened to be there from Phoenix the exact same weekend, we caught up together for lunch at Cesar's Palace. Love her so much, she is the biggest sweetheart.

This is the kid that played Simba in the Lion King Play, Kade was so amazed at him, he couldn't stop staring. So funny!

My Handsome brother, we love uncle Lane!!