Quick Trip to Solvang

 

This past weekend we made a quick trip up to Solvang because I got to work up there.  I love traveling up to the central coast area and will jump at any chance to train an office up there.  Of course Chris and the kids got to come along too and we made a little trip out of it.  We drove up Thursday night and stayed in a hotel.  The next morning we had a yummy breakfast and I headed off to work in Lompoc.  It was a beautiful drive of rolling hills, ranches and vineyards.  I love it up there!  There’s nothing like that ocean breeze air, ah!  After I got done with work we packed up and went into Solvang.  We had fun walking around and seeing the little village.  The kids hadn’t been there since they were very little so they enjoyed it very much.  They were excited to learn a little bit about their Danish heritage.

We enjoyed some delicious Aebleskivers (The kids and Chris agreed, not as good as mommy’s though!)  And I picked up a new cast iron Aebleskiver pan so I can make them twice as fast on Christmas morning.

We stopped at a candy store and let the kid pick out their own.  They had every kind of salt water taffy imaginable, Chris was in heaven.

After walking around the village we took the kids to an adorable park we’d been to several times before.  Its called Sunny Fields park and is simply amazing.  It is all made of wood and has the most amazing playground.  The kids loved the tire swing, daddy gave them some crazy rides.  Apparently none of them are prone to dizziness like their mama, I got dizzy just watching them.

You can see here what a cute park this is.  It has a puppet theater tons of bridges and towers that look like castles, and a gingerbread house.  I just love it.

Check out this cool swing Libby enjoyed relaxing in.

The kids enjoyed seeing several businesses bearing our name.  And Look!  It’s spelled correctly!

Oh What do you do in the Summertime?

This Summer has been a little bit of a bummer Summer for the kids.  I’ve been working more frequently and so the kids haven’t been able to do as much and have been pretty bored.  They’ve had lots of babysitters and spent some time with both their grandma’s while I’ve been at work.  Maddie’s also been very busy with her upcoming play with practices practically daily we’ve been a little tied down. I keep telling them its only temporary and things will settle down soon.  We had some fun playing in the sprinklers a couple of times, when the weather finally warmed up enough.  We’ve had a lot of June gloom lately.

The kids still have some fun things to look forward to before we go back to school on August 8.  We have cousins coming to visit and a big trip to Park City, Utah planned for a week.  So Summer’s only going to get better

Viva Las Vegas

We started our Summer off with a bang and headed to Las Vegas for my Dentrix Trainers conference.  This is the third year it has been held there at the Red Rock Resort.  The first year I went alone, which was very relaxing but I started missing my kids after a few days.  Last year Libby was still nursing so we brought the kids and Chris watched them while I was in my classes and I juggled nursing while attending my conference.  This year we ended up bringing the kids again.  They had a great time but I always feel bad when I’m in my conference all day.  Chris tried to do some fun things with them.  We pretty much stayed at the resort the whole time and never made it to the strip which was okay by me since I’m not really a fan (especially with kids in tow).  I met the kids and Chris at the pool a couple of times during my lunch break. 

We got Libby a special life jacket suit and she didn’t like it (although she is smiling in the picture!)  It kept riding up and covering her mouth.  I think she looks like a turtle!

 

One of the best parts of the Red Rock are the fabulous luxurious rooms.  The kids especially love the huge soaking tub with the flat screen TV.   I also enjoyed it after I got the kids in bed and had a relaxing bath while watching the bachelorette.

One night while we were there we used our Dining credit (that came with the room) at a very fancy restaurant called TBones chophouse.  It was not the type of place to bring four little ones so Chris told me to take Maddie.  We had a lovely time and even brought home our leftovers to daddy.  The steak was delicious!

Overall we had a great time.  I thoroughly enjoyed my conference and loved reconnecting with all the other Dentrix trainers from all over the country.  At our banquet I was honored and received my 10 year plaque (I can’t believe its been that long).  I wished I could have spent a little more time with Chris and the kids, I was pretty busy but all in all it was a great time and I’m looking forward to next year where it will be held in Utah and we’ll be able to make more of a vacation out of it.

He did it!

Last Saturday Chris graduated from the University of La Verne with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.  We are so proud of him and all his hard work!  It’s not easy going to school while having a very busy career and not to mention a wife and 4 kids at home!  Chris went back to school about 4 years ago with full force and never gave up.  The main reason Chris wanted to finish his Bachelors degree was for our kids.  He wanted to set an example for them to get their education (and hopefully they’ll get it done when they are single and don’t have kids at home, since its much easier that way!) 

We had a wonderful day celebrating his achievements.  It was awesome to have all our family (that live locally) there at the graduation.  He had a big cheering section.  Chris received a special honor because he graduated Cum Laude and received honors from his department.  They made a special introduction those who received honors and a special cord was placed over his shoulders.

Thank you so much to all our family who came and supported Chris on this special occasion!  Here are some pictures of the family.  (We didn’t get pictures with Wes and Kristy and Chris and Amanda)

(Thanks Chris and Amanda for being the photographers!)

After the ceremony we went home and had a fun barbecue with the whole fam.  Chris thought it would be easier to just go to a restaurant but I wouldn’t have it! I wanted him to celebrate BIG on his special day. 

 

(Adorable cupcakes courtesy of my Mom)

Bacon wrapped hot dogs with ALL kinds of fixings, Hamburgers, potato salad, and much more were served.  The house was decked out in ULV’s orange and green. 

Again thanks to all the family who helped us get the party on and supported Chris on his special day!  

I love you honey and I’m soooooo glad you are done!  (for now….he’s already thinking about grad school!)