Road Trip Part 2

Day 2 we started in Winslow, AZ and went through New Mexico, and into Texas as far as Amarillo.
We all agreed that New Mexico was quite beautiful! So many different colors and cool looking rocks!

Day 3 we headed out from Texas and were originally planning on stopping in Fort Smith Arkansas.  Everyone was so excited to get to AL and so we made it all the way to Little Rock.  We stopped at our first restaurant that night.  Julie and Camie were very excited for a Cracker Barrel.



All the kids had been buying Beanie Balls with their money from Grandpa and Grandma but Will could never find the one he wanted in the stores.  Cracker Barrel had it and it was on sale for only $2! He was so excited.

Day 4- We were finally going to make it to AL. I guess we were all so excited we didn't even take pictures.  We tried to get one of the AL sign. But you can see how well that worked. :)

We were able to get checked into our hotel, eat the last of the dinners I packed, and even check out several houses that night before crashing. A quick but still fun trip to AL, but now the real adventure was beginning.

Road trip

Friday July 20 was Russell's last day at work. We then finished packing both vehicles to start our road trip early the next day.

Emily spent a lot of time Friday trying to catch cuddles with Rascal. She will really miss him.

Our first day started at 4 am. The first highway we wanted to take closed after several miles so we had to pull over and figure out a new route. Heading up the hills east of LA a woman decided to cross the freeway between Russ and I.  That was freaky. After we went up the hills we had another slight detour and found ourselves on a roller coaster road. The kids were so funny hollering as we went up and down over and over again.
As we drove through the desert the kids had fun talking to each other on the walkie talkies. It was amazing how much the kids "missed " each other and needed to use the walkie talkies. I had Camrynn, Emily, and William on the first day. Russ rode with Julie and Logan.

We stopped for a picnic lunch in Kingman,AZ. It was hot but nice to have a break from the car. Driving through AZ was gorgeous.  We especially enjoyed all the neat clouds. Camie and Julie had quite the discussion on all the different types.

Camie actually gave quite a few science lessons all day long. It started with falling stars, then sunrise, clouds, and a few other things I don't remember.

Right before we got to Flagstaff we hit some major weather. We enjoyed all the cool lightning when we could see it from afar. It was not as much trying to drive in it when we could barely see. We made it though and went all the way to Winslow, AZ the first day. The kids did great and we were ready for the next day.

A big change

I have NEVER seen my husband in a suit.  He just got one for interviews and we were all excited to see what he looks like. So he modeled it for us today after work.

I think I like the new look! Better than camouflage!!  :)

Saying goodbye to friends :(

We were so grateful to get several chances to meet up with friends over the last two weeks.  I just wish I had remembered to capture more pictures!

 A quick hug after church.

 A last beach day with Garcia's and Guitierrez's

Picnic after church where all the children were enthralled with the baby girl!

 Park fun!!!

Hanging out with friends in our old neighborhood (yes I know this pic wasn't actually taken that day )

Last "on the water" with D-group

We were blessed with so mnay wonderful friends during out time in California.  We will miss you all very much!!

Dress Like a Cow Day

We enjoy the yearly dress like a cow and get free food at Chik Fil A. So we brought our cow shirts to nana's so we could participate even during our move.

Introducing Logan

My name is Logan.  I am 7. My favorite food is pomegranate seeds.  I like to play with my transformers.  

I will miss everything about California.  I am excited to get to see my toys again when we get to Alabama.

Fourth of July Part 2

For dinner we had yummy BBQ hot dogs etc. with our flag made of watermelon and jicama.  It was fun making all the patriotic dishes.

 We then had another epic game of Catan Knights and Cities. 

Then it was time for sparklers and watching fireworks outside.  A very full and fun day!

Fourth of July Part 1

For July 4th we were staying at my parents house and I decided it would be fun to do a bunch of holiday ideas from pinterest.

First we had to do some nails in fun colors.

Then we had to do some fun hairstyles.

We planned lots of fun foods.

 breakfast flags

 patriotic jello for snack

 "Firecracker" fruit skewers for part of lunch

While we made our skewers for lunch Dad gave us a lesson on proper flag etiquette

 We made some flag sugar cookies so we could use them to make firecracker cookie sandwhiches.

All the kids made paper lanterns that we hung up in the dining room.

 The kids made flags out of legos

 Time to put frosting on our cookies and roll them in pop rocks! Yum!

Logan had the best time with the pop rocks!!!