Family Vacation (part one) Grandpa and Nana's House

About a month ago, we had the chance to go on an amazing family vacation. We got to spend 8 days in sunny California. Not only did we get to spend some time at Disneyland but we also got to spend some time at Grandpa and Nana Hudson's house. We don't very often get to visit their house because it's so expensive to fly there. My sister and brother in law we so nice letting us have a few buddy passes so that we could fly.

The girls knew we were going to Disneyland/California they just didn't know exactly what day. We left on a Wednesday night and Elley had school Thursday and Friday. She thought she was going for the rest of the week before her spring break started. We had been packing all day but I kept telling the girls I was just getting ready for when we did leave in a few days. I also told them we were going bowling at a place by the airport later that night.It was cute, they had no idea that we were actually flying out that night. When we pulled up to the airport Elley and Molly were saying things like, "bowling at the airport?" "I didn't know there was bowling at the airport!" I could tell they were really confused. Finally I told them we were leaving right then for California and still they were in a little shock and confusion. After we got inside and after a few minutes, it sunk in and they were so excited!!!

I was excited about taking our girls on the airplane and what they would think of it. A very dear friend of mine made the girls goody bags for on the airplane. These goody bags were a lifesaver!!! They had all sorts of treats in them which I kept shoving down Addison's throat. I knew she might get a little restless but she was a monster. I forgot just how little space you have when flying. Luckily, we sat by some very understanding people and the flight attendants were very accommodating. The picture below just about sums up the entire 2 flights it took to get there. I do love that girl and all her craziness!! 

Also, Elley was mildly sick a few days before we left. Low grade fever and stuffy nose. Well, during our travels it turned for the worst, turning into a full fledged ear infection. She fell asleep in my lap during the second flight but woke up screaming as we were descending and landed. I felt so bad for her, there was nothing I could do. She already had had all the ibuprofen she could take. Grandpa met us at the airport with some Tylenol and saved the day! We ended up taking her to the walk-in doctor the next day and sure enough, a big fat ear infection!

Another funny story, my dad doesn't have a car big enough to fit all of us so he borrowed a Highlander that has the option of the 3rd row. Once you get that 3rd row up though, theres really now room for luggage. And we had a lot of luggage. 2 car seats, 2 suitcases, 1 duffel bag, and 1 double stroller. It was amazing we fit everything in. The 2 girls in the back ended up sitting cross legged with suitcases under them and the stroller was across our laps.

We made it safely to Grandpa and Nana's and the next 4 days were filled with cookies, delicious food, golf cart rides, and lots of swimming.

The girls really have the best Grandparents on both sides of our families! Making cookies with Grandpa is one of our most favorite things to do. He is famous for peanut butter cookies. I'm so glad my girls that the experience to spend some time with him at his house.

Late nights and early mornings really started to catch up with these girls. All 3 of them fell asleep in the car after we made a trip to the outlet malls and we were on our way to lunch. Funny story about these cute little sweaters they are wearing. We packed for SUNNY California. That morning as we left, I asked Adam if I should grab coats for everyone. He didn't seem to think we needed them and I thought it would warm to too, I mean come on....we were in southern California. Wrong, it was cold and we were in shorts, T-shirts, and sandals. We got all sorts of looks from fellow shoppers dressed in long pants and parkas. We quickly found a Crater's and at least got them sweaters. 

Grandpa's golf cart was a huge hit. The girls loved to take ride to the desert and loved it even more when we let them drive. And by drive, I mean sit on our laps and steer. Fun memories on that golf cart!!!

Also, endless hours in Grandpa and Nana's pool. It's nice because even when it was a little cold outside and the wind was blowing, their pool is inside. And no, Addison isn't nude and yes, she is a girl....we just couldn't find her swim suit top. Lucky for her...and us, she's still little.

And here's a cute little picture of my family after church. We sure enjoyed getting to know some of the ward members.

This last picture of Addison is of her cute little messy face. She played and played and played. She loved being outside, no shoes, and lots of new places to explore.

We sure had fun at Grandpa and Nana's house! We can't wait until we can go back and visit!!! We love them and miss them soooooo much!

Big Butts and Familes

I have a few stories I need to document before I move on to the daunting task of blogging about Disneyland. Disneyland might be 3-4 blog posts long. It'll be worth it though, to get all our pictures put together and our memories documented.

First, my girls have said a few funny things this last week that made me giggle. They are getting so big and are saying the funniest things. It s fun to see their personality emerge as they get older and experience new things.

While eating dinner last week, Molly was standing up on the chair sticking her butt up on the back of the chair.

Molly: "Elley, look at my butt. It's sitting on top of the chair and it looks so big."

Elley: "That's funny Molly." (giggle, giggle)

Molly: "Elley, what if mom had a big butt?"

Elley: "She does Molly!"


This morning in the car driving Elley to school we drove past a pasture of cows. The girls were talking to each other about the cows and who was the mommy, the daddy, the sisters, and the brothers. I asked them how they knew they were families. They told me it was because there was one mommy cow, one daddy cow, one sister cow, and one brother cow.

I responded by saying that we didn't have any brothers in our family, and asked if we were still a family.

Molly: "Mom, we do have a brother, he is in Heaven."

Me: "Oh really, what's his name?"

Molly: "The Lord."

Me: "You're right Molly, he is our older brother."

Molly: "And He did something for us, He died for us."