Dream Vacation

Ahhh, I kind of dreaded doing this post, because it will totally make me pine for the past!! 

I was counting down the days until I got to board this little beaut.

(Btw, this is at Sky Harbor... not the po dunk Farmington air strip)

Then I did and had an immediate panic attack! 

I have been on a smaller plane, but not for traveling purposes! I swear this picture makes it seem nicer or better than it was, but I felt like I had boarded a 20 year old taxi that somehow lifted into the sky. The pilot stood outside as we walked on and I couldn't help but dart glances from behind my sunglasses, evaluating his age. 23, 24?? 

A pup. 

Definitely younger than me! There was no over head compartment, no extra light switch or button for the stewardess. The captain was the stewardess. I don't even think there was a bathroom, but how could that be?!

Before take off, the pup explained the emergency exits and acted like it was way too likely that those sitting next to them would need to be adept at removing them. 

As we took off it was a solid 15 min. of bumpy, stomach lurching drops as the plane ached to get above the clouds. I literally looked to the heavens, closed my eyes and did a series of Lamaze breathing exercises. 

I pictured us crashing. The plane nose diving and all of us screaming for our lives and clutching each other until impact. 

Then I remembered all that {positive thinking leading to positive outcomes} stuff and wondered if the opposite had the same effect. 

Quickly, I countered with peaceful visions of us happily soaring, undeterred to our destination. I kept that up until I decided it would be best to just distract myself altogether. Enter giant sucker and novel. 

I slurped on that thing like it was my last meal and almost one hour later we were descending to Show Low. 

Perrrrrfect. I get to do an extra take off and landing on the death taxi.

By the time we got to Phoenix, I was certain I would do everything necessary to prove to Heavenly Father that my extended life was worth granting.

After managing to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4 via lots of walking and one lengthy bus ride at Sky Harbor (that place has GOT to have it's own zipcode), I was so relieved to board a normal Southwest airplane. 

No bumps, no "fishtailing". A pilot that had gray hair. Well, of that, I'm not really sure because they actually separate the pilot and crew on normal flights! Imagine that!

A drink service. 

Now, THIS was the flight I was looking forward to.

I walked out of the San Diego airport, felt the cool, coastal breeze and felt all my troubles float away! Sounds like a country song, huh? It felt like one!

My dad came to pick me up and I was excited to have an hour to talk to him all to myself! Then I remembered what it was like to drive with my dad... not completely unlike the death taxi I had just escaped from. And in San Diego traffic... I kind of wished I had another giant sucker to calm me. 

We grabbed a ridiculous amount of burgers and burritos from Angelos (waiting a mere 50 min. for it to be made and subsequently, nearly shutting down production for everyone else) and 10 min. later I was walking into the beach house!!!!!! Oh! Can I go back in time?! I cannot even tell you how excited I was to be there!

Just the feel of the air, the ocean smell... it is paradise for sure. Oh ya, and I was pretty stoked to see mi madre and siblings. :)

We ate and talked and probably watched some Olympics. 

Then Marcie and I, who were roomies for the week, talked and laughed in bed waaay too late. Even Jefferson had to poke his head in to tell us to pipe down.

The next morning was Sea WoRLd DaY!!!!

We tanked up on Mary's for breakfast, then drove to San Diego.

Bacon makes my mom smile...

and this picture gives me the giggles.

Yay! I get to be a part of the token {Sea World} "before" pic!

(We have Marcie wear that color so she doesn't get lost.) :)

First up... Journey to Atlantis!

Will we make it?!

Maybe not after all the screaming.

I'm pretty sure this picture captures the only moment when my mom's mouth wasn't open in {terror}.

The cheesy shows are my favorite. Wait... maybe it's the churros, frozen lemonades, Dippin Dots, and popcorn. Toss up.

Waiting in the loooong ride for Shipwreck Rapids.

Totally my favorite!!!

You might get soaked, but you're laughing hysterically trying to dodge the waterfalls and sprays from innocent onlookers (cough, Casey!).

It's completely and totally worth being nasty wet afterwards....

.... although some may disagree. :)

OK, this HAS to be documented. By the time we grabbed dinner, I stood in line and looked at the French fries that normally go with the sandwich I like, and grimaced. The vegetables just looked SO much better. I felt like I was craving them! I wondered when this day would come. Kind of an out of body experience. And now, I'm officially old.

Sometime after dinner, we were standing around waiting, when we decided to go {Ellen} on Sea World. Marcie made the first move... dancing behind a guy walking toward the gift shop. We just died laughing.

Now it was my turn. 

In hindsight, I could have gotten WAY closer to him... but I was so nervous!! As I walked away, Marcie said a bunch of people in the area had watched and were laughing. Well that just encouraged us. Jefferson was next and he did best of all. I need to get that video on here! 

My mom caught the fever, but I think she decided it would be inappropriate to go behind a stranger.. so she kept trying to do it to my dad. Totally cheating! :) I think we could have done this all night. Why is this so fun?!!

FuNnEL CaKeS!!!

Divine. Also a fav tradition.

Then Marcie and I noticed that the guy at the next table, was none other than my dance "partner" from before!

Gotta end the night with Shamu Rocks and a fireworks show.

Before the show, they play some rad music and spotlight those willing to shake their groove thangs.

Oh, were we willing!

The best was when Jefferson, next to me, turned to us sitting down and was like, "Well, lets do this thing then!!" and hopped up, dancing us all to shame! I think he had one too many squirts of the ol'  MiO caffeine. I have never seen him so hyper. 

And yes, we made it on the big screen! Woot, woot!

The next morning it was time for a little shoppin' with my mom and sisters!! 

I can't tell you how much I was looking forward to this. 

Well, I think the bags in my hands in the next two pictures speak for themselves. 

Shelley finally left us, she was tired of being gone so long. 

And how 'bout those cute new purses, courtesy of Mom! OK, and technically Dad. :)

If you have been to Oceanside, but not Johnny Mananas, you are missing out!!!

Just call your order in, or you might be waiting 45 min. in line. 

I kind of can't look at their kitchen, but the food is muy delicioso! 

And now for the moment we've all been waiting for....

laying on the beach without kids!!!

I read. 

I tanned.

 I boogie boarded. 

(Yes, the only sister that will get in the water.)

And ya gotta take pictures!

Even when your sister looks like Marcie, and you'd rather stand next to this guy....

(Bet you're wondering why I even HAVE a picture of this guy. Well, some people thought it was funny that he looked naked. Ya, we're pretty mature.)

The posh {oh they caught us in a candid, laughing moment} pose. 

We crack ourselves up.

Shelley would like new sisters.

Not to forget the Mama!

Right after I found out I was going on this trip, I was talking to Marcie on the phone and she exclaimed, "OH! And you HAVE to buy a wide brimmed hat! Shelley and I are and we'll all have them on the beach and take a picture!"

Guess who was the only one that bought a wide brimmed hat? : /

Eating pizza at sunset.

It was also my parent's 30 year anniversary this day!! Wowza. Go Mom and Dad! Way to stay married for 3 whole decades. When I asked them what advice they had or anything they'd do differently, my dad jokingly (or not so jokingly) said, "Only have 5 kids!"

We were too late to cover Jefferson and Craig's ears. 

Is that not gorgeous?! I'm already ancy for next year.

That night we pulled out a couple family favorites to watch... Harry and the Hendersons and That Thing You Do. Also on the list were Problem Child, Honey We Shrunk the Kids, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure... among others. Dad was appalled to hear us reminisce about Weekend At Bernies. How did we ever get away with watching that one?! Our youthful innocence shielded us.

The next morning we basically packed up, stopped in at Surf N Ride and the T-shirt Mart and then of course to PHIL'S!!!

Best BBQ ever.

I wasn't going to add this pic until I saw how Shelley photo bombed it. Love it.

The ride home was 6 or 7 hours, but it flew by! Why? No children to annoy me! Well, there was the issue of Craig and Griffin. It would have been fun to conk their heads together. They probably would have just laughed. 

But seriously, it was so nice to just sit and visit. Jefferson's friend, Ryker was pretty tolerant of me asking my parents a thousand questions. I might be a tad inquisitive.

And the fun wasn't over yet! 

I had the entire next day to go to church and actually listen.

And Marcie Moo did my hair, and I LOVE IT! Yay for being dark again!

I was excited to see Travis and the boys, but pretty sad to have my dream vacation be over.

When I got to Sky Harbor, this was the desk that greeted me... while all the other airlines were humming along. 

It really is the weirdest feeling to be individually accommodated through security and with your bags. 5 people all seeing to my needs. 

I survived the puddle jumper back to Farmington and couldn't help but smile when my three boys pulled up. I missed them. As fun as it was to be by myself, I often thought of how much fun Collin and Weston would have been having with their cousins or at Sea World. And life is always better when I'm with Trav. 

Thanks, family, for the best time ever!

347 days til I do it again!!