More Arizona and Trevor's Wedding

Well, after getting back from California, Travis had to drive back to Gallup to work on Sunday night. I had planned to go with him, buuuuut, my plans for going back to Gallup always seem to get delayed. :) Since Trevor's wedding was on Saturday, I figured it'd be easier to just stay in AZ for the week and save ourselves 8 more hours of driving. Especially after having just done 8 hours of driving from Cali. Turned out to be a really, really good decision. 

Basically, we just swam all week. Flippin' heaven. The only bummer was that we planned on going to Sunsplash on Tues., but it rained that day so we went to the Phoenix Children's Museum instead. My mom and Craig came with us, which was a huge help. I probably would have lost both boys otherwise.

Other activities included .... 
*getting Ned's Crazy Sub. Brian brought a onsie out for the baby and cookies for the boys. Such a nice guy!

*finally getting over to my old work and visiting with Diane (this needs to happen more often.)

*gorging on Tia Roses (come to me fiesta burritos!)

*spending the morning at Grandma Evans' house and swimming with cousins while the aunts made necklaces for the wedding

*going to lunch with Shell bell, Rusty and Lindi and finally trying Cafe Zuppas!

*swimming with Leah and her kidlets for an afternoon!

(Seriously, every afternoon except Tues., we spent a minimum of 3 hours in the pool. And go fig, I don't have a single picture to document it. Just memories of pure bliss.)

Actually, there was a second bummer. Because this little stay was unplanned, Travis drove our car to get back to Gallup and I was car-less. So I got to drive Sharon a lot. (My mom named her suburban after herself.) (I feel like I should explain, but I don't know what to say. :) 

On the way back from Cafe Zuppas, Weston cried out in a trembling voice, "Mom, why me sideways?!" Whoops. Guess I didn't pull the seatbelt all the way through to lock it. It was an adventure.

Friday night, Travis drove back to town for the grooms wedding that night. They served Costa Vida at the church building. Each table was asked to share some advice for the happy couple. Travis was our spokesman. He told Gretchen that you have to ask Trevor 3 questions after you wake him up. If he can answer all 3 coherently, he's awake. Also, slapping him helps. He's a realllllly deep sleeper apparently. And suffered with Travis slapping him across the face to wake him up growing up. Poor, youngest brother.

The next morning we got to be in the temple while Trevor and Gretchen were sealed. President Huber was the sealer. It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I have ever been to. The Spirit was so strong. I just had tears dripping down my face the entire time. I'm so happy for them.

After the ceremony we did our "we're in town shopping". We got a Costco membership, ate at Joe's BBQ for Marcus's birthday, and spent some moolah at JoAnne's, and Children's Place. We also got our first glimpse of the Gilbert Temple that's still being built.

That night, the reception was at the Wright House. It was a little trippy for us... this was the first wedding we've been to since our own, 7 years ago and the first time we've been back to the Wright House since our own reception. Brought back lots of memories!

The boys were wild hooligans all night, running around with their cousins. Thankfully, my mom took Weston home with her when she left and put him to bed.

Collin lasted until we left a little past 9pm. He was spent. :) 

They didn't have dinner type food at the reception so most people grabbed dinner before. We weren't quite so organized. So after we got Collin in bed, we headed out for a late night treat... Cheesecake Factory. Biggest upset of my year was when they stopped carrying the Caramel Chicken. Not to be blasphemous, but in the words of Joey, "Why, God, Why?!!" 

 The Chicken Madeira did ah-right.

The next morning, Collin really enjoyed sacrament meeting. (Side note, I don't know why it's irreverent to take pics in the chapel. Nonsense.)

Sunday night it was finally time to face the music. After a summer full of traveling and fun, it was back to Gallup.

Oceanside

This is only the second time we've been able to join my family for the whole week at Oceanside, so we were pretty dang excited! The boys had been talking about the beach for weeks. 

The drive was... eh.. OK, I guess. Being 9 months pregnant doesn't make for very comfortable periods of long sitting. The boys were demanding as usual. Snacks, toys, movies! It was always something. They finally fell asleep when we were 30 min. from the beach house. Of. Course.

We had Jefferson in the back seat, but he learned really quick how valuable a set of earphones and a nap can be!

We made one stop in Yuma to get some Kneaders for lunch. (Side note... Yuma has grown! It's pretty sad when you're lookin' around, realizing you'd rather live in Yuma than where you currently live. :/ ) Earlier, Weston had a meltdown because he lost his ball of play dough in his car seat. Walking into the restaurant... we found it.

OK, this post will be divided into the 4 Parts of Oceanside.... 

#1 The Food. 

#2 The beach. 

#3 Sea World. 

#4 Beach House Time

Shall we begin?!

#1 Da Food.

My first treat upon arriving.... nummy shaved ice from a stand down the street.

Holla for Johnny Mananas!

(Not for the wait time though... It could really use a swearing dose of Gordon Ramsey!)

Weston showing his big belly. Oh boy! Get that kid on a diet!

I think David trusts DQ's commercials a little too much. I'm not so riskay with my ice cream. Actually, I'm much more demanding. My Midnight Truffle was seriously lacking in Midnight-ness. I got that fixed, pronto. (Cuz Trav is too embarrassed to go back to the counter. I'm blaming this one on pregnancy needs.)

Our Monday night trip to Harbor Fish and Chips might have been the highlight of my entire life. For realzz. Giant fish taco, deep fried pineapple rings, clam chowder and sweet potato fries.... ahhh! It was divine like I can't explain. I think I "Mmmmed and ahhhed" through the whole thing. Trav kept giving me concerned looks. I was not ashamed for a second.

Love photo bombs. Love to do one someday. Until then, I'll just enjoy when it gets done to me!

Beach Break Cafe is within walking distance of the beach house. Saweet! Banana nut crunch French toast a comin' my way! 

My old BYU roommate, Tasia, just moved to San Diego. I hadn't seen her in 10 years! So we met up there for breakfast on Tuesday. So fun to meet her little boy, Quentin and catch up with her! We had some good times back in the day!

Later in the week, Travis became my hero when he waited in the hellish Johnny Manana's line again and brought back Carne Asada Fries. I could have bathed in that take out container. Can we tell I'm a pregnant girl that likes her food?!? But seriously, these fries would have been worth a heart attack, cuz I'm pretty sure that's what they cause. We shared a box. Biggest. mistake. ever.

Breakfast at Mary's! Even though we have no food in this picture... trust me, it was good. Especially Craig's cinnamon roll that was as big as his head... no joke, and Shelley's breakfast croissant. A good way to start our Sea World day.

And we always end on a good note on Saturday... at Phils! The Goodmans take the prize for the best photo bomb of the week in this picture! Hysterical. Love my fam. And amazing ribs.

#2 Beachy beach!

 On Sunday, we thought we could just stroll the beach and not get wet. What were we thinking??

Looove this picture! Pure bliss on that face.

This looks like the most chester pic of my mom! Ha! I'm assuming she's video taping beyond Collin's wet underwear contest. :)

On your mark, get set, GO! 

And they're off!

For about 3 seconds....

... until Collin makes a quick u-turn and ends up like this.

I think he saw a bird at first that distracted him.

A testament to his really great attention span.

Life is Gooood.

Love my seesters and Mom! 

Didn't so much love being the beached whale, laying out all week... but no bother. I'll do anything to lay out in the sun with a book. (This year, Memoirs of a Geisha captured my attention.) But really, is there anything better than soaking up the sun with your toes in the sand and a paper cup full of Skittles and M&M's in your cup holder?! Flippin' glorious.

Beach games...

Baseball...

Kan Jam...

Boogie boarding...

Soccer....

(Even Collin got to play. Nice Uncles.)

Grandma Cat is so good about playing with the grandkids. She'll get wet, sandy and even make race tracks on the beach for their cars!

And on just one occasion, I got down and dirty too.

The name of this game is, stand on a boogie board on the sand and wait for a wave to come and wash under you.... then pretend like you're surfing! Usually it just meant they got their feet taken out from under them and a quick splash in the ocean!

Dad rented paddle boards this year! We like to pretend we're celebrities.

Oh, this boy is so cute!!

Looks like he's rockin' the European style here.

Is that hair or a sea creature?!

#3

Sea World!

They changed up the entrance this year!! So our opening family picture doesn't look quite like it usually does. :(

We saw some sharks...

... went to all the shows,

(Love me some Seymore and Clyde.... or just the opening number by the funny guy dancing to all the songs.)

... enjoyed cotton candy and churros...

and rode some rides!

(and some people cried cuz they were too pregnant for the good roller coaster.)

Cream cheese stuffed pretzels, turkey legs and frozen lemonades made up for it though! Oh, the goodness!

And it wouldn't be complete without Shipwreck Cafe. Collin's whale cupcake was sure exciting.

Collin was barely tall enough (or not quite tall enough) to go on the Shipwreck Rapids ride. I think he felt like pretty cool stuff going with all the big boys.

We always end with the 9pm show, Shamu Rocks. Only this time he didn't rock at all. He actually stank. They brought on some cheesy DJ and played terrible songs. No jumbo tron workin' it this year. :( 

This was also about the time that both boys zonked out. Collin is half way there in this picture. I wanted to join them.. oh so badly. Did I mention that Trav had pestered me for WEEKS prior to this to let him push me around in a wheelchair all day?! As if. I don't think anything could have been more unnecessary or embarrassing. Well, by this point, I would have gladly hopped on board. We splitzkied after the show, but before the fireworks, to beat the crowds. Pushing that stroller to Timbuktu, aka, where we got to park our car in that monstrosity of a parking lot was nigh unto the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. My whole body just ached. And I was fairly grumpy. I think Sea World should probably close to large, pregnant ladies by 7pm.

#4

Beach house time

(And church... cuz I don't know where else to put this picture!:)

Most nights we played games. Including the ever popular, if not stress inducing for the mother, game of Mafia!

We also have Austin to thank for teaching us a new, fun one called Ripple. (Not nipple. Don't say nipple! Especially if you're the mother!)

Favorite picture.of.the.whole.trip.

Shelley cracks me up.

Not favorite part... awesome cankles. 

I could literally feel sloshiness on the tops of my feet as I walked. 

Travis pressed on them, and they stayed. Like playdough.

To which he responded, "Gross" and laughed. 

No way, Jose! You don't get to do this to me, then say gross and laugh! :) 

(It was pretty gross though.)

So were my swollen, botox lips that I woke up with most mornings. Go figure! I'm guessing it was a mixture of sunburn and general bloated-ness. Man, I'm sexy.

Pee Wee's Big Adventure and Problem Child were a few favorites to grace the flat screen.

Mom even got her most favoritest wish... we all coordinated for a family picture on the beach. And it wasn't awkward at all waiting eons for a lone straggler to finally walk past us and ask if they wouldn't mind being our photographer. ;) 

It was worth it. 

I'm pretty crazy about these people.

(And carne asada fries.)

Thank you for the best vacation, Mom and Dad!