Unfailing Love: Our Big Trip- Day 1!

Vincent Gerard

This is my hubby. Also known as Vinny, Dowey, Dowebally, and (as of last night) Pickle Juice. (You may learn that I have an affinity for nicknames, comes from my daddy!) Unbelievably, the hubs and I have been married for 9 years! I can't believe it! Seems like just yesterday I was a freshman in college and my friend introduced me to this hunky senior with a hot red car! Vince is working hard to support our family and traveling here and there. Vince is a WONDERFUL father and his girls (all of us) are the most important things to him!

Barclay Kathryn

What to say? I'm Barclay, usually known as Barclay (not much you can do with Barclay). I was an elementary teacher for fours years until I had Bella. Now I am doing the job I have wanted to do ALL of my life, being a mom. I love these two girls more than I can possibly express and it is my joy and privilege to be able to spend each day with them. I recently entered the blog frontier, and although my blog followers will probably be able to be counted on one hand, I thought it would be exciting to be a part of something so neat. I love that there are many other moms out there facing the same joys, hardships, questions, surprises, and challenges that I am. I also hope to be a sort of medium to spread awareness for others that need prayers, help, or just someone to walk through life with!

Isabella Kathryn

Usually referred to as Bella. As well as Bells, Bellie, Belly Boo, Bellsie Bubs, Bubs, Bubba, Bells and Whistles.... Bella is our first born daughter. She is 6. Bella enjoys school, reading, riding her training-wheel free bike, she could color and write for hours, she loves singing to the Momma Mia soundtrack, anything princess or pink, having bows in her hair, playing dress up, and her little sisters! God blessed us with Bella a month early but she was perfectly healthy. In six years she has become such a bright, outgoing, sensitive, and fearless little girl. Bella really is the sweetest girl you will ever meet. She is eager to please. If she hurts or disappoints someone it literally crushes her to tears. This last year she asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and we could not be more proud!! Love this sweet, blonde, blue eyed beauty!

Bryanna Karina

Usually known as Brynn. As well as Brynnie, Miley, Miley Moo, Geegs, Geegers, Brynnie Boo, and many more. Ten days before Bella turned 2 years old we were blessed with another beautiful, healthy girl by planned c-section. This time I was able to see my baby right after birth, watch her get weighed, bathed, etc. I couldn't wait for Bella to meet her. Brynn is now 4 and keeps me laughing all day long. Brynn, since she was about 2 months old has been the smiliest baby I have ever met. All you need to do is look at her and she will flash you a world class smile. Brynn is smiley, more shy and reserved about things than her big sis, can be quite the clown when she feels safe or gets in a silly mood, amazingly brilliant, she's been speaking full sentences since she was 19 months and continues to amaze us with what comes out of her mouth. She loves doing whatever her big sister is doing, dressing up, looking at books, her blankie, being held, twirling in her dresses, singing, and dancing whenever she hears music! Brynn is my compassionate baby, she hates to see people hurting. We just love this sweet, shy, snuggly, smiling little girl!

Brooklyn Blythe

Also known as Brookie, Brookie Cookie, Cookie Lu, Lulu B just to name a few. Sweet, sweet Brooklyn is our family's latest addition! We welcomed Brookie into our family on August 23rd 2010 at 12:23pm by planned c-section. I was nervous she would be a bit high maintenance since she came out screaming bloody murder and continued to wail anytime anyone touched her- get her footprints, take her temperature, etc. Amazingly, she would instantly stop the moment the Hubs touched her or began talking to her. And since her birthday, we have barely heard a peep out of her..... And fast forward 18 months, she definitely makes plenty of peeps now! :) We are full blown in the the terrible twos (which IMO last from 18-36 months) I believe. To make matters worse she's also cutting her 4 molars. She definitely knows what she wants but can't quite articulate it, so gets frustrated. Eating is also a hit or miss these days which is very foreign to me. Mixed with the crabby days though is the funniest personality ever. She is a riot! She LOVES chasing after her big sisters or having them chase and imitate her. She also has this adorable chubby face and will peek out of the corner of her eyes and just melt your heart! She is definitely shy at first but if you can get through to her she will keep you in stitches with her antics. We love you little BB and couldn't ask for a sweeter addition to our family!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Our Big Trip- Day 1!

So last summer the hubs and I took our first vacation in 9 years. After that trip we decided it was something we must do every year but with the kids. We never go away- just travel for the holidays- so we really wanted to make sure we are getting away at least once a year just as a family.

If you've been with us for awhile you know, our two big girls are princess OBSESSED. Now my parents would not take us to Disneyworld until we were old enough to remember it, cause if you're going to shell out all that money, you want them to remember it. But right now is when they are totally enthralled by every thing Disney.

Now we usually have no budget for this type of thing but the Lord really provided for us and made a true dream of mine to come true, to take my 3 princesses to meet the princesses!

The hub's had been saving and saving his airline miles and was able to save up for 3 tickets! He also set up a work meeting out there so work covered his ticket. He is also a premiere member so doesn't have to pay for luggage. So our transportation was completely free!

We decided to go to Disneyland instead of world since the hub's parents live 25 minutes from the park and we could stay with them for free.

Also one of my hubby's groups at work is Disney and he was able to find a contact that got us free tickets into both of CA's parks!! What an answer to prayer!

We also had a other great adventures on our trip to California so bare with me as I share with you our memories!!

So Brynn had her first day of school and then we left the next day for a week! It wasn't ideal timing but when working with miles and the Hub's work you do what works.

So when Bella got done with school on Friday we immediately headed to the airport.

We brought Brynn's carseat but planned to just hold Brynn and lock miss wiggly pants Brooke into the seat once in the air.

Thankfully we were taking off right at naptime. So I got Brooke locked in the seat, she fussed a bit but not too bad and about 30-45 minutes in she was out. Brynn also fell asleep in the hub's lap. So Bella and I colored and hung out for about an hour and a half.

After Brooke woke she played contently for a bit in her seat, then a fed her food s-l-o-w-l-y and we changed a diaper, giggled with the attendants, played a bit more and then we were there!

And of course the first thing the hubs must do when getting to Cali- hit up an In and Out!

Getting packed up!

Think they'd let me check her? :)

Got their backpacks and ready to go!

In them: new activity, coloring book, and box of crayons- they can literally color for HOURS. They also had their Tag books and each a princess Barbie and prince, but all they did was color. :)

Had my little travel companion attached to me for our travel day, literally. She looks so tiny. :)

Hopefully these 3 cuties travel well!

Here we go!

We originally had Brynn buckled in the carseat because we didn't know if they would allow her to be on our lap since she's over 2, but they didn't care so we switched them when the seatbelt light went off.