California is the place for me!

On our way across country from North Carolina to Washington, we went through California. We took the southern route as we left Kansas in hopes to not be suck in a snow storm going north. I am so glad we did. The farthest west I had been was Vegas by plane, so I was very excited to see a different part of the country!

We stayed one night in Needles, Ca. We got in late but it ended up to be the cheapest we pd for a hotel the best. It had three beds! Which meant we didn't have to have Jacobs heals in our back the entire night! Then it was off to Oceanside. It was nice but it was in my opinion the ghetto of the area we went to. I would have preferred Newport! Ha, like we could afford Newport!

Lance showed be around his old "stomping ground" just to find out places really do change in 20+ years. Lance was stationed at Camp Pendleton in the 80's. It was surreal for him to try and remember places that were no longer there, and to see that disappointment in his face.

He did show me something that I thought was pretty darn cool!!! As a girl in the 80's I was in love with Top Gun. I even believed I would marry Tom Cruise one day, no matter the age difference! Okay back to reality, remember the part of the movie when Maverick(Tom Cruise) sped away from Charlie(Kelly McGillis) house down the hill on his motorcycle. Well here is the house and the hill. I love my picture of the hill, because the sunset is wonderful!

We stayed 2 nights in Oceanside. The second day Lance took me to LA! I will never live IN LA the traffic was horrible, in case you need to know! He took me down and around Sunset Blvd and Hollywood Blvd (where we got to see Arnold Schwarzenegger give James Cameron his star). I got a far away picture of the HOLLYWOOD sign! We drove around some magnificent neighborhoods. Man did I want to see a Real Housewife!! The Wilshire Hotel (Pretty Woman). And ended the night on the beach, this was in Oceanside. Our only family picture of the trip.

Thank goodness for that flat rock, or we wouldn't have a family picture. I wish we would have gotten to the beach a bit earlier for a better picture, but this is our family and this is how the day went! LOL. Oh how I miss warm sunny California.

Our first trip to Seattle

Today we made our way up I-5 to Seattle, of course we had to stop at the original REI store where we ended up spending way more than we wanted. We did however buy a kiddo carry backpack or whatever you call it! It is the Deuter Kid Comfort 1. In theory we were going to buy it for Landon, but after a good reading of fliers and about 20 mins with an associate (I wont let Lance buy anything over $100.00 if I don't know lots about it,well when I know about a purchase) we found out Jake can still ride in it. Which is great after his run away escapade in Sam's club the other day, if I just hadn't gone to the bathroom. Done deal, back pack carry a kid thingy was ours. Oh and while we were talking with the associate I checked on the kiddos in a nearby playhouse and someone else's kid kicked/healed me in the face, hard. The kids was climbing on the outside of the plaything and slipped, oh but no worry my face saved the day. If I turn black and blue by morning I'll post pictures.

The only place I wanted to go in Seattle for the day was Pike Place Market, the one you hear about everywhere. I didn't know what I wanted to see or which stores to go in but I wanted to be there. So we went! It was nice, crowded but nice. Of course I'm not a fast shot with the camera so I didn't get shots of the fish in the air as they threw them about. But it was defiantly cool to see. The flowers were beautiful and the produce was gorgeous. I did forget to stop and buy something, after leaving my cloth bags in the car I felt silly buying food to be put in plastic bags. One thing I realized though is it is not a kid friendly place, well not for a mom who thinks everyone is out to steal her kids and do bad things to them. So if anyone wants to fly out to Wa. so Lance and I can go to the market for the day, I'd be glad to bring you back some of the beautiful produce and gorgeous flowers!

The children got chilly after a bit of walking (we haven't quite figured out the weather here) so they got some neat zip-sweatshirts that say Seattle. Which of course cost way to much from a vendor but heck they won't go to Seattle everyday. They thought is was cool. They are already asking to wear them to school Monday. We had lunch at a hot dog place Taxi Hot Dogs, and dessert at Cow Chip Cookies. In all it was a good trip!

And on our way back to we stopped at Ikea, I have never been and I shouldn't go for a long time!! There were lots of things Lance and I agreed would look fabulous in our house! So we decided to come home make a list and go back in a few months. We did get the kiddos a few things like a wood train set for 15.00, a kids cookbook for 5, a step stool for the bathroom sink (and for me to reach my pots that lance hung on our new pot rack, which has to be higher than I need or he hits his head on it).

Here are a few pics from our day. I will remember to take more on our next trip!

Pike Place Market

One of the fish stands

The ship yard(I don't know if that's what they call it or not)

Some of the buildings behind the market

A cop on a horse. The kiddos got a good kick out of that!

And our dessert!

The Space Needle (from a street near REI)

Love,

Rachel and Lance, Annabelle, Mathew, Jacob, and Landon

one of those days....

Well of course today started off late. I don't mind the oh crap I didn't hear the alarm slept till 8 days, I do mind the hit snooze should have gotten out of bed now I have to rush those 10 mins I slept kinda late days. I do it to my self and at the end of the chaos I realize the 10 mins didn't mean shit. I went to bed early, baby was only up once, the others slept through the night too, why in the world did 640 seem better than 630? And for shits and giggles after I rushed rushed rushed to get all 4 kiddos dressed feed and out the door to have the Ann and Matt to school by 750, Lance walks in the door at 740. Meaning I didn't even have to wake the younger boys or do anything with them. The life of a mom!!!! Onto the rest of my day!!! Highlight, I did remember dinner!!!!

Good Luck to all those mommies out there for better than yesterday days!

Made it to Washington

This is going to be short. I have been away so long, but I have lots to share. I should have at least a full page by Monday! Remember we started in NC and had Christmas, family, and friends along the way! I am very excited to share some of our stories!

Love,
Rachel and Family