We finally made it!

Our little motel was not too far from our final destination. Things were going smoothly until Ashlyn started puking. We pulled over to the side of road, got cleaned up, determined it was car sickness and on we went. We didn't get too far and ended up in a Jack n the Box parking lot for the next hour when Taylor thought Ashlyn was having too much by herself and decided to join in. Oh...the nastiness of puke, road trip, and a packed car. We were soOOOOO close, less than an hour away!!!!! We loaded our sickies into the car and just hoped for the best. I got really good at passing the puke bag back and forth between the girls (and not adding to it myself) and Andy was quick to cover his ears each time. It was grand! I have never been so excited to get out of a car in all my life.

The Packard Beach House was a welcoming sight!

The girls were sick until the next day and once they were better it was nonstop fun with all the family. This is my favorite picture: along the walk from the house to the beach.

Chase was such a trooper on this trip. He did amazing!We spent a day in Monterey playing in the sand, watching stinky Sea Lions, and eating Clam Chowder (not me) in a bread bowl.I don't think they get any cuter than this....

Back at the beach house there was lots of playing with cousins, doing crafts, and boys trying to satisfy wii addictions.

Chase's 3 month birthday.Santa Cruz boardwalk was definitely a favorite adventure of the trip.
We had so much fun with our extended family and we were so glad we could all get together. The kids still talk about the beach house and their cousins. They can't wait to go back.Grandma and her girls!Grandma and Grandpa had reunion shirts made and on the back of the kid's shirts was their number for when they entered the family. We are responsible for #'s 5,7,8, and 10!
The crazies who started it all....
The Jorgenson/Sharp/Draper clan. We love you!Till next year.....

More pit stops on Road Trip 2010

The longest stretch of our trip was from Provo UT to Capitola CA. We were dreading the drive because of the "lack of scenery" but we actually thought it was really pretty and I was constantly amazed by all the salt factories. It looked like mountains of snow. I guess I am easily amazed. We also saw tour buses for Jordan Sparks and Sugarland. Woo Hoo!

1st of many little stops along the way...Wendover.

We stopped at a booming little town of 63 people for yet another bathroom break. We were immediately attacked by millions of mosquitoes. I was screaming but no other patrons of the mini mart seemed the least bit affected. Hello? There were swarms of them. AGH!

Our plan was to make it all the way to Capitola but at around midnight with 3 hours left to go, our kids were done. There was a lot of crying and 1 puker so we stopped at a little motel outside Tahoe National Forest. Everyone slept great and the next morning we were off to the Jorgenson Family Reunion.1 more post to go to conclude this road trip.....

And so it begins....

Today on the way home from school, Taylor told her friend Tyler that she was "falling in love with Zack." What???? She said she just can't help it, he is always looking at her. She then demonstrated "the look."

I think I just threw up.

Road Trip Part II

We packed up bright and early on Friday (2 days later than planned) and headed to Utah. We had to make a couple pit stops along the way and this was one of them.

We made it to Utah just in time to help with the last of the preparations for our 4th of July baby's 1st birthday.

Trisha did a great job with all things red, white, and blue!Andy had a blast going down the slide and into the pool.

Ashlyn was a great present-opener-helper.Taylor and Cannon deep in conversation.

So glad we were able to make it to Utah to celebrate such a special day.

After the party we took the kids to BYU to a creepy dead and stuffed museum. Andy and Chase were asleep in the car so I didn't get to go in. Darn!More to come....

Road Trip 2010 Part 1

1st stop: Las Vegas for Taylor to compete in a National Dance Competition at the Paris Hotel

The plan: 2 nights in Las Vegas, dance early Wednesday morning, head out to Utah.
Reality: 8AM call time, packed up and checked out of the hotel, Taylor dances, wait for awards, Walk the Dinosaur did well and was picked to compete in the World Series the next night. What????? We did not think they would be chosen. We were in total shock as we immediately called the Timeshare to reserve 2 more nights.
The World Series was pretty intense complete with crazy parents in line hours before it started, a stampede when the doors finally opened, and my sister being cussed out by an old man. However once inside there was lots of energy to cheer on our little girls competing against girls way older than them. Despite the curve ball to our plans it was super fun to watch the girls dance 1 more time.

Its always fun to go to Vegas and visit Aunt Tracy.We were happy Grandma J was there staying in her timeshare. Her pool was awesome and perfect for the kids. They swam ALL day and barely came out to eat.

The M&M store is a family favorite. We discovered Pretzel M&M's this time.....love them!Andy and Ashlyn needed some entertainment while we waited 2 hours for Taylor to dance so they got to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower
I love my dancing girl. And I love the faces of the girls next to her...hahaha! It was early!

I am so proud of Taylor.
I am always in awe of her when she performs on stage in front of hundreds of people. We have decided to take a break from competitive dance and although it is a little sad,
we can't wait to see what she does next.

stay tuned: more road trip adventures to follow..........