Trip to Prescott

We took a little trip to Prescott with my parents and stayed at Point of Rocks.  It was beautiful mixed in with some warm! The kids had a great time as they always do. Running around, getting dirty, climbing these amazing rocks, hiking to the lake, and eating treats.  They are just so adorable.  

I'm thankful my parents schedule these little getaways and then invite us to come along.  The kids love being in the motorhome and camping in general.   

These are precious memories for the kids to make with my parents and I know I will treasure them and they will too!

A Letter To My Mother

Mom,

The years have flown by and having my own children now, I realize how quickly time must have gone for you for too.  How I wish I could have sped up time back then.  I was anxious to grow up and looking to the horizon for some unknown mark of my life "beginning".  How foolish I was for the longing and reaching to get older.  Now, I wish I could slow time down.  I pray for more years with you...more memories...more moments.  I pray time would slow for my children as I watch them grow and I would get more moments and memories with them too. But, they too will ache to grow up, just as I did, I can already see it.  They are planning for the future, for the boys' mark of manhood and Brynn's sweet girlish thrills.

I treasure all that time we spent together growing up.  I appreciate more than words can say that you and dad were home, present, making memories with us, and being plugged in to what we needed and wanted as your children.  I know now the sacrifice, sometimes heartache, but more often joy that came from being home to raise us girls in the early years.  The commitment you made to sacrifice yourselves in order to be available to us is an incredible act of love.

Once we were school age there are very few memories I have that don't include one or both of you being present with me.  You managed to balance being teachers and serving others as well as making time with us, watching our performances, attending our recitals, practices and performances your top priority.  All the way through high school someone was always there to support me, to cheer me on, to be in my corner.

Mom, you were an incredible support to me, even in the hardest years when I was a middle schooler and I wasn't always appreciative.  You held my hand when I needed to cry, gave sound and wise advise when I was lost, and never failed to walk with me down the road less traveled.

I know we are different.  We see things differently and we approach the world differently but you have given me the wings and the courage to do things my way.  You've built me up to be independent, brave, precise, administrative, passionate, loving, steadfast and faithful.  So, no matter how different we may be, you've allowed me to be all the Lord has prepared for me to be.

You mom, are brave, strong, fearless in your own ways, independent, and fiercely talented.  You are a giver, a servant to others, faithful, friendly and really enjoy life.  There isn't anything you can't do, only things you won't do.  I know your childhood wasn't nearly as wonderful as my own and I think of that often.  It makes me both sad and forever grateful.  But, somehow through some of the muck and mire you have become an awesome, incredible example for me and a blessing to those around you.

I want you to know how special you are to me and how much I love you, even when we don't see eye to eye or I'm stepping outside your comfort zone! :)  I pray for many, many, many more years to make memories with you and with my children and to remember how precious being a mother truly is...

With all my heart,
Chelsea

Mickey Ears and Princess Dresses

My amazingly generous parents took Cole and Brynn to Disneyland at the end of February.  They've been taking the kids to Disneyland since Cole was 3.  This was Cole's second trip but Brynn's first time to the Happiest Place on Earth! 

They spent the first day in Chinatown looking at goodies and eating some Chinese food.  Cole's favorite type of food.  

The second day they went to California Adventure and had a great time.  There weren't too many people and the lines weren't too long.  My dad was able to take Cole on some of the scarier rides while Brynn and my mom spent time together.  

The third day they went to Disneyland and at 10:00am Brynn had an appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique to have a makeover and meet the Princesses.  It was such a special thing my mom did for her.  She had a wonderful time.  

They had a great day of Fast passes and riding rides.  Cole LOVED Space Mountain.  Brynn loved the Princesses and the parades.  It was just such a cool time for both of them and something I'm so grateful for...my parents willingness to take them places and invest in memories.  

Thanks again mom and dad.  We love you!

Missing 3 Kids

For the past 9 days I have been a mother to only 3 children while the other 3 are visiting Grandma and Grandpa in CA.  Justin's parents drove half way and Justin drove half way so we could pass off the children and they could spend some time with the grandparents.  That is one GREAT thing about homeschooling, flexibility! While everyone else has been in school these three kiddos have had the time of their lives in California.  So far, and this is just what I'm aware of, they have been to Pismo Beach, Lady Bug for some hiking and swimming, the movies, sprinklers on the trampoline, boys day, girls day, making swords (grandpa fulfilled a wish of theirs and made them wooden swords) and so much more I'm sure.  They have had so much fun they won't want to come home.

Meanwhile here in Phoenix, I've only had 3 children at home. Beau, Westin and Cole.  Each day Cole spends 7 hours at school, so it's been me and the littlest ones most of the time.  Most days Westin goes next door to the neighbors house to play with his little friend Adalia which leaves me and the baby hanging out!

Since the kids are mostly gone, I've given the baby a lot more floor time.  So, now he can roll over both ways and is practically sitting up.  He's been working so hard at it.  

The quiet time has been so nice but I also miss my kiddos.  I know they are having so much fun out there.  They get to stay until Thursday which I think makes 12 days out in California.  So much fun.  

And, as much as they might bug each other sometimes, I think Cole misses them too.  

I will say, when you usually have 6 kids, having 3 is like cake.  It almost feels like you've lost some weight! :)  It's also a lot less food to buy with those twinsies gone! 

Here are the kiddos in CA, having a blast.

(Thank you so my in-laws for having the energy, time, love and desire to spend 12 days with these kids.  It's not for the faint of heart and they have been so great letting them come and stay.)

  

Pines, Kites, and Bears...Oh My!

My parents invited us up for the weekend to Williams.  They had a spot in their RV at the Williams KOA.  This is our second year spending a few days up there and it really it nice.

The weather is usually great, in the shade especially, The KOA has in indoor pool that isn't too shabby with two jacuzzi's.  There is plenty of running and riding bikes space or space for flying kites in the wind (in which it is typically windy for parts of the day), and a nice little mini golf area.

My parents have some friends who usually join them with their RV and/or tenting stuff.  There were plenty of kids up there this time.  The boys got to go up on Thursday with my parents to play with the other grandkids up there and Justin and I drove up on Saturday morning with the little ones.

We decided not to camp at the KOA because my sister and her boyfriend were also coming up and staying with my parents in their RV and I'm not entirely sure but confident that their cabins don't comfortably sleep 8.  Although some KOA's do have accommodations for that many people.

We decided to be "wild" and I let hotwire pick our hotel for us. I've not done that before.  It ended up being The Little America hotel in Flagstaff and we ended up loving it! They have a great pool and nice rooms, with plenty of sleeping space for all of us.  We always have the boys sleep on the floor in their sleeping bags at hotels. They don't mind and it's so easy; a bag and some pillows.

But, before we went to Flagstaff to sleep, the kids flew kites, rode bikes, played on the playground, threw footballs, and we took a little trip over to Bearizona.  We had the chance to get in for free because my sister works at the Renaissance and they gave out free passes.  So, it was a steal for us to go check it out.

It was cute and fun and the kids really enjoyed it.  We were able to be there for their bird show, which was pretty cool.  Westin loves birds.  They saw baby animals as well, which is always fun.

We had a fun-filled day and then made our way over the hotel.  The pool was so awesome the boys and Brynn swam until almost 10:30.  They then came in and crashed hard for the night. We always love that.

The next morning they wanted to go back to the pool for a bit, so I ran to get some breakfast while they got in one last swim.  Secretly, I think Justin wanted to swim again!

We then headed out to the KOA for Sunday's activities.

It was a good time and I'm so thankful my parents let us tag along when they do those things.  It's always very fun!