San Fransisco-RV Roadtrip 2011-Day 1

We returned last week from an amazing and expensive adventure in Northern California (more on that later). Our favorite highlights were the ocean, the zoo, the aquarium, Jelly Belly Factory, Golden Gate Bridge, Knotts Berry Farm and much more....And wouldn't you know I took a million pictures, so I am breaking the posts up by days.

Day 1-Thursday we were off....here we are eating on the road and stopping at the famous Dinosaur in California. I've said it before but RV is the way to travel with small kids. 2 TV's, eating on the road, reading books, playing games, and no stopping for potty breaks! This was our last trip in it, and we wanted to go somewhere we had never been before.

Doug's beautiful Mom and cute RM brother came with and were a tremendous help to us!

We drove all day and stopped in Sommerville, CA about 3 hours away from San Fran. Along the drive their were many Apricot farms with their beautiful white blossoms all in rows. I really wanted to stop and have a little photoshoot and our RV park had one right next too it!

Friday morning was the boys birthday so they started off the day with a birthday muffin...and ended the day with a twinkie.

And I just couldn't resist...I am a SUCKER for rows and rows of Trees:) We had a quick 15 minute 2 year old photo shoot. And it was so fun! It was quite gloomy that day so the images aren't as colorful as I would like them, but I still love them

Grammy shook the leaves on top of everyone....like soft snow!

The girls were a little jealous and wanted in on the action....too bad I didn't get them ready at all. It was a spur of the moment shoot...just how I like them...but still so cute!

Two busy boys....

Awww....the brothers....

Here are a few snaps from the drive that day....just breathtaking views...

Going into San Fran-The Bay Bridge

And we stopped here....AHHHH!! Can you hear the waves and the angels singing? We parked in Pacifica(right next to San Fran) and watched the waves roll in.

We then walked down to the local pizza joint for Birthday dinner...and I snapped these

(These are unedited straight out of the camera)....so dreamy right?

And then Doug said....hum....the RV feels like it's running weird? I hope the transmission is not going out?....Duh Duh Duh......


(more soon!)

This week in pictures

A few weekends ago Doug had a great time on a pig hunt with his Dad, his brothers, one brother in law, and a good friend. They took the RV and drove to Texas and stayed on a ranch and hunted for wild boar. They ended up not getting as many as they wanted, but had a great time as brothers. 

My photog Brother-in-law Jeff was busy "Shooting" the people and what was going on...Here are some of his great pics!

Wise Papa...doesn't he look great?

The group...outside the firework store

My handsome honey...scoping out the pig....oink

They stayed one night in a hotel...on the right is their cabin....steak and beans for dinner....yum

Last Friday Doug was helping a friend with their house...The kids and I had a long/fun day together. We got a family Movie "Megamind" some Wendy's for dinner and went a walk before the movie. We walked to the Greenbelt down by our house and played ring around the rosie, raced, and played duck duck goose. The green grass was so lush and the kids just ran around and we had a great time....

I just felt an overwhelming love at that moment that I have been given all these precious spirits. I so wish I had a camera to capture their cute faces....so I busted out the camera phone. (It makes me wish I had the Iphone) These are crappy pics, but I had to share them anyways...

My babies

For Christmas the girls got a Ladybug farm...we were so excited when the ladybug larva came and it was fun to watch them grow into ladybugs. We set them free this week and watched them fly away.

Also on Saturday, I woke up not feeling well, but Doug had plans with his brother to go to the Renaissance Festival so like the brave awesome Dad that he is, he loaded all the kids up and took them!

He spoils his kids, and the girls got a  headpiece and a face painting. He also let them ride an Elephant!!!

I am so grateful for the sweet man and Dad that he is.... 

We are off to San Francisco on Thurs. for another RV vacation! I can't wait!

I need to print this...

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans

Ramblings

I feel like if I don't post often that my little blog feels neglected. Sadly I have not busted out the camera in our home lately...I have been busy with photography, just not of our people.

I wish I were an amazing writer and could whip up some witty stories about crying children and such....

This is a common scene at our house in the evenings....We got the girls new bunkbeds...(thanks Costco)

And Olivia says she is scared to sleep on the top...It's too dark. She will try to make a bed on the floor or inevitably crawl in bed with Audree. I am so grateful that their personalities are opposites...I don't know what I would do with 2 bossers in the house.

Can you see that sweet little Audree's head in the background? I hope they will always remember how special it is to have each other...

Another hard thing about nighttimes is that the girls seem to want to stay up later and later everynight....Audree has stayed up until 10:30..just laying there. Reading books..or singing songs. 

We put them in bed at 8-8:30 but they seem to come out a million times and take a LONG time to fall asleep. The plus side to that is sleeping in. 

Don't call our house before 8:00 Am because we are asleep around here. No school to get up for, no early exercise for Mommy, just blissful sleep. I am excited for the change of school next year though...

These late nights are killing me.

Other quick thoughts...

*Doug just returned from a 5 day Hunting trip with all his brothers, one bro-in law and friend. How did I survive? I went to my Mom's house...Am I the wife of the year? He thinks so....Absence makes the heart grow fonder...I love that guy.

*We just planned our next family Vacation...RV adventure 2011...San Fransico and Knotts Berry Farm!! Whoo hoo! Doug's Mom and fresh of the mission Brother are coming with...I am excited!!

* I got to go to Vegas for a girls get-a-away to visit my favorite cousin Lisa and photograph her new baby...I was in heaven...Holding a baby all day and taking pics? What more could I ask for?

*Our boys turn 2 this month...they are turning into quite the talkers....cutie's

*We took a family hike out to the superstitions on Pres. Day...It was great except we wore crocs and flip flops...we were just going on a drive in the RV and it turned into a hike. Next time we will be better prepared. We also went and rode the train at Lost Dutchman mine....It was a fun family day! Should have brought my camera...

That's all for now!

Happy Belated Valentines Day!!

 Here are my sweetest Valentines.....and of course my handsome Doug (My number one Valentine)

I am sharing way to many....but there are so many cute ones.

Poor baby...he doesn't like pictures..

We spent V-day at a yummy Mexican restaurant in Safford....but before that, I got my Valentines day surprise....Sprinkles cupcakes and new carpet in the front room!!! What a great surprise...
That Dougie.....I love him

Welcome Home Elder Davis

Doug's Baby Brother returned from his 2 Year church mission last week. He served faithfully in Uganda and Ethiopia Africa...can you image? What an experience! We are so happy he is back here in the U.S. and safe home with us...

His Mom made this blow up sign a while ago for another brothers wedding...As passengers were leaving the plane, one person said, "I have seen him!" And we got ever more excited

There he is!!! My cute nephew Koby ran up to him and asked him tons of questions!

Back in his Mother's arms....the best feeling!

Here we are waiting for him....We made a sign that day with a map of Africa and the U.S.

Meeting new people....3 boys were born while he was gone...my nephew Simon and Clark and Grant

What a beautiful family huh!! All because 2 people fell in love...all of us were there except for 1 nephew...a great feeling!

Whoo hoo...he's home!

Afterwards we headed straight to his favorite restaurant...OLIVE GARDEN! We warned them that they we were coming and they took great care of us!

Here are Doug and his 8 siblings...what a great legacy...

We can't wait for his homecoming talk next Sunday...a happy Davis day for sure!