The Kennedy's

So I'm late....big shocker! This last February we were invited to go with 2 other couples to California and go to Six Flags/Magic Mountain for the weekend. We had such a good time! We left on Thurs, the 11th and drove to Las Vegas where we stayed for one night in a Trend West condo at the end of the strip. This place was so nice! We each had our own bedroom, a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, a lazy river, a huge swimming pool with a volleyball net set up, and a fitness room! That night we went to try and find a cheap seafood buffet, but with no luck, we settled for Famous Dave's...yes, quite the opposite! But it turned out to be very good! So after we ate we drove down to the "OLD" strip to find some cheap black jack tables so the guys could do a little gambling! We finally found one, and Marc, myself and Chari just watched John and Nate, while Kandy slept in the car cuz she couldn't bare the thought of Nate WASTING his money at black jack! It was fun to watch though! We can say we had no regrets that night!
The next morning, Friday, we got up and exercised in the fitness room, then came back...to the WRONG floor where we pounded on the WRONG door for everyone to let us in! Finally we saw a maintenance man and asked him if he could let us in, so he did, but when we walked in, we smelt BACON! and cereal does not smell like bacon! Luckily nobody was home, so we just quietly walked out and went back down one level where we finally found the rest of the gang! We then got dressed in our swim suits and went swimming, when we couldn't find the lazy river, we decided to be active and TRY to play water volleyball! I can't exactly remember who one, but let's just say it was the girls! (it's my blog, I can say whatever I want!)

After showers, we finally got back in the car and headed for the main attraction of our trip!!

When we arrived in California, we actually drove in to Los Angeles so we could go to the temple. We were planning on doing a session, but didn't get there in time, so we asked to do sealings. It was actually really nice. We hadn't done them in a while, so it was really good for us. We even met some other really nice couples there and the temple worker was so so so nice!! Very talkative. I just remember him saying it's really important to have good friends along with our families...that way when our kids are all gone, we still have good friends to hang out with! When we were finished, Kandy's friend Wendy met us and we all took a few pics outside.

Next, Wendy took us to try again to find some good seafood. Now by this time it was pretty late...and once again we had to settle...you'll never guess, after the temple, we went to HOOTERS! First time ever at Hooters, and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be. The food was alright...could've been better though! Next we went to (I can't remember the name) but it was a place that served ice cream in between 2 gourmet cookies for only $1.50! It was really good stuff and so CHEAP!!

Now that we were super stuffed, we got back in the car and drove to I think Sylmar where we found a pretty inexpensive motel. It was going to be our home for the next 2 nights! I of course had to sleep head to toe in my clothes, but other than that our room was great. John and Chari had a few problems in theirs though. Their shower only put out cold water...so they took a cold shower the first day then used ours the next couple. But good news, they did compensate! I can't remember how much, but they at least gave us one room for one night free!

The next morning, Saturday, we got up and went straight to Six Flags! We ended up getting a fast pass cuz the lines were so long!! We had a blast! This amusement park is ROLLER COASTERS! There were a lot of really fun ones...but the one that I will never forget is called Goliath! You are riding straight up click...click...click...so slow meanwhile, anticipating the 150 foot drop that awaits! YES I said 150 FEET!!! Holy crap and it is staight down!! Looks like you're gonna go straight into ground! (Just a quick thanks to all those that maintain these things so we actually stay on the tracks)! We ate lunch outside in the parking lot cuz we were smart and brought our own food. And those sandwiches sure were tasty!! That night we were exhausted but we had to eat...eating is so much fun on vacation...(by the way, did I mention the 10 tons of candy, crackers, chips, & drinks we had for the drive!) so anyway, we went to this Japanese restaurant where they cook the food right in front of us...and our cook even let Kandy show him a few moves.

The food was awesome...we ended up sharing with our spouses, but it was actually really funny that everyone didn't like something (soup, salad, etc.) and gave it all to Marc, so technically we had our own of everything and shared the meat portion, but only paid for one plate! So nice for me cuz I love the soup and salad and I was able to have my own!

We went back to the motel and got some rest for another day at Six Flags that lay in store for us bright and early! When we got to the park the next morning, Sunday, we outsmarted all the other people and went to the opposite side of the park first! We seriously got to stay on this one ride for like 5 rides...we only got off to move to the front or back of the coaster! By like the 4th and 5th time there is one spot that the G-Force is so strong I almost passed out twice! Good times though! We thought it was amazing that we could ride over and over and over again though! We rode Goliath a couple of more times and then John and Chari came to pick us up. Goodbye Six Flags...I hope to revisit again before my pass expires!

We drove back in to L.A. to go visit the beach! That was reallly fun and really relaxing. We went to the Santa Monica Pier. We walked, we sat, we posed for pics, we watched performers, walked in the water, shopped for souvenirs, and people watched...like I said, really relaxing and lots of fun being with good friends!

That night we went back to the motel and played games...

we were just so silly caused from part exhaustion and the rest a break from our sweet little children! I missed my kids the day we left, and couldn't wait to get back home to see them, but I was so grateful for the much need break! A HUGE HUGE HUGE THANKS to the best mom in the world for driving all the way up to Sandy just to watch my two little rats! I didn't even get to see her the whole time! And another thanks to Triscia and Glen who watched them all day Monday while we drove back, so my mom could make her way back home before it got too dark!

And last but not least...thanks to John & Chari and Nate & Kandy for one of the best weekend vacations ever! We need to do it again sometime SOON!!!

I can't believe Zoey is already ONE!!! It seems like just yesterday we moved here to Utah with our brand new one week old baby girl! She has grown up so much in just one year! She was walking at 11 months, saying words like ma ma, da da, pam pa, thay (thanks) and dooce (juice). She makes us smile every single day...she shows us she loves us...she loves more than anything to pester her big brother...she has the hugest smile...pretty big blue eyes...a scream that can almost, but not quite, break your eardrums...already has a smile, cry, look, & glare that can make us do pretty much anything she wants...what more can we say....We love our little Zoey more than life itself!
Her little birthday party was so much fun. We went over to Blake and Aubrey's house (to make the mess! ;) Thanks guys!!), where Zoey ate her own little chocolate cake (pretty close to the whole thing), and opened a few presents, and played with all the kids! We are so happy she is apart of our family, and can't imagine our lives without her!

The Birthday Girl!

Cake & Presents

Present Time!!

It's finally over...the big ONE! And at last, she's peaceful...