Back to California for a visit

I guess we miss California more than we think. When it came time to pick a destination for vacation, we decided to go back to our former home. Some of our family was going to be in town as well so we thought it would be fun to get together with them and some of our old friends. We started the trip at Sea World in San Diego. It was fun going to all the shows and sitting in the splash zones.

Our friend Shamu

At the Shamu Show

At the Shamu Show

At another show

Naps were a big problem. Page didn't want to miss out on anything which usually meant she had at least one major meltdown everyday. She finally fell asleep while dad was holding her at Sea World.

Uncle Chong and Clarysa joined us all day for Sea World! It was so fun for us to see them. We really miss them :(

Paul and Brooklyn

Paul and good friend Ellis

The next two days were spent at Disneyland. We still have our Disneyland Annual Passes and we really missed using them. Paul is finally 40 inches tall which means he gets to go on rides like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Rocky Mountain Railroad, Soaring Over California and the Matterhorn. Paul loves all of these rides but I think his favorite this trip was Splash Mountain.

Paul with Handy Manny

Paul and good friend Melania

The kids first time on Splash Mountain

Brooklyn, Mel and Paul

The next day we took a little break and visited some of our friends. We got to see our friends new baby girl, had lunch with some good friends and dinner with Chong and Clarysa's family. We didn't get to see everyone we wanted to but we really do miss you all!

Ellis, Paul and Mel

Paige, Kam and Caitlyn

Paul helping Clarysa do the dishes

The weather was a little chilly and overcast but we really wanted to spend a day at the beach. We decided to go to Manhattan Beach anyway and the kids had so much fun!

On our way back home we stopped in St. George for a couple of days to see Grandpa Proctor. Unfortunately, Grandma Proctor was in Northern California visiting other family but we had such a great time with Grandpa. We spent one of the days at Zion's National Park. We have been to St. George so many times with Lil Paul but we have never taken him there. This was his first visit. We did the Emerald Pools hike that was just breathtakingly beautiful.

Paul and Paige walking to the bus

Paul and Grandpa

Paige took a short nap on the way to the pools

Our Paul

Paige

Paul

Weekend in Vegas

My good friend from high school wanted to do a weekend in Vegas to celebrate her 30th birthday. Five friends from high school met up in Vegas traveling from Chicago, California and Utah. We had such a fun relaxing time. The first day took a little getting used to. I guess I'm not used to laying out at the pool and just laying there. Pool days with kids usually involve being in the pool making sure the kids don't drown or chasing them in and out of the water. It didn't take me too long to adjust. It was fun to go out to breakfast, lunch and dinner especially since I'm usually the one making breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also enjoyed showering in peace and taking my time getting ready. It was so fun to get away for a few days. Thank you to my wonderful husband who took a day off of work and took care of the kids while I was away.

First Season of Soccer

This past September, Paul not only started Preschool but also his first season of soccer. His team was made up of 3 and 4-year-olds and the games are pretty interesting to watch. It's pretty chaotic out there and the coach/parents are yelling at the kids to get them to run in the right direction. Paul scored one goal this season and we were so proud of him! He usually played most of the first half and then after the half-time snack was given it was hard to get him away from the snack. I think I will have to have my husband be the coach next time. I could tell he really wanted to be the coach. During the first practice I caught him trying to take over as coach. The kids were having a hard time focusing on the drill and Paul was kicking the ball to different players trying to get everyone motivated to play. I had to pull him aside and tell him to let the coach handle it. It made me laugh. There is no one I know that loves the game more than my husband.

First Day of Preschool

We moved to Salt Lake at the end July which did not give me a lot of time to sign up Lil Paul for Preschool. I submitted the paperwork right away but all the 3-year-old programs were full. We put our names on several waiting lists and about a week before school started, we got into a school! I got to go with him to his first day of school. I guess we were both excited because we were the first ones there. Here is Paul waiting for his class to start.

Paul loves his teacher and the classroom. Here he is with his name collar on.

The kids have a spot on a rug that they are to sit on. Here is Paul on his circle.

The theme of the class is monkeys and the kids are the teacher's monkeys. Here is Paul putting his monkey on the board.

We had such a fun time at school. Paul had been asking me to go to school forever and finally he gets to go. When I dropped him off on the second day he eagerly went and didn't even look back to say goodbye. I had to walk over to him and force him to say goodbye to me. I guess he's a big boy now. He really loves school and his teacher always tells me how well behaved he is. He is always the first one to clean up and sit down on his circle. Yeah who knew.

Yellowstone National Park

We decided to make a trip to Yellowstone National Park for the Labor Day Weekend. Paul was given the job of booking us a hotel through Priceline. Well lets just say he will never have this job again. We ended up booking a hotel in Bozeman which is about an hour and 20 minutes from the north side of the park. I was not happy about this as Paige hates being in the car and unnecessary time in the car is not pleasant. It actually ended up being okay and Paige had her moments but overall did pretty well in the car. This trip was one of the most fun our family has ever had together. We started the trip at Old Faithful Geyser.

Lil Paul at Old Faithful

Lil Paul, Mom and Paige at Old Faithful. This is how we got Paige to take naps during the trip.

Grand Prismatic Spring.

Grand Prismatic Spring. This was my favorite part of the park.

Dad and Paige at the Grand Prismatic Spring

Mom and Paul at the Excelsior Geyser

Paul and the Spasm Geyser

The highlight of the trip was when we encountered this Bison on the road. We stopped when we saw him walking straight toward us. I was freaking out thinking maybe he would ram into our car but he just walked right past us. I may have peed my pants just a little bit as he was walking past.

Here he is walking past our car.

Having lunch in the trunk

Paul at the Artists Mud Pots. Paul had the most fun running around here. There's nothing like bubbling mud.

Paul again at the Mud Pots.

Paul, Mom and Paige (napping) at the Mud Pots

Paige woke up when it was time to walk back to the car

At the Norris Basin Geyser

At the Dragon's Mouth Spring

Mom and Paige at the Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs

Paul and Paige taking a break at the Mammoth Hot Springs

Poor Paige was so tired during this trek

Kids were tired after touring the Mammoth Hot Springs and Dad had to carry them both back to the car

Paige fought sleeping in the car for most of the trip but couldn't fight sleep on 2 occasions. Here is one of those times.

Paul spent most of the car rides trading between Mom and Dad's Iphones.