The West's Cali Trip Part II: Unveiling the Big Surprise/ Disneyland Day 1

Monday morning we had a quick breakfast and loaded up into the car. The kids had no idea where we were going. We asked them what we were going to do. Brecken said we were going to the beach, wrong. Caden said swimming at the pool, wrong again. Then he guessed we were going to get a new car. Haha, nope.

Once we got off the freeway in Anaheim Caden started seeing signs with Disneyland and guessed it but I still don't think he was 100% that we were really going to go.

Here are the kids rounded up while we told them that indeed we were going to Disneyland. It was a little anticlimactic. None of them had ever been before and didn't really know what it was about so there was no screaming or jumping up and down but they were game to try it out.

Lana and I in our D-land hoodies designed by Aunt Sally.

The boys.

The whole fam.

Here's the whole West clan just inside the Disneyland gates.

I just thought this was a really pretty picture of Grandma.

One of the first rides we went on was Pirates of the Caribbean. I loved how many rides I was able to go on being pregnant and Lana being little.

Lana chillin' with Uncle Moe and Aunt Ari- I thought she might get a little scared but she didn't.

Caden and Brecken in line for the Buzz Light Year ride.

We had a fun busy morning running around the park hitting most of the major rides. By the afternoon I was starting to not feel so great. By about 4 I had the stomach flu and got to throw up in the bushes in public, fun.

The rest of the group went to see a 3-D movie while I lied on the sidewalk and threw up some more.

I was going to rest in the car for the rest of the evening but luckily found the first aid station instead. It was bliss, they gave me a blanket and quick access to a bathroom. An hour later Branson came in. I thought he was just coming in to check on me but he had come down with the flu too. We had a nice couple of hours together in and out of conciousness. Big thanks to Grandma & Grandpa and the rest for taking care of the kids while we were down and out.

The beautiful Disney castle all decked out for Christmas.

Every time Lana sees a picture of the castle she says, "Aaahhh, it's my castle."

Early in the day everyone went on the Star Tours ride. Then we let the boys build their own light sabers. I guess they were outside practicing that night when they came to pick me and Brans up from the First Aid Station.

Despite the illness we still had a great day and the kids couldn't wait to come back.

The West's Hit California Dec. 2011 - Part 1: Vegas

The West family rallied up and headed for California the week before Christmas. We were all able to go except for Cassie's husband Tyrell who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

The whole troop in Disneyland with our amazing, matching hoodies!

We got up early Saturday morning and let the kids open two early Christmas presents. They each got their own pillow pet and some books for the car ride. Then we drove down to Orem where we met up with Grandma and Grandpa and got us all loaded up in their vehicle. Then on to Las Vegas where we spent the night.

We had Saturday afternoon to tour Vegas so we went to the M&M Factory Store.

Where we got to watch a fun little 3-D movie.

Next we headed over to the Rain-forest Cafe for dinner. The kids loved the waterfall that went around the outside of our table.

Here's all of us at dinner. We had 18 people in our group- I think we are missing little cuzz Dillon in this picture.

After dinner we were going to go to the Bellagio to watch their water fountain show but it was about 9pm and the kids and their parents were pretty tired so we just decided to go back to the hotel instead.

When were back in the hotel Brecken came out of the bathroom complaining that it smelled like poop. Branson told him, "Well yeah, that's because you just pooped." Brecken responded, "No, I mean it really stinks." I came out a little later and told Branson that yeah, there was poop on the shower curtain. Caden couldn't find the tp so he improvised. Travelling with children is definitely interesting! We didn't tell housekeeping what happened, we just asked for a new shower curtain.

Excitement resumed at about 4 am when we awoke to the sound of Caden vomiting. The poor little guy had the stomach flu and continued to throw up about every half an hour for the next 7 hours. I was thankful for housekeeping but still pretty worn out myself and not looking forward to a week long vacation of cleaning up vomit. Luckily, none of the other kids got it! I stayed home from church with Caden while the rest went. Then we loaded up and headed for California. Luckily, Caden only threw up in the car once and that was as we pulled into our condo parking lot.

November

November passed in a pleasant hurry. We had something big at the beginning of the month that I can't remember now what it was. Then Branson's birthday and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was quiet, mellow, and at our own house with just Grandma, Grandpa, and Taylor over.

We bought the boys some new Sunday Suits and had to get some pictures.

These boys really love their sister.

We tried to get Caden to take some pics of us but he's a little shorter and we got some strange angles. So, Branson did the stretch his arm out shot and here we go.

At the end of the month we had a fun family outing to Emmett & Ethels and then on to the dollar theater!

We like ice cream!

This girl was a wild injun. A family we knew came in and their children sat in their chairs and quietly ate. Lana bounced all over the bench and her brothers, said hello to everyone, and made a giant mess. We love her.

Here is the Christmas card we sent out: