SoCal, Chloee and early Christmas fun

Let me start of by saying, I have one fantastic husband.  Books me a flight and sends me to my kids for a week since they can't come home for Christmas.  I packed all of their Christmas, checked an extra bag and headed for sun, warmth and all the lovin I could get!

Warning - a lot of pictures....... you can totally skip this if you want to

Aren't they just the cutest family?  I'm sad that they can't come home, yet it gives them a chance to establish their own traditions.  We had them open our gifts the first night.  We skyped in Splenda and videotaped it all.  So much fun to see them happy!

At the USMC family Holiday Festival (of which I wrote a little bit about here), we noticed that they hung the sign that had been made in October.  Handprints of the children of Marine's.  We found Chloee's right off

We had lazy mornings just snuggling, having "conversations", and playing games

Lunch at McSlop shop is always good

Taking in a movie.....  I loved the Muppet Movie, but Chloee was a little bored.  I think it was really targeted to those of us that grew up watching the show.

Some playing at the park

A burying Mimi in the pillow pets

 

Their ward party was "A night in Bethlehem"  Including a small petting zoo outside at the entrance

Chloee wasn't particularly interested in petting anything.  Not even the bunny.  We tried, but she wanted nothing to do with them

They started the decorations outside with the tiki torches and palm fronds everywhere

The missionaries were stationed at the entrance and gave you your gold coins to enter the town and purchase your food

I have never seen something decorated so nicely and as authentic as you could possibly get within a ward cultural hall.  Almost everyone was in costume (we weren't)

They had a large canopy over the city

And a cobble stone path through town

Families brought their own blankets to spread out and eat on

Lot's of scenery to make you feel like you really were in a different place.  This one was set up so you could pose for pictures if you wanted

In the center of the town was a water well.  You could get fresh water for your drinking glass from there if you wanted.  NGL - pretty cool

At the start of the food line.  Chloee asking for her kids meal : )

It was a nice dinner that many ward members pitched in to provide.  Pulled pork over rice, salad, veggies, fruits, pita bread and hummus and then a variety of desserts to choose from

After we ate, and before the program, Chloee was humming with happiness and silliness!  "Take a picture of me Mimi" was repeated over and over again!

Seriously, aren't those the most gorgeous eyes you have ever seen?

The young men were dressed as the Roman soldiers - nice touch

For the program they played a video depicting the birth of Jesus and then we all sang a few hymns

After that, the kids all lined up in a different area of the building to see Santa!

Chloee found a friend from her Primary class

At home, Chloee had made a Christmas countdown and loved taking a ring off every morning

We tried to build a gingerbread house from a kit

It was fun, but the end result was an EPIC fail!  Chloee didn't care, she still loved it!

My days went by way too fast!  Before I could even blink it was time to take me back to the airport! : (

I'm so glad that Splenda makes it a priority for us to visit.  I'm glad that they are as close as they are (Can you imagine if he got stationed in Japan?)  And I'm more than glad to be able to be a small part of their cute family!

Merry Christmas to my SoCal kids!

Wordless Wednesday - almost

Karalee walked into the kitchen to this........

 Clearly there is a little girl who adores her daddy~

Things that make me smile

Skyping with Chloee - HELLO!  Crap she is funny!

 

And the unexpected rainbow that appeared in my rear view mirror as I pulled into St George Sunday evening.

Labor day weekend = Love with my family weekend!

I've been excited about this weekend since we left CA in August.  A month ago. 

And then I looked at my calendar and realized that I was on call for work and unless someone took pity, wanted the money, or just was going to be nice to be nice, I was going to have to reschedule and miss my weekend with the kids.

Thank you Evil Genius for your kindness.  It was and IS greatly appreciated!

YIPPEEE!!!!  That means we get to spend Labor Day weekend in California with my favorite Marine, my favorite official daughter-in-love and my favorite granddaughter!!

Splenda and Luke left Friday after work and drove as far as Las Vegas.  They crashed at Splenda's brother house who was generous enough to let them slink in late and leave early without so much as taking him to dinner for a thank you.  And of course, can the boys be counted on to take pictures?  Nope.  Imagine a dude that looks like Splenda (except not quite so tall), in a beautiful home in the suburbs of LV aaaannnnnnddddd - yep that's it.  You got it.

The Shark picked me up at the butt crack of dawn Saturday and dropped me off at the airport.  Thanks Tib!  Did I get pictures?  Noooooo.  But if you've been around here for very long, you know what we look like - yep that's it.  You got it.

I landed at Long Beach, texted the kids, and then sat on the loading/unloading curb to wait.  And people watch.   People are odd.  I freakin love airports for just this very reason.  Every kind, every sort, every color, every language.  I dig it all.  Did I get pictures?  Noooooooo.  Imagine the young thug-looking kids that just about got their car towed because they left it unattended at the curb (because apparently the rules are for everyone else), the Asian family traveling with a frail grandmother that I honestly thought was gonna code any second,  the family with their 18 bags and their little dog too, the dude with the boxes of fish, and the young couple with a screaming toddler who DID NOT WANT TO GO ON AN AIRPLANE!   So much fun.

And finally, I saw them pull up.  I was practically vibrating with excitement!


Yes.  Yes I know I am a freak.  And that I am much more animated than a tired 4 year old.  ; )


Right away I had to show her all the fun presents that Mimi brought her!  And yes, there will be presents. Every time.  A lot of them.  'Cause that is how I roll.

Moosie the new pillow pet

All her pillow pets

And of course Mommy and Daddy!!

We got back to base and the playtime commenced while we waited for Splenda and Luke to pull in. 

A bite to eat at Chipotle's.  Did I get pictures?  Nooooooo.  Imagine a HUGE burrito filled with chicken, rice, guacamole, corn salsa and lettuce - yep that's it.  You got it.

And then a shopping trip to the commissary on base.  This is one gal that digs the commissary.  Everything you need for grocery shopping at a very reasonable price.  We got stuff to make kabobs on Sunday and snacks to make it through the weekend.
And yes, we got a picture. 

What I should have captured was video of Chloee and me dancing in the frozen foods section chanting "best day ever!  best day ever!"

Saturday night was pretty chill.  Playing with Chloee, watched Rio and then crashed.

 Chloee is working really hard on sleeping all by herself, so I stayed on the couch until the middle of the night when I heard her crying and calling "Mimi!"  I couldn't resist.  I snuck in, snuggled her close and we both fell back asleep.  Sorry Corb - I really just couldn't resist.


Sunday was more playing and then getting all 6 of us ready for church.  As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, we have a three hour block of time that we devote to worship.  The main meeting is where we can partake of the Sacrament and listen to speakers or as was the case this week, share testimonies.  It was awesome.  Their ward is off base and it's a mix of military and civilians.  Old people, young people, and everything in between.  And HUGE!  I absolutely loved it.  Chloee went to Primary (class for littles) and we went to the adult meetings.  I loved the diversity of the people.  We don't have that here in lil ole Utah.  The MotherShip of the church.  I think I might prefer it there.

After church, more playing and then dinner with the missionaries.  Two cute young men.  One from Rexburg ID, the other from Texas (I forget which city) - devoting 2 years of their lives to serve other people and teach the gospel.  I dig them.

More playing.  Poppa and Chloee went to "her" playground while we watched Limitless, and then more playing.  When Chloee went to bed that night she asked if I could sleep with her.  After much negotiating with her dad, it was deemed a special occasion and ONLY for special occasions.  We snuggled, told stories and played the "remember" game.  She loved to list out all the things that she could remember about Utah. 

Monday morning came too soon.  We knew we had to be on the road before it got too late in the day so it was a quick breakfast at Denny's and then the dreaded goodbyes. 

It was raining.  Perfect for the moment.

I hate this part.  I hate seeing her eyes get sad.  I hate feeling my eyes get wet and my heart wrench.

I think it makes it all the more sweeter when I get the chance to go back.  Which should be in October if all goes as planned!

Thanks Corb, Kar and Chloee for hosting us this weekend!  For the fun, talks, laughs and good times!  I just can't get enough of you guys!!