Wanna Get Away?

That is just what Darin's parents asked us,
followed by hotel reservations....just because.
Unbelievably thoughtful, I know.

Originally the plan was for Darin and I to get away, but we decided we'd miss the kids too much and it would be so much more fun to get away as a family. So, we upgraded to a suite and surprised the kids by taking them out of school early and heading out to the desert, all 6 of us.

It's kind of a surreal feeling when you realize that your family has grown enough to fill 2 queen beds and a pull out sofa. It's become clear to us that we will have to upgrade to a suite every time we travel, just so every member of our family can have a place to sleep. I don't know why that makes me laugh, but it does.


After a yummy Mexican dinner and a trip to the local McDonald's play place, we put on our "soups" (as Lauren called them) and hit the pool. The pool was heated and we had it all to ourselves. Little Lauren swam with floaties for the first time and sent the message loud and clear that she has no fear of water. She'd jump off the edge of the pool into the water all by herself, go completely under, pop up and say "AGAIN!". We played some of those good ol' pool games and ended the evening with a classic "chicken fight". It was just as I remembered it as a child, my hair got pulled, I almost drowned keeping that kid on my shoulders and the one who lost left the pool in tears. Classic.

I think the best part of the trip was when we were at breakfast and a nice older gentleman stopped at our table just to compliment our children on their restaurant manners! 10 points for Mom & Dad! Totally made our day!


Our kids ARE wonderful. We love them and we especially love opportunities like this to get away and make memories together. They are our everything, our reason's for living, for loving, for learning and teaching and for trying every day to be our very best selves.