DRIVING SCHOOL!

People had told me about putting Emma into a driving school - I always listened to them and politely smiled and then blew it off - Emma is so smart she doesn't need a school to help her. It wasn't until Stacia told me to do it because Emma is so smart, but lacks some common sense so this would be perfect for her - that sold me! She does lack common sense some times - but don't worry honey- you make up for it with your brains and beauty :) This program is awesome - she has to go a 6 hour class and drive 10 hours in one of the student driver cars and then at the end she will have earned her drivers license - so now the day she turns 16 we can take her certificate to the DMV and get her license - no test required! On the first day the lady taught her how to get gas, drive to both malls and she hit up the freeway! The next time they did a little parallel parking, freeway driving, around the city driving and the last time she drove out to Canyon Lake so she could drive all the hills! She still has 2 more lessons left, but even with those 3 she is so much better, we are more comfortable with it and she is driving around the city here and there when she needs to go places - left turns at intersections in front of on coming cars is some what of a death trap - but the rest of it is fabulous!!

MR & MRS HOLLENBECK

Kara and Shawn got married! I promised him I would add him to the family google hangout as soon as he was married - the wedding started at 4pm - while they kissed at 4:11pm - I added him - I am a woman of my word! Everything was beautiful. She was so sweet to get Eli a card and a candy because she got married on his birthday and at the end of the reception while we started cleaning up - everyone sang Happy Birthday to him! Thanks Kara for taking some of your special day for Eli! My kids had the best time there and danced all night long! We saw some robot, worms, congo line, etc. A good time had by all! We even recreated a pic of the boys from Jacob and Ranae's wedding!

THE BEACH!

The beach! Our happy place! We haven't been for a couple of years, so I was so glad to go this time! We met the Jolleys and Bells (and a couple of other families) at La Jolla shores for a couple of hours! They had the best time hanging out with their friends and watching the sea lions, etc. After that we headed over to mission beach until the sun set and then grabbed some dinner from Phil's BBQ (family tradition) and ate dinner and chilled back at Heather's condo.

The next day we got up, relaxed for a bit and then headed to the beach for the whole day! We spent 8 hours there and never once did the kids ask to leave! Jared did a couple of times - but I can just ignore him! I always forget how much fun the kids have at the beach. No electronics, just imaginations, waves, sand, boogie boards and snacks! What else do you need! The kids always get along so well and play so nicely! Im pretty sure Emma only came out of the ocean to eat and Eli did the same thing pretty much! Tyler was half and half and Tyson spent most of his time building things in the sand and collecting sand dollars! We will for sure have to go back again soon! Such a happy place for  us!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!

We loved our time at Universal. We saw a couple more shows this time! It takes Tyler a lot to outwardly express his enthusiasm - well the water world show - that gets him! He totally gets into it and even cheers out loud - say what?! 

Universal is a little rough for Jared and I  - we are to old and the rides make us sick. So we walk our kids to all the rides, wish them well, and wait for them at the end of the ride! What do we do while they are on these rides?! We eat! We take Selfies! We people watch - especially the ones from out of the country! We count the number of people wearing sketchers! We thoroughly enjoy our time together! ha!

I did run into Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) from Full House! I even had a conversation with him for a few minutes! The saddest part - Emma had snuck by without us seeing her and ran from one ride to the next and I kept looking for her so I could get a picture with her and him, but it never worked out - she was SUPER BUMMED! Sorry kid -next time I will make sure you get a picture with my new bestie!

I really wanted to see what this Walking Dead thing was so I had to beg and plead and talk my family into it! One of the boys said, "what if I pee my pants?" Then after the ride he informed us "don't worry - I didn't urinal on anyone!" It was the closest the 6 of us have ever walked together - I had to lead the pack - I am pretty sure Jared was just as scared as the little boys!

We even found a Ron Weasley wand just laying there. We kept looking for someone to look sad about it or to even look like they were looking for it and we couldn't find anyone so we enjoyed it and then all the kids had a magical wand to use!

We ran into the Cardons the last 2 hours of the last day and hung out with them and then went and got dinner together! The boys loved hanging out with their friends!

We will probably never go back there, but we sure did enjoy the fun times, memories made, giant donuts, butter beers, etc!