Our Vacation! The first few days...

Since I have a lot of pictures from the different parks and beaches we went to, I'm going to post those separately. Here are the basic details of our trip for the first couple of days!
Two weeks ago we went with my family (11 of us in all) to San Diego for a week. We rented a house in Carlsbad that had 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and best of all...a pool! We each had our own room. Since there were 3 of our family, we got the Master Bedroom and Bath. It was wonderful! We also had 3 rental cars so we could come and go as we pleased.

We arrived on Saturday and after waiting an hour for the rental cars we were finally on our way! We dropped our stuff off and headed out to find some lunch. We decided to go to Claim Jumper. Thinking it would only take about an hour or so to eat, seeing that it was 3 in the afternoon, but NO as our luck would have it, it was 2 1/2 hours! The food was good, but they were SO SLOW! Once we got back to the house we decided to go swimming! It was so nice to just get ready and walk out the back door! It makes me really want a pool now. :) My sister has the pictures of us actually in the pool so once I get them from her, I'll post them.

On Sunday we just hung out and then Cole, Ashlyn and I went to Corona to visit the Moody's, a family from Cole's mission. I took my camera but forgot to take pictures! We had dinner and dessert with them and talked and played. They have a really little dog that Ashlyn just loved! We were worried she was going to break her because she is so tiny. We chatted and laughed until 11:30pm which put us home at 1:00 am! It was so much fun to see them and see how much their kids and grandkids have grown up. They are such a great family and I'm so glad Cole has been able to keep in contact with them. They are great friends!

On Monday, the guys (except Cole) went golfing and the girls (with Cole) went shopping. We went to this place in San Diego with a lot of outdoor shops. It was cute but WAY overpriced. We realized it is the shopping area where the cruise ships stop. The only thing I bought was an ornament. Sorry, no pics.

On Tuesday we went to the Wild Animal Park...I'll post about that in another post. After that part of my family went to the Padres game. We decided not to go because we didn't know how long the game would be and how Ashlyn would do. So we went to the beach with my sister and her husband and Paige.

Meet Edward

The last day of our vacation in San Diego (blog of trip to follow) Ashlyn introduced my sister to her new friend Edward. Yes, we have an imaginary friend staying with us. We tried to get Edward to stay in San Diego, but he insisted on coming with us on the BIG AIRPLANE. He rode on the wing...such a brave boy.
We finally figured out where she got the name Edward...it's the prince's name on Enchanted. One of her all time favorite movies. So for now when you come and visit be prepared to meet Edward, our new little friend!

Big Girl Pig Tails

Ahh my baby isn't a baby anymore! Today she wanted pig tails so I decided to try and see if we could go for real piggies instead of half piggies on top of her head. She held very still and here is the result (she insisted on laying on the couch and posing for pictures):

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the best Father and Husband!

We Love You!!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well since I'm the only one who ever posts on this blog of ours, I'm going to wish myself a Happy Birthday :)

Birthdays are a big deal to me, in fact I think we should celebrate the birth WEEK, not just the day! I love celebrating birthdays and I can pretty much remember anyone's birthday or at least birth month if they tell me. So next time I see you, quiz me!

1 Dad + 1 Laundry Basket = Loads of fun!

Just hanging out watching some cartoons. We do have chairs at our house, but a laundry basket is much more comfortable when you are two!

Who knew a laundry basket could be so much fun?!

All it takes is one fun dad to make it happen!

Geez Woman

So I have to share this. It's funny but it is getting old. On Sunday we were at my parents house for dinner. We are all at the table and I asked Ashlyn to quit playing with her food and eat it. She responds, "Ok hold on a minute, geez Woman" Ummm excuse me? Woman? Everyone starts laughing and I looked at Cole and said, "Well, I guess I know what you say when I've walked away."
So for the past 3 days this is her response when she is frustrated or mad at me. My response is a time out. We don't talk to Mommy like that and trust me...if I hear Cole say it, he'll be in time out too!
It is pretty funny though...I just don't want to deal with an attitude like this for the rest of my life.

Getting to know me...

On Facebook, Amy A. invited me to have an interview so since I had some time, I figured I would post it on my blog too. So here are all the answers to your burning questions. Things you want to know and things you probably never thought to ask!

What are you most proud of in your life?
My Family

Who do you admire most?
My Parents

Water or 100% Juice?
Water

Would you rather be hot or cold?
Cold

Juice and crackers or milk and cookies?
Milk and cookies! Duh!

What was your last thought?
Why would anyone eat juice and crackers together?

Favorite fruit?
Strawberry or Pineapple

Are you a cat or a dog person?
Dog

Define yourself in 3 words...
Fun, Caring, Loyal

Do you eat cold cereal at night?
Yes...anytime of the day works for me :)

Kill the spider or let it out?
Kill it. I didn't invite it in so really it is trespassing.

Where do you want to travel next?
Anywhere!!

What is your favorite food?
Anything Chocolate

Do you read Harry Potter books?
No

What is your favorite place?
Hawaii or London

If you could have one super human power what would you choose?
I'd like to be able to zap stupid people

Vitamin Water or Gatorade?
Neither...just regular water

Flip flops or sandles?
Flip Flops

What do you do on fridays?
The same thing I do every day. Nothing too exciting.

What is your favorite song of all time?
Have You Ever Been In Love--Peter Cetera

Do you like bananas?
Sure

How many hobbies do you have?
I have a lot of hobbies, but I go in waves as to which one I'm "into" at the moment

Describe your perfect Sunday morning?
Sleep in

If you could be successful at any job in the world, what would that job be?
a Professional Shopper :)

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Hawaii

If you have friends coming for supper what would you cook?
Take Out

What makes you cry?
Lots of stuff

What makes you laugh?
Ashlyn and my friends

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions?
I would buy a house that actually has bedrooms. Then I would put some in savings, payoff debt, and help others.

Do you believe that the cup is half empty or half full?
Half Full

What is your favorite color?
Navy Blue

How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?
a whole forest...that's why a wood chuck can't chuck wood

Beach or mountain?
Beach

Left handed or right handed?
Left handed

Do you plan in advance?
I try to. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't

Why are you taking this interview?
Nothing else to do

Four Generations

Denece, Grandpa Holder, Grandma Holder, Ashlyn, and Cole

I FINALLY got the four generation picture I've been wanting to get since Ashlyn was born. I think it is so neat that Ashlyn has Great Grandparents. What a blessing. I love Cole's grandparents. Aren't they so cute?? My grandmothers passed away when I was a year old, so I never knew my grandmas growing up. Cole's grandparents have been so sweet to me and have loved me as their own since we were married. I love this picture.

I'm greatful for friends...

I'm so thankful for great friends. New friends and Old friends. I'm so blessed.

I'm pleased to announce my pity party has ended. Yes it did include a trip to Cold Stone (thanks Emma for the idea!) and a GNO (girl's night out) with some dear friends.
I do have to share this...My one friend's daughter couldn't for the life of her figure out why in the world we would have a "pity party" and celebrate my pity! She asked what went on at a pity party and when we told her, she said, "Well that doesn't sound fun at all!" I told her someday she will understand and that she will celebrate pity parties with her friends too.