The Pearson Project

Monday, April 13

I had a busy day of bowling! I bowled 2 games earlier (I had already pre-bowled my first game) then came back tonight to bowl 2 more. Tonight was a party thrown by the Investment Rep in Simon's branch. It was a lot of fun! They provided pizza and drinks and 2 full games. What a blast!

(My mom totally saved my bacon too! She ran Nick to piano and baseball and even bought pizza for my kids for dinner. I couldn't have made today work without her!)

 

 

Tuesday, April 14

It's CRUNCH TIME! I have been so busy doing a million other things, I put off getting ready for the trip until the last second. This is what my 4 kids' laundry looks like when I do all of it in one day. I am so thankful for wonderful friends and neighbors though. Nick and Kendra went over to play with Ben and Kayla for half the day and Zack went to play with Ace. Zacky just loves Ace and I was down to one (sleeping) baby so I could get a ton done. And I did!

Wednesday, April 15

First of all, happy 7th birthday to my sweet Kendra and happy birthday to Grandma Howard! It was a birthday full of traveling for Miss Kendra. We woke up to snow...that's right, snow! It hasn't snowed all winter long and we ended up getting about 7" on the ground the morning we flew out. Of course! We made it to beautiful Newport Beach, California though and the kids got to stand in the cockpit and visit with the pilot for a few minutes. Zack even got to push the "gun button". We also got to enjoy the gorgeous sunset on the beach. The only casualty we had today was when Zack went to dip his feet in the ocean and ended up falling over with the force of one of the first waves. He went all the way under the water soaking his shirt, shorts, shoes, and even jacket. Oops! Glad we just happened to have a change of clothes in the car for him! Here's to the start of a wonderful vacation!

Thursday, April 16

Nick has been talking about going to Legoland for as long as he could talk! We finally made it!! We had a wonderful day as a family going on rides and visiting Mini-Land USA. The park wasn't very crowded so the kids were able to walk right onto rides. They even got to go on their favorites several times. It was wonderful! It was a very good day!

 

Friday, April 17

 The rest of our family met up with us today so we went from a party of 6 yesterday to a party of 17 today. We spent the day in Disneyland and had so much fun! We started out on Indiana Jones then made our way around the park. I forced Kendra to go on Splash Mountain, which she loved but won't admit it. Nick liked Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and we all enjoyed Small World. However, I think everyone's favorite was Pirates of the Caribbean. We tuckered out around 10:30 pm and headed back to the hotel with a crazy but fun day behind us.

Saturday, April 18

Ah, the day finally arrived! This is our floating home for the next 7 days. We boarded the Carnival Miracle around 2:00ish and began to enjoy the ship and all it offered (aka the food!). The kids are over the moon to be back on a cruise ship. This is Ricki's first cruise but second for Zack and Kendra and third for Nick. I hate to admit it but this marks #7 for Simon and I. I don't kid around when I say that this is the only way we travel!

 

Sunday, April 19

We had a fun day at sea. We ate breakfast, had ice cream, ate lunch, had ice cream, went to dinner, then had ice cream. I'm sensing a pattern forming here. :) The kids went to Camp Carnival but didn't seem to have as much fun as they did on our Holland America ship. They would rather be out perusing the ship and swimming - both of which they did a lot. Tonight was our first formal night. It was fun to dress the girlies and boys alike. Poor little Zack though fell off of the top bunk all the way to the floor. We were extremely fortunate that he was okay (no broken bones, no concussion, etc). He was pale and sleepy at dinner but perked up just before we took family pictures. Whew, thank heaven!