Hyatt Lost Pines - When did the girls not have fun for the Fourth of July?!

The whole long weekend at the Hyatt Lost Pines revolved around families and family type activities. It was loads of fun and lots of great family time.

Arriving at Lost Pines, the girls immediately sat at a coloring table outside of one of the hotel's restaurants. They colored and watched some of Nemo.

The girls jumped in the bounce house set up in the hotel's ball room for the Fourth of July weekend.

Jordan and Katelyn got to roast marshmallows to make S'Mores. The hotel provided this service every night at 7 PM. Jordan was more about roasting than eating but she did try them. Katelyn loved the S'Mores. Mommy was just plain nervous the whole time they were around the fire pits!

Jordan eating a S'More.

Katelyn eating one of her S'Mores.

Lots of time over the next several days was spent playing at the park located at the hotel.

There was even fun to be had in the room. Jordan was jumping from one bed to the next and thought it was great. We did stop this though because a) we don't jump on furniture and b) we didn't want her to get hurt. She was cute jumping through the air though and I loved to hear her laugh :) Safety ruled out in the end.

The girls in their Fourth of July bikinis getting ready to go swimming at the pool. They swam every day for many hours. They loved it!

Daddy putting the "Kabuki" makeup AKA Sunblock before the girls got in the pool. It was really hot and CHH was great about reapplying it several times each day.

Katelyn and Jordan relaxed and ate lunch by the pool every day. They also made several friends while there. Every one at the resort was there with their little kids and dogs. Yes, dogs. The place was spotless though and people were great about taking care of their dogs.

People would put chairs in the pool to sit in and relax. Jordan made it her mission to remove the chairs from the water. She loved doing so and I have no idea why it was so much fun. Here she is swimming under water grabbing a chair.

Katelyn having a good time in the pool.

Jordan and Katelyn happy to be with their Aunt Kara. They saw Aunt Kara every day while we were in Austin and they were thrilled to be with her.

Lot of yummy kid food to eat while there...

One day, they had a bunch of old time cars. It was neat. We thought of the girls, Uncle Mark, while looking at the cars. We know he would have loved to have seen them.

The girls with some of the old cars.

Katelyn and Jordan listening to these singers while walking through the hotel lobby. The girls were fascinated with these men and their singing. They loved it.

Having more fun with Aunt Kara!

Making more friends and eating rainbow Popsicles out by the pool. The little girl in the picture is named Ali. Of course, Jordan and Katelyn easily remembered her name because of their other dear friend Ali in PA. This precious 6 year old had been abandoned by her Mom. Her step-grandparents had brought her to the resort to have some good quality fun time. She was adorable and I thought about what her Mom was missing out on. I hope for a good life for this little girl.

Chocolate ice cream in waffle cone and sitting outside on rocking chairs...fun, fun, fun.

More coloring... One of Jordan's favorite things to do.

All done with her Fourth of July picture!

Look at those beautiful sparkly brown eyes and that gorgeous smile... What a cutie!! Got to say it - I love her!

Face painting a couple of days in a row. My babies love love love to get their faces painted.

I have to have a picture of my Katelyn and her gorgeous brown eyes and sweet smile as well!! Same for her -- I love her!!

Playing Play-Doh out of the balcony of our room.

Jordan riding her scooter along the sidewalks of the resort. Katelyn had one too but wasn't into riding hers. She probably is still too young for it but I had to get her one just in case she did want to ride it like her sister.

Eating S'Mores with Aunt Kara on another night at the resort.

Sitting on our blanket, getting ready for the movie that the resort showed every night outside on the lawn. The girls saw "Shrek 2", some of "Bolt", and "An American Tale". The resort also set up a table of popcorn bags for the kids along with water. Katelyn loves popcorn so she loved running over and grabbing her bag of popcorn. The girls would stop off at other blankets and talk to the various kids while waiting for the movies to start. Once again, more great family fun.

Our family on the lawn waiting for the movie to start.

Katelyn getting a smooch from Daddy.

Playing in the sand by the pool. I learned to not bring so many sand toys to the "beach" area because other kids would "borrow" them and I would have to get them back. At least I was smart and had labeled everything with our last name with a black sharpie :) The girls loved digging and making things in the sand.

The girls loved this rodeo lady out by the pool. They loved watching her with the lasso.

Nothing like a good hug from Aunt Kara....

My adorable girls on the Fourth of July!

Getting their faces and hands painted yet again...

Waiting outside for the fireworks show to start. I will say I got emotional. I looked around at all the families and I told CHH that we were living at the moment in the true American life -- families every where, glow sticks/necklaces, patriotic music playing over the loud speakers, and waiting for fireworks. It was incrediable.

When the fireworks started going off, I had Jordan sitting next to my side with her hand on my leg. I remember looking over at her face and seeing the awe and joy on it while viewing the fireworks. I had Katelyn in my lap with her head back on my chest. She was a little scared of the fireworks and had my arm around her stomach and her little hand was resting on my arm. CHH was sitting right next to us. I thought about how blessed I was at that moment and told myself to capture this moment in my mind and remember the happiness. I realize all the time how lucky I am to have my family and I try to remember to savor these moments. Crys and Alexa remind me of this and especially during times like this -- I remember to capture these moments -- they go so fast.

Jordan having a blast playing with all of her glow sticks. I laughed the next morning when I got up. The girls had them in our room all over the floor. I walked into the bathroom the next morning and there were all the glow sticks in the bathroom on a stool with a couple of towels over them still glowing throught the towels. CHH couldn't sleep and locked them in the bathroom with the towels covering them and you could still see a glow. Yes, we had tons of them! The girls loved it.

It was a perfect trip!

Sunny California

June 21st, we arrived in Newport Beach, CA. My Aunt Mary Anne and Uncle Steve picked us up at the airport and we were so excited to see them. When we arrived at the condo. Jordan was so excited to see Zack and Jake, her cousins.

Monday, my sister, brother-in-law, Zack and Jake went to the La Brea Tar Pits. We headed for the LA American Girl store at The Grove and then met the cousins in Hollywood for lunch. Here they are on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- the El Capitan Theatre is in the background. Side note: It was weird that we were there on Monday looking at the various stars and then 3 days later Michael Jackson passed away as did Farrah Fawcett.

Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store Hollywood - We met my family at this Disney Soda shop for lunch. It was cute and the food was good. It was on the Walk of Fame.

My sister, Shery, my brother-in-law, Bob, and Zack and Jake in Hollywood with Grauman's Chinese Theatre (stars' footprints in cement) in the background.

CHH and Katelyn outside of the Disney Soda shop. I like how they have the new Disney "Up" movie cartoons drawn on the soda shop's windows.

After visiting Hollywood, we drove down Sunset Blvd through Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, etc. We drove over Rodeo Drive, past The Beverly Hills Hotel (the "Pink Palace"), Bundy Dr., etc.

Tuesday, we went to Disney! Grandma went with the group and was thrilled to go with her grandkids to Disney.

Jordan and Katelyn were excited to see Minnie.

Jordan riding the Winnie the Pooh ride with her cousin, Jake.

After Disneyland, we went over to Disney's California Adventure and went on rides in Bug's Land at that park. While there, Jordan made an amazing comment to CHH and I. She commented that all the big plants over our heads made it appear that we were the bugs. CHH and I had not thought about it that way but we think she is right. Disney has designed all these huge fake plants and we were indeed quite small compared to these plants, like bugs. I was amazed that she thought of it this way and probably is correct.

Wednesday, we hung out at the resort (Marriott's Newport Coast Villas timeshare resort) with my Aunt and Uncle. They are the ones who hosted us at this fabulous time share. We really appreciated it and they are always go good to us. Jordan took to Uncle Steve and you can see him carrying her!

The whole group eating at my Aunt and Uncle's favorite hole-in-the-wall place to eat while in Newport.

My girls back at the resort. We walked around and really enjoyed the view.

The girls holding hands with Jake and following the cousins around the resort.

Katelyn loved viewing the fish every day at the resort. She would get down on her stomach and get close to the water to see them.

Thursday, we went to Legoland. It was amazing to see all the various items built from legos. Here the girls are in front of the capital in Miniland USA. Miniland USA presents famous landmarks built entirely from Legos.

Standing in line in "Land of Adventure" to go on the "Lost Kingdom Adventure" ride at Legoland.

Zack, Jordan and Jake on a camel built from legos in the "Land of Adventure" at Legoland.

We did not see the “Bob the Builder" in 4-D show but when we were walking by we did see "Bob the Builder" so we got a picture with him.

Jordan was absolutely adorable on this ride in the Castle Hill portion of the park. The ride was so cute. It was the Royal Joust ride where kids could ride their very own LEGO horse through an enchanted forest, complete with jousting Lego knights. Katelyn was not allowed to go on it because you had to be at least 4 years old. The good thing was Katelyn was fast asleep in her stroller so she did not know otherwise -- thank goodness.

Both girls got their faces painted at Legoland. They love to have their faces painted. Katelyn woke up just in time to get hers done as well like her sister.

We also went to the Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland. It was great and the girls loved it. The aquarium is geared towards children and incorporated lego models in the various sea life exhibits.

Here CHH is helping Katelyn touch a star fish. Katelyn loved this!

The sisters back at the resort once again looking at the fish.

Friday, CHH and I took the girls for lunch at the Shake Shack. It is a great place to get lunch and shakes. You sit on benches outside and overlook the ocean. It is a beautiful view and a great place to eat lunch.

Saturday we went to Laguna Beach. The girls had a great time running in the water and playing in the sand.

Jordan buried her lower body in the sand. She thought this was so funny. Katelyn helped her do so.

Jordan at Laguna Beach.

Katelyn at Laguna Beach.

The cousins with Uncle Steve.

Aunt Mary Anne with all the kids!

The last night in CA, Jordan and Jacob put on a show for everyone. They had been talking about it for days. They were so funny because they used the luggage cart as their stage. It was adorable and they had fun.

Katelyn with the cousins on the last night in CA. It was a wonderful vacation and we had so much fun. Thank you again to my wonderful Aunt and Uncle for having us out. We planned this trip over a year ago and we couldn't believe how quick it went while there. That is what happens when you have a great time!

The Wedding

Two weekends ago, we began vacation. Before doing so, Jordan and Katelyn attended Sarah and Alyssa's birthday party at our gymnastics place. Katelyn loved being able to go in the gym and do gymnastics with the big kids. Jordan is on the beam behind her.

Katelyn hanging from the bars at the gym. She saw her sister doing it and did it as well.

After the party, we left for the Four Seasons in Las Colinas. We got to stay in this room Saturday night!! Our good friends were getting married Sunday morning at the Four Seasons. We introduced the couple to each other so they asked us to be the witnesses for the wedding. We were thrilled and excited. When Jordan saw this room, she told me how much she loved it and wanted to stay at the Four Seasons more. Go Jordan!

My girls briefly on the balcony looking at the view. Katelyn stood up off her chair, looked through the rail and I about had a heart attack. She couldn't reach above the rail but it still made me so nervous. Since she would not sit down, we went back in and locked the balcony door :)

Katelyn and Daddy Sunday morning before the wedding.

CHH and the girls walking down to the villa for the wedding.

Our friends getting married outside. It was a gorgeous day and the wedding was perfect.

The newlyweds! I worked with Dale. She is our former CEO's assistant. My husband has worked with Cym on several different areas involving law. We both knew each of them and the more we got to know them the more we thought these two had similar interests. After a year or two of saying they should meet, they finally did at a Starbucks for coffee. Three years later on this Sunday morning to the date they met at Starbucks, they got married. Yes, I cried. It is nice to see people happy.

My family at the wedding.

The wedding cake. Jordan just loved this cake. It was red velvet with cream cheese frosting. Yummy!

They had a specific table at the wedding for kids. It was low to the ground and had crayons and paper on it for the kids to color. It was perfect and the kids loved it.

I had to put this picture in. I love when Jordan and Katelyn love on each other. All in all, it was a wonderful wedding and we had a great time. We left from the Four Seasons to the airport and flew to California for our family vacation after the wedding reception.