Shamu day 1

Sea World

when we knew we were going to visit my family, we thought of all the places we wanted to go and the #1 pick this year was sea world. but after checking costs my heart sank, I just couldn't justify it. when we got to my house my parents surprised us with passes! apparently my mom got a sweet deal through her office and not only that, they are passes that are good until dec. 31st and can be used as often as you want. whoo hoo!

when we arrived, we headed straight for the shamu show to kick of our adventure.

the kids were so excited just looking at the water completely un-aware of the amazingness that was to come!

then the show started...


and I have to admit I spent the majority of the time watching what I believed to be the real show...their faces.

check out cole's face in the picture below...


they were totally fascinated.


and this was only the beginning. this stuff is way more fun as a parent. I mean, look at this face below. tender.

this was cole's reaction to the sea lion and otter show, I loved hearing his laugh through the whole show, priceless.

there was a lot of walking and ali had the stroller staked out, so daddy helped cole out.

after some shows we headed off to see some animals up close.

which they thought was so cool. I know the picture below is dark, but cole's face in it is awesome.

they we so excited that they got to see such amazing animals so close up.

this next pic is fuzzy, but it totally captures how happy ali was, so I had to include it.

I know yet another picture of their backs...but they were so into it all.

here I will throw you a bone so you aren't completely left out...this is what they were captivated by.

cole and ali both discovered some close quarters that were fun.

and then...

we headed to a more hands-on encounter.

cole loved petting the sting rays and ali wanted to get in and swim with them.

after the sting rays we went and held starfish.

we lucked out this trip and got to spend time with both families. Justin's mom joined us for the first few days of our trip in san diego.

it was so fun to be there with our kids. I have so many pictures of me at sea world doing this exact same thing when I was cole's age. kinda crazy how time has flown.

they were so excited about everything and justin and I just soaked it all in loving every minute of family fun.

we did a lot more that first day, but I am sure you are already on picture overload.


so we will just say that it was fabulous and that it ended with a larger than life purchase for ali, (yeah, daddy couldn't resist...)

cole chasing every animal he could find.

and two very happy parents who couldn't wait to come back the next day.

shamu day 2

we started off day 2 at the park with all the fun -strikingly similar to the kiddy rides at disneyland minus the horrific lines- rides.

we split up for a bit while cole and daddy braved the ginormous netted jungle gym and ali and I headed for the bolted to the ground tunnels. I had the camera so that explains the lack of testosterone in the next few pictures.

she loved all this peek a boo business.



then we headed to the splash pad...which she was obsessed with.

she loved getting doused in the face and went back for more until we finally saw something else that caught her eye...

a giant microphone. is this my kid or what?

after she was done singing, we joined back up with the boys and headed for the dolphin pool.

we got there just as "play time" with basketballs began.

and I am obsessed with this picture.

we stayed there watching for quite a while...

and then it was off to the big boy rides.

cole and justin both loved this ride...particularly its 2 min wait. they kept getting off and going right back on.

then we asked cole what he wanted to see again from the day before and his answer was sharks! which we already knew was coming. they were definitely his favorite part of the whole sea world experience.

he was fascinated...and what was ali fascinated with? posing for her reflection.

after we left the shark exposure cole sat down outside and informed us he was staying the night with he sharks.

he really did love them. luckily grandpa sent him with some money to spring for a toy shark so he could take one with him instead of us having to leave him there.

and then it was time to head home.

once again we had a sleepy girl on our hands and this time they both conked out as soon as we got in the car.

I am so glad we got to go do this. and having unlimited days there really made it easy to relax and go with the flow, knowing we would be able to see it all.

thanks mom and dad, we can't wait to come back!

oh the places we'll go

while nana (justin's mom) was in town...

we went here...

nana loved spending time with cole and ali

ali loved being spoiled and packed around and hydrated by daddy.

daddy loved hanging out with all the fam at Zion and exploring with cole.

mommy loved seeing daddy so happy.

and cole loved talking with

and walking with nana.

and we all loved going on a family adventure.

"ali"gater style

her hair was just too cute not to post.

ignor the crooked line and focus on the cuteness.

oh how I love dolling her up,

and taking pictures to document it before nap time ruins all my efforts!

ali's "girls guide to summer"

I am loving summer and...

ah, pool days with daddy...

where I can take my time getting in the water

and then spend quality time with dad...until he realizes cole is wandering to the deep end and needs some dad help...silly brothers.

but don't worry dad always comes back to find me waiting with a great big smile for him.

and my favorite part of pool days? the accessories of course!

who doesn't love getting a little glammed up before catching some sun?

the only part that's a little tough...

is getting out and freezing until mom get's a towel around me.

other than that, it's pure fabulousness!

happy birthday to me!

this post is a little out of order considering all that I have to blog that happened pre-birthday, but I was too excited to make it wait till the end of the line.

this birthday was fabulous...thanks to friends and family who remembered me, a husband who spoiled me, and that incredibly funky chair pictured above that now has a home in my living room.

(it looks even more awesome in person...picture brighter!)

justin earned major brownie points this year with a delicious icecream cake and party.

and my craft night girls spoiled me the night before too.

thanks all of you who called, came over, or sent messages, you absolutely made my day.