Everyone needs one

every now and again, I know I do. So we packed up and headed on a vacation. I booked with our time share and got a great place in New Port Beach. I wanted it to be as low key as possible. All about the memories and time together. A few of my kids have had marked behavior issues since my tumor removal and long recovery. I really felt like we needed to stop spend time together and regroup.  A lot of people ask how we manage all 11 of us cooped in a car for hours on end. This trip they had Christmas money they had saved to spend. For every fight or issue they had to pay Mom and Dad a quarter of that money. It worked out rather well. We adapt a version of this for each trip. If you end up in the negative you owe me chores when we get home. If you are a good citizen you get to spend your moola on whatever you want. I do not cave for kids who lost all or most of their money. If you are lucky enough to be offense free you get a bonus. It actually makes for a very pleasant drive. Try it on your next trip, it works!

We decided on one day at California Adventure. It was so nice after a long day there to know I did not have to pack in another long day at at a theme park in. We may do it this way from now on. Way cheaper, way less stress, and kids just as happy as any other time we have gone. They were really just interested in the new Cars Land anyways. It did not disappoint.

One of my goals this trip was to be in more pics with my family. I would say I did really good.




I am pretty sure Miss T was thinking as she sat there that we just brought her along as a make shift luggage rack. It was that and the fact that she is just too cute to leave behind. I mean really, who else was going to carry all our blankets, snacks and jackets?




These are the smiles that make it worth it!










Proof that you can have just as much fun off a ride as on one. Cooper can make fun wherever he is. He has a talent for that. Some people call him class clown, others a little comedian and some just plain  think his tendency for constant goofiness is annoying. I pick all three, depends on my mood.



What a great day!