My 10 Tips For a Great Family Vacation

I love to just up and getaway with the family! It's truly an important bonding time for all. No work, no school, just plain old fashioned togetherness.  We love to just hitch up the boat and hit the lake!  It's not renting a cabin, or hotel room....  Its us and a tent.  But I'll tell you it is the most rewarding and relaxing vacation we could imagine.

We go hiking the trails and look for wildlife. My sons love to bring along jars to collect the *icky* bugs.  Then there's the fishing.  Just sitting in the boat talking, laughing, encouraging each other.  Believe it or not, even as loud as we get, we've caught some fish!  Matter of fact, some of our best talks were at the end of a couple of fishing poles. You want to know how your kids doing?  This is it.

Of course, the main event of the trip is the boating!  Oh how the kids love it!!  Jumping the waves, racing other boats, or finding a spot in the middle of the lake to jumping off.  It completes the trip.  Soon the older ones will be "allowed" to be pulled and that's going to be terrifying!!  If it were up to Hubby they'd already be pros.  But I'm such a worry wart. 


10 Simple Tips For a Simple and Absolute Fun Family Vacation:

10.   Don't bring your work!
                No one, kids included. Save that for a weekend at home.  The sky isn't going to fall just because you left your Blackberry.

9.    Bring family games.
                We always take our "Sports Set"  It's a soccer ball, baseball/gloves, football, a couple of tennis rackets/ball, some swim toss  rings.

8.    Include everyone in events.
                  No child is the same.  Not everyone is going to love the events planned.  Anthony is more of my  bug guy and sports fan.  While Cody loves the water and Wyatt just tries to keep up.  Then of course Baby Lady who just wants to lay out and show her baby doll around.  Try and find enough time to do it all. Teaching compromise is very important!

7.    Take time for each child.
                 Every child wants to know their special.  Vacations are perfect for that.  Sometimes they get lost in the shuffle of life.  They need to know what they have to say ROCKS!

6.    Never ground on vacation.
                 Thats not what this time is for.  Wait til you get home to make a stink.

5.     Pick a place that might not have internet or TV.
                   Find spots that are aimed a quality family time.  Pre-planned vacation spots are great because they center around families.  In other words save wine country for your Anniversary.

4.      Get involved!!
                    Be a part of the time spent.  Just as life...You get what you put into it.

3.      Bring back your Goofball self.
                    We get so wrapped up in work and discipline, it's our time too ya know.  Let loose!

2.     Pick a spot where maybe you've never been or is unlike you.
                     Out of the ordinary brings a challenge......Challenges are a great way to bond.  Rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, surfing...  A family that learns together...... Laughs A LOT!!!

1.     It shouldn't take much.... Just remember this is your family time.   You only get a few years with them.  What memories do you want them to take. 









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What The Hell Was He Thinking??

Aprils almost at an end and do you know whats coming up??? You better know! It's our day Whoo Hoo! I don't have many male readers but nevertheless, I'm posting a "what the hell was he thinking post."

After all we ladies do for our men and kids...

After:
-the months of being uncomfortable and clumsy,
-the hours of childbirth,
-the years of never-ending laundry,
-diapers,
-puke,
-being peed on, (those boys I swear aim right for the face but then cant hit a toliet?)
-the hemmoroids,
-the stretch marks,
-baby proofing,
-the screaming and crying,
-multi-middle-of-the-night wake up calls,
-swaddling,
-breast feeding,
-fixing up broken toys & broken hearts,
-the thousands of band aids and neosporin
-the trips to the dr's to remove something you still can't figure out how they got it in there let alone why??

After all this and much much more we are rewarded for our hardwork with a day...One measley 24 hour period.

But we're gratful nonetheless. And boy do I look forward to it!

So why do guys notoriously mess this day up?? My Hubby's great about "my" days but there have been times I've ask "What the hell were you thinking?? This is MY day not YOURS"

Here's some Dontcha even think about it!

10. Don't take us to the lake to fish save that for your day
09. Don't buy a cheap-last-minute-make-no-sense-pertaining-to-us card! We're not old people sitting on a bench!
08. Don't buy those cheesy little off the street bouquets on your way home, buy my favorite flowers
07. Don't buy the mothers ring that was on "sale". Put out the extra dough for our kids birth stones (if ya don't know.. ask)
06. Save the "Greatest Mom in the World" cup for your kids to give. I'm not your Mom.
05. Don't take me to your favorite resturant. Save the Hooters trip for your day
04. A gun safe really isn't a good Mothers Day gift. Yes it's keeps the kids safer but this is MY day. Momma don't want no gun safe!
03. Don't leave the kids with me all day. Yes, I became of Mother because of them but don't mean I wanna spend the whole day with em
02. Don't not wake me up before 9am unless you have breakfast in bed planned. My day. I sleep in.
01. Don't forget the day! Write it on a post it and glue it to your forehead if thats what it takes. Put this day: May 10 in your blackberry. Have a friend remind you. Unless that friend is a man then your just screwed.

Couples Quiz

I was tagged on Suzies site so I guess now I tag all the married ones that visit me!

Your It!
Have fun!!



1. When is your "engagement" anniversary: My 21st birthday.
2. When is your "marriage" anniversary: August 13, 2000
3. How long have you known your spouse: 10years.
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged: Almost 2 years.
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time: Work he was my boss.
6. Do you have any children yet: yes
7. How many: 4...3 boys 9,8,4 and one girl 2.
8. Do you have any house pets: Yes, our dog Zena and our three cats Snowball, Dipstick and Oreo. Plus tons of fish, snails, lizards, and hermit crabs.
9. Do you own a house or rent: Own
10. Do you live in the country or town/city: Rural
11. What is one of your favorite activities together: We love challenging each other anything, games /debates.
12. Do you have a favorite vacation spot: YES, the lake.
13. How many siblings (including in-laws): 9
14. What church do you attend: We haven't in a long time. ooh thats bad
15. Is this the church you were married in: No we were married in Vegas baby!
16. What town is your current address: Tucson
17. Do you work or stay at home: I'm a SAHM so I guess I work in my home.
18. Where did you honeymoon: Vegas Baby!
19. What does your parents (both sets) think about your spouse? Very proud of him, he's a good man, atleast now they do! He had to prove himself to Daddy. His parents love me!
20. Leave a piece of marriage advice: Arguing is healthy no one agrees all the time. Just be fair and know words can't always be taken back. Show your love everyday, a simple glance is all it takes to let each other know they're the one.

Get To Know Me (My 25 Random)

I'm sure you've been hit a time or two by these chain e-mails from your "friends" but this one I thought would be a great blog post since I had so much fun writing it. Maybe you'll get to know me better, and hopefully you'll still come back.

"25 Random Things About Little Ol' Me."

***WARNING****

This contains hopes and dreams, real facts, and just plain weird stuff. Read at your own risk!


1. My middle name is Ann (ugh)
2. I secretly love Cheetos in my peanut butter sandwiches *shh*
3. I've stolen the hearts of many (in my dreams)
4. I've won "Tony Awards" because of it (also in my dreams which is weird because I don't sing nor do I watch the Tony's)
5. I have told the kids it's later than it is just so they had to go to bed.
6. I am the stealer of the Oreo's (admitting it is the first step)
7. One day I hope to have my own business doing something. *anything*
8. One day I'll have to let go of my kids AND I WILL!
9. One day I hope to have five minutes alone in the bathroom
10. I secretly named one of my sons after the sexiest bull rider I've ever seen
11. I love insurance salesmen (whatever I'm running out of things)
12 Big Willy is my best son because he never says he hates me (one of my pigs)
13. I always buy generic prescription meds
14. Caitlin was everything I asked God for
15. Four kids is not enough I need a couple more but this time I'll be smart I'm going to adopt teens so they can babysit and clean!
16. I really do find it soothing to live simple
17. I save for things over just charging it
18. My house will be paid off by 2010
19. I will win the lotto this year
20. I blog because no one here cares to listen anymore.
21. I seriously love being a SAHM
22. Worst life decision moving to Cali straight outta school
23. Best life decision saying "hi" to the weird guy on the bus
24. My celeb guy crush: the guy from Dexter (who cares what his real name is he's cute!)
25. I don't thank God enough for my blessings.