Update #1 - Cali Vacation

The last time I was in California, LMS was 2 1/2 months old! Crazy that we went back almost exactly 8 years later. I can't believe it's been 8 years since I've seen my extended family and it was the first time I meet my aunt and cousin. It's been 4 years since I've seen my grandma, and that was the occasion we went out for this time - her 80th b-day! Longevity must run on my moms side, because another major highlight of our trip was going to see my great grandma. Unfourtunately because the boys mom "just couldn't go so long with out them", Mr S and the boys stayed in IA. He was also annoyed that we took such a long trip, but since this was my first trip since our honeymoon and the fact that I probably wouldn't be out to CA for another 8 years (I hope not), I decided to make the most of it. The girls and I had a great trip and it was good to have the mommy/daughter time.

Day 1: Travel - Traveling so far always sucks just because it seems like 1 whole day of your trip is traveling. It wasn't too bad though and we made it to San Francisco about lunch time (for us - it was still breakfast out there). Once we found my sister and got the rental car, we headed to Woodland where my grandmother lives. For the most part, we just hung out and visited, took the girls to the pool, took a walk, etc.

Day 2: Great Grandma and the Mountains - In the morning we went to visit my great grandma. She is (was) such an interesting lady. She played the organ and the accordian for the girls, we looked at pictures and chatted. We were suppossed to go to lunch, but my grandma said she must have forgotten because she fed us ice cream and cookies at about 10:30 in the morning. :)

There are SO many pictures of me and my sister in the exact same spot.

5 generations of beautiful women

The hat LMS "aquired" at my great grandma's house

Snapshot

It's been a slow couple of weeks for the Snowflakes - at least in our definition of slow.  The hardest thing for me has been the lack of kids around the house.  The girls left on Thursday and yes we had the boys, but it's still not the same.  On top of that, work has been INSANE!!!
A week ago Friday, Mr. S's mom informed us that her father passed away - almost three weeks to the day after her mom. We took her to dinner that night - I feel so bad because I don't think it's sunk in yet - she's been so busy between her parents and now it's all over.  I just don't know what I would do without mine even though we are separated by so many miles!
Monday was the begining of football season - Jr.Mr.S is having fun working out with his new team - too bad it's SO hot. 
Wednesday I got stuck working super late at the restuarant and then Thursday my boss there asked if I could come in for a while since someone called in sick.  Ugh - I totally should have said no - I was a walking zombie for some reason.
Like I said, on Thursday I was pretty much a walking zombie, on top of forgetting all parental duties since I did not have any around last week.  About 4 pm a mom of one of LMS's friends texted me that she had to do an unthinkable thing - go home and tell her daughter that LMS and her were not in the same class this year.  Hmm...how did she know that?...Oh crap!  I forgot it was school registration day!!!  I raced out of work and got to the school in record time (35 minutes!!).  When I sat down with the school secretary to get the girl's paperwork she double checked I was only there for the girls - I said yes, but would take anything for the boys if I needed to.  She was very adament that she knew their mom had been in earlier that day.  When we got to the part where she asked about pre-paying for school lunches, she started acting all weird.  She asked if someone else was responsible for paying the girl's lunches and then mentioned that she was "TOLD" the boy's dad was responsible for theirs.  She acted all scared to ask me.  I paid and confirmed the story she was told but she just kept apologizing and explaining she was just a "messenger"  What the hell did the boys mom say/do to upset her that bad?!!I felt so sorry for her.  School secretaries are the nicest women and this one was all fearful of my reaction - sad that apparently the EX had to be such a BITCH to her.
Friday was another long stressful day, Mr. S and I finished it out with him meeting me at the restaurant for dinner when I was done.
Satuday the "big" event was picking up our beef - woo-hoo!! I also worked at the resaurant and then since Mr.S didn't want to watch anything good when I gt home and finished showering and eating dinner - I ended up working my other job from about 9 to 11:15 pm!
We had a pretty good day today, we went to brunch in Omaha, went to the mall and got Mr. S, Jr.Mr.S and I some stuff, went to Walgreens (they have really cheap wine), and then went groccery shopping.  Brunch was nice - I think we have a new place to pick from - Mr. S really loves his breakfast places. 
So that's pretty much our last week - just lots of work and a HUGE LACK of kids stuff - I'm not functioning well.  Can I admit that I don't know how to act without my girls?  It's just too weird to not have those two little butts around all the time and has made me think a lot more about Mr. S's idea for the complete custody.  I can't go back to them being gone and dealing with stupid's aftermath when they do get home. Ugh.
They'll be home Tuesday and I can't wait to hold them and sqeeze them and never let go. :)

Fill in the Blank Friday

Hey, I actually have time this week :)  This week's theme is all about vacation...

1. My dream vacation would be either to Bora Bora (it was a "dream" honeymoon spot for Mr.S and I) or like a month to explore Europe and stay in the most fabulous cities.  These are completely not going to happen - at least not for another 15 years +, or unless our Powerball numbers came up, but it's still nice to dream.

2. The best trip I've ever taken was both my trip to Hawaii with my grandma after high school and my Honeymoon with Mr. S.  Hawaii was really awesome and because my grandma, aunt, and the other lady we went with had all been there before we got to do the best tourist-y things and also did some non-tourist-y things.  My trip with Mr. S was great (besides the uti and the LONG drive from the airport).  Everything was beautiful and we were so pampered and relaxed.  I don't think I've ever been that relaxed on a trip.

3. The most important items to take on a road trip are earplugs (if you have kids with you), good music/DVDs and snacks.