Sunday, March 11, 2012

12 Days Minus 5

If you're not related to me, this post probably won't make much sense so unless you're easily entertained or bored then maybe you can do something more productive with your time.
My brother and his family along with my 87 year old Grandma came out for a 7 day vacation.  Then we put a vacation within that vacation by going to California.  Obviously, way too much to write so I decided to sum it up in song.

On the first day of vacation my family gave to me...Nathan falling in the pool.




It was only a matter of time while playing around the pool, and of all the kids of course it had to be mine.  Luckily, it had just been filled the day before so instead of getting stitches from going head first, he got cold and soaked.



On the second day of vacation my family gave to me....too many missed photo's
and Nathan falling in the pool.

We all brought cameras but were horrible about catching the moments that would've backed up most of the memories from the trip.  Even the Disney ride photo stations were of no help.  We got all gangster to conquer Splash Mountain and the photo camera on the ride was down. It was one stroke of bad luck after another.  Photo and video lack were our biggest regret.  We did get in other photos.  That was our competition, to see how many photos we could manage to sneak a pose in on others' pictures.  I believe we were up to 8 or 9 good poses.


On the third day of vacation my family gave to me...three hungry drunks, too many missed photos, and Nathan falling in the pool.

The sight was a mix between the following three photos:







Disney closed at 8 p.m. because it was the off season.  Finally at 10 p.m. we went out for dinner at Chili's and here was my brother and grandma ordering drinks and booze, we were ordering food, and kids were passed out like drunks on the table.  I say drunks because when the food came, Nathan was literally tipsy to one-side as he was eating while sleeping.  I'd never seen that sight ever, at least since college. It was hilarious and no video to capture it...what is wrong with me?!  I'm sure we were awarded the parents of the year by the server.


On the fourth day of vacation my family gave to me...four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's and Nathan falling in the pool.





What do you get when you take kids to the beach and tell them not to go in too far?  
See above picture. Minus the four legs and tail, pretty much sums it up.










On the fifth day of vacation my family gave to me...FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS... four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photos, and Nathan falling in the pool.




Four kids and one adult equals 5 smacks on the sliding glass door at my mom's house.  It was almost a daily occurrence and the hardest part was holding in the chuckles every time the screen door flew off or hearing the 'donggggg' noise as a youngster was teary eye'd with a giant red spot on their head. The grown adult had no excuse.  Yes, my mom keeps her windows very, very clean.

On the sixth day of vacation my family gave to me...six 'ding-a-dur's',  FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photos, and Nathan falling in the pool.




I've mentioned it before, Nathan got confused once while playing charades.  He was given the word 'dumb-bell'.  He didn't know what that was so he decided to improvise as he pulled his pants up, made a 'dumb face' as he pretended to swing a bell in the air and said 'ding-a-dur' in a slow special way.  He was doing his own impression of a dumb-bell.  And it stuck.  He thinks he's pretty funny and will try getting away with it in pictures, especially when he thinks we don't realize he's doing it.  Above was his impression while on Space Mountain.  He also taught it to my nephew so the tradition can continue nationwide. 





On the seventh day of vacation my family gave to me...seven pairs of Skechers, six 'ding-a-dur's', FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's, and Nathan falling in the pool. 





So we found the Skechers factory which now has a store that sells their shoes at a crazy low cost.  We stocked up.  Cha-Ching.

On the eighth day of vacation my family gave to me...eight minutes of lock down, seven pairs of Skechers, six 'ding-a-dur's', FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's and Nathan falling in the pool.




It happened on a cold windy day just outside of Cabazon, California.  As the two-toned Buick was parked at the A&W parking lot, every one was bolting to get inside to the warmth.  People had gone to the restroom, orders had been placed when the question was raised, 'Where is Great-Grandma?' Yes, where WAS Great Grandma?!  After about a minute I looked at my brother and asked, 'she isn't still in the car is she?'  Alas, my brother had locked her in.  She recounts that she was pounding on the windows to get our attention and thought that eventually we would come back and get her.  Finally, right before my brother reached the car she realized she could manually unlock the car.  This is the day we live in folks:  we are so dependent on our automatic key chains, we have forgotten we can use our hand to flip the switch.  Classic.  She would've had better luck with Brynna.



On the ninth day of vacation my family gave to me...nine inappropriate racist dolls, eight minutes of lock down, seven pairs of Skechers, six 'ding-a-dur's', FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's, and Nathan falling in the pool.




One can only take so much of Small World.  As we rode, we thought of ways to update the ride with different races, culture, and the prejudices associated with each doll. No, I won't mention them here but not to worry, we came up with plenty of inappropriate material for our own race and culture as well.



On the tenth day of vacation my family gave to me....ten o'clock wake up time, nine inappropriate racist dolls, eight minutes of lock down, seven pairs of Skechers, six 'ding-a-dur's', FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's, and Nathan falling in the swimming pool.




My brother and I have always been night owls, but I was amazed at how he could sleep in everyday until at least ten.  I guess that's what vacation is all about, though I think that is his weekend wake up as well. It was awesome staying up late talking, going to a movie, and playing card games.  Now it's back to lonely late nights with the T.V.  :-(

On the eleventh day of vacation my family gave to me...eleven times 60 miles, ten o'clock wake up time, nine inappropriate racist dolls, eight minutes of lock down, seven pairs of Skechers, six 'ding-a-dur's', FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's, and Nathan falling in the pool.




Kudos to my family for doing a vacation within a vacation.  They came on Saturday, we were in the car for six hours on Sunday, drove all around California, and made the long trip back on Tuesday.  




On the twelfth day of vacation my family gave to me...twelve glazed donuts, eleven times 60 miles, ten o'clock wake up time, nine inappropriate racist dolls, eight minutes of lock down, seven pairs of Skechers, six 'ding-a-dur's', FIVE SMACKS ON GLASS, four soaking kids, three hungry drunks, too many missed photo's, and Nathan falling in the pool.




My family has a serious addiction and weakness to good glazed donuts.  It's a breakfast tradition.  My brother downed four just in one sitting and Brynna tried placing three on her plate. I had to stop myself at 2. It's shocking we don't weigh 300 pounds, but can't help but wonder what our weight would be if we kicked the habit.  Shout out to Rainbow Donuts who have the best I've EVER tasted.  


It was one of our best trips yet and I miss my family already.  I was extremely proud of my Grandma who went on rides at Disneyland without batting an eye, hiked faster than some of us on the mountain, and kept up late as we traveled to and fro.  She is amazing as is my sister in law and nieces and nephew and sometimes my brother. I am a blessed girl.  





The crew...and Brendan carrying on the tradition.
Photobucket

3 comments:

Stephanie said...

I love Tanner tales! They always make me laugh. I am glad that you guys had such a great time.

Talialisa said...

I was bored and had time to waste...so glad that I did. So fun to read - you are such a great writer! (And we are missing the warmth of Arizona!)

Unknown said...

Everytime I see the "dumb-bell" pictures I laugh! Too fun!

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