Headed to Cali soon!

Well this time next week I will be last minute packing, cleaning and whatever else it takes to be ready to head out to Cali. This will be our first big trip with Charlotte. The farthest we've been is probably to the cabin up Provo Canyon which is like an hour and a half drive. So we're still debating on how this is all gonna pan out but our plan is to stop every 2-2 1/2 hrs to let Charlotte out and let her crawl around at a park or just get out and stretch. I've got everything mapped out so if we leave between 5-6 am we will be in Vegas between 12:30-1:30 pm. We thought if we left early she'd wanna sleep still so I hope that's the case. We're gonna stop there one night to just break up the trip. Scott also had a mission buddy that lives out there and we're hoping to meet up with his little family and do something. Not sure where we're going to stay yet but Scott gets paid tomorrow and depending on his check will determine where we can go. I may end up bidding on priceline for a room. I did that once and it wasn't too bad of a deal.

So then on our 4 year anniversary we drive to Cali with a couple stops. One of course is at the most excellent Charlie Browns on Pearblossom for amazing milkshakes. I love stopping there. We used to stop there after we'd go do work at the Church farm. We'd either pick fruit or prune early in the morning then stop at Charlie Browns on the way home. Sadly the Church farm was sold off but we also moved so the only time I go there is when we're driving through. But that leg of the trip from Vegas to Simi should only take about 4 1/2 hrs so hopefully Charlotte can handle that.

While we're out visiting I really want to get to the Ronald Regan Presidential Library in Simi because before we moved they started the Air Force One exhibit and it was not finished before we moved so I really want to go see that. I can only imagine how huge it must be. So I really hope to get there. Luckily that's in town. On Scott's bday between my friend's sealing at the LA temple and her reception I'm hoping to do lunch at Earth Wind and Flour (we used to go there after baptisms with our young adult ward) then head to the Santa Monica Pier. I thought it'd be fun to take Charlotte on the carousel there and also to hit up Ye Old Kingshead Pub... well not the pub but the store next to it. They have lots of yummy English candy and stuff. Really neat store if you ever happen to find yourself in Santa Monica. I also would love to squeeze in a drive up PCH through Malibu to my favorite tide pools at Leo Carillo. Sadly the tide reports show low tide at like 5 am but I hope to catch a little lower tide in the afternoon but either way it's a beautiful beach. They have filmed a lot of movies and commercials in the area. It's a cool little beach and I can't wait to take Charlotte there. I have a feeling we may run out of time and I don't wanna cram too much in. I wanted to hit up the Oxnard strawberry festival since I've never been but the strawberries are amazing out there. Pretty much the best you could ever have and everything just smells like strawberries when you drive those back roads out towards the beach. So I'd love to go there but not sure if we'll have time.

We're gonna leave early Sunday morning and drive all day. I really hope Charlotte can handle it. It's gonna be 11 hrs of driving and we'll try to take some breaks in between but we're really gonna try to get home at a decent time to pick up Toby from my parents and get unpacked and get Scott to bed since he has to work at 3 am Monday morning. I think we're gonna have a blast and I'm so excited to see my friends. I miss them so much. I just can't wait to take a trip and do some new things with Charlotte. She won't be able to remember much but I'll have lots of pics for her to see it all. I also have some other pics below you can check out.... 8 days!

This is why they make those little plastic covers for outlets... I guess what she's doing isn't terrible but she was playing with our old keyboard and trying to plug it in. I thought it was cute.

This was before our terrible bike ride on a super windy day. She was trying to do "sooooo big!"

I tried to ride my bike in extremely strong south winds. Not a good idea. I made it from 1000 N to 400 N struggling greatly and I had to turn around. Once we got to the park by our house I thought we could stop and let Charlotte swing since it was a shorter ride. It was really really windy but she had fun.

I love these leggings on her... she's a cutie

So I believe this was last Friday morning. I hate waking up to this nonsense in spring. Winter is fine but I'm ready for warm weather.

I was getting her bath ready and Charlotte wanted to put all her toys in before she ever got in. Normally we'll just put her in and wash her then give her some toys. I just had to push 'em all outta the way but I thought it was cute her tryin to throw 'em all in.

This was after an amazing night's sleep.Charlotte slept in until 8:30! Incredible. I'm lucky if she sleeps in until like 7:30

On Sunday we were all up at my in-law's and Charlotte sure loves the piano as do the other grandkids so I got a pic of all of them here.

So Scott's mom is holding Charlotte, next to her is Olivia, then Ryan and Mylee on the end

I just thought this was a cute pic Scott got of her. Little sweetie

I thought I mentioned how Charlotte was starting to walk. Scott was able to catch it on the camera. Now to get it on our video camera. She's so cute when she walk though.... love my little monster