Girls Trip 2013

 Life just isn't going to slow down, is it?
I often wonder how I had time to blog so regularly before,
when it's all I can do to whip up a bi-monthly report these days.

Such is the season of life.
I'd better choose to embrace it.

So. Our annual Girls Trip with Grandma has come and gone.
With so many happenings in early September, we couldn't get away until this last weekend.
We headed to Central Oregon on Sunday, and what a fabulous time we had.

Geri had chosen the most beautiful town house at Eagle Crest Resort.
And if you know Kam, that's her favorite part.
She LOVES a nice hotel room or beautiful vacation home.
She could care less about any of the activities.
Just give her a well-appointed place to kick back, and she's one happy girl!
Goodness, I love that child.

We shopped until we dropped on Monday, ordered take out, and headed back to the house for some R&R.

 

 

 {Do you notice little Miss Taylor-Diva?!  She's such a kick these days!!}

 

 

On Tuesday morning we headed home.
A quick stop in Sisters for a bit more shopping . . .
 

 

and a quick photo shoot outside the town house.
 

The property was gorgeous.
This was, literally, right outside our back deck:

 

 

Oh how I love our Girls Trip.
It's an outing we look forward to each year.
 

 

 

 A big thank you to Grandma Geri for planning such a fun getaway!
{And I'm bummed to say I don't have a group shot of us. 
Geri does, though, so hopefully I'll get ahold of one soon!!}

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

American Girl

 For Christmas, the girls received American Girl gift cards, and the promise of a trip up to Seattle in the Spring to visit the American Girl store nearest us.

Grandma suggested Spring Break as the perfect time for a girls trip, and we agreed!

So, we piled in the car . . .
 

And away we went!

Even the youngest of us was mesmerized.
 

We got to the store shortly before closing on a Sunday, but that didn't stop the girls from making some pretty fun purchases.

I was so proud of Makenna and Sierra for choosing to put their gift cards together to purchase some bigger items that can be used by both of them.

Let's just say that their dolls are enjoying nice, long bubble baths these days ;)

And Miss Taylor got her first Bitty Baby.
That baby has not left her sight in over a week :)
 

Sierra and Meagan.
 

Kenners, Kanani, and Hannah.
 

And Sweet Pea, Kameryn.
She held on to her money the longest.

The following day was spent at the doll salon.
Kanani enjoyed a fish tail.
 

And, see?  Tay and her new baby.
 

Later that evening, we dined at the AG Bistro.
 

Fruity drinks, and fruity . . . fruit!
 

We had a fabulous time.
But let me tell ya.
After  4 1/2 hours in the car each way, and nearly two days of shopping . . .
we were tuckered out.
 

And so glad to be home!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Talk To Us Tuesday ~ American Girl, Part 2

 {Okay, so IA said that we could write about whatever we wanted ~ no rules~ and still link up.  Hope I'm not breaking any rules here ;)  And by the way, head on over there to find out what others have on their mind today.}



American Girl, Day Two:

Our second day at American Girl started with a trip to the Doll Hair Salon.

{Yeah, you heard that right}

Meagan and Hanna were in desperate need of new 'dos, don'tcha know.

Meagan chose a side braid.

And Hanna got the half pony braid.  They also both received the full spa treatment.  And let me tell ya, they needed it.  Kenners had also saved her money so that Hanna could get her ears pierced. 

We walked out with several enormous bags that morning.  We then walked around to check out the rest of the mall {much to the girls' dismay}. 

We needed to run off a little energy besides.

And we came across this adorable little bakery.  Ohhhh how we wanted to go in, but alas, it wasn't to be.  Next door to Pinkabella was Godiva chocolates.  I'm not going to tell you about the big poster in the window advertising Godiva chocolate shakes.  With whipped cream.  And chocolate syrup drizzled over the top. 

Time for a few photos.

There was a lady walking by who was kind enough to offer to get a shot of our whole group.  Grandma, Nana, Mama, and all the girly girls!

And before we knew it, it was time to head for dinner.  There were chairs and place settings for each doll.

And yummy drinks and eats. 

Fun story: American Girl was truly an amazing experience.  Each and every employee we came in contact with was over-the-top helpful and just as sweet as can be. At dinner my mom had decided on the salmon.  I think we all expected it might take a little extra time for that particular meal, and didn't think too much of it when we had been waiting awhile.  Our waitress came out and apologized {and apologized} for the wait, and assured us our food would be out soon.  No biggie.  Shortly after, another gal {I'm assuming a manager?} came out and also apologized for the wait, and insisted that we all order desserts on the house because of the extensive wait.  And if that weren't enough {MORE than enough!}, she brought out goodie bags for each of the girls, containing tee shirts for their dolls, balloons, a book, stickers.  It was hands-down, the BEST service I have ever received.  Just a really really great experience.

So you can imagine we were a little sad to be leaving.

Our trip home . . . that is a story all its own. 

Let's just say we took quite the detour. 

Saw some beautiful country. 

 Listened to someone jabber the ENTIRE trip.

And made it home to the boys, all safe and sound, a good many hours later ;)

Isn't that right, Mom?

 

American Girl, Part 1

We're back from our trip to American Girl!

So.  Our trip started out a little something like this:

I'm not going to lie.  It was a long drive for the little ones {and maybe even some of the big ones}.

There was many a bathroom stop.

Which led to issues getting back on the freeway.

Which led to going through Seattle during rush hour.

Which led to . . . a much longer drive than it really needed to be.

But that's okay, because the excitement. Oh the excitement . . . it completely took over.

And us big people got to enjoy the lovely scenery.  {Don't worry.  I wasn't driving ;)  My mom actually did all of the driving, which was heavenly as it freed me up to tend to the littlest passengers.  Have I ever mentioned that I really detest driving?  Fact #1187 about me that y'all may not have known}

The mall was super easy to find.  It was just a few blocks down the road from our hotel.  The actual American Girl store?  Not so easy for us out-of-towners.  We must have driven around a good half an hour looking for the darn thing.  But once we parked, and searched on foot . . . well, that didn't take long at all.  I'm telling you, my girls can sniff out an AG store like nobody's business. 

And then, as you can imagine, a lot of this was going on.

And some pretty intent browsing.

Kam was all about the shaved ice stand.

Sierra and Makenna had decided that the first day would be just for looking.  Then they would spend the rest of the evening making notes as to which items they just HAD to have.  In the end, they gave in a little and purchased a couple of things that night.

And then it was off to get a little ice cream and head to bed.

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Come back for Part 2 of our trip!

Headin' Up North

We are headed to Seattle on Thursday. 

And my girls, especially, are super excited about it. 

Because it is a trip *just* for them.

We're taking both my moms ~ Nana and Grandma ~ for the ultimate girls trip experience, don'tchaknow.

Nope, no camping trip planned, Jenny.  And, I am not a Twilight fan, IA {gasp!}  Good guesses, though ;)

Our trip is going to involve some shopping . . .

at the newest American Girl store!

Seriously, Sierra and Makenna are beside themselves excited.  They've packed clothes for their dolls already.  Each has a special outfit to wear to the American Girl Bistro. 

Yes, this is a very special trip, indeed.

Girls-Only Vacay 2010 / GMYBS

Okay, whew. That was a LOT of pictures to go through. Since I just spent nearly Kam's entire nap searching through and organizing photos, I don't have much time left to devote to a real post {or laundry, but that's another matter}. So, here is a VERY photo-heavy post {shocker!} of our super fun girls trip! :)

Literally minutes after we got to our room, Kenners lost her second tooth. She wasn't exactly thrilled about it ~ mostly because I don't think it was very loose. It pretty much got ripped out of her mouth as she was blowing up a beach ball. She brightened up eventually. About the time we told her to get her suit on, we were heading to the pool! :)

Amazing how a little water and sunshine make you feel all better ;)

The resort we stayed in was on a warm springs, and the pool water seriously felt like bath water. I don't know how excited I was about that. Especially since it was 110 degrees outside. But the girls thought it was GREAT.

After a long hot day, slushies are a must.

And a little exploration is always good.

Kam was interested in the stairs leading up to the bridge. She loves stairs.

Grandma, my mother-in-law, with her girls. Geri is so very special to us. She plans these girls trips each year {plus several other day trip adventures}, and they are SO.MUCH.FUN. We enjoy our time with her. She truly is another {spectacular} mom to me.

Each day the resort offers some sort of activity for kids. On Sunday night, it was a movie in the park. The girls brought their dolls, donned their jammies, and were ready!

The next day we discovered a little slide on the side of the pool. The girls slid down it about 432,567 times. Give or take.

Kenners was all smiles the entire time ;)

Kam enjoyed the pool for a little while, and then she got bored.

Or sleepy. So we went back to the room for a bath and a nap.

{And some silly faces in the mirror}

After freshening up, we went to the restaurant for dinner. A buffet. With lots and lots of yummy dessert. I'm sure there was food there too, but I was pretty focused on the dessert.

And a little more exploring.

A little mini golf.

A little posing

A little shopping.

And before we knew it, it was time to head home :(

Soon it will be time to plan for next year.

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I've been wanting to link up to Lolli's Give Me Your Best Shot for weeks now, and I'm finally going to do it! Head on over to Better in Bulk for more photo fun ;)