... that we stayed for the New Year!

The next day was New Year's Eve! We ran a few errands, I got addicted to The Room on dad's iPad, Matt bought me some new tires after he discovered that my tires were basically bald and we wouldn't make it home, we ate the rest of the du pong,

And basically hung out and relaxed most of the day. Dad wasn't feeling too well so he went to bed early, but we introduced Mom to Italian sodas and played rummikub with her until after midnight

So it was a party indeed. We went to church with them again the next day

And then the Rexes came over for a little wrestling time that night.

We drove home all day on Monday so we could be back to work on Tuesday, but it was worth it to spend so much time at home!!! Even if we came home to this:

The mess that I had left behind in my effort to get on the road + 10 days of luggage + the aftermath of Christmas apparently exploding in my living room. I'm pretty sure it was at least a week before we got this mess all cleaned up, but that's what happens when we're both working full time! We needed a vacation to clean up from our vacation.

I miss home! We'll be back soon!

... THAT WE WENT TO HARRY POTTER WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the greatest days of my life.

Matt had promised me we could go to Harry Potter World as part of my Mother's Day present this year, and we finally got to go! Mom took care of Jas for the day, and we had the BEST time!!!!!!!!! It was a tiny bit drizzly, but that kept the crowds down to a tolerable stampede and it was mostly perfect! First we went to Olivander's and I picked out a wand

Which I definitely waved at all of the magical spots in the park after waiting in line with lots of small children. And I wasn't even embarrassed. And I didn't even get mad when Matt made fun of me and then asked if he could hold it and made me take his picture too.



Finally it was time to try my first butterbeer

This is the most delicious thing in the world. Oh my gosh, it is like heaven in a cup. I savored that sweet nectar while we waited in line for the Hippogriff ride

Then took a quick break for lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Their fish and chips were surprisingly good! And we had our second butterbeer of the day, this time hot. Just as delicious! Although I've decided frozen is my favorite (Matt disagrees).

After that we jumped in line for the Forbidden Journey ride. It was the longest line of the day, but it was one of my favorite parts cause it takes you all through the whole Hogwarts castle and I was totally geeking out the whole time.

We made quick runs through all the rest of the shops in Hogsmead while sipping butterbeer #3

Then we ventured out of Harry Potter World into the rest of the park for two things and two things only: the Fast and Furious ride on the Studio Tour, and The Mummy ride.

By the end of the day, I was so exhausted and my feet hurt so bad I could barely walk. But I somehow found the strength to walk back to the Hog's Head for butterbeer #4 and a quick pic with Mr. Conductor.

Such a great day. I loved everything in the park and all the attention to detail in all of the rides and shops. Matt kept laughing at me whenever I would point out little things from the books, like Hagrid's bike or the floating candles in the castle. But I seriously loved every minute of it and couldn't stop giggling the entire time!

On our way out, we stopped at Blaze on Universal City Walk and got a delicious pizza to split, and it was the perfect ending to a perfect day. 

We got home not too late, woke Jas up for a quick bottle and a snuggle, then put her back to bed. I was so grateful Mom watched her for us, but I missed her! Totally worth it though, because

I LOVE HARRY POTTER WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

... that we went to San Diego and SeaWorld!!

Mom wanted our whole family to be together as much as possible over the break, but Jake had to work and couldn't leave town. So Mom arranged for all of us to go down to San Diego for a couple of days in order for us to be together! And it was awesome!!!!! Mom drove down with me and Jas, Matt drove down with Dad, and we all got down to San Diego with only one wrong freeway, not too much traffic, and only a little bit of wandering in the Coscto gas station



We finally made it to the hotel and got checked in, then ran across the street to grab some dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, one of my favorites for sure!!! We sat outside and I was a little worried that it would be cold, but it was just fine. That night, everyone put their kids down for bed and came into our room to play games and hang out while Jas took a nap. And by everyone, I mean everyone except me. While everyone else played Psych, I sat at the table with my laptop and did about an hour and a half of work -___-

The next day the whole family went to SeaWorld!!! I hadn't been in years, and it was awesome! Even if it did take us 2 hours to get into the park... Anyway, we had so much fun!

We went to the shows, rode the rides, saw all the animals, ate fish tacos for lunch........



WHO EATS FISH TACOS AT SEAWORLD????? Oh right, we do. Because that's what Matt wanted. And it felt very wrong, but it actually tasted pretty dang good.

Such a great day! We were exhausted, but Jas did great and even took a couple of naps like a champ. She was getting a little cranky as we were leaving, but everyone wanted to grab some dinner at the Crack Shack. When we got to the restaurant, she was pretty sad and we couldn't find parking and then I discovered why she was so cranky: huge blowout. So Matt grabbed some sandwiches to go and we went back to the hotel to eat and clean up a poopy baby.

The next morning we grabbed a quick breakfast, cleaned up, and checked out to head back home to Camarillo.



Cait and Kar both decided to head home straight from San Diego, but Matt and I wanted to head back up to Camarillo for New Years! Mom drove with me and Matt and we made a few stops on the way... Jackie's mom really really wanted to see Jas so we stopped by Jake's apartment for a few minutes

Then we stopped again in Aliso Viejo to see my Na Na and pick up some leftover du pong! I was super sad when I found out that Mom hadn't saved any from our Christmas dinner, so she called Na Na and asked if there was any left. As soon as my Na Na heard that I wanted some, she was so glad we were coming to see her that she packed up all the rest of the du pong and noodles just for me! I love my Na Na!!!!!

Jas was really great in the car! She is so cuddly and sweet, and she loves to hug your arm when you are sitting next to her.

I melt.

I love my family and San Diego and SeaWorld!!!!!!!!!!!