Shillig 4 Family

These babies of mine have moved and traveled across much of this here United States.  This is not their longest or hardest road-trip to date, but it was quite the adventure. Most of this trip was across deserts and Aimi Lark's pretty blue eyes obviously needed two layers of protection.  Malachi took the Lego Star Wars book reading approach for a good amount of the trip.  That desert sun made Mali Su find a solution for the glare on her backseat TV, her winter snow coat from Frazier Park! Solomon took a tumble at a stop in AZ, so he spent time in the ER.  More on that to come. Daddy had the trailer to look out for so he only took one kid at a time to ride shot-gun and keep him awake.  He is known to fall asleep while driving, not ideal on road-trips where we are in two separate cars.  On our very last leg he took both the boys in the truck for my Mother's Day request.  Those boys can sure wear their Mama out!

We bought a trailer. We had special brakes installed.  We brought it home.  We loaded it up with EVERYTHING even the food storage and cases of waters. We hit the road and only made it to PALM SPRINGS.  By the next morning the bed not only held 4 kids, but Zelda too.  We opted for an early morning swim in the massive pool instead of bathing them and we hit the road again. Daddy may have bottomed out our trailer a couple times and practically got us stuck in a Subway sandwich shop parking lot, but he did it.  He successfully drove a trailer from CA to TX.  No blow-outs or wrecks.  My prayers were answered, and I was impressed by his skills.  Way to go, Daddio!

 Jake asked if I could pick him up and we could stay for a brief overnight alone before the big move.  I arranged all the sitters and made the plan.  Our dear friends the Carsons ended up meeting up with us and we all went to dinner.  We tried a nice veggie/vegan/mega healthy CA type place and I just wanted all their green furniture.  The next day on the way home Jake really wanted to have one last meal at Connie & Ted's in West Hollywood and as always it was worth it.  It's out of the way and pricey, but he loves the deep cup east coast oysters so much.  Me?  I can't get enough of the warm lobster roll and salty fries.  Needless to say the kids were SO EXCITED when Daddy showed up.  He works so much to take care of us and we are so grateful.  Here they attempt a piggy back ride ALL at the same time.  We capped off the night by treating everyone to one last meal at Falcon's Nest.  We ate here so mu...

 My mother-in-law does this thing where she reads ahead the words of the hymns to the kids that can't read yet. My father-in-law has them put their left hand on their knee when the sacrament is passed so they remember to use their right hand for the bread and water.  He also draws letters and numbers on their backs that they in turn guess what he "wrote" to keep them quietly entertained. My sister-in-law always understood me and my angst on the pew each week "alone." It seems I end up taking this one potty each week.  He is exhausting on Sundays with his desire to bring a soft toy, wanting to always wear a suit coat, and asking me to count his hairs, teeth, etc the way Daddy typically does.  This is Jake's home ward.  He has known these families his whole life.  Joan Pete and Joanne Jude are some I snagged pictures with.  His family moved to Frazier Park in the 80s!  I taught the youth in this ward for my latest "calling" (assig...

Aimi Lark is in 3rd grade.  Solomon is doing pre-school at home with Mom.  Malachi is in 1st grade.  Mali Su is in 3rd grade.  These pictures are definitely not the best we've ever taken, but they are a fun memory (and make me smile).

We got to our room and got everyone bathed and they love wearing the "Jedi" robes at the hotels we stay in.  The next morning Aimi Lark and I went down for a little breakfast "date" alone and I loved spending that quality time with her. This girl of mine is kind and always helpful.  I love her can do attitude when it comes to the things I ask her to help with. "Will you unbutton my banana?" is the new thing Solomon says when he wants us to peel his banana.  I had to document the cuteness. The kids get to take school work with them so that they are not counted absent from school on our little vacations/getaways.  Sometimes it feels like pulling teeth to get their work done, but I am so glad we have this option so that family can always come first. I took the kids over to Fisherman's Wharf and they loved walking around. I saw a boat named "Caroline" and took a picture of it in the harbor. The kids were on the lookout ...

 Out of nowhere it seemed the roadsides turned bright GREEN.  Green isn't something often seen in California due to their limited water.  I was in awe and Jake said, "This is where they make those happy cows come from California commercials."  We stopped for a potty break at a rest area and snapped some (not so great) pics.   Soon enough we will make it to Monterey!