Telling The Ruiz's Bye... and Visiting The Pearson's

My little brother Virgil, his wife Yahaira and their son, my favorite 2 year old nephew Eli, were called to do something amazing, MOVE TO PERU! :) So when he called me and told me they were moving, Kevin and I decided to use our points and fly me to see them and tell them goodbye. I wish Kevin (and my kids) could have gone, but I am very glad I got to go.. :) We had a great time, we hung out at the japanese tea garden for an afternoon, rode a train at the zoo, and then for my birthday they met us all for dinner! Virgil, as always I am very proud of you! God will do amazing things for you guys! Love you....

 

 

The advantage of being in San Antonio, is of course, the Pearsons live there as well! So I stayed with them the week. I got to see my oldest god daughter, Samantha, play 2 basketball games, and go to homecoming! This was awesome, as I have never been around when she does these things. (love the military, but that part of moving all over sucks) While there, Kevin said to see if I still love SA as much as I always have, as we plan to retire there.. so this trip (due to lact of funds and no car) we did none of the things, I usually love to do.. and my verdict.. YEP STILL LOVE SA! :)

Kevin and I 18 years Married, 19 together...

For our 18 year anniversary, Kevin's mom paid for us to come to Ohio for a very quick, mini break :) We dropped all 6 kids off at school friday, headed to the airport, and was back home Monday night! We had a great time visiting his mom, brothers, sisters, and godparents (and family) it was the first time in 4 years he'd been home... next time, all of Team Cooper will go :)

Kevin and I with his mom... Kevin and I with Brother Dave and his wife Rose :)

this was taken in Chicago, Il. by my Aunt Cathy, we stayed the night at her house, so we could see both her and my Uncle Larry. :) we had a great time!

Aunt Sara, Boys, Nana and Papa Visit!

On Fathers Day Weekend we decided to drive to Colorado Springs and meet up with my parents, my sister aka Aunt Sara, and the boys! Even thou we were only there 48 hours, it was nice to see them all! *sidenote, everytime we are in Colorado, we want to take Aspen's picture with an Aspen sign, but it's usually too cold, so this time it was warm enough! Yea!!

DISNEYLAND BABY!!

We spent our first 3 days in California, at DisneyLand!! The boys (who have been to additional Disney Parks) were alittle bored the first day, but they liked California Adventure Island alot better... the triplets, well they loved all of it, because they are 6! :) We had a great time, and enjoyed our family time so much!

This is the first 2 days we had met the princess....all of them but belle, who just happens to be Aspen's favorite! they loved "learning the disney princess dance" boat ride, walking thru tinkerbells house, so on and so forth!

When we finalized plans, I made the decision the ladies were going to the Disney Princess Breakfast! Yes it was pricy, so only the 4 of us ladies went, but worth every penny! When you are 6, and a girl, you love the princess! We finally met belle, and this alone was worth it!
Belle is Aspen's, Sleeping Beauty is Payton's and Cinderella is Trinity's Princess!

Universal Studios!

On Friday, we took them thru LA into Hollywood, to visit Universal Studios! I as alittle worried they would be bored, but they really enjoyed it! The new simpson ride was the hit, as well as the mummy ride!

Knotts Berry Farm!

We actually did this on thursday, so i am a tad out of order (have to save the best for last) but the kids mostly the boys loved Knotts! There were hardly any lines, 10 roller coasters, and a free fall, that Dave and Broc rode 10 times!

Las Vegas!

For Spring Break 2011, we decided to take a huge vacation (this was our "reward" to look forward to, the entire time Kevin was deployed) We began vacation in Las Vegas! Kevin and I have been but our kids had not... they loved it! In fact i see us returning soon.
We stayed at Circus, Circus. Went to the wax musuem, did the MM 3d tour, & rode the NY NY roller coaster!

Disneyland Preparation....

In preparing to leave for Disneyland (this time in california) it made me remember when we went to DisneyLand Paris in 2006! So i thought i would share... we had so much fun (rain and all) with the Christmas themed park!

Daves Adventure....Literally

Dave getting ready to board plane!
Where to begin... Dave has flown, hundreds of times, but never alone! So when Aunt Sara and Uncle Jeff called and offered to buy his ticket to fly him to Ohio (where they spend their leave in the summer) So we agreed trying to cut the cord was easier said than done. I was NOT thrilled at all about a layover, I kept telling everyone I wasn't thrilled and everyone kept telling me he's not a baby he's 16, he'll be fine.......... Can I just tell you Jody had ever right to worry!! My son called me to tell me, that he was stuck OVERNIGHT in Minnesota!! I about had a heart attack, in fact thankfully Dave of all of us was calm, cool and collected...he did a great job, checked into his hotel, did 3 layovers and finally made it to Ohio. I am so proud (as is his dad) but still have to tell you, next summer, One layover Only! :)

Dave, Aunt Sara, and Uncle Jeff! Dave, Oakley and Hunter at the lake

FREE day at the Zoo....

We Love the Zoo! But rarely get a chance to go, as we have to pay too much to get in and then spend the day there... Due to Kevin deploying, we are apart of Operation Military Kids, or Hearts Apart, So we got to go to the Zoo for Free!! Which was awesome, but also bittersweet it means daddy is leaving :(

Dave and Aspen

Broc and Payton

Heath and Trinity

White Sands....

Before Daddy leaves, we wanted to go to a mini vacation. Due to scheduling and money we had to stay closer to home, and what not, but we had a good family time.

This was our favorite part... the White Sands I love these pictures! :) After debating back and forth I dressed the boys to match the girls! I actually did this for a frame reason :) my mom got me a frame that has 3 spots, and therefore the 3 spots will be filled! yay!

Space Museum....

Then we took them to a little Space Museum! Again, not huge, but they made the best of it! :)

Alamagordo Zoo....

We took them to the Zoo... it was really small, but they seemed to make the best of it. They were so excited they got to wear their normal clothes, rather than their halloween costumes they have to wear to go to our zoo :)

Memories...are the best~

I am so glad I get all camera happy.. I am the only one in my family that tends to love to take pictures! I love the pictures of my brother and sister with my kids, my parents with my kids, and of course the 8 grandkids with my grandparents! I am sooo homesick, and miss my family like crazy :) Enjoy!