Legoland California!

Before leaving on our trip to Legoland, we had to kick off the festivities with a Lego dinner at the house. We had Lego characters on everyone's chairs and all over the windows, a Lego napkin holder, Lego shaped ice cubes for our drinks, and Lego bricks (waffles) for dinner. The kids loved it and it started the fun off right!

The following morning we loaded up and headed out to the airport.

Olivia was very cozy as we waited in line.

Bentley kept trying to reach over her seat and snuggle with her.

Thank goodness for electronics! They really make flying with these two a breeze!

Olive and I hung out across the aisle. Unfortunately no interest in electronics from her yet, but she did good.

We met up with Erin in the San Diego airport and she and the kids did a celebratory dance. They were so excited when they found out she was coming with us.

Brad's first order of business after leaving the airport.

On our drive from lunch to Legoland, we lost two out of the three children.

When we got to the hotel, we were all so excited to explore and get the party started!

These two were crazy about the giant Legos everywhere.

They were so excited about their room in the hotel, and they especially loved that there were boxes of Legos in there to play with.

The room also had this really cute treasure box that had new Legos in there everyday that they got to keep. It was always exciting to check the Lego box each day when we got back to the hotel.

Anxiously waiting for the elevator.

By far though, the elevator was their most favorite part of the whole experience. It was totally casual and normal until the second the doors closed then dance music started blaring and party lights shined. It was the best dance party ever. Too bad we were only on the second floor because they couldn't get enough!

Once we had explored the hotel, we decided to go to the Legoland aquarium first before going into the park.

Olivia was very intrigued by all the sea creatures.

Olivia was so cute and curious about everything.

They had really cute Lego figurines inside all the tanks that the kids really liked finding.

I'm not really sure what this girl was supposed to be, because Eden was quick to point out to us that she was not a mermaid, but the girls enjoyed meeting her still.

Once we had seen all there was to see at the aquarium, it was time to start the exploration of Legoland itself. We were all very excited to go in. So for half the day Wednesday, all day Thursday and all day Friday, we went on ride after ride and had such a blast inside the park.

The kids were blown away at all the cool things built with Legos.

Eden loved watching the live LegoFriends girls perform - Erin and I were a little less enthused by the harmony during their signing that was a little harsh on the ears. The kids didn't mind though.  :)

I think Eden and Bentley would both agree that their favorite was the driving school where they each got to drive all by themselves through the course.

He was so cute to turn and smile, but the rest of the time he was a very serious and focused driver.

Eden was also a very good driver, and very courteous because she would always stop her car and let the other kids maneuver around her.

Meeting the characters from the Lego Movie was definitely a must and super exciting for them - probably even more so than meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse. We went to "meet" them a couple times throughout the trip. Olivia however, was not so excited and wouldn't get near them.

Emmet!

Even Erin was a little star struck.

We also came upon a mini Star Wars land which was super exciting to Brad, Eden and Bentley. We had fun checking out all the different things built out of Legos. It really was quite amazing.

Olivia = not a fan!

This next series of pictures with the mini Star Wars characters are probably my favorite - Eden and Bentley's expressions crack me up.

The little mariachis reminded us of home!

On one of the afternoons we went into the water park, which had a ton of potential, but it was completely packed so we didn't end up staying long at all.

Eden was super brave and went on a crazy dragon ride. It was a machine that swung them around as if they were on the tail of a dragon. She loved it!

Bentley squirted Eden and daddy really good as their boat went by.

The huge lego structures all over the park were so cool. Bentley really loved this one and asked me to get a picture.

Olivia left the glasses on pretty good and was really weirded out by the 3D affects.

Olivia didn't go on too many rides, but she was totally content just wondering around and finding her own adventures.

When Bentley gets tired, but doesn't have his blanket, he likes to hold Olivia's hand or leg and snuggle. It's adorable.

More elevator dance party!

Olivia and I went on a cute story book ride while the others were on some bigger kid stuff. She was very intrigued.

More character time! They couldn't hang out with Emmet and Wyldstyle enough!

Eden kicked their butts in the race!

The pool at the hotel was really fun. They had giant legos to play with in the water. The kids were very entertained.

Weird tricks in the bathroom? I have no idea...

Churros dipped in chocolate!

I love this picture - it's full of so much personality.

This was built in the lobby of the hotel. Inside the floor was filled with Legos.

Dig deep kids! They played forever in these Legos, even in their PJs!

So one thing I know for sure - we take way too many pictures! Overall it was such an incredibly fun trip. We all had such a blast, and than we all came home incredibly exhausted. I'm so glad we were able to have this one last fun summer fling before Eden started back up at school. I'm also SO happy that Erin agreed to go with us. It was so nice that the number of adults to children was equal. :) Hopefully it wasn't too overwhelming and crazy for her and we can get her to agree to such things again.

I love this family of mine and the incredible adventures that we get to take together.

And P.S. we also came home with a ton of awesome Lego loot. They have been building and playing Legos like crazy. :)

Adorable Blessings - Bentley's funny personality

My heart is full. I am so blessed to have these babies. They are adorable and so fun.

Malarsie Family Reunion in Durango!

The Durango Malarsie family reunion, once again, did not disappoint! We had such a blast at the KOA again for the weekend as we hung out with family and caught up with each others' lives. All of my immediate family, except the Asays, were able to be there so it was fun to be together again.

We had a huge Mexican horseshoes tournament. April and I turned out to be a pretty competitive team! I think we ended up getting second or third place over all. The winners this year - Brad and Randy! They were on fire! It was a blast and so fun to have a game that the entire family gets involved in.

On Friday afternoon, a big group of the family went to the local bowling alley. I stayed back with Olivia since she needed a nap, but Brad provided some pretty cute pictures of the bowling action.

I love that the kids explore and play so well there. Eden had fun showing Olivia around the camp ground.

There was a dirt pile outside our cabin that ended up being the spot of hours of entertainment. The kids were so dirty, but they had so much fun playing in that dirt.

Eating breakfast in our cabin.

London and Olivia thought the dog kennel was a pretty entertaining place to play. At least we didn't have to worry about them wondering over to the canal without us knowing!

Grandma never has enough room on her lap.

Dirt ball!

Despite my best efforts to show him how to hold the club and hit, Bentley didn't end up enjoying the putt putt very much. He thought it was way too much work.

Hole in one celebration!

Quaker the big bad wolf is actually one of Olivia's favorite buddies.

I love that these kids can grow up getting to know each other. There is such a wide array of personalities and it's so fun to see them play and interact.

The kids also wanted to be involved in Mexican horseshoes. Bentley's expressions when he would get it in were so cute. He obviously found this way more exciting than putt putt.

One of the nights was the traditional duck race. Everyone purchased their lucky duck and hoped to be the winner! It was fun for everyone to gather at the front of the KOA to cheer on the rubber ducks going down the canal. The kids were so excited!

Getting ready to pour in all the ducks!

And here they all come!

Eden was on the run trying to keep up with the one she thought was her duck. She was so disappointed that she didn't win.

Our cabin is right next to the main gathering place, so once we put the kids to bed we would head right outside our door and hang out and play games with the adults. It was always so many laughs, and so much fun. Mafia has become the game of choice with this group. Most nights when we would head back into our cabin we would find Bentley sleeping somewhere new - like in this photo he was on the floor right by the door of the cabin, curled up against the laundry bag.

The drive home is only 3 1/2 hours and the kids all slept most of the way. Everyone was exhausted, but we had so much fun!

We took a big picture of the whole family together, but I haven't gotten a copy of that picture yet from Ashley. Here is one we got of Granny Moe and our family though. She turned 93 this year! We love this lady and are so grateful to be with her at this reunion each year.

I just love the Malarsie family so much. I love that my dad and his siblings are close, and we were raised alongside our cousins getting together as an extended family often. I'm grateful that we are still getting together often and letting the next generations get to know each other too. I feel blessed to be part of an amazing group of people. Until next year!!