Palm Desert

Richard and Annette had no choice but to cash in a week of their timeshare before they lost it at the end of the year.  So, you could say we were forced to take a couple days last week to escape to warmer weather and high livin'.

Tuesday at 3:10pm, we pulled out of our driveway and were on our way.  The kids were so excited because we haven't stayed in a "hotel" for so long.  Well, I guess Jackson was really excited about that fact and the other two fed off his excitement.  The drive wasn't bad, because really DVD's are a life saver, and we arrived around 5:45pm.

Annette had fixed my favorite meal, Bellamy Chicken, which didn't agree with me (too much dairy) but that didn't stop me from having two servings plus leftovers for lunch the next day.  Yum.  The kids were just so elated to be out of the car and they spent much of the night playing with the train set Papa and Gramma Nette brought.

Bedtime hit and we did our norm of naked running, shirt hats, pillows fights, and what not.  Getting them to sleep wasn't too bad, but just like every other vacation, one of us had to stay in the room to get them to go to sleep!!  That's really the biggest downfall of vacation but it works.

Wednesday morning Richard and Andrew went golfing.  Luckily for me, Annette got up when the kids got up so I was able to "sleep" until about 8:30am.  We did our normal morning routine and then heading out to Walmart to get some sunscreen and swimmers - you know, things you don't normally have hanging around in the winter.

As soon as we got back, we were all pretty jazzed to spend the day swimming.  Really, a week before Christmas and we're walking to the pool.  SO NICE.  And yes, the view from our balcony was of the golf course.  

The water slide brought hours of fun for Jackson.  He loved going down, by himself, with his floaties, over and over again!  Ryan also wanted to go down over and over but never by himself.  Andi wasn't having it at first. 

As the day went on, Andi gained the courage to go down the slide.  I took her because Andrew took Ryan - big mistake.  Apparently, in order to keep yourself AND THE CHILD above water, you need some ab strength.  Haha, I knew half way down Andi and I were going under.  We were going too quickly for me to be able to regain control and as soon as we flew off the slide, I had no control.  Needless to say, she didn't want to go back on at that moment.

After warming up in the jacuzzi, Andi was ready to go back down the slide - WITH DAD!

Wednesday night we called the concierge to see if there was some sort of Christmas entertainment in town.  We were informed that the local Zoo really decked things out at night and so off we went.  Upon arrival we noticed the park was completely dark.  We were so sad.  So instead, we went to the mall we had passed on our way in hopes that we could at least see Santa.  Papa took the kids over to get their picture taken and it was so weird to see Jackson not too thrilled with this Santa.  He didn't even want to go up to him.  I don't know why.  Eventually he made his way over but it was weird it took him so long.

Afterwards Ryan had to go pee - I took him.  While waiting for him I hear Ry yell for help.  Apparently he couldn't wait any longer and he peed his pants while standing at the toilet.  I did not prepare for this.

On our way out of the mall, we came across an off-road vehicle store.  Oh my gosh the kids loved all the "toys" - Andi threw a fit when I pried her off this vehicle.

Thursday did not start well for me.  I slept horribly and woke up feeling lousy.  I took my time getting ready for the day and getting packed up to leave that night.  Everyone else headed down to golf a bit because Jackson was sad he wasn't able to go to the real course Tuesday morning.  When I met up with them, it was so cute to see them so into it.

 As a side note, it was a pretty cool view of the golf course on our way to the pool, game room and putting green.  I so badly wanted to get out there with a driver and see if I could hit the ball over the lake.  Yes, the driver is my favorite club.

 The resort was really cool because they had this game room for the kids.  After golfing, we took the kids over there where they got ripped off for each game they played.  Seriously, why are these things 50cents these days?

 After lunch, the sun came out.  WOOHOO - off to the pool we went.  

 Here is proof I was there - that belly of mine is getting out of control!  But I'm glad I still have ankles, for now.

We loved our two days in Palm Desert.  It was such a nice, easy, cheap getaway needed during this stressful time in our life.  Richard and Annette truly spoiled us and the kids.  Yes, they're all sporting new shoes these days and Jackson has some new pants.  All so needed and all so appreciated.  And really, lying in the sun by the pool is truly heaven in my eyes.  Ok, the beach probably tops it but I'll take what I can get.