V is for Vacation

We don't do a lot of vacations in our family.  It tends to be a Big Deal when we go somewhere.  Our last vacation was China, of course, in 2010.  But that was just Paul and I (and Hannah from the time we got her).

Before that, it was Zach's BMT graduation in Texas.  Also just Paul and I (um, and Zach, of course).

There have been a couple of quick trips to Monterey for the homeschool free days at the aquarium (a couple times as a family, once with friends, and once just me and the homeschool kids).

When I took the kids by myself, we stopped at Mission San Juan Bautista on the way home.  Someday, I want to visit each of the 21 California missions.  I've only been to 3 so far.  

Our last FAMILY vacation was an 11 day roadtrip through California, Nevada, Oregon, and (briefly) Washington.  This 2007 trip was a chance to visit family on both my side and Paul's side, and an experience the kids STILL talk about sometimes.  

This shot was taken at Crater Lake.  

Also in 2007, my mom and I took the girls to Disneyland.  

(Zach got to go to Disneyland with school, and the rest of the kids haven't gone yet.)  

Before that, it was a 2006 trip to Legoland for the whole family, which was pretty much our first family vacation.  

So, now that you see how rare vacations are for us, you'll understand how very excited I am.  Annaliese was going to Disneyland with her ASL class at school when she came down with chicken pox and didn't get to go.  Her teacher said, "Well, her ticket is good through June, you guys can go another time."  I didn't really think that would happen, but it's looking like it will!  Not the whole family; just Annaliese, a friend, another child and I.  Nothing is set for certain yet, but it's starting to occupy my thoughts.  

Now that I've got a passport, I've been bitten by the travel bug.  There are so many places I would love to see if we could afford to go.  

Ah, so many amazing things to see in this big, wide world we live in!  Someday, perhaps.  But for now, I'll be content with getting away to Disneyland for a couple days.  I'm most looking forward to watching the wonder of a child experiencing Disney for the first time, and Annaliese getting the chance to make up for what she lost out on.  Crossing my fingers that this trip works out!