#TeamBenz

We are a 2 car family. There is nothing I dislike (Joey gave up saying hate for lent and I am trying to be supportive here) more than having to rely on someone else for a ride. For awhile there we had the XB and a pick-up truck. The problem was that the kids car seats didn't fit in the truck and since I was on drop-off duty and Joey is on pick-up line duty we both needed the XB. Which meant I was dropped off and picked up from work.

Call me crazy but I didn't like the idea of not having a get away car waiting in the parking lot. You know in case shit went down and I needed to get out of here. Now I work as a Human Resources Director with an office of 2 people so you can imagine the odds are of shit going down are. It's like 0.00000000001%. But you never know.

Then Uncle Matty came up with an interesting proposition. The 1985 pick-up truck that we had was Joey's Dad's old truck and Matt had always admired it from afar. Matt also had a 1980 mercedes benz he was trying to sell. He offered to trade the benz for the truck. Straight up. I was all for it. This meant that we would have 2 cars that the kids could cruise in and no more need to share the XB.

It took some convincing on Joey's end, but eventually Team Benz won out. Joey and I were the proud owners of a Benz. Well I was proud, Joey not so much. At first he drove it and complained about it CONSTANTLY. Now if you know Joey at all you know that he a professional complainer, but this was even bad for him. He hated really really didn't like the way the car smelled, and it was slow, and the seats were too low, blah, blah, blah. I think the last straw was when he was in the pick-up line at school and he overheard a kid say "Hey Dad you are behind the smelly car" . So we traded cars.

And I love that Benz. Let me tell you a few reasons why......

- It is a 1980. And if you look at any fashion magazine these days you will notice that the 80's are back baby! That's right. The Benz is not an old car, it is retro and vintage and both those things are cool. Ask any hipster.

- I have always dreamed of driving an 18 wheeler or a bus. The Benz has a HUGE steering wheel. It is just like driving a semi-truck. Or so I imagine it to be.

- It is a diesel engine. Of course this means decent gas mileage, but it also means that it is a bit smelly. The smell takes me back to high school. My first car was also diesel and was lovingly referred to as "The Lawnmower". It also means that it is LOUD. All that means is that people know when I am driving by. That people is called "Safety". It also means that the girls know exactly when Momma gets home.

- this is a bonus feature. The engine is the kind where you can use french fry grease. So not only do I have the option to go green, but when all the gas all over the world runs out I am still good to go. Gas maybe gone but McDonalds ain't going anywhere.

- Yea it's old and a bit saggy. Like many things over 30 years old, but it is still a Mercedes Benz. It is still a luxury car. And when people ask me "What kind of ride do you have?" I can still say a Mercedes Benz.






- Plus I look freaking bad ass in it...

Team Benz #1!

Phi and Lou

I think Sophia and Louella have beautiful names. And I can say that without being conceited because Joey named the kids. Despite their beautiful feminine names, they both quickly gained nicknames. Sophia became Phi (Fee) and Louella became Lou.

Phi and Lou. Lou and Phi.

The best part is that?

 Phi sounds like Me
and Lou sounds like You.

Do you see where I am going with this?

Lots of songs have "me" and "you" in it and in our house we have a good time changing the lyrics to every song we hear. It is super hilarious sometimes.



Like the Adele song "Someone like you".

 "Never mind I'll find someone Like Lou! I wish nothing but the best for Lou-ou!"

Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye is extra fun because we can combine Phi and my Mom's name.

"Oh Mercy, mercy Phi" 

I loved the song "You and I" by Lady Gaga. But we like to switch it up.

"Oh Lou and I. Lou Lou and I"

We can even do this with country music. Toby Keith's "I wanna talk about me" gets even funnier.

" I like talking about Lou, Lou, Lou usually. But occasionally I wanna talk about Phi!"

My favorite is the classic from The Turtles, So Happy Together. 

"Imagine Phi and Lou

And Lou and Phi

No matter how you toss the dice

It had to be

The only one for Phi is Lou

And Lou for Phi

So Happy Together" 

And just in case you want to sign along........

The Phi May Never See A "Live" Show

My poor Phi. The kids has some good taste in music. Aside from the typical Disney Teeny Boppers and Justin Beiber, she has a pretty diverse mix. The only thing is that she tends to lean toward dead musicians. Now part of it is my fault. When she hears a song she likes the conversation usually goes like this...

"Oh Mom I like this song. Who sings it?"
"Oh this is (insert dead musicians name here) "
"Can we see him in concert?"
"Nope, he's dead" 


I think it started with Bob Marley. She liked the 3 Little Birds song. For awhile The Phi needed to know every detail of Bob Marley's death. I swear if you ask her she will tell you all about it. Last year I took her to a Ziggy Marley concert. It was as close as she was going to get to Bob.

Then it happened again after watching La Bamba. We watched the movie and The Phi was rocking to the music. And then the plane crash happened. The movie kind of makes it like a dream sequence and she was kind of confused. She looked at me with her big eyes asking "Did he die?" Then Easi Morales came on the screen and screamed "RITCHIE!" and The Phi knew she would never go to a Ritchie Valens concert.

I got into a Selena kick and was listening to a lot of her music at home. The Phi really dug it. We were dancing cumbias and doing the "washing machine". Then we saw the movie. And another one of her musical idols had fallen.

It happened again this morning. While driving to school and listening to the Selena Pandora station the song "El Vida es un Carnaval" came on. A song by Celia Cruz. Dead Celia Cruz. After convincing The Phi that the singer was indeed a woman and not a man, I knew what was coming next.

"Mom I love this song! Who is this?" 

Blame it on the Rain OR Who is Rick Rubin?

We spent the last weekend in Santa Barbara. And even with the rainy weather it was fantastic.

The Phi has always been such a great traveler. Lou is pretty good but after the 2 hour mark she gets pretty antsy. They have a DVD player and this trip they watched Despicable Me and Follow That Bird. The best is hearing them both crack-up together at something. The worst is Lou whining "Mommy" and "Daddy" over and over. I also wish that I could read in the car. It makes me so car sick. If there is some kind of cure or trick, please share!!

We got in Friday night and on Saturday we were up and ready and headed out for a Costco trip. Lou needed diapers. When we got there, Nana and The Phi attacked the free sample tables. They enjoyed all kinds of good food. Then they drifted into the clothes section and The Phi feel in love with the big Easter dresses. Every year I have a brief thought to buy the girls Easter dresses, and then I never do. The Phi really loved a big puffy yellow dress and I liked this pink tutu like dress. I thought if she got the pink one she could wear it for Easter and her birthday. Nana bought her both. I have to admit, she looks gorgeous in this yellow dress. 

After Costco Joey, Lou and I were heading downtown to eat at Norton's Deli. (We gave Phi the choice to go with us or go to Home Depot with Nana and Tata. As always she goes where ever Nana goes) We had seen this place featured on Diners, Drive-In and Dives on the food network. And since Joey is always down for a good pastrami we thought we would check it out. The food was so good but the place was SO small.

Funny thing happened when we walked across the street to the deli. There was a young kid who came up to Joey. He stopped Joey and asked "Hey are you Rick Rubin?". The kid seemed pretty stoked, until Joey told him "No". Then he looked disappointed. I had no idea who this Rick Rubin was so when we got inside I asked Joey who is Rick Rubin? He told me he was a big time record producer. Like working with the Beastie Boys and Johnny Cash. He is currently the co-head of Columbia Records. So yea big time. Of course I googled him and the beard was really the only resemblance. Joey was not too happy with the comparison because Rick Rubin is 10 years older than Joey. I told him to take it as a compliment. That he looked like a man of wealth and importance. Seriously though I have never seen anyone get mistaken for a someone famous more than Joey. I think the universe is trying to tell him something.

After lunch Joey, Lou and I walked a few blocks down State Street to the Arlington Theater to pick up the movie tickets. We didn't have a stroller so Lou was stoked to be roaming free. Wait let me correct myself. Super Lou was stoked to be patrolling and keeping Santa Barbara safe from crime. With the shirt and the cape, Lou was a bigger hit with the people than normal.

After a nice game of chase Super Lou around State Street we headed to Whole Foods for a yummy fruit and Veggie juice. I love the coffee section of Whole Foods!

When we got back to my parents house there were 2 awesome things waiting for me. First The Phi had bought me this awesome cactus from Home Depot! I love it!

And the CuCoGo Family was there too!!!

The new exciting toy at Nana & Tata's house is the Kinect for Xbox. What a fun toy!!!! We all liked it. Joey and I rented a couple of games for the kids to play over the weekend and they were a hit. Watching all the kids play Just Dance together was so freaking adorable!

Lou loves just being with the cousins. It is so funny to see The Phi and Lili running from room to room with Lou trailing behind them. 

Schmonkey also had his first communion while we were there. Felix and Lou were his god-parents. 

Just a really cute picture of Lou that my Mom took. 

Sunday was a rainy day. That rain doesn't stop Flip from standing guard. 

And with the rain came the most spectacular rainbow. As if Santa Barbara could not get any more gorgeous.

These 2 are the gold at the end of the rainbow.

Nana and Tata's Pride and Joy's

Another highlight of the weekend was what we are calling the "Lili Awards". Lili had put together an awards list for the whole family! 

In case you cant read it all...

Liiana- Best Games

Felix- Best at Legos

Nana- Best at Making Cards

Tata- Best at shooting guns

Angelica- Best at Sports

LouLou- Cutest Baby

Mom (Cari)- Best at Cooking

Dad (Luis)- Best at Eating

Nani Lissa (ME!)- Best Red Lipstick

Sophia- Best Adventure Videos

Nino Joey- Funniest Award

Kelly- Best Skyper

Nani Elaine- Best Trips

Flip- Bravest Dog

Dexter- Most Missed Dog

Roo- Smallest Dog

Buster- Best Dog on Skype

Uncle Tommy- Best Restaurant

We all headed down the hill to enjoy some pizza and video games. 

Then it was time to head home and put the kids back into the car for the 3 hour drive.

I know Lulu. I felt the same way.

May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

I read all the Twilight books, but the movies really didn't do it for me. I still have not seen Breaking Dawn. I have never read a Harry Potter book. This was evident when my Mom, Niece and Sister were trying to explain to me what Butter Beer is. (I still don't really get it). So when the Hunger Games hype started I didn't follow. Then I started my 50 books in 2012 challenge and a lot of friends started telling me I HAD TO read the series. So I gave in. And about half way through the first book I was hook. What an exciting and suspenseful story. I loved it. Then the movie trailers started. I really was hoping that they were going to make an amazing film. As I read the books I had vivid images in my mind of the people and the places. The first time I saw the movie trailer my eyes got all teary. That's how much this book got to me.

As the whole world knows the movie came out this weekend. Not only did I read the series, but my Sister, Niece, and Mom (she is currently reading it) did too. So naturally we all had to get together to see the movie. 3 generations of big ol' book nerds. I bought our tickets for Sunday on-line and we got there almost an hour early. We got great seats and we had some nachos (in honor of Elaine.)

The movie was AMAZING.

Just in case you don't want to know anything about the movie, or have not read the book don't keep going.

A Perfect Present

I think I am easy to shop for. Joey and the girls may disagree with that statement, but I think I am pretty obvious. And I mean, if you really want to know what I want just head over to my Pinterest boards.  Every year instead of Christmas gifts, Joey and his BFF exchange Kwanzaa gifts. It is how these 2 white boys keep it real. Karla (Matt's GF) and I are now included in this gift exchange and this year they got me some perfect gifts. 

First they got me this framed photograph of Frida. I LOVE this. LOVE LOVE this. In our hallway I display art work from friends and family and various prints and other Frida Kahlo related pieces. This fits in perfectly into our hallway. Even Lou will see a Frida pic and point and say "Sida". 

As perfect as this picture is there was one more thing. Along with this they also got me a DVD of this movie....

Matty remembered the time I told him about one of my birthdays. I had a slumber party and the highlight was going to the movies to see this. I was a major Corey Haim fan.

So thanks Matty and Karla for the perfect present!!

Princess to Mount Rushmore

On Sunday The Phi and I went to church together. Afterwards we went out for lunch. Yes we go to the 11am mass. We sat across from the table from each other and at the table next to us a waitress keep referring to a little girl as "princess". I wrinkled my nose and told The Phi how I don't like that. I then went into one of my Mom rants words of wisdom speeches.  Which seem to be happening more often these days. I explained to her how I didn't want her or Lou to grow up thinking that everything in life should be handed to them. I wanted them to know how to work hard and to be good. Then I told her about how Tata started working as a picker. Literally picking fruit from trees. I explained how hard he worked for a lot of years to get where he is now. I told her that he went from picker to Vice-President with a lot of hard work, by following the rules and being a nice person.

The Phi picked her head up and her eyes were huge.....

"Mom! Tata is a Vice-President??"


"Yea"


"Maybe they will put his head on that mountain!" 

So much for my words of wisdom.

11 Things

So Crystal over at A Bunch of Britts tagged me. There was bunch of reading, and thinking and rules involved. But we love Crystal, and there was no math so I went ahead and played along.

So 11 things about us you might not know, and might not want to know but too bad.

Blame Crystal.

1.  For a long time I thought that I did not want kids. Until I met Joey and then I wanted lots and lots of babies. 

2. As a kid Joey took break dancing classes. He has yet to show me his moves. 

3. The Phi has never been on a "play date". I think it's because the other parents are completely intimated by my awesomeness and Joey's beard.  

4.I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom. Just kidding. I didn't do that. But I did grow up on Hip-hop, rap, old school and oldies. Yup that's right as a high schooler I was bumping the Mint Condition in my hooptie. I still know all the lyrics to "Bad" by LL Cool J. 

5.  Lou is a juice junkie. Apple, grape, orange. She likes it all. She would chug juice all day long if we let her. And yes it is always watered down. 

6. My first heartthrob crush was Corey Haim. In 3rd grade I keep a picture of him on the inside on my desk.  He was the start of my preference for the white boys. R.I.P.

7. Joey is a really good artist, but refuses to paint anything for me.

8. The Phi does not know how to ride a bike without training wheels. 

9. I use to have a subscription to Lowrider magazine. I even once wrote to the editor and it was published. 

10. Lou is in love with my friend Simi's son Ronan. She likes to carry their Christmas card and kiss it and say "Wo-Wo" 

11. I started weight watchers a month or so ago. It was time. It has been tough and I am still learning a lot. It is frustrating at times but I am starting to see some results and am trying my best to do well on this. 

Questions from Crystal:

1. What's your current favorite TV show? Right now I cannot get enough of The Big Bang Theory. I am late to the game on this show so I TiVo every episode I can find. Joey LOVES that. It is my elliptical show. I watch it while on the elliptical. Like a treat during the torture. 

2. What's the weirdest question someone has ever asked you? Someone once asked me if Lou was my grand-daughter! GRAND-DAUGHTER! Like I was old enough to be a Grandmother. 

3. iPhone or Blackberry? This is not even a question. I almost don't even want to answer this. iPhone...DUH! 

4. Peeta or Matthew Crawley? I don;t know this Matthew Crawley. After a quick google search I found out he is from that Downton Abbey show. But I am Team Peeta all the way. From the first book I was Pro-Peeta. He is the ultimate romantic and risks his life over and over to save Katniss. I was so mad at Katniss for even thinking about Gale. 

5. Favorite Book? Rain of Gold by Victor Villasenor. I love Chicano literature. I love relating to the stories in a really deep way. This was the first book that I really felt in my soul. It made me think of my own family and their journey. For me it validated everything my grandparents have done in their life. To me it felt like this author not only told the story of many of our Chicano families but made them important to the rest of the world. 

6. Ever met a famous person? Who?  I have been racking my brain and I cannot think of anyone! I have seen them from a far but the only one I can think of actually talking to is Tito Ortiz of UFC fame. He was in a parking lot elevator in Huntington Beach. His little kid was with him and we had The Phi. The kids were about the same age and just staring at each other like little kids do. He told his boy to say Hi to The Phi. 

7. Favorite blog? I read a ton of blogs and love so many but I would have to say that my favorite it Girls Gone Child by Rebecca Woolf. It was one of the first blogs I ever read. I started reading her right after The Phi was born. Her oldest son and The Phi are 1 day apart. She has this amazing writing style and her photos are gorgeous.  

8. Favorite Christmas tradition (I really like Christmas)? I use to love the annual talent show we would have at my Grandparents house. My family would really get into in. My Mom would make costumes and we would practice at home. It was so much fun. 

9. What is your earliest memory? The earliest memory I have was when we moved to a new house. My Mom was pregnant with my sister so I was about 2. I remember standing in the doorway and looking at the big empty living room. 

10. If you could change one event in your life, what would it be? Okay as long as this is not a "back to the future thing". You know where the future is altered. If I would still end up with Joey and my kids then the one event I would change would be moving away from Santa Barbara. I swear if I ever get to live there again, I will never leave. 

11. If you could leave one possession for your kids (future or present) what would it be? This blog printed and bounded. This has always been like a diary for them and to them. This would be the ultimate reminder that they had parents and family who loved them more than anything. If is a map of the places they have been and a photo album of their entire lives. 

I am tagging....

Pearmama

Yvonne

Jan

Okay Pearmama, Jan and Yvonne. Here are your 11 questions. 

1. What is the best advice you have ever received? 

2. You are all creative and talented. What craft do you wish you could do?

3. Your favorite word to say?

4. You ladies are all Moms.  In your family are you the good cop or the bad cop?

5. What is your favorite song?

6. Reality TV, yes or no?

7. Twilight or Hunger Games?

8. If you were given one piece of artwork from anyone what art piece would you get?

9. What is your dream job?

10. What is your secret to a successful marriage?

11. What was the best vacation you ever took?

There are six rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. Post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Notify the people you're tagging.
6. No saying, "If you're reading this, you're tagged."

Diary of a Mad Fat Girl- Book Review

"This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own."

I was excited to read and review this book for BlogHer. This book did not disappoint. I can only describe it as a "wild ride". Sweet and Southern, Ace and her 2 BFF's Chloe and Lily deal with some serious issues like infidelity, cover-ups, and  domestic violence, and verbal abuse. 


Lilly is keeping a secret, so big that it causes her to lose her job and possibly her friendship with Ace. But when Chole's husband hurts her so badly that he puts her in the hospital, the girls are forced to set aside their differences to save their friend. Lilly and Ace devise a plan to get evidence of what a scumbag Chloe's husband is. The adventure that ensues includes, a pistol in a purse, a costume shop, a dog, a biker gang, and a strip club, a returning ex-boyfriend, and a camera. 


Head over the BlogHer by CLICKING HERE and join in on all the fun! 


This book was such a fun read! It was sassy, a little vulgar and exciting. This book is a great testament to friendship and how far real friends will go to help one another. Grab a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy the ride! 

February Photo Challenge

I take pictures every single day. So when this monthly photo challenge started floating around Instagram I knew I wanted to try it. Here are the results from February.

you can find me on Instagram as Punkrockmom! 

She's a Natural

Joey and I always knew that our children would most likely not be athletic. I am the opposite of graceful and Joey is the opposite of athletic. As The Phi gets older we are realizing that we were right. She is not a natural at soccer or baseball. She is clumsy like her Mom and loves TV like her Dad. She has never shown an interest in any sports besides dance classes here and there. 

The Phi is almost 7 years old and watching her grow into her own is something incredible to witness. Despite her lack of athleticism, there are 2 things that she is a natural at. The first is yoga. When I was pregnant with Lou I started doing a pre-natal yoga class. Phi joined me and loved it. We took a family yoga class and she was so amazingly good it was funny. There I was trying to get my pregnant body into a pose while my little girl was in a perfect downward dog. 

Over this past weekend we found the second thing that Phi is a natural at. 

Fishing.

The Phi had been asking to go fishing at Nana & Tata's house and on Sunday she got her wish. I was still getting ready so my parents took the girls down to the reservoir. Joey and I were not more than 10 minutes behind them. But in those 10 minutes my Pops had taught The Phi how to fish. When we got there I stared at her with my jaw on the floor. She was fishing like she had been doing it her whole life. 

Seriously. Check it.

My Pops has always been a big fisherman. When I was little there was not much that could get me out of bed at the crack of dawn. Except a fishing trip with my Pops. I loved going fishing at the marina with him. We would get donuts and hot chocolate. I loved these trips. What I loved most was that I got to spend some time with my Pops. Just me and him. 

I love my Pops so much. He has always been there for me and my sisters with anything and everything we ever needed. The Phi adores her Tata. In her eyes he is a billionaire who can make or fix anything. And really isn't that how kids should see their Grandfathers. 

We spent some time in the sun out at the reservoir. The weather was perfect and I forgot how much I liked to fish too.

Flip or as he is sometimes called iGone. 

Since we were there in the middle of the day the fish were not biting. Except for Mom. She was the only one to catch a fish! 

So The Phi has found a new hobby. Since this day she has already purchased her own fishing pole. You should have seen her at the store. She had to hold and "try" each and every pole to find the right now for her. She also got a pink tackle box with some hooks and lures. She is all ready for her next fishing trip!

This week we start yoga classes.

Vegas Baby!

Since I have known Joey once and awhile he will mutter "I want to go to Vegas". The Phi has always had this slight obsession with hotels and casinos. With The Phi having a week long mid-winter break (wtf?) we decided it was time for the first ever family trip to Las Vegas. I had never been to Las Vegas with kids. The last time I was there I went club hopping with my friend Jackie. (Jackie and I now swap braiding techniques for our girls hair. Oh how times change). When I told my boss I was taking a few days off she laughed. "Taking the kids....to Vegas!" 

I made the mistake of telling The Phi 3 weeks before the trip that we were going. I was forced to hear "VEGAS BABY!" no more than 100000 times a day. To make it worse, or even more adorable, there was Lou right behind her yelling "BABY!". The Phi and Joey were so stoked about this trip. Phi even checked out a travel book about Vegas and slept with it. They were beyond excited. 

They day finally arrived and we were off! The drive there was not too bad. About 4 hours. We stopped in Baker, Ca to experience The Mad Greek. Then before we knew it we were checking into Circus Circus and the girls were jumping on beds. 

After settling in we headed out to Fremont Street. Vegas, old school style! I had never been there and it was a very cool place. A giant screen above you complete with zip-line. Little shops and of course casinos! 

After wandering Fremont Street and people commenting on Joey's beard. (One dude even yelled "ZZ Top!") we decided to eat at the Fremont Casino buffet. While in line an older couple was ahead of us. After we paid for our meal we noticed money on the floor. The Phi picked it up and it was a $50.00 (ironically the same amount we had just paid to eat!). I told her it was the couple ahead of us. She walked up to the man tapped him and handed him the money. The women opened her wallet and confirmed she had dropped the $50.00. They were so grateful they gave The Phi $5.00. And that was the only money we won the whole time we were there. 

The next day started with yet another buffet. Lou and Phi loved them. Lou apparently was storing fruit loops in her cheeks for later. 

Then we spent the next 5 HOURS walking the strip. We drove to the MGM Grand and walked up to Caesers and back down. My children were complete troopers. No complaining and the both had a good time. The best part was watching The Phi just take it all in. She was in awe of everything. 

Outside of Caesars there was this temple. The Phi has a pretty tight connection with God and when she sees a chance to pray she always does. It's just her. 

We cruised the Forum shops for a while. I took more pictures on this trip than I had in a long time. It was awesome. 

The Bellagio lobby is my favorite. It is stunning! This is the ceiling. 

While walking through the lobby we had a celebrity sighting! I noticed a giant blond man in leather and I finally recognized him as Dogg the Bounty Hunter. And of course with him was Beth. I was stunned and grabbed Joey's arm and was like "OMG It's Dogg the Bounty Hunter!!" I had my camera around my neck but by the time I snapped a pic this was all I got. 

We headed back to the hotel and rested for a few. Then we headed back down to eat some pizza. On the way there The Phi and I were walking and Joey and Lou were behind us. (Lou walks SO SLOW!). A groups of girls stopped Joey and gushed over Lou. One of them just gave her this stuffed cow. Oh what it must be like to be Lou!

After some surprisingly good pizza, we headed out to catch the fountain show at the Bellagio. 

I love this picture of Joey. Of course he hates it.

We headed back to the room and I sent Joey out on a hunt for margaritas while I got the girls ready for bed. He came back with margaritas with test tube shots of tequila. He wanted to mix them in the drinks. That's no fun so I made him shoot it. Yup that's right. I was the fun one! 

The next day we packed up and headed to the Adventuredome so The Phi could ride a few rides. 

Then we stopped at the worlds biggest souvenir shop and the next thing we knew we were leaving Las Vegas. 

We drove from Vegas to Santa Barbara and man is that a long ass drive. 

This trip has been 8 years in the making and well worth the wait. We all had a great time. On the drive back I told Joey "Do you realize that Louella did not cry once this entire trip?" Well she is making up for it now with her 2 hour screaming fits at bedtime. Luckily we have the Vegas memories to keep us happy. 

Of course The Phi filmed an episode of her show and YOU HAVE TO go and see it....

CLICK HERE FOR THE VEGAS EPISODE OF THE SOPHIA & FAMILY ADVENTURE SHOW!