Oh, the excitement to pick up Jackson from the airport never gets old!
We both drove to LAX and I waited for him to walk out of the plane. He ran into my arms and all was well with the world. He held my hand the whole long walk from gate 11 to the curb, swallowing his eight-year-old pride. He requested Cafe Rio again for dinner, so we had dinner and drove back home. We talked about the fact that we don't get to see Jackson too much before Christmas, so we pulled out the tree and out came Jackson in his Christmas pajamas from last year! We listened to Christmas music, burnt a holiday candle and danced around.
On Saturday, Brady had to go into work while we made a yummy breakfast at home + had his soccer game at 10am. His team tied.
Brady met us for Jamba Juice right after the game, we came home to relax for an hour or so and then picked up Lila for Universal Studios. Last time we took Lila's brother to the game, so we took her this time. Lila has never been so she was so excited to go on any ride which helped us get Jackson on the rides.
The kids were drenched! Like completely wet.
We went on the tour around the lot together and then after they went on Jurassic Park.
They all loved the ride, but I didn't get a good shot because I was laughing so hard... the guy next to Brady was practically hugging him and Jackson + Lila were laughing! They went on the Mummy ride and then the kids did all the stairs again back up to the top of the park.
The kids went on this fun town ride together and then they did the Minions ride.
Brady's brother was in San Diego for a dental clinic so we invited him to come up and stay they night. We saw Big Hero 6 with Lila, Ryder, Jackson, Kip (me and Brady).
It was cute but we all were so tired from such a busy day and full of soccer games, park and movies.
Kip bought them all popcorn, so sweet.
Sunday we had church early - I had to speak and the Young Women had our special sacrament meeting + New Beginnings. Jackson came up to me after and told me I did a really good job up there and that he liked my talk. One of my friends told me he was starring at me the whole time.
After we made a big lunch for Kip and Jackson and then watched Rio 2 from Kip's ipad. We met our friends the Daines and Brady's to play soccer... of course I watched like the lazy self I am these days.
After the boys cleaned Jackson's mackerel...
And then Jackson didn't want to eat it.
We found our Christmas boxes and took out all of the decorations! The girls from upstairs came over to make snowflakes while they watched Elf in The Shelf while we played games next to them. Jackson dressed up again like an elf. He left a note for Lucky, his elf... I die! I hope he stays little for a bit longer because he makes holidays the best.
Our friends left and I read books with him until he fell asleep on my lap. Melted me.
In the morning we went to the LA zoo with our new friends that just moved from Indiana. His friend Corbin is a few years older but Jackson adapted real fast to his age and they were like the same person. They hit it off perfectly over talk of Nerf guns, boy-riddle-humor, sports and things boys say that they think is funny at this age. He visits his dad in Indiana so they had that in common.
We let them play in these caves and they would hide at the top so when people would walk by they would jump out at them and scare them. They actually scared us when they told us to find them.
I'm pretty sure we walked miles that day. They wanted to play at the park, so we did.
Right after we went over to our friend's backyard where we all watched How to Train Your Dragon 2 with at least 10 other families. They have a fun set up there and being in a city, it's always fun to see someone have a real house with a real backyard. Jackson brought Corbin a blanket, his pillow and his own blanket. Everyone brought tons of food and it was a good night.
We grabbed In-N-Out after and then hung out with Brady.
Jackson wrote two more letters to Lucky, his elf. Then I scratched his back and played with his hair until he passed out within minutes. I always know it's a successful day if he falls asleep early in only a few scratches.
Jackson woke us up early to head down south--he is always ready to go to San Clemente.
We drove down to Dana Point and grabbed breakfast at Stacks Pancake House.... oh geez, it's the best place. Gluten Free pancakes with coconut syrup. We met my sister, her kids, our friends and then my sister-in-law came down with her kids to Doheny State beach. They all surfed, we hung out, I fed the babes, built holes for the kids, holes for my belly, Jackson caught 10 waves and much more. It was a fun and good day.
We drove over to my parent's neighborhood so we could pick up my mom and went down to the pool. Brady got everyone dinner at Jackson's favorite burrito place, Pedros. We swam, Jackson's best friends came down to swim and then it was a sad, sad time when we had to leave. Jackson was so sad walking to the car, leaving mimi's house. The airport ride was tough, he was so sad, crying and saying he didn't want to leave San Clemente. It's the worst! Taking him away from a city he was born, lived a majority of his life and where all his family and friends are. We promised him next time he is here, we will stay longer.
It was such a great weekend. We are so grateful for all the sacrifices the Veterans have made for us to enjoy our freedoms.
