Kale's Birthday Surprise Vacation

For Kale's birthday, I had been very stealthy and planned a surprise trip.  I got the time off at his work, and they even published a 'fake' schedule so he wouldn't realize anything was up.  It was so much fun.  Thursday I worked hard to pack and load everything up while he was in the car.  When he pulled in, I told him we were going to get a soda "thirsty thursday" and to hop in.  He was telling me how his work may be planning to make him a birthday cake tomorrow, and so I told him then that he wouldn't be at work tomorrow because I got the day off for his birthday.  We continued to drive south, and by this point he was really confused!  I loved it.  He loves surprises like this, so it was right up his alley.  We pulled off at my Mom's work and dropped Sophie off.  He was even more confused and his mind was racing with questions.  I wouldn't answer anything and told him he'd just have to wait and see.  We kept driving, and driving, and driving.  He thought we were going to Vegas so he was confused when we stopped in St. George.  I told him we were staying in St. George.  We checked into our hotel and realized he had the wrong contact solution already on his contacts!  We rinsed them with water, which is also a huge no-no, and then sped off to Walmart to get the right stuff.  We tried cleaning them really well and let them soak in it overnight, but they burned his eyes the next morning, so we took them out and tried to think of a Plan B.  He goes to America's Best and luckily there was store in the area.  They were so nice and accommodating and called to get his prescription and gave us some samples.  That was so nice, we were so glad!  

We got back and I went running.  I am doing a training program think on Nike+'s website so I was trying to be good and stay on-track with that.  It was so hot and I wasn't familiar with the area, so I did a few miles outside, and another on the treadmill in the hotel.  We got ready and I threw everything back in the bag, and we headed off, to Kale's surprise!  We got to Vegas and parked our car and got on a shuttle for the airport!  He was so excited but still had no idea where we were even flying too.  When we got to the gate he realized it was to LA but still had no idea.  We made our flight, got on a shuttle there, and I told him en-route we were going on a cruise (still had no clue where and was loving all the anticipation and surprises).  We made it to the port and loaded the boat and I told him we were doing a weekend cruise to Mexico.  It was so much fun!  I have been on two other cruises but this was Kale's first.  We got all settled and loved hanging out!

The next day we got to Mexico.  We didn't really get enticed by all the excursions so we just walked around the city for a bit, then headed back to the boat and laid out by the pool.  We were loving the buffet and the time to relax and not have to do anything!  

Sunday was a day at sea.  We loved that our cabin was inside so it was dark and quiet.  We were able to sleep- in like teenagers!  Kale kept talking about going back to work and this and that.  He had no idea our vacation wasn't over!  My Sister and BIL were driving down to vegas to meet us with SOPHIE!  How fun!  She made the long ride and they got there just about the time we had landed and were driving towards the hotel.    

 

Kale kept telling me we were going the wrong way and that I needed to merge here or there to make the next freeway entrance.  Then, I think he figured out there was another surprise.  We stayed at the South-Pointe hotel, which we have stayed at before and loved.  Kylie was carrying Sophie in right as we were carrying our bags in.  I called Sophie's name, and she turned, and we were ALL so excited to see each other.  This is really the first time we've truly left her for anything like this.  She was so full of energy and loved the hotel.  She was running around the halls and in the room and dancing and jumping.  It was so funny.  I thought maybe she was just glad to be out of the car, but it continued throughout the entire trip!  She is so dang cute, we are so lucky to have her as our daughter.  That night we went to New York, New York and had Kale's favorite pizza and wandered around the arcade there.  Sophie loved pretending on some of the rides.    

That evening we went to the pool.  Kale and I got our legs sunburnt pretty badly on the cruise, so he didn't want to get in.  I did get in, but my legs felt like they were on-fire, especially in the warmer pool.  Sophie loved it.  They had a kiddie pool that she could swim/stand in, and get out of easily.  She thought that was pretty cool.  I love her, being with her is so much fun.  

We spent some time in the warmer pool.  Sophie loved the waterfalls and pretending to swim with us.  

That night Sophie fell asleep and we stated up to play cards and eat treats with Kylie and Preston.  The next day we had lunch at a restaurant in our hotel, then went swimming again.  It was such a nice warm day!  We finally talked Kale into getting in the pool half-way through.  Sophie loved it!  She is so much fun and just loves the water!  

That night we went to a few places on the strip and walked around for a bit.  Kylie has all those pictures and I am waiting to meet up with her to upload them.  We got some darling ones of Kale carrying Sophie.  I carried her in the Boba carrier from MGM to Bellagio, but my feet and legs were killing me. It's weird to think that I have lost that much weight (I have lost about 40lbs, and Sophie is 29) as I was carrying her.  I was glad to get a break and let Kale carry her.  It is so tender when he baby wears...  there is something about that I just love.  We waited at the Bellagio for the fountains.  She thought they were pretty cool but we were right by a speaker so it was so loud.  She plugged her ears though, ha.  We made the long trek back to the car and stopped to get pizzas to take back to our hotel.  We were so hungry though, we ate most of it on the way back.  Sophie fell asleep easily again, and we stayed up to play cards.  

The next day we woke up and got things packed up and ready to go.  Kylie and Preston were staying until Friday, but they were staying at a different hotel.  Sophie was in such a good mood, I was sad we were going to be leaving.  She loved being able to eat lots of treats and play and relax with us all.

We stopped at "Pawn Stars" on our way home.  It was really cool to see it and wasn't what I expected.  We headed home.  I drove the entire way down, and was driving to St. George.  I don't know what it is but driving through 'boring' areas always makes me so drowsy.  I made it to St. Goerge, and we stopped to get lunch and gas, and then Kale drove.  Me and Sophie took a nap for a few hours and woke up around Nephi.  We made a quick stop again for the potty, and then headed home.  We were glad to be home but had such a fun time.  Kale loved all the surprises!  I am not sure how I'll top this...