This year we were finally able to take a mini vacation away from 29 Palms as a whole family! The kids and I have taken numerous vacations while Jay was deployed both times but this year we actually had the opportunity to take a family vacation. We decided that for Christmas we'd take a trip to Boynton Beach, Florida to visit Mom and Dad Evans. We took a week to enjoy some of the warm sun in Florida...and boy was it warm!! Typical Florida Christmas!! We really did enjoy ourselves though. The day after we arrived Jay and I headed out to do our Christmas shopping....we were one of the many last minute shoppers this year!!
The day before Christmas we let the kids open one gift each, something we do every year. After they opened their gifts the four of us went out for some fishing. We started out in one spot and attempted to head to another when of course it began to rain. So our day was cut short but we still had fun!
Christmas morning we woke the kids up, who are usually up before us so this was rare. They began opening up their gifts and loved everything they got! It was so much fun watching the both of them get so excited. After we ate some breakfast we took the kids over to the neighborhood park and let them play a bit. The rest of the day we just kind of relaxed and hung around the house, which was nice for a change!!
On Friday we headed out for some SHOPPING!! It was a very long day of shopping but they kept up with me pretty well, haha!
On Saturday we took the kids over to Boomers to have some family fun time!! We started off by playing a round of miniature golf, which Miss Caitlyn whooped us all in!! After that we went in and played some video games and then the kids got to get some prizes. We headed back home because Jay's cousin, Karel, was at the house hoping to see us. Karel was actually our wedding photographer!! Seeing her is always nice. She brought gifts for the kids and even though we only got to see her for about 10 minutes the kids took to her right away...as would anybody! She's very sweet!! Later on that night, Jays best friend Cory came by the house to see us. He brought his son Cory along. It was so nice seeing the both of them. It's been such a long time. Cory is who we named our son after and he also named his son Cory! So all three of them were together which became very confusing, hahaha!! We grilled up some food and just hung out and let the kids play. They got along so well!
On Sunday I had Jay (as well as the kids and Grandma) come to Dillards with me to see the two ball gowns I had picked out. I couldn't decide on one so I needed Jay's opinion. I ended up taking both because we still couldn't decided, ha! After that we headed over to Cory's house to do hang out and do some more fishing. Cory, Cory Allen and I all caught a fish...oh and I caught a turtle!! I felt bad at first until it started hissing and snapping at the guys, lol!! We enjoyed another day with them and Caitlyn and Cory Hayden get along so well...it's so cute watching them play together!
On Monday Jay and I planned on taking the kids to the movies but the movie we wanted to see wasn't playing so instead we took them to the new Chuck E. Cheese that was built near Mom and Dad's house. It was huge and the kids couldn't contain themselves!! They had a blast!!! We had lunch, played games and then Grandma called asking if we'd like to go to the zoo. Of course we would!! So we headed over there. This was probably Caitlyn's favorite part of the whole trip. That little girl loves animals! We cruised around the whole zoo and then went and got souveniers.
Tuesday finally rolled around and it was time to prepare to head home. We had an evening flight so we had the day to just kind of relax. We went and had breakfast and then back to Mom and Dad's house so the kids could play while we scanned the house to make sure we got everything. After we were done we let them play at the park for a little bit until it was time to go. We then got in the car and headed to the airport. Caitlyn had a hard time leaving Grandma and Papa but she understands we'll see them again. Our children have learned that saying goodbye to someone doesn't always mean it's forever. It's something they do so often that they have become very strong in that aspect! We got on the plane and finally made it home safe!!
Thank you so much Mom and Dad for letting us come! We enjoyed our time and can't wait to come visit again!!
Brian, Jenny, Briana and Britt
Jay and the boys
Mommy and Caiti
Briana was not amused with these earphones!
Cindy and Jason
Caitlyn having fun!
Cory and Matthew
Jenny and Cindy
Some of the trucks...
More trucks...
Briana was amazed with everything going on...
Silly girl!!
Jenny and the noisey girls!! 
Cory Allen
Daddy
Mommy
And some more trucks...
Caitlyn and Briana putting their 
Caitlyn was feeding Briana
Matthew
We were very glad that we were able to spend a night doing one of our favorite things with our closest friends. The Johnson family has become such a huge part of our life and we will really miss being able to do things like this once the Marine Corps seperates us. 
Caitlyn was feeding Briana
Matthew
We were very glad that we were able to spend a night doing one of our favorite things with our closest friends. The Johnson family has become such a huge part of our life and we will really miss being able to do things like this once the Marine Corps seperates us. 
