Knott's Berry Farm Visit, visiting California friends, and heading home - 2026/05/01

We're wrapping up our time in California but we've got one more full day of fun! Theresa is not working today and ready to join us at a theme park! She's done Magic Mountain with us on a previous trip and there's not a ton of things for her to do. Today, let's go to Knott's Berry Farm and do all the rides Theresa can do! 

Ian's Gymnastics USA Olympics - 2026-05-16

Every year, our gymnastics gym has a big event for their kids that they call their Olympics. Alli is on a competitive team now, so she doesn't compete, but Ian has been progressing in tumbling from beginner to intermediate, and working to get up into advanced. All season Alli has had friends and family come to watch her events, and now we've got a great big party coming to watch Ian, flying out from Michigan and Colorado! 

Disney California Adventure visit - 2026/04/30

Today we're in California, Theresa's off work, and we're all set to have some fun at Disney!

When I asked Ian which park he preferred, we had the following exchange. 

Ian - which one has Toy Story Midway Mania? DCA

Ian - and the Incredicoaster? DCA

Ian - and Guardians? DCA

Ian - and Web Slingers? DCA

Ian - and Radiator Springs Racers? DCA

I guess it's pretty clear which park we're going to visit! 

Knott's Berry Farm visit, CEC, Korean, and Beach Volleyball - 2026/04/28

Time for our next adventure! Last year when we visited, our Six Flags passes were only good at Six Flags parks. Since then though, all the Cedar Fair parks have been rolled into the family and now they're included as well! It's been forever since I've been to Knott's Berry Farm, and the kids have never been! 
We watched a few videos showing all the rides and the kids were excited to get on some new roller coasters. 

Time for another adventure! California Six Flags Magic Mountain visit - 2026/04/25

It's time to head out on another adventure! This time we're headed out to California for a week and we're going to try to cram in as much fun as we can! 

The kids are gone! Joe and Theresa go on vacation! 2026/03/24

It's Spring Break and Theresa and I just put on the kids on an airplane to fly out to Colorado to hang out with their grandparents and cousin all week! Time for us to do something fun too! On past trips, we've dropped the kids off and headed to Tahiti, and then another time we flew to Bora Bora. Where to this time? 

Well, let's go through the list of things we like. Warm temperatures. Good food. A place to relax and read a book. No appointments and nothing required for us to do. Some of our favorite vacations have been sitting in a beach chair and reading a book for 8 hours with minimal interruptions. Hmm.

You know what? Florida has warm weather. We make delicious food. We can find a place to relax and not schedule any appointments. Why don't we just do a stay-cation here! Theresa found us a couple portable hammocks and we've got a nice lake right beside the campground. Perfect!  

Spring Break Trip for Alli and Ian - Traveling to Colorado Alone 2026/03/24

It's Spring Break! Normally we would plan a trip somewhere to do something, but we've been pretty busy with gymnastics and other travel these last couple months. Still with a week of downtime, the kids certainly would want to have something going on. Theresa had the thought, why not head out to Colorado since it's Avery's spring break too? The kids would love to play together. 

Hmm, what if though, instead of everyone going to Colorado, it was just the kids... Theresa and I could do some tropical and warm destination while Ian and Alli went to stay with their grandparents for the week! I think that's a great plan! We check with Gram and Pop Pop and they were totally all for it!