The Stories of This Jones Family: Our Two Week Vacation

Last year we received a phone call from the girls director at the dance studio letting us know that the girls were getting a special invitation to attend Dance Excellence which is a huge week long Dance Convention in California. Kids are supposed to be 9 to go and Kaylie and Alyssa are only 8. This was such a huge honor to be given this opportunity as only one studio from every state is asked to attend this convention and then studios from around the world also attend. It was also exciting b/c Greg's stepsister Kala would be there as well helping out as her first year as a Young American.

To get an idea of what this is about take a look at this video:

When we decided to go, it became a family event with a 2 week long vacation in the planning. Take a look at how are days were spent:

Wed April 13th: Got off work...dropped the dog of at the sitters...began our drive to Vegas (which took 13 hours because of the snow in Colorado and Utah)

Thursday April 14th: Got into Vegas at about 5:30 AM...Slept at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Rods for a few hours...went walking around the strip with my cousins Jonathon and Nichelle...ate dinner with my cousins and Aunt Debbie...drove 3 1/2 hours to pick up Kala...Drove another 1/2 hour to stay with JJ and Marle in Redondo Beach-arrival time shortly after midnight

Friday April 15th: Went to the beach with the Fogles...attended a baby shower/birthday party for Marle...woke up to Kaylie puking from Greg's horrible food idea at 11:30 and then stayed up chatting with Marle till 3:00 AM

Saturday April 16th: Ate lunch at Universal...walked around in Hollywood...checked into the hotel...had dinner and then hung out with some of Kala's friends from Young Americans

Sunday April 17th: Spent some time at the pool...ate at In and Out Burger...the girls went to the opening ceremony of the convention while the boys went to see the movie Rio....and then we hung out in our room chatting and gluing sequins onto boots. In bed around 11ish

Monday April 18th: Up by 6:00 am for the girls to start convention. They were in classes until 4:30 and the rest of us went to hang out at Manhatten Beach. That night we went to watch the tap and ballet competition pieces. In bed around 11ish

Tuesday April 19th: Up again by 6:00 am-the girls were off to classes again until 4:30 while the rest of us went to Santa Monica. We went to dinner with the Fogles and afterwards we were back to the hotel for Disney rehearsals. Bedtime was around midnight.

Wednesday April 20th: Up again by 6:00 am-the girls were off to classes again until 4:30 while Greg and Taylor went to the Tar Pits and Shannon had lunch with JJ. Later we all went to the golf course and then hung out at the pool. That night we went to see Cirque Du Solei with a special pass to talk to the cast afterwards...Time to bed...oh maybe 1:00 AM ish.

Thursday April 21st: On the busses by 6:30 am...spent the day at Disneyland watching the girls perform and then rode the rides. Bed time around 10:00 pm

Friday April 22nd: On the busses by 6:30 am...spent the day at Knotts Berry Farm watching the dance competition and riding rides. That night the girls went to the Closing Ceremony and then hung out at the after party. Time to bed was around 1:00 AM

Saturday April 23rd: Checked out of the hotel..went to the Fogles house were we got ready for Easter and had a BBQ.

Sunday April 24th: Woke up and let the kids hunt for eggs and do their Easter Baskets...Loaded up the car and drove 3 hours to San Diego where we had lunch at my Uncle Mikes house. That night we went to Old Town and then walked around in the gas lamp district. Time to bed around 10ish

Monday April 25th: Spent the day at Legoland...had a late lunch at my Grandpa's favorite pizza place..had ice cream...drove through the Universities and by the Chargers stadium..swam at the pool..went to dinner at the Crab Shack on the bay...Time to bed probably after midnight.

Tuesday April 26th: Had breakfast on the bay..toured the Midway...had lunch...walked around Seaport Village...drove 6 hours to Utah...time to bed was around 2:00 am

Wednesday April 27th: Up at 7 and drove home just in time to drop our stuff at the house and go straight to the dance studio for classes that started at 6:00

WOW that was exhausting! Now everyone understands why I had no time to upload pictures or return phone calls. Okay now onto the fun part-the pictures!

Driving To Vegas...in the horrible snow...