Built On Trust

weekend trips

I really hate to do this, but since it will be easier to write parts with the twins when they're more independent starting this part they are one. I'm skipping their birthday party because I really can't think of anything to write for it.

Brad and I have been trying to think of something to do with the girls that will be fun and we finally decided on taking a trip to his parents house in Northern California. We're hoping we can go to a less crowded beach that we hopefully won't get recognized at. What we didn't think of is how hard it is to drive long distance with three kids who are all not used to it. Since the twins have started saying little things they're trying to talk which is annoying Shay who is supposedly trying to sleep.

"Mommy make them stop!" She complains, kicking my seat making me regret moving her seat from the middle to behind the passenger seat. I turn around to where she is and can see that she really is tired "Just ignore it, they don't know any better." She finally listens and falls asleep leaving the car quiet except for the twins "talking."

Brad moves his right hand of the steering wheel and holds my left hand "I hope this all works out. I really want them to be able to have fun without all the paparazzi."

"I hope so too." I look out my window concentrating on the scenery around us. I notice the trees slowly starting to change from Palm trees to oak along with the weather changing. It was almost 100° in LA, but here it's about 85°, which will be really nice for the beach. The atmosphere is so much calmer, too. In LA everyone is busy and crazy, but here people are more relaxed and are taking their time, caring more about others. I can already smell the crisp mountain air, and I can't wait to get to the house and go to the beach. The twins are still 'talking' to themselves, Shay is sleeping, and Brad is completely concentrating on the game so I turn the radio on for some entertainment. Surprising me, the first song that comes on is our wedding song and before I can, Brad turns it up.

"I haven't heard this on the radio in forever." He turns it up just a little more and that's all we hear for a little "This will always be one of my favorites, it reminds me of us every time I hear it." He always knows what to say.

"I love when I hear it, it reminds me of our wedding." Memories of that day start coming back to me; the vows, the dance, our family, and most importantly just being with Brad. I couldn't be happier.

We drive for another hour before Shay wakes up and says she has to go to the bathroom, so I get her out and Brad stays with the twins. I told her hand as we walk through the parking lot and she jumps around like crazy "Do you want me to carry you?" I ask her and she says yes, so I carry her to the bathroom.

"Mommy help." She says trying to undo her pants as I shut the door. I quickly get her pants off, make sure the seat is clean and set her on it, so she can do her business. She finishes and I go quickly too, then take her so we can wash our hands. I pick her up and hold her over the sink "Make sure you get enough soap." I remind her and wait for her to finish, then I do the same and we go back to the car. Brad is giving the twins some snacks when we get back, so I give Shay a cookie and get back in the front.

"We should be there in about 30 minutes." Brad says as he gets back in the front. He pulls out of the parking lot onto a mountain road overlooking the ocean, which leads the girls to get excited. The twins don't really know what it is, but with Shay excited about seeing the ocean they start yelling too. I start to point out different things to keep them all entertained and in a few minutes we pull into the driveway.

I let Shay out then get the twins getting one of each of their hands to help them walk in "Shay, make sure you stay neat daddy and I." I remind her as she starts wondering off in the yard. She goes back to Brad and gets a small bag that she can carry "I help."

Brad hands me the keys and I pick up Jess while holding Aly's hand and walk up to the house and open the door. The girls run in and look around at it curiously "It big!" Jess yells and runs over to me with her hands up. I pick her up and carry her out with me to get the last bag "Are you excited for the beach?" I ask her and she jumps around in my arms excitedly.

Aly and Shay both run up to me when I get back in and Shay tries to go out the door behind me "We go now."

Brad stops her telling her that we all need to get ready and unpack before we leave. She gets a little upset, but I tell her she can play with the toys she brought and with the twins while Brad and I unpack. I take the bag with the twins stuff and Brad gets Shay's and we start putting it away in their room. We watch as they all run around like crazy while we're trying to unpack and when we're done with theirs Brad stays with them and I unpack ours. I change into my bathing awhile and go over to their room to help Brad with them.

"Aly, if you don't stand still I can't get you dressed." I tell her as I try to get her to let me put the bathing suit on. She stands still eventually and I get it on, then get Jess dressed, and Brad gets Shay. I get everything we need and take them downstairs where we wait for Brad, then walk to the beach which is about 5 minutes away from the house. We get there and I make the girls stand so I can put sunscreen on them, then I give them some sand toys and they play where our towels are for a while.

Brad sits next to me while I lay on stomach tanning and watching the girls. They're all playing and Shay is trying to make a sand castle. Every time she gets close to finishing it one of the twins falls into it or knocks it over. Brad tries to help her by keeping them closer to him so they can't get near it, but they think it's funny to run over to where she's making it. I get up and take their hands walking towards the water "Let's go swimming." I tell them when we get closer to the water.

"Mama, up!" Aly yells and I pick her up so she goes in the water. Jess holds my free hand and walks really slowly next to me. I make sure both of their floaties are on good and let go of both of them letting them play right in front of me. They want me to play with them so we splash each other and I watch as they both swim around looking at the fish.

Brad comes in the water next to us with Shay and all the girls play while we stand next to each other watching them. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer "They're having so much fun. We should do this again."

I wrap my arms around him too and watch them carefully. They all look so happy, and they aren't fighting "I think we should too." I agree with him.