Koehler Family Vacation!

We are so excited to share with you the events of our recent FAMILY VACATION! For the past two years our lives have been so busy that we decided that it was time for a break. Mom finally got a two week break from school, so what a better thing to do then to spend some much needed family time in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!

For several weeks we planned a family vacation that included a vast amount of activities brought to you by: Universal Studios, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, SeaWorld, and the Pacific Ocean.

What made this trip so exciting was that the girls (Mackee, Keely, & Izzie) had NO IDEA! We kept the vacation a SURPRISE until the morning of. On Saturday morning we woke the girls up early, had new clothes for them to wear, did their hair, blindfolded them, took them downstairs, took off their blindfolds and shouted, "We're Going To Disneyland!" The table was decorated with Mickey Mouse tableware and Grandpa Koehler had HOT and YUMMY Mickey Mouse PANCAKES ready to go!

When we first told the girls they just stood there in astonishment! Then when it finally hit them ~ they all three started jumping up and down with excitement! IT WAS SO CUTE but I don't think they believed us at first. It was less than an hour latter when we were all loaded in the car and ready to go. It was quite the morning because we literally almost MISSED our flight. We had several things come up while at the airport but luckily we made it! The trip home was also event full because poor Mackee was throwing up in a crowded Los Angeles airport and while riding home on a bumpy airplane :(

We did so many fun things that it would take us forever to share them all with you, but we hope you enjoy all the fun pictures and the slide show that we have put together for you. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! If you haven't ever been to DISNEYLAND then we hope you get to go one day. It is truly a place where MAGIC happens and DREAMS come true.

A HUGE THANKS to Grandpa and Grandma Koehler for coming with us and for helping with some the cost for the girls - we couldn't have done it without you!

FAMILY FAVORITES: Eating lunch with the Disney Princesses, seeing Mickey & Minnie Mouse, ridding on California Screamin', Hotel Tower of Terror, Soarin' Over California, and Indiana Jones. We also loved the shows at SeaWorld, feeding the dolphins, swimming at the hotel, and visiting the San Diego LDS Temple. Dad's favorite of course was fly fishing for Mako Sharks!

Disneyland 2011

Universal Studios!

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

We also got to spend a day at "San Diego Zoo Safari Park!"
I was grateful that we got to ride on a transit for part of the time because it was HOT out and my legs were tired of WALKING! Overall, we had a pretty good time. Grandpa and Grandma Koehler also seemed to enjoy the ANIMAL ADVENTURE!

The park had a special butterfly exhibit while we were there. It was the coolest thing! They were all so beautiful. We were amazed at how BIG some of them were!

Mommy's favorite animal...
~ THE GIRAFFE ~

Look at these silly WORMS!

The neatest thing about watching the elephants was that we got to watch a baby elephant spray himself down with water to COOL OFF!
It was adorable!

Pictured below you will find a GORILLA! They were pretty LAZY while we were there but I don't blame them. I'd be laying in my den if it was 93 degrees out too!

Fun in the Sun!

You can't go to Southern California and not visit the beautiful OCEAN. The weather was so HOT that the pacific water was actually warm. The girls had a blast looking for seashells and writing their names in the sand. We brought home a whole collection of interesting things.

Mom and Keely holding up their SPECIAL seashells!

Zack and his dad spent a day fly fishing out on the ocean, while us girls stayed and played at the hotel swimming pool. For THREE WEEKS all Zack could think about was this fishing trip! He spent much of his time tying up these massive orange flies and preparing rods and reels because he was bound and determined to catch a SHARK on his FLY ROD!

If you know Zack well, then you would know that HE DID JUST THAT!

Below the water is about an 80 pound Mako Shark! Unfortunately, he didn't get a very good picture. It was a "quick release" and his dad (who has serious balance issues) wasn't able to get a good shot. Regardless, they both had a great time and will always cherish the memory!

Sea World!

We ended our vacation by spending a day at SEA WORLD! What a fun day it was... We watched dolphins, whales, and sea lions perform! We visited the polar bears, turtles, penguins, saltwater fish, beluga whales, and everything else that you can imagine. We rode on "Journey to Atlantis," ate ice cream bars, and "BEST OF ALL" we interacted with dolphins!

Keely Turns FIVE!

Keely finally turned FIVE! It seems as though she had to wait FOREVER for this special day to arrive. Ever since her fourth birthday, all she has talked about is her FIFTH birthday... This year we went with a "Tangled" party theme. Keely loves the movie so much that there was no talking her out of it. She requested a simple Barbie styled cake, which I was more than happy to deliver since it was fairly quick and easy compared to some of the other cakes I have made.

Her second request was to have a SMALL lunch party with only those that she plays with or attends preschool with.

Thanks to my AMAZING friend (Jaclyn) we had the cutest party decorations ever!

Her favorite gift came from her grandma Koehler. Otherwise known as a Lalaloopsy Doll! She thinks its funny that their button eyes freak me out :)
Nevertheless, she sleeps with it every single night!

How did this girl get to be so SPOILED???

I think she got everything that she possibly could have wanted. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this day special for Keely.
She LOVED it!

Horseback Riding!

The girls finally got to go horseback riding! They have been asking to ride horses for a long time now and it finally happened. Luckily, one of Zack's buddies (Bobby) invited us to his family ranch so the girls could ride. The girls absolutely loved it! They keep telling us that they want to grow up and be cowgirls. This year for Christmas they have put cowgirl boots at the top of their list. I suppose we'll have to wait and see what Santa brings them:) I was really surprised with how comfortable all three of them were while riding on the horses. They never even got scared. Poor Zack had to walk the horses all day because the girls were constantly begging for more. A huge thanks to Bobby, we really appreciate it!

Enjoying the Great Outdoors!

The weather was beautiful in the beginning of October, so Zack requested that we do some camping before fall settled in. I couldn't believe how nice it was to camp in the middle of October! Grandpa and Grandma Koehler even came along, which was a special treat because that doesn't happen very often. Zack fished for sturgeon while the girls caught crawdads. It was nice because the crawdads entertained the girls for the whole weekend.

This is a random picture of Keely at preschool. I had ducks come in for the letter "Dd".

Catching Up!

Welcome back to the Koehler blog! We know it's been awhile since you payed a visit, but what can we say - we've been busy, busy, busy!

I (Raquel) have yet to take a break from school, so its been a little hectic around here. This past year, I have read more books and written more paper's then I can count! Although, I am very happy to announce that I am on the Dean's List. Straight A's is not an easy thing to pull when you have three little munchkins running around, but I must say - it is nice to be recognized for something! I also managed to get a little scholarship money for this next school year, it's not a lot, but hey every little bit helps! Besides that, I have been busy taking care of my beautiful little girls.

Zack has also been very busy. Whenever I need something, he is always right there, willing and able. Well, most of the time that is. He has been serving in Young Men's for the past few months, and for those who don't know - it can be a busy calling at times. He absolutely loves it though and he is AMAZING at it! This next week, he will be taking the boys on a 50 mile hike... He is pretty excited about that and he has been preparing for it all summer. I'm sure he will be worn out and soar by the time he gets back home.

We just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary! I know - It's crazy! As I reflect back on the years we've shared, my heart is overwhelmed. We've shared so much together. High's, low's, laugh's, and tear's. He is not only my best friend, but he is my eternal companion and that is something that I will always be grateful for.

As far as Mackee, Keely, and Izzie go - they are all growing like weeds. Mackee is about to start second grade - she can't wait! Keely will be in preschool with me this year, and Izzie is just getting started with the potty training business. All three of them have been enjoying the HOT summer!

Even though our lives have been busy, they have also been GOOD! We have felt Heavenly Father's presence and love in our lives, especially these past few months, and we are so grateful for all the many blessings that He has given us. We are healthy, happy, and safe! We have more then we could ever hope for, and we know it's all because of Him! We wish you all the best, and we hope all of you are doing well...

We have posted some old /new pics on the blog. We hope you enjoy!