California Vacation

A few months before Christmas my mom called Robert on his cell phone at work, left him a message and asked if we would like to go to California with them the week between Christmas and New Years.

Now, does she know my husband or what? This is probably just a male thing, but maybe it's just a Robert thing. See you have to get an idea in his head early and let him process what you are telling him before you can talk to him about something like this. His initial reaction is almost always going to be No. I do have to admit that he has been working at being better about it, but the "okay, maybe that is a good idea", still usually comes later.

So when he called me to tell me what she had done he was pretty sure that it wasn't going to be something we wanted to do. We had originally thought the two of us might take a vacation together sometime at the beginning of the year. But if you remember reading about the "Surprise" that we got back in August, you know that a February/ March vacation was no longer going to happen. So I didn't say much about it, just let him talk and tell me what he thought. After a few weeks of letting him think it all through and only talk about it when he brought it up. We came up with some good reasons why we shouldn't pass up the opportunity... We wouldn't have to pay for a hotel , we would be staying with my Mom's brother. There would be extra hands in the airport and on the airplane to help us out with the boys, which would be flying for their first times. And Robert was still going to be getting a vacation from work. Something he was in desperate need of.

So we bought the plane tickets, got excited about going to Disneyland and tried to save a little money (something which is easier said then done around Christmas time). Two days after Christmas we took the dog to be boarded, loaded the bags, the boys and we were headed to the airport to board our flight to California.

Monday was a day full of traveling and the boys did so well. On our first flight Collin was able to have his own seat, which worked out great. We didn't buy him a ticket, he is still considered a lap baby, but I knew if he wasn't buckled he would not want to sit still on someones lap either.



All together it was Robert and I with the two boys, my mom and dad, my younger sister Alysa, and my older Brother's two kids, Taylor and Trent. So there were 9 of us all together.

Carter's reaction to flying for the first time couldn't have been better. He was giddy with excitement. He loved the take off. I really wish we would have been able to get him on video. I know we will never get that same reaction about flying from him again.

We got to Uncle Tim's house about 10 o'clock pm, Pacific time (Midnight our time). There was talk of Tuesday (the next day) being the best "weather" day of the week. (warmest day with no rain) If we wanted to hit Disney maybe we better go Tuesday just in case it rained the rest of the week. But it was so late getting the kids to bed that night, we didn't want to wake the kids up super early the next morning to make the hour and half plus drive to Disneyland. We slept on it and in the morning after seeing the weather again decided it was probably what we should do.

We didn't end up leaving the house until about 8:30. With a back up of traffic that put us there around 10:30. As we were driving past the main entrances and down to the parking lots we start noticing these big flashing road signs, I think of them as construction signs. They said, Stay to the left for Parking... Disneyland Closed Full to Capacity... Adventure land tickets still available...

What?? You're kidding, Right?? So we didn't say anything to the kids, decide to pull up to the parking booth to see what they say. "Yep... Not selling tickets for Disneyland, We're already full for today. Oh, and they are for tomorrow also."

It is totally a scene from the Lampoon's Vacation... You know, the one where they go to Wally World... Yep, that's us. No, Robert didn't get out and punch the moose (or mouse in our case) in the face, but you get the idea.

So the nice gentleman puts a purple EXIT slip under our wiper and tells up to stay to the left to leave. Before we could say anything Carter burst into tears. Through his tears we finally figure out that he realizes what is going on when he says "I Don't Want to Leave, I Want to go to Disney Today!" Ugh, it's a total break your heart, bad parent, say anything to ease his pain kind of moment. I mean Robert and I felt the same way, so we knew right where he was coming from. So Robert says, "don't worry, they're full today but we are going to come back, we won't leave California before we go to Disneyland." Ah... honey... wait a minute... Did you hear the guy? Did you see the weather for the week? Is this really a promise that we can keep?

So we called my Aunt and she got us set up with tickets to go to Knott's Berry Farm for the day instead.

Wednesday morning we woke up to the sound of rain. We just hung out for the morning and then took the boys, my niece Taylor and my cousin Baylin to see Yogi Bear. It was in 3D and it was both Carter and Collin's first movie in a movie theater. Carter was just thrilled with the silly glasses that cost us an extra $3 or something. Collin fell asleep about half way through and I will admit... I did too toward the end. (I know, what's new?)

The rain stopped in the afternoon and we decided to drive down to the beach to see the sunset. It was completely dark by the time we got thirteen people ready, loaded into 3 vehicles, and to the beach. It was windy and freezing cold, but we walked out onto the pier and the kids still got to run from the waves on the beach. So it was a fun and memorable night.

Carter found a knot hole in one of the board on the pier. He got down to look, and with such excitement he said, "I Knew It!" (He knew he would be able to see the ocean.) It's so sweet to hear your kids get excited about the little things!

We had decided earlier in the week that we would try Disneyland again on Thursday. My Aunt called on Tuesday after the big mishap and they said that they couldn't guarantee tickets all week. The women from Disneyland said that the week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest week of the year for every amusement park in the world. Our best bet and basically only option would be to get there by at 7am and try to get tickets. So Robert and I woke up at 4:30, got everything ready, woke the kids up at the last minute and were on the road by 5:15. We got there a little after 7. The flashing signs gave us hope that there were still tickets available. We parked, another good sign, and were able to buy the tickets right there in the parking (yes, from a ticket booth and not a scalper) before we got on the bus. Finally, (big sigh of relief) we were in... and we weren't going to have to change our plane tickets just so that we would be able to go to Disneyland.

Star Wars training academy.

The submarine/ Nemo ride

Mickey's House

Collin was so in love with Mickey Mouse. He even kissed him on the nose!

Pluto was not going to let go of Collin.

He just kept holding on to him.

The holiday parade was wonderful. We were a little disappointed because they didn't have Mater and Lightening McQueen in this parade like they would have in the Pixar parade that they advertise, but none the less it was fantastic. Collin wanted to walk out and follow the characters. He had been walking up to them all day and all of the sudden they were coming right up to him but he could go and give them a hug. It was a little confussing for him. We didn't make it for the fireworks that night. Everyone was exhausted! (I can't imagain why?) So we left and headed back to the house.

Friday was our last full day in California. We decided that we had made it home the night before earlier then what we thought we would, and everyone was able to get to bed at a decent hour. So we decided to do Sea World on our last day. On the drive there Carter fell asleep, when we got there we had to wake him up and he was wanting Robert to hold him. It was the end of a busy week and it was about 10:30 so we didn't think too much about it. We bought our tickets and made it in just in time to find seats at the Samu show. After that we had time to eat lunch before another show started so when we went to get in line Carter was still wanting to be held. I picked him up and he was burning up. I did have Tylenol with me, but of course, it was in the car. So after we got done eating Robert took him out to the car. He gave him the option of laying down and he took it. Since Robert had never been to Sea World and my mom had she offered to go out to the car and sit with Carter. Robert was able to come back in and see a little bit of Sea World before we left. We ended up taking lots of video for Carter and in return didn't get too many actual pictures.

Elmo and Cookie at Sea World!

Before we knew it the week was over. It was Saturday and time to head back to the airport. On the way to the airport we drove past the ocean again and got out and took a few pictures in the daylight.

Even though it was extreemly "Cold", for California, and Disneyland didn't work out on the first try, we had a great week and wouldn't change the memories for anything. We are all so glad we went and can't wait to go back.

What do you think Uncle Tim and Aunt Kerry? Are you ready for us again yet? Thanks again for everything! We Love you guys!