California Vacation

We had been planning this trip since last April. It was so fun to look forward to and get ready for it.

Thursday, October 17 

We left around 1pm (Brandon had a mandatory new lawyer training thing to go to in the morning) and started the ever-so-long drive. Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Janessa, Syd, and Amanda all left the day before.

Abbie and Luke were so much better in the car than I was expecting. Abbie didn't even use half of the stuff I brought to try to entertain her in the car. We didn't even have to make very many stops.

We stopped in Las Vegas to go to M&M world. Abbie loved it!

As we were getting ready to load back into the car Abbie threw-up. Luckily she wasn't in the car yet. We cleaned her up and then headed to Primm, about 30 minutes south of Las Vegas where we stayed the night.

Friday, October 18

Luke slept the whole night! However, Abbie woke up way to early. Thankfully she quietly played by herself until the rest of us woke up. We packed up, stopped at McDonald's for breakfast and then headed back on the road to California. We only took one break in Barstow to feed Luke. We reached the LA area in the afternoon, ate lunch and then met up with everyone else at Santa Monica beach. We had a blast playing in the ocean, and digging in the sand.

When we were done playing in the ocean and sand, we got dressed and headed up to the pier.

The drive to Anaheim was awful because of the traffic. When we were about 10 minutes from our hotel Abbie threw-up again. Once we checked into our hotel we seriously considered taking Abbie to the doctor. Unfotunately, it was late friday night and no one that was open would take our insurance so we didn't do it. 

Saturday, October 19

We got up bright and early (thanks to our kiddos) and quickly got ready because we wanted to get to Disneyland when it opened. Jesse (who came up from Arizona), Amanda,and my dad went early with us. Sydney was sick and never went that day. Everyone else came later in the morning.

My mom ended up going home in the afternoon because Syd was sick and Abbie and Ness needed a nap. The rest of us came home around dinner time. Brandon and I went for a drive and went to Johnny Rockets for dinner.

Later that evening, Amanda and I went back over to the parks for a little while.

Sunday October 20

We went to an 11am sacrament meeting in Huntington Beach. Then we took the ferry over to Balboa Island.

Balboa Beach. 

We found so many shells, had lots of fun in the big waves, and played in the sand.

3 month birthday :)

Monday October 21

Once again we got up early and got to the Disney parks when they opened.

Tuesday October 22

Our last day at the parks. You can bet we were there when it opened and stayed til it closed! I loved that we could go back and forth between Disneyland and California Adventure. It was also nice that we could stay together or separate and take turns with the kids.

This was Abbie's favorite part of the whole trip- dancing with Alice.

Wednesday October 23

We got up early, packed up the car and then made the long trek home. It was nice to have my family driving with us this time because Abbie was able to ride with them for part of the time.

The drive home was really long. We had a few hiccups with
Abbie throwing up (we think she got car sick) and some car concerns. But we finally got home around 11:30pm.  

I'm sure there is so much more that I could write, but oh well, at least I finally posted this. 

 We had sooooo much fun! Abbie and Luke were dream kids pretty much the whole time. Abbie had fun on the rides, loved the characters, and even took naps in the stroller when needed. Luke was the perfect age. He slept in the car seat a lot of the time and was very pleasant when awake. And we of course loved spending time with the whole family. I seriously can't wait to go back.