California Adventure {Day 5}

 

Saturday was spent at Moonlight State Beach in Encinitas.  It was an AMAZING day!  The weather was so perfect.  I overheard someone say "No, honey. Maybe in the summer when it's warmer." and it shocked me because I am so enjoy-the-moment that I'd forgotten that it was still winter!!  It was as if we'd been transported to glorious summer. (It was about as hot as a Seattle Summer).

 

My lovely Girlie.

 

Watching them playing in the crashing waves was the BEST!!

 

Sand, anyone?  Come on, let's exfoliate!

 

 

Surf kings.

 

 

Can't even tell you how much I love that these are all mine.

 

 

My little honey was the cutest little beach bum.

 

 

He was so...very...tired...

 

 

The San Diego temple was right off the freeway.  It was GORGEOUS!  It looked like an enchanted castle (Disney on the brain...).  In fact, they don't light it up anymore at night because people were getting into accidents.

 

 

This was a fantastic surprise!  We went to Old Town San Diego for some amazing Mexican food and happened upon the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.  The renovated it about 3 years ago and is was SO well done!  Really, really awesome. 

 

We walked in and Sweetie asked the sister missionary "Where is the princess?"  Lucky for us, one of the sister missionaries had worked as a Disney princess and sang some princess songs for her.  Sweetiie was, once again, enchanted.

 

 

It was perfect for families and kids.  Here are the kids panning for gold at the end. 

 

I want to do this vacation all again.  And next time we might rent the Fiesta Cab.

Sea World {Days 3 & 4}

 

Then we spent two days at Sea World.  Here I am with two of my favorite things--Mandy and flamingos.

 

They got a little wet on this ride...

 

 

The little girl is oblivious that the polar bear could eat her for breakfast.

 

 

Killer whales.

 

 

One of the coolest things we got to see was a baby killer whale that was born that morning.  Mommy whales are pregnant for 18 months, and when they finally give birth to their 350 lb babies, they don't rest--even to eat--and, instead, swim for a week straight.  That teaches their babies how to swim and strengthens them.  The mommy whale has a system worked out with her trainers--she swims by the platform with her mouth open and they run along and throw food in her mouth so that she can keep swimming.  It was AMAZING to witness this!  The love and sacrifice of mothers is amazing!!!  Isn't baby Shamu cute?  That little fin next to his mama? 

 

If I can photoshop Sweetie's finger out of her nose, we might use this for our Christmas card picture this year.  

 

My boyfriend and I.

 

 

It made the trip SO fun to be with sweet friends!

 

 

This photo (above) was taken just minutes before this photo (below).

 

Luckily it was our only minor meltdown. 

We were waiting for J and the big kids on a ride.  I motioned to J that Buddy was breaking down and he made a camera motion at me.  I thought he meant "Take a picture of it", but what he was actually saying was "I told him he could take a picture."  J's idea would have been better.

 

The Sea World version of the tea cups.  The kids are thinking "Rock on."  The grown ups are thinking "I'm going to throw up."

 

Touching starfish.

 

 

All our cute kiddos.

 

 

The fantastic dolphin show.

 

 

The get-you-totally-soaked rafting ride.

 

Another highlight of the trip!  I kind of want a pet dolphin now.

 

 

A view of the bay from the Sky Tram ride.

 

The Happiest Week on Earth (Days 1 & 2)

 

We spent a glorious week in California at Disneyland and Sea World.  It was magical.  I mean, magical.  Seriously, magical.  I have been planning this for a long time, ever since Girlie had her seizure, almost 2 years ago when we didn't know if she was going to be okay.  This was the most silly, insignificant thing-- but at the time we didn't know if she was going to live or have brain damage, and I had the heartbreaking thought that she had never even been to Disneyland.  That she didn't have that magic, sweet childhood memory stored in her mind.  And it seems so trivial, but it made me so incredibly sad to think that she might not have that classic, wonderful memory as part of her life.  At the time, I wanted to  forget that last week of school and head down, but we thought it best to stay close to her doctors.  And my Disney trip planning began.

 

 

This is how I felt inside.

 

 

 

My boys with Sheriff Woody.

 

 

Girlie was not a fan of Space Mountain.  As an extra surprise for the kiddos, we vacationed with some good friends that had moved away.  They are sitting right in front of my family, and Girlie's friend is loving it. 

 

 

The boys voted Star Tours as their favorite ride.  It brought back some fun Star Wars memories.

 

 

My princesses.  Cue the magic...

 

 

It was Valentine's week, so we got to meet Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty with each of their princes.  They also got special signed valentines from each of the princesses.

 

Sweetie was utterly enchanted.  I was too.  I cried, I was so enchanted.

 

Meeting Merida from Brave.

 

 

The most magical moment of all was meeting Cinderella.  Sweetie had her princess hair all done and her Cinderella dress on.  She walked up to Cinderella and hugged her.  When Cinderella bent down to hug her, Sweetie laid her head on her shoulder and just snuggled.  She loves Cinderella, and--as far as she was concerned--she. was. hugging. Cinderella. 

Cinderella was so sweet and just let Sweetie cuddle with her for, seriously, 5 minutes.  Sweetie was in heaven! Let's be honest, I was too.  It was utterly enchanting.  I was giddy with excitement.

 

 

Just as magical, albeit less 'enchanting', was Jedi training.  My boys dreams came to life as they were selected for Jedi training.  Actually, Sweetie was too, even though she came tearing back to us--brown robes trailing--as soon as Darth Vader appeared.

 

 

They were trained in the use of light sabers.  Below, Buddy and Sweetie stand with the Jedi Master.

 

 

Then Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and two storm troopers appeared.  Each of the little Jedi's got a turn to fight the bad guys.  It was priceless.  Since last summer, Buddy has asked us to call him "Sports Boy."  After this, he requested that we address him as "Jedi Master."  I. love. it.

 

 

 

The Force is strong with this one.

 

I cannot even tell you how much I was beaming watching my boys be so brave.

 

 

 

Girlie drove us around the track.  I will say this...we are going to need good insurance in about 6 years.

 

 

 

Who doesn't need a Fairy Godmother?

 

 

Peter Pan

 

 

 

We stayed for the parade the first night.  It was so wonderful it made me cry.  I'm such a boob.

 

It really was the most magical place!!!