California!

So our trip was such a blast, the weather was pretty close to perfect, and it was so fun to be able to surprise the kids. We told them we were going to Disneyland in November, so they were expecting to go there eventually. They were counting down the days. Our flight left at 8:00pm on the 7th of October. So I was able to get all the packing done while they were at school. I left my bag out and told them I was going on a small trip with my mom (cause she was going to take our car home after dropping us off at the airport). They were a little bummed that I was going somewhere and they were staying home.

We picked up my mom and drove to the airport. When we got there we said, "okay, everyone out of the car". They all said "What?" We said, "we are going to Disneyland right now!". They didn't believe us at first, and Nash thought it was a dirty trick to play on him. But, as soon as it sunk in they were all cheering, except for Nash. He looked a little nervous. I asked him what the matter was and he said, "I am going to miss a lot of assignments at school". What?! What eight year old would worry about school when they were going to Disneyland? Anyway, he was done worrying about school as soon as we got on the plane.

So we spent 3 days at Disney. It was so fun to go back and experience it again. Brandon and the kids had never been, so it was fun to show them things I remembered. And it was fun to see all the new things. I talked my kids in to going on all the rides they were tall enough for even though they were a little nervous at times. Coleman and Canyon were both pretty brave boys. They don't share Nash's enthusiasm for adventure parks.

Nash's highlights: The Jedi Training Academy (which was pretty awesome)! As you can see he was pretty into it.


He also loved spending his earned money (probably on the top of his list, ha, ha), the Indiana Jones ride, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain and the churros! Here is a picture of all the boys on Splash Mountain. You can really tell that Nash loved it.

Canyon's highlights: Splash Mountain (although it doesn't appear that way in the picture above), Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribean. Making his double light saber. I am not sure any of them liked the Haunted Mansion although they didn't cry on the ride. (I am not that mean).
Coleman's hightlights: Buzz-Lightyear ride, Jungle Cruise and the Nemo submarine, and being a complete dancing, jumping SPAZ from lack of sleep, but he was SO happy.

Paige's highlights: being entertained by all the comotion, riding in the stroller, taking naps, and snuggling with mom all night because she wasn't a good sleeper at the hotel (yeah, for mom!). And putting on her adorable Mickey Mouse hat.

We were able to see the Halloween firework show which was pretty cool. The boys were all half asleep and they were so tired, but once the show started they thought it was pretty awesome.

The boys made out with Light Sabers that they designed themselves, some lego guys and Mickey Mouse hats.

And you can't go to Disney without a picture of the castle. This was the only place I could get one without a million people around. I seriously just wanted to yell, "okay people, everyone just step back for 5 seconds while I get a picture of the castle, please!!". But, Brandon wouldn't let me.

We hit all of the big rides and most of the little ones. I really felt like 3 days was perfect. We had just enough time to do everything we wanted, and we didn't get too burned out. So then we had to leave Disneyland.


The next day we drove one hour South to Legoland. The kids LOVED this place, Brandon and I thought it was pretty fun (not as clean as Disney). They had a "Brick-or-Treat" trail which was pretty fun for them. They were able to ride some fun rides and build race cars and race them. Nash and Brandon especially enjoyed riding this Bionicle ride.


The last day we went to Huntington beach. I forget how much my kids love the beach. It was the coldest day of our trip (in the low 60's), but that didn't stop them from getting a little wet. Paige enjoyed watching the birds flying, watching her brothers playing in the sand,

hanging with her daddy,

and discovering the ocean with mommy,

She was such a great trooper on our trip (except for her 4-5 nightly feedings)! We thought about leaving her home, but I am so glad we took her with us.
The boys loved playing in the sand,


and being buried in the sand.


Brandon's highlights: Star Tours, the Jedi Show, Matterhorn, and Splash Mountain, and talking to random people in line.
My highlights: spending time with just US, laughing with Brandon, seeing the boys so smiley (with some grumpiness in-between), and getting several big random hugs from Coleman because he was so happy! I can't wait to go back again in a few years!