Our California Adventure

Let me start by saying that my children are totally spoiled. I don't buy them any toy they ask for, but I'm a sucker for sugar and I usually end up with a few forms of it in my cart each time I shop. Well, the morning of our departure we stopped in to Payson market and got donuts for breakfast. This one was the size of a toilet seat, no joke, and it was the one Quinn requested so we got it for him. On the way through the checkout line my boy started to cry, saying that we didn't even buy him a treat! Really!? Yeah, spoiled. Rotten. I'm sure the dentist will confirm that next week when we visit him as well!

Okay, so somehow I can't ever figure out how to post my pictures in the order I want. Anyway, these few are of the beach in San Clemente where we visited Carson and Tina.

The kids had so much fun playing in the sand and getting attention from their Aunt and Uncle. Thank you guys for having us and for the perfect day at the beach!

Izzy enjoyed throwing sand everywhere, even eating some too.

Carson and Quinner built and then destroyed a sand castle together. Quinn loved the attention and Carson made it apparent that he needs a boy!

The kids and their Daddy. Yeah did you think I'd post a picture of myself pregnant and in a swimsuit at the beach? Nah.

Okay, so these next few are shots from the tide pools in Palos Verdes, our favorite place to check out the creatures and collect sea shells.

We had a good time looking for critters. Brett was fearless and scavenged an octopus out from under a rock! And of course there were the usual hermit crabs, urchins, starfish, and even a weird slug we'd never seen before.

And of course, Disneyland. We hit the park on a Thursday-I'd definately recommend weekdays because there weren't too many people and this time of year the weather is perfect.

The kids really had a blast. Here they are on Treasure Island.

Quinner was excited to meet Mickey prior to the trip, and Anna was anxious to go on all the rollercoasters. I traded off with Brett and took Anna on Space Mountain right after they got off. As we started getting going Anna yelled that her tummy was feeling funny. I panicked and told her to swallow hard. She kept yelling it and I closed my mouth and waited for her to lose it...luckily she made it but I was a little hesitant to bring her on any other fast rides. She kept wanting to go though and hit Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain-three times in a row! The girl was so happy! With her allowance she bought a journal and wrote about her experience right when we got back to our hotel-funny girl!

Brett just joined the gym this week. I wonder if it was because of the look Quinner gave him here?

Oh, and the Dumbo ride. No trip to Disneyland is complete without riding Dumbo!

These are pictures from a visit to the Long Beach Aquarium where we met up with the Merritt girls. Here's Anna with her buddy Grace.

And the boys feeding the Lorikeets.

Touching the stingrays. Here they tell you that the rays' tails are trimmed every few months, in case anyone is worried about having a Steve Irwin experience. I'll be honest, I thought about it. Then I went ahead and touched. These guys feel like slimy mushrooms. I had a roomate (I won't name any names) describe a guy's lips as feeling the same when she kissed him. Mmmm.

And here I am with my friend Chelsea. We only had three days in town and I would've loved to see everyone from Redondo, but I realized that we'd just need to plan for a longer trip next time so we can visit the old ward, or set up a playdate in the park to meet up with ya'll. Chels was nice enough to meet us here and it was fun to meet her baby Hope and to catch up. I think Brett knew Chels was a MUST for me on the trip so he was kind enough to occupy Quinner while the rest of us girls got reacquainted and enjoyed the warm weather. Thank you Brett! Thank you Chelsea also for coming to spend the morning with us!

And here is one last shot of my baby girl Elizabeth. I think she enjoyed her first family vacation as much as the other kids. She won't remember it, I'm sure, but the rest of us will!