Escape from the Snow: California Vacation 2010

Sometimes it gets too cold and you just have to get away. So we did, back to our "home" of four years. Yes, we've only been gone seven months, but SoCal, we miss your warm winters!

My sister's family was headed out for a vacation, so we decided to join them. It was such a nice break from the piles and piles of crusty, gravel-laden snow here. Jacqui found a great buy one night, get one night free hotel deal and we couldn't resist! Here is a LENGTHY recap of our entire vacation.

But first, some cute pictures of Brookie-poo. She is such a sweetie now. I think she got Grandma Gaye's tiny hands and feet (Scott's grandma Seaman). She still wears newborn shoes, or would, if I ever put them on her. Size 2 is too big.

[friday]

Scott worked half-day, then we headed out to San Diego. We got there in 10 hours, going through Yuma. Brooke crying, Malia shocked.

[saturday]

We headed down to Scripp's Aquarium in the morning. It is just the right size/time frame for our kids. Alisa was enraptured. She could've stayed at each window for 15 minutes. Jake was... less patient, but still had fun.

The big tank. Children play and explore and observe...

... adults sit and take a break.

Alisa was really nervous to get into the shark mouth. She peeked inside, but wouldn't go in.

Jake thought it was awesome and kept telling us facts about sharks. He must've learned them in preschool.

Beautiful view of La Jolla beach, where we spent our CA 4th of July holidays.

Taking a break to feed B.

They loved the outdoor tide pools. They still talk about the squishy star fish they touched. I must say, the anemone was pretty cool.

It was so hot, I tried to relieve Brooke and bare her legs for a bit.

We met up with Jared, Amanda, Corban and Malia at Torrey Pines State Park (and Beach). It was a nice, warm day.

Here's proof that I was there. Sometimes I upload pictures and realize I'm not in a single one. So here is me sneaking my way into the documented vacation.

Cutie-pie Malia

Brooke finally slept! People probably thought I was cruel letting her cry until she fell asleep. She has a nightmarish wale of a cry.

Postcard pic of the kids. Aw.

[sunday]

We went to church (always a blessed event with three small children!) and lasted all three hours. Jeff had a special Vietnamese V-day dinner planned, so mostly the men cooked while we hung out. We feasted on spring rolls with two dipping sauces and pho (NOT pronounced P-Ho, but more like fuh. Thanks Jeff!). We topped it all off with some scrumptious Golden Spoon (I heart GS! Thanks, J &A!).

Somehow the water got turned on outside, and the kids had fun running around in it. It was so warm in San Diego!

Brookie and Malia. Two months apart, same weight. Malia carries the weight in her thighs; Brookie, in the noggin. Malia was cracking up at Brooke. She's such a happy baby!

The main chef and fam making spring rolls.

Jake and Eth running through the sprinklers. Isn't it fun to be a kid? (and look at that gorgeous view!)

My bro, Jared, built this awesome outdoor sink. It's hooked up to a pond pump and recycles the water. The kids loved it.

Little purple princess

Do we ever get a picture together?!

My sister didn't pack ANY short sleeves, so she borrowed mine! We were so bright and colorful, we had to take a picture.

[monday]

Ready to go! Well, sort of. When I was packing (snowy weather here), I couldn't believe that it could be warm and balmy anywhere, despite having lived in CA for the past four years. So I packed jeans and long sleeved shirts. At the last minute, I threw in a couple of short sleeves for each of us. No shorts. No flip-flops. So we made a quick pit-stop at Target (ah, how I miss you, Target! We only have a Wal-Mart here. I almost cried when my hubby's cousin said Target was a "quick two hour trip away!" I am adjusting, though, and probably saving money by not having my favorite destination near by.)

Anyway, we picked up some flip-flops, shorts for Scott (they had one pair of women's shorts that were U.G.L.Y. so I passed), and some other last-minute things (cough meds) and were on our way!

We opted for California Adventure on the holiday and Disneyland the day after, thinking we'd beat the crowds. Nope. It was CROWDED at Disneyland. We still had fun, thanks to fast passes and parent swap passes.

All loaded up and ready to rock the park. We've never had to take a two strollers. We seriously packed our house. Cooler, food, change of clothes, water, blankets, jackets, more food... I DID forget the formula. Oops. Luckily, my sis-in-law had some for immediate use, and I found a can for sale at the children's/baby center. $15 later, we were ready to go.

Group shot.

Cute nephews checking out McQueen.

Ash braved the Maliboomer. It was sooo not as scary as the one at Knott's, but still fun.

Tired but happy. B was loving the tortilla from the Mission Tortilla factory.

Alisa was eating up the Pixar parade. She saw Bo Peep and immediately said, "There's Alisa!"

During the parade

Outside of Monster's Inc. Me feeding B in the background. Can I just say it is so convenient not to nurse her?!

[tuesday]

We got breakfast at the hotel restaurant for $4.50 per family. Smokin' deal.

Engrossed in Buzz. Benji was right. Aim for the Z on Zurg to get lots of extra points.

Autopia. Once I was in the car with Jake (2008?). He had a cut on his head. I accidentally hit the gas and then took my foot off really quickly, and he slammed into the steering wheel and re-opened his gash. Nice memory.

Waiting for Pirates. Alisa still buries her face in my shoulder while we go on the "waterslides."

Adoring Sleeping Beauty and her Prince

Our princess and her castle

Small world

Brookie started giving us what we lovingly call "the cheese" when she sees us or the camera.

Making everyone wait in line with these shenanigans.

The cheese

Waiting patiently in line

Somehow all the kids ended up on one caterpillar together, so Scott, B, and I, and J, J, and A crammed into another one. We were wondering if they would make it off okay, since we wouldn't be there. They survived.

What a hottie!

They look happy, but right after I snapped this picture, they were all fighting for the chance to drive!

Ash and Liv did such a fabulous job of watching over/taking care of Alisa and Jake. My kids were in cousin heaven. Alisa asks daily to go to either Disneyland or Ash and Liv's house.

Jake and cousins posing with Jake's favorite-- Jack the Pumpkin King. He loves this guy. I think it stemmed from Jonas (ah, good ol' Jonas) passing on his love of the Haunted Mansion when it's decorated for Halloween?

Fast passes + parent swaps for big rides = very little waiting. The kids loved going twice in a row. I bought a bag of lawn bags from Target before going to the park. Kept us all nice and dry.

Star Tours. Still one of Jake's favorites.

We were so exhausted by the end of the day. The two-and-under crowd was asleep in the strollers. I was feeling sick (had a stomach bug that had me throwing up that night and nauseous for a week). While the men took the kids (Jake's age and up) on Space Mountain, Jacqui and I decided to make a little bed on the ground, put our feet up, and rest.

We ended up staying at the park until closing (11 pm!). Jake was running wild, feeding off Olivia's energy. He finally passed out on the walk back to the parking lot (we never, ever take the tram--what a pain!).

That night, I was up in the night throwing up (yuck!) and traveled home sick and achy the next day (Wed.). I was nauseous for a week straight. We had to go to Flagstaff that weekend to look into some job possibilities, so Scott dropped the kids and I at my parents' house. Can I just say I found the perfect end to an exhausting vacation?! I needed my mom and dad! They were great, playing with the kids and letting me sleep in and get over whatever weird bug I had. Love you guys! :)

It was an awesome vacation and we had a blast. Thanks everyone! Love you guys.

Oh! We had a good weekend and Flagstaff and will let you know when we get a job there!