Disneyland

We got to go to California.  We drove straight through.  The weather was awful.  There were flash flood warnings and at one point the highway was shut down due to the road washing away.  All in all we were blessed and the delays were short and few.  The kids did well on the drive.  Cole started the trip sick and Trevor got sick the first night we got there.  Thus, I didn't get a lot of sleep and we were always battling the grumpy side of ourselves.  Despite these things the trip was so fun and so memorable.  Our hotel was the Fairfield Inn right across from the park.  It was our first time staying that close and we loved being able to take a short walk to the park.  Our room was Cars themed and we loved it.  The first day we went to California Adventure.  We got into the park an hour early.  We weren't supposed to because we misunderstood our ticket but the worker was nice and let us in anyway.  We went on Cars first.  Carter was so sad when he couldn't go.  That was a recurring theme.  Lexi was scared but loved it and wanted to go again.  We did all the rides and Lexi even went on Tower of Terror.  A family favorite was the Toy Story ride.  We ate lunch with the princesses.  It wasn't as good as in the past and I don't think we'll do it again.  My favorite part was the parade.  Carter had his cape on and ran around like he was flying.  Lexi squealed with excitement at every float and Trevor was mesmerized by everything.  It truly was magical. The next day we went to Disneyland.  Lexi was a blast on all the rides.  She was so brave and even put her hands up on the roller coasters.  I loved riding Thunder Railroad with my Mom.  I almost ended up sitting on her at one point and we laughed our heads off.  We did a second day at Disneyland and got to eat at the Blue Byue.  It was delicious.  Carter rode Buzz with Grandpa and then got to teach us all how to shoot our guns when we went on it with him after.  It was so fun to listen to him try to teach us.  Grandpa also spoiled him and got him ice cream while the rest of us were on rides.  My parents were so fun and helpful on the trip. Trevor rode Small world and loved it.  He would dance and look around at everything.  I'd say it was his favorite ride.  We got Lexi a Frozen purse and jacket.  Carter got a gun and hook.  Trevor got a Tigger shirt with a cute tail on the back.

The following day we headed down to San Diego.  We toured the air craft carrier.  Poor Cole packed Trevor on his back the entire time and paid dearly for it the rest of the trip with back pain.  It was really hot and we were all tired.  I felt a great appreciation for all the officers and the sacrifices they made and continue to make for us.  I can't imagine living on a ship in those close quarters in the heat for months at a time.  We went to Old Town and did the Mormon Battalion visitors center.  It was good and Cole even got to dress up as a soldier.  The next day we went to Sea World.  The kids liked it but it was so hot I had a hard time enjoying it and gladly sat and held Trevor in the shade for a lot of the day.  The best part of the day was when we were on the escilator going past the penguins and it stopped.  Carter had gone ahead of us.  He happily came back to tell us that if we push a button it stops the ride.  It was pretty funny.  We couldn't get mad because he did it so innocently.  We ate at the fish house but were disappointed in it, especially for the price.  The last day we went to the beach.  It was amazing.  Lexi boogie boarded and loved it.  She looked like such a natural.  Me and Carter did it too.  Trevor ate sand, sea weed, and who knows what else.  At first he was frustrated but once he got used to it he did fine.  He didn't love the waves but he didn't cry either.  We ate in Old Town that night and then took a drive to Coronado Island.  It was pretty but I hated the bridge.  The drive home was our best drive ever.  Trevor slept a lot of it and the other kids were really good.  We stopped to eat at the McDonalds in Barstow.  It was a great week and I'm grateful we could go and that my parents could come with us,  The pictures are in backwards order.