California here we come......

( Warning....lots of pics)

So we decided to SURPRISE our kids with a 10 day trip to California. We took a break from everything......soccer, school, homework, soccer, practices, work, soccer and just decided to spend time as a family. It was a much needed break for all of us. We decided that we should tell Riley because hew as missing his second week of middle school. I didn't want him freaking out and stressing about missing school. I decided to tell him a couple of days before we left. Our trip was planned for September 2-11. I had the car all packed and ready to go Thursday night. We woke the kids up at 4 am, threw them in the car and took off. They all slept until just outside of St George, that is where we told them what we were doing! They were so excited especially Bronson, because we were headed to Sea World (his most favorite place)!  All was going well until......we hit Hesparia and saw this off of the freeway.........

 We had just left Barstow and all the kids were snoozing along with Kelly and I saw this massive smoke ball that looked like it was coming off the freeway as we got closer the traffic came to a standstill, that is when Kelly decided to wake up!  I had friends from Salt Lake calling and telling me that I15 was closed going South Bound to California.  Yep we were caught right in the middle of it.  The traffic was being diverted off the freeway until I15 reopened.  Nobody knew how long this would be.  After waiting an hour Kelly went and talked to the Highway patrolman who said we could try an alternate route but there were no guarantees.  We decided to give it a try! We took a 2 lane road that was bumper to bumper traffic maybe going 5 miles and hour.  We ll my cute little Addy gets car sick and decides that she was going to throw up!!!!!!!  We couldn't stop or pull over so I had to crawl in the back and try to get things cleaned!  We eventually was able to tie back into I15 and get back on the freeway.  I looked at the clock and our little detour took us over 4 hours!  Our trip went from 12 hours to 16 hours to get to San Diego.

 Our vacation could officially start now!  We spent our first day in San Diego at our most favorite beach.....CORONADO Island.

 The kids absolutely LOVE the beach.  They played for hours in the sand and water.  Riley and Brennan even played Beach soccer.  My most favorite quote of the day was Addy, "mom this is the BEST DAY EVER!"

One night we went to Sea Port Village where we went into a bunch of fun shops and walked around the cute little village.  The kids went into this fun little hat store where they had tons of fun different hats.  These were some of their favs......

SEA WORLD.....My kids love Sea World, especially Bronson.  We have to make a stop anytime we are in California.

 Ever since we took Bronson to Sea World when he was 3 he has been infatuated with Shamu.  Everything about Shamu he loves.  He draws pictures, he wants his room decorated in Shamu he LOVES SHAMU.  The highlight of this visit was the Breakfast with Shamu.  I would highly recommend this attraction.  We got a yummy breakfast and the trainers interact with the guests and they have Shamu right in the tank where you sit.  We all loved it!  AMAZING!

This is Bronson's dream....to be a Shamu Trainer.  This cute trainer talked to him about what it takes to be a trainer.  He loved it!

This is all he wanted all day!

Onto Newport Beach and up to Anaheim.  It was Labor day so we thought a beach day would be a fun way to spend the holiday!  It was packed and so much fun.  The kids had a great time playing in the waves and eating out at Rubys Diner on the Balboa Pier.

The guys fishing on the pier let Brons hold a fish....

So funny story about this bike......we were walking down the pier and we saw this burly fisherman riding this bike and out of the blue Bronson says to me, "Mom, will you ask Santa to bring me one of those bikes for Christmas?" We died......where did he come from?

Downtown Disney

Lego Store

Day One Disneyland.......this sums up how I felt!

The Princess Fare.....This was our first time ever doing this.........ah so so much fun! We bought Addy an autograph book and waited for the princesses.  LOVED IT!

Tangled was adorable.  Rapunzel is Addys most favorite Princess!  Repunzel had her own little cottage where we could go meet her.....so cute!

Love this one with the boys!

Riley couldn't wait to try the Turkey Leg.  It wouldn't be Disneyland without one of these bad boys.  He ate every bite.

Waiting for the parade.  I am the type of Disney fan that has to see every parade at least once if not more.....Riley is such a great BIG brother!

California Adventure:

 

The whole second day Addy had to wear her Rapunzel dress.  It was an extreme high in Anaheim while we were there.  The high all 3 days was 98 degrees and 90% humidity.  Addy was dripping sweat but had to wear the dress!

Love these boys!

Classic Ride!

We thought this shirt was so funny.....Riley just had to get it!

Our good friends Viki and Madi were also at Disneyland the same time we were.  We decided to take the girls and go to Ariels Grotto........HIGHLY recommend this.....fabulous, yummy food!

Addy and Ariel

Cinderella

Snow White

Twinners with "Sleeping Booty"

I Love my little Princess

Viki and Madi

Best Buds...

Good Bye Disneyland......until next time!!!

Back to Newport Beach

Addy was our little Dancing Queen, she danced everywhere all week long.  Donwtown Disney, Disneyland and especially at the Beach.  She Loved it!

We LOVE Newport Beach.  We rented boogie boards for the boys and got sand toys for Bronson and Addy.  They spent hours playing at the Beach.

Finally the last stop of our trip was to Las Vegas to stay with our good friends the Sanchez's.  They have a beautiful home and were so accomodating to our family.  The boys had so much fun swimming and hanging out with Riley Sanchez.  Thanks guys for a wonderful ending to our family vacation!

We had such an amazing time as a family.  It was a nice break from our very crazy lives.  I am so thankful for our family and wonderful times that we have together!