We went to California with the kids and Adam's parents and younger brother Landon (aka Cookie). We were using Buddy Passes to fly free (my mom works for Jet Blue), so we left a night earlier than planned because that flight looked pretty empty and Buddy Passes are standby only. Unfortunately, we got to the airport and found out that we were at the bottom of the standby list and we wouldn't make the flight. We felt a bit panicked since we knew the flights the next day were full too. There were still regular non-standby seats available, so we ended up buying those and were able to get on the flight. Shew!
The next morning we headed to the beach. Ethan LOVES the beach and had a great time building sand castles and running into the water. Austin loved it at first, but after getting hit with a big wave, he became scared for his life! In fact, he was afraid for all of us. If any of us even walked towards the water, he would start sobbing and begging us to come back. Ethan ignored the pleas and kept running into the water, causing Austin to sob uncontrollably and say over and over, "He's my best friend! Don't go in the water! He's my best friend!" It was so sweet and funny, but also annoying since it prevented Ethan from being able to play very long at the beach. There was a fun boardwalk at the beach with yummy food, vendors, and rides, so we headed over there for lunch.
Here's Austin crying for his "best friend" to come out of the water
Santa Monica Pier
Kylee loved wiggling her toes in the sand
I asked Adam to take a picture of KYLEE, not BOTH of us, so I didn't even realize I was in this picture
Boys on the boardwalk- those crosses behind them were part of a peaceful anti-war protest
Later that afternoon we met up with Adam's mom and dad and brother and went to eat Mrs. Knott's chicken dinner at Knott's Berry Farm. If you like fried chicken and are ever in California, Mrs. Knott's is a place you must visit! The chicken is amazing and the boysenberry punch and sherbet is to die for!!
Here's Kylee at dinner:
Monday morning we went to Disneyland all day. It was busier than we expected it to be, but the lines still weren't too bad, nothing over 30 minutes. We were nervous that Austin might be afraid of some of the rides (he's going through a bit of a scaredy-cat phase right now), but he loved EVERYTHING! He even rode Matterhorn and giggled through the whole thing. Ethan is the bravest 5 year old I've ever seen. He rode every ride, no matter how fast or scary. The only ride he refuses to go on is Tower of Terror, but I don't blame him, it's pretty scary.
I made this shirt for Kylee; it turned out pretty cute and it was so easy to make
Here's Ethan outside our hotel, walking to Disneyland
Austin riding on Papa Steve's shoulders
We'd just walked through the entrance, the boys were really excited...
Riding the train
Kylee with her Uncle Cookie on the train
Me and Austin riding the Astro-Orbitors
Watching a little 3-D Michael Jackson in Captain EO!
Tuesday we went to Disneyland in the morning, and then headed over to California Adventure for the rest of the day. Ethan bravely rode California Screamin' and wasn't scared at all about the upside-down part. Tuesday night, Adam, his dad, and Landon went to the Jazz-Lakers playoff game. They had a fun time, despite the Jazz's loss.
Family pic outside California Adventure, minus Kylee who was sleeping
By Wednesday we were all exhausted! We rode the boys favorite ride for the third (maybe 4th?) time, Pirates of the Caribbean. They sang "Yo ho, Yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" loudly throughout the whole ride. Adam's parents and brother had to leave part-way through the day to make their flight home, so we stayed at the park a little longer and got pictures with some of the characters and did some shopping.
Adam and Kylee outside my favorite ride... Haunted Mansion!
Kylee was sleeping for this picture
Austin is DEATHLY afraid of any dressed up character, so we knew coming to Disneyland we had to prepare him for lots of them. After lots of reassurances, he did GREAT and ended up loving the characters, especially Mickey and Goofy.
Kylee trying on some Minnie ears
While we were taking this picture, Austin kept saying, "He's touching my head! He's touching my head!" He was kinda freaked out by Pluto touching him, but loved it at the same time. What a funny boy.
Austin has been asking for Mickey ears for months now, and he was so proud of them when he finally got some.
Watching Pluto from afar, a little scared, but a little fascinated.
We woke up at 5 am the next morning and caught our flight home. We are exhausted!
