Southern California Vacation

Over fall break, we took the kids to southern California and visited every theme park known to man. Our first stop was Sea World, where the girls enjoyed watching the dolphins and the Shamu show.

The following day, we went to the San Diego Zoo. I can see why it is a world-famous zoo. It was like walking through a forest. We took the bus tour all around the zoo first, and then walked around the whole thing. The weather was overcast, but pleasant.

Kate was right at home with the animals in the petting zoo.

The following two days found us at Legoland. Julianna is wild about Legos (as well as my husband) so it was nirvana for them. I was most impressed by their models of famous buildings, like the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower. They also had the whole New York Skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's amazing what you can build out of Legos!
In this picture, you can see me and my kids behind the Capitol Building. This gives you an idea of how big these models are.

On Sunday, we went up to Santa Clarita to visit with friends we knew when we lived there. It was so great to go to church and see them all again. Afterwards, a few of us got together for dinner and had a wonderful time talking. I only wish we could have spent more time with them.

But Disneyland was calling, so off we went for the next three days. We went back and forth between Disneyland and California Adventure, making sure to hit all our favorites and trying out some new attractions as well. It was Kate's first time, and Natalie hardly remembered anything from when she went (she was only three when we moved back to Colorado). They totally redid the parade with new music and floats.
This picture totally cracks me up. Kate did NOT want to have her picture taken, and Julianna's face is covered with her hair. And I guess they forgot what the sun was like.

Before we went to Disneyland, Kate kept talking about how excited she was to see the princesses. Then after we waited in line forever to meet them, Kate didn't want to have anything to do with them! Jacob had to hold her in the picture with Cinderella.

I love her expression in this one with Snow White.

In California Adventure, we loved going on the big Sun Wheel, Soarin' Over California (you really feel like you're flying) and this river raft ride. Yes, we got very wet.

Here's one of my favorite pictures from the trip:

Our whole family in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle. As you can see, Kate REALLY didn't want her picture taken. She kept trying to run away, so Jacob had to hold her. I was hoping if she were upside down she would think it was funny and smile, but she did not.

On our last day before we went to the airport, we had a chance to go to Manhattan Beach. It's where they have the famous beach volleyball tournaments. It was a perfect day, and we saw dolphins in the water. The girls had fun playing in the sand, and Jacob even made me this cute heart:

By the end of the trip, we all felt like this:

It was exhausting, and our feet hurt from all the walking! But we loved all the fun adventures we had and will look back on this vacation with fond memories.