California Chaos

The Taylor Family (Yes, that is every in-law I have) took a lovely trip to California. We we visited their extended family, went to Disneyland, Sea World, and the beach.

Stressful? Frustrating? Longest ten days of my life? Trip never willingly to be repeated?

Perhaps.

However, let's focus on what was good about the trip.

California's top ten:

(This might take a while to think up) haha

1. My family got to fly there. Flights weren't full, so Quinton and I, and our two small kiddos hopped on a plane. (Stand-by was cheap for Quinton and free for the rest of us! Thanks dad!) We got to forgo the 12 hour car trip with our 6 month old son and 1 year old daughter along with the rest of the Taylor clan (another 5 children). Hallelujah!

Analisa asleep on the airplane
2. We rented our own car. The original plan was to carpool with the Taylors around California if we flew (squishy). The Myler's van had a problem, so they took their truck instead. Now there was no room for us, so we rented a very nice, very new car. Having the freedom of simply having our own vehicle was priceless. In addition, we still saved money compared to paying for the gas to drive to California in our own car.

Our 2011 rental car
3. Analisa had fun. She loved all the characters and the rides. She was never afraid the entire trip. Her favorite ride was easily the carousels. She'd still be on one if we'd let her have her way. And it was magical to see her interact with Mickey and his friends. She would walk right up to them and give them hugs (whether they knew that tiny girl was there or not!) And they were all so great and loved her right back.

Analisa on a Carousel
Kiddos and the chipmunks
4. Kayden had fun. He was so smiley and cute pretty much all the time. He would jump up and down in the stroller and just assume everyone was talking to him. We could take him on almost all of the rides ad Disneyland, and only the Astrojets were a bit much for him. He got a little stressed with how fast it went, so we didn't do that one with him again.

kayden

kayden
5. I bought a new swim suit. I haven't had a swim suit since before my mission. In addition, I didn't have time for shopping before we left, so I expected California's prices to be expensive. However, I found one I loved for $20! That's heaps cheaper than any I've seen locally!

6. No Children were lost. That was a big fear of mine. It was all I could think about the few days before we left. Kathleen had a great idea to put stickers on the back of the kids' shirts that said "If I'm lost, call my dad Quinton" with all of the working cell phone numbers listed. Luckily we never had to put that idea to the test. We also had a "leash" for Analisa... she got so mad if an adult were to hold the end of that thing! She would grab it from you (or try) and yell, "mine!" to let you know she was NOT going to give up her freedom quietly.

7. I found a new favorite ride. California Adventure's Soaring over California was amazing! I loved it. Last time I went to that park (2002), I was highly UN-impressed. So much was not done, I don't know why they had even opened it. Now it ia quite impressive. Number two favorite is Toy Story Mania.
8. Sea World in general was amazing. The shows, the exhibits, the rides, the stuff for kids were all great. My only wish would have been to spend another day there.

Our family at Sea World (even if everyone doesn't look the happiest)
9. My family got to fly home. Again, there was room on the flights. We were on a plane and home before the rest of the family even woke up and checked out of the rooms. I cannot express how grateful I was to not spend Mother's Day in a car.

Kayden on the airplane
10. I got to see my Mom on Mother's Day. Because we flew home, we got to have Sunday dinner with my side of the family that night. If we had driven, we would have gotten home around 11pm with everyone else. Again, I cannot express how grateful I was to not spend Mother's Day in a car.

Our family gone 3-D