Holy Moly....Lots of Pictures

Abbi, Noah, and I traveled to California for a West Coast get-a-way.  Jake's schedule changed right before we left so we, very sadly, had to leave him home.  My parents joined us for the fun, too.  While we stayed at Aunt Becky and Uncle Steve's, they stayed at a hotel.  The Warrens are excellent hosts and made us feel so comfortable. 

After arriving, the Warrens, Missy, my parents, and us went for a birthday dinner together.  Aunt Becky treated us to cake and ice cream at her house.  The Mississippi Mud Cake was SO good!  Friday, we spent the day at Disneyland.  Saturday was beach day.  The children {mostly Abbi} LOVED the ocean.  She loved the waves and got soaked within 30 seconds of arriving.  Noah was a little more nervous about the waves but couldn't keep his hands out of the soft sand.  Sunday, I took the kids for a ferry ride, a walk, and second trip to the Balboa Candy Store.  Then, we had a big family dinner with the birthday dinner people, plus Katy, Andy, and Dustin.  Monday was California Adventure and Disneyland again.  We loved the Long Beach Aquarium on Tuesday.  Most importantly, I loved getting home!

Abbi said she loved everything but really liked California Screamin'.  She didn't really enjoy Tower of Terror.  She spent her money on big girl things so she could buy clothes like Zury and Jessie wear on TV.  But, she did give in and get a panda later.  Abbi was really happy to find nesting doll penguins because she liked playing with the owl nesting dolls my mom had given me a few days before.  Abbi never complained about the walking or anything else really.  She was so pleasant and polite!  That's her usual Abbi-ness but I really appreciated it on a six-day vacation without Jake.

Noah loved everything but said the carousel with Grandpa was his favorite.  The day we left he had cold and croup symptoms but he was still active and happy the whole time.  It was really fun listening to him sing little preschool songs and tell me funny things.  He loved the pirate store we walked into after the ride and spent his money there.  Sword, gun, coloring stuff...he's set for a long time.  At the aquarium he wouldn't touch the sharks or sting rays after he was so excited to see them.  Remember those little handheld water ring toss games from the 80's.  He picked a $3 one for a souvenir and I was very supportive.  I got a little testy with him by the end but I guess that's not different from a usual day together :)  He's a good baby.

Noah and the very friendly, Bixby.

Me and Peanut {Walter}

Why a bow on such a weird squirrel?

That bird stared at the children like he wished we had a camera to take a picture of them.

Sleeping with the Sea Stars...adding in a little snore.

Mom teasing Aunt Valerie about fish tacos.

Before California Screamin'

After California Screamin'

Mom's pirate ears she let me wear.

Noah read this to us on every ride.  What you make think says no standing actually means no dancing.

He was disappointed about not being prepared for the Forest Gump quiz.

Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen.

Photographer: Noah

Dancing during the whole parade, until Little Mermaid blew him a kiss.

LOVES the ocean.

Ferry to Balboa Island.

Finally figured out the "Get ready for something dance."  It's from Donald!  He and Noah danced together.

$10 Jack Skeleton Candy Apple

Abbi and Grandma touching the sting rays.