California (Sea World, Friends House, Hotel, and Disneyland)

We had soooo much fun on our trip to California. We drove as far as St. George the first night and stayed with Jared's Grandparents (who just got their mission call to San Antonio, Texas). Then we drove the rest of the way to our friends home in Souther Cali.

Our first full day there we went to Sea World. I had never been before, and had always wanted to go. It was AWESOME. We went to all the shows, rode all the rides, and were hope by 7:00 pm (it was not crowded at ALL!).

Here we are at the Sea Lion show:

Here is an exhibit outside the Shark Tank:

Here Xander and I are looking at the whales:

This is us SOAKING wet after the Shamu show. (We sat right front and center (2nd row)). It was REALLY, REALLY AWESOME!!!! Xander still talks about how he got all wet from a whale splashing him.

Xander loved having friends to play with. He still misses them.

Here the boys had matching shirts:

Then we went to hotel across from Disneyland for our last two nights. Here Xander and I are in the freezing cold pool (because you HAVE to go swimming in the pool, if your hotel has one).

Then we wised up and got in the warm tub (aka hot tub)

We walked to downtown Disney and did a little souvenir shopping. We got Xander Toy Story Lego's. He loved playing with them in the hotel room:

The next day was our big day. I was bound and determined to make the most of it. We started right when the park opened (9:00 am), and went until it closed (10:00 pm). It was AWESOME! We got every ride we wanted (some multiple times). Here is a picture recap.

Jared and Xander on Dumbo:
Me and Xander on the Merry-go-round:

Jared and Xander in front of the Mickey Ferris Wheel:
The picture of our family going on Splash Mountain (yes Jared is picking his nose)
We went on MANY more rides, but I quit taking pictures after lunch, and decided just to enjoy the day. It ended with a SPECTACULAR fireworks show, that almost brought me to tears (I am sure it was just the complete exhaustion from playing all day, but still it was REALLY, REALLY COOL). We all went back to our hotel and ZONKED!

We left the next morning, and went as far as Barstow and did some shopping at the Outlet Malls there (after all a working woman needs to look her best) and continued as far at St. George where we stayed with Jared's Grandparents again. Then drove home.

It was such a fun trip. I am sooo glad we were able to go on a family vacation together.