We're "Goin Back To Cali" Part 5

Every year we visit Cali we go to Disneyland. This year we thought we'd try something different so we went to Knott's Berry Farm. It was the kids first time, so it was very exciting for them.
We started off in Camp Snoopy. We actually spent the majority of the day in Camp Snoopy because the kids were having so much fun.
We got to see the Peanuts gang. Sally was a big hit.
Their show was cute too. Linus lost his blanket and was so sad. He said that sucking his thumb just wasn't the same without his blanket. Ella could really relate to him. In the end Snoopy came to the rescue and found his blanket and all was well.

This giant skateboard ride was one of the kids favorites. I am sure glad the kids loved it because they had to wait in the blistering heat for over an hour just to ride it.
Can you tell they had fun?

Because it was so stinking hot, and I mean that literally, the kids decided to get wet in the fountain to cool off. I really think it was the sweatiest day of our lives.

OK, so I have to explain this picture above. After lunch I talked Emma and Eva into going on a "more advanced" ride with me. It had been 15+ years since I had been on any of these rides so my memory was a little shaky. I thought I remembered "Ghostrider" being somewhat mellow. It was a little fast but no upside down spots. Mellow? Well, I remembered wrong. The girls put their full trust in me. I kept reassuring them that it would be fun and they would want to go on it again. Well, I think I deserve the Worst Mother of the Year award for this one. Not only was it not mellow, but I am sure it was the scariest moment of the girls lives. You can see in the picture that we are in the back and I am in front of them. About this time on the ride was when the girls were certain they were about to plunge to their deaths. Never before have I heard the kinds of screams that I heard from them on that ride. They were screams of pure terror. The ride took forever to be over. It was a steep drop after steep drop, and a sharp turn after sharp turn. Then it was finally over. My girls got out bawling and sick. Not only were they balling and sick, but Emma had lost her voice and they both complained of their neck hurting for days. I only hope Emma and Eva can one day forgive me for putting them through this worst moment of their lives.
I thought I would then try to redeem myself by taking the kids to the bumper cars. That went better and everyone had fun.

We all agreed that Camp Snoopy was much more our families speed so that is where we stayed after that.

We paused for some snacks. Eva thoroughly enjoyed her cotton candy...
...while Linus, I mean Ella, opted out of eating her pretzel so she could continue to suck her thumb.

This was another favorite ride for the family.

Before we left for the day, we just had to get a funnel cake. Although I must say that I remembered them being a lot better than this one was. It was a little bit of a disappointment.

We ended the night by going on the Log Ride. This really was the highlight of the day for me. We all were able to go on it and everyone loved it, so much that we had to go on again. What a great way to end the day. We all choose to remember the Log ride over the Ghostrider.

Next post: the Final Two Days of Our Trip...

We're "Goin Back To Cali" Part 4

The next day of our trip was visiting Lee's family. We first went to visit Lee's Uncle Leon. He is currently battling Skin Cancer...Melanoma. He is looking great and is such a fighter. Speaking of fighter, he was a pilot in WWII. He is an amazing guy. I am so glad we had a chance to see him while we were down. For dinner we met Lee's brothers and wives, Scott, and my good friend Marissa and her kids at Wahoos by the pier. Wahoo's is a place Lee and I often frequented before we moved, so it was nice to go there again and also was very yummy.

After dinner, we stopped by these street performers who needed Scott's help. He is the one in the striped shirt above. He is Dave's son. Isn't he handsome? We just don't get to see enough of him. Actually, today is his birthday and we just got a call that he was in a motorcyle accident and had to be life flighted to the hospital. We think he will be just fine but he gave everyone quite a scare. If you read this, Scott, Happy birthday and we love you. We wish you a quick recovery. This is for you...

After dinner we all went back to Nani's to hang out. This really meant a lot to us because we know how busy everyone was. It was so nice to see everyone! I love seeing Lee with his brothers. Above this is Lee, his brother Gary, and his brother Dave.

Aunt Wendy is Gary's wife and my kids adore her. She is so great!

When I told Scott I was going to take this picture with him and Eva he said OK but that he won't smile. Not because he is mad but that he doesn't think he looks good when he smiles. I begged to differ but gave in eventually and took the picture. He is still a hottie even without a smile.

Emma, Aunt Wendy, and Nani. Can't you see Lee in his mom? Nani always makes us feel so comfortable when we stay with her. We love her and thank her for everything she did for us while we were down.

This is Lee's brother, Christian and Dave's wife, Kristin tickling Ella. My kids love to wrestle with Christian and watch movies with him. Aunt Kristin is also adored by my kids. My children are so lucky to have such amazing and beautiful aunts. They think the world of them. Wendy, Kristin, Julie, and Cheryl are all such great role models for my girls.

Up next...Knott's Berry Farm. You won't want to miss this!

We're "Goin Back To Cali" Part 3

Another great day in Cali was when the whole clan (minus Grammie, Cheryl and Sadie) went down to the beach. Once again the memories started coming back. Growing up, the beach was our second home. I feel like whenever we visit it always welcomes us back with open arms. The guys didn't waste any time getting into the water. Here Lee can't wax up his board fast enough.
Gavin hardly ever got out of the water. He was boogie boarding practically the whole time. And he was so good at it!
Ella and Shea playing with the sand toys.
I am so glad my dad got to come down to Cali with us. I loved seeing him surf. It had been way too long for him. He is 70 and still rippin it up.
Eric
Lee
If you look closely you can see Ben tiptoeing through the sand. He had a few sand issues on this trip.
My son not liking the sand?

And poor little Ella had a pretty bad stubbed big toe. As soon as she got sand on her booboo she was done and sat in this chair and slept for the rest of the day.
All the kids had fun looking for sand crabs.
I love this picture. This is my brother Eric and his son, Cordin.

Like father, like son!

Good ole seaweed.
Lee
Emma and Eva took to boogie boarding really fast. They had a blast.
Beau's running off to who knows where and Ben's wondering if he wants to, heaven forbid, sit in the sand by the girls.
I like this picture because I got both my brothers in it and I didn't realize it until after we got home.


The kids taking a quick break for lunch.
And Cord is up! Go Cord, Go Cord!!
In my brother Ryan's case, like father like daughter. This is him with his daughter, Tess.
Ryan
One other cool thing about the day is that Eva lost her other front tooth while we were at the beach. Doesn't she have a cute smile!


What a great day that was! Next stop, Lee's mom's house...

We're "Goin Back To Cali" Part 2

The next day of our trip was a very special one. We were so lucky to be down to see my brother, Ryan baptize Beau and to go to my cousin, Elise's wedding reception.

I took this picture of Beau and Ryan from Cheryl's blog. Aren't they handsome!
After the baptism Cheryl led us to this great wall for some pictures. These are all the cousins on my side. What a good lookin bunch!

This is my cousin, Elise and her husband Drew. Their reception was gorgeous as were they. I took this picture from Julie's blog, so thanks Julie and great pic.
It is a rare moment when the WHOLE family gets together, so we just had to get a picture. It really was a special moment and a memorable day.