Time to build something

The last full day in California we spent in Legoland. We had great things about it and were excited to spend the day there.

The place is great for the younger kids with smaller rides and playgrounds to play on, and big lego blocks to use. After a big day at Disneyland I thought we would slow down, but no, we charged on. We drove boats, and cars and did other kiddie rides. 

 One of the first rides was horsey.....

 Lauren loved the horse.. she had a huge smile, but I could not seem to get any photos in focus

 The Capital building Lego style. They had replica cities of Las Vegas, an other national monuments. 

 Going to take a ride around the park

 Mummy Cooper

 Mummy Lauren

 Cooper was able to drive a car, and we had no accidents. Lauren was also able to drive, but was having a hard time figuring out the peddles

 Life size Chewy - They had a whole exhibit of Star Wars scene which was very impressive.  My favorite were the scene on Endor with the Ewoks.

 Darth Mal  - our nemesis from the day before

 Darth Vador

 We had a good, but another long day. Lauren even rode another roller coaster, but again told me that she was scared afterward. So... we will see if we have traumatized her for life or not. I already told Joel we will have to go back when the kids are older, so I can ride more roller coasters.
   After a couple of big days we decided to take our last day easy. We walked down to the beach from our hotel on Dana Point, and played in the waves. We we also able to watch the surfers, which was fun.

Dad and kids running in the wave

Waves are so COOL

Lauren is telling the ocean something

Brother helping sis run into the waves

Mom getting in on the fun- you can see Lauren got a bump on her forehead, trying to run onto our balcony that morning. Our trip would not have been complete with a goose egg.....

After fun in the cloudy day (sadly we did not get a sunny day), we headed toward the airport. We made sure to stop and have one last nice seafood meal before taking off, to land in 20 degrees and snow. We had a great trip, and look forward to many more family vacations in the future.

Disneyland with Toddlers

I have heard lots of people say Disneyland is great for littler ones, and others just give me a frighten look when I mention we were going. But despite this we prepared to take on the Magic Kingdom.... and I for one am so glad we did. Both kids were great and I think had a great time, and I know Joel and I will have great memories of our trip.   We knew it was going to be a long day, so our goal was slow and steady, getting to the park right when it opened we decided to go to Adventure land  first.

Cooper and I on the bus right from the parking lot

We checked out the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which right after it was over, Cooper did not like, but after a few hours, it was the best ride ever.  Next we checked out Tarzan's Tree house, and then we hit some more rides. Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, and it's a small World were a big hit. We were really lucky that the park was not too packed, and the longest line was probably about 35 minutes. 

 Lauren waiting in Line - We were really lucky that the lines were not that long. 

 Lauren Rocking Dad's sunglasses on It's a Small World

After we rode Winnie the Pooh twice, I asked Cooper and Lauren if they wanted to ride Splash Mountain. Cooper said no, but Lauren was in. I asked her several times, but she kept telling me yes.  I was so proud, but she did tell me "I scared" after it was over.  I felt bad, that it scared her, but she was on another roller coaster at Legoland the next day. That's my girl :).

  On to other locations, Mickey's house, and Tomorrow land, were we able to check out some super hero's.

 Lauren in front of the Iron Man Costumes - Cooper was able to play a video game where he was able to control an Iron Man on the screen.

 Joel had done enough research to know that they had Jedi Training for kids 5-12. So we made sure to be at the correct place at the right time to make sure that Cooper was able to at least watch and hopefully participate.  Well with lots of jumping and yelling Cooper was choose to train with the Jedi.

Getting ready to take start his training

Following his instructors

 This little cutie was not old enough, but she sure is cute!

 Darth Vador came up from under the stage.... it was great

Cooper making a pledge to use the force only for good!

 Lauren and Dad riding the submarine 

We had a great, but long day. I think when all was said and done, we spent 12 hours in the park. The kids were great and we will have great memories of Disneyland. We may have to go again when the kids are older to ride the really FUN rides. 

Cali, here we come

My kiddos are getting big fast! Way too fast. I was wanting to get a trip or two in before school, and work and sports and all those things takeover our lives. I was finally found a break in the calendar, and we headed to California for a few days.  With Joel travel miles and hotel rewards we were able to get there and stay rather cheaply, which was nice considering how expensive the parks are these days:).  We flew out Saturday morning and headed straight over the the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Joel and I had visited this zoo several years ago, but they have done lots of improvement since then.  We had a great day there - honestly I always have a great day at an zoo.

                                               My little Bats - Cooper and Lauren

  Getting ready to take the bus around there open pen park, where they have animals all living together.

Checking out the Animals

 Pretty Cheetah

 Lemur, Cooper and I where able to go into there pen

 Lauren was able to brush the Goats

 They just opened a new tiger exhibit and it was great.

 Cali Condor compared to the White Family

 The gorillas exhibit was also great. I was not able to get any good photos, but they had a new baby that was so cute. 

We had a great day at the zoo, despite bad traffic getting there. We were really blessed that it was our only bad traffic day. We were able to avoid for the rest of the trip. Great day, now Disneyland!

Little and Big Kids Love Halloween!

We had a group of little ones this year for Trick or Treating.  The Cousins, and good friends/ family from FL and OK made the trip.  We are blessed with great weather and even better happy kids! Even with a long day and lots of activities everyone was in a great mood.... we even were able to get a few pics of Sky!

               Elsa (Riley), Olaf(Skylar), Anna (Reese), Witch (Lauren) and The Ninja (Cooper)

The NINJA!!!

 My Little Witch - Auntie Sarah gave her purple hair - she thought she was such a big girl

 Big Fan of Big Brother

 Even the big kids get in on the act.... :) (Love Riley's cute smile in the corner)

 The Father with the little ones :)

 Beautiful Tressa and Riley

 Can not wait until the next house

 Riley was so helpful with little Olaf

Lots, and Lots of candy later we got everyone a little food and a bed. We had a great Halloween of 2014!

BOO at the Zoo with the Turners

We have meet up with our friends, the Turners, from the south a few times for BOO at the Zoo, and this year we were blessed with a beautiful day.  Cooper and Jackson always have the best time together, and I am guessing Calab will be up to making more mischief next year.  If you have never been it is basically Trick or Treating at the zoo. So fun was had by all.

    Batman (AKA Jackson), and our Witch (Lauren) were much better at smiling then the Ninja.. maybe he was trying to be stealthy

 My pretty girl in her big hat that she loved so much

 Hey they are all looking at the camera

 Daddy and Lauren

 Momma and Lauren

Again  the ninja was too stealthy to get pics with.... maybe on Halloween night