day 19- Anaheim CA to Fairfield CA

We talked about going to the beach today or going to the Jelly Belly Factory. I lost and we left our hotel about 7:30 for candy. We are not heading to San Francisco either but are coming home tomorrow. Ben's ready to get back to work and the kids want there own beds. I am looking forward too seeing my newly fixed (rot in some of the siding on the front and one side) and painted house! we did The Jelly Belly Factory tour, checked into our hotel, swam, had dinner and then watched tv in bed before bed! Tomorrow we will be home.

day 18- 3rd day in Disney

Today our goal was to ride each of our favorites. We hit Alicia's favorite first- Indiana Jones. We then went next door to Ethan's choice, Pirates of the Caribbean! At this point Alicia remembered she left her sunglasses on Indiana Jones! It took about 30 minutes for them to find them and by this time we needed to switch parks to get fast passes to Radiator Springs, my favorite ride. We rode Soarin and Monsters Inc before switching parks AGAIN to ride Ben's fave, Buzz Lightyear.

We ate lunch then headed to RIDEMAKERZ where the kids made remote control cars.

They have been looking forward to this for days. (The kids have been saving their money for 2 years when we thought we were going to Europe so they had fun spending it.) As per usual we headed back to our room for a nap/cool down. We have missed housekeeping all 3 days because they come while we are resting. I have to call and beg each day for new towels. Kind of a pain. we headed back and ate and drank our way around California Adventures then used our fast pass for Radiator Springs. The best ride EVER. Or so I think. :) and the boys rode Grizzly Rapids twice. This became Ethan's new favorite ride. He wanted to go again and again!

We finished with icecream. It was a relaxing(as relaxing as Disney can be) fun day. we are all tired and ready to come home! Tomorrow we start our way North.

day 17 -day 2 in Disneyland

Up and out of our room by 6:30. We started in Disneyland hit a few rides then jumped to California Adventures for fast passes and shopping then back to Dusneyland for lunch at Blue Bayou. The kids really enjoyed the experience. And Ethan loved his food. We took naps then rode a lot more rides. ;)

day 16- Disneyland

We got up nice and early and were inside Disneys California Park by 7:30. Ben got in line with for Radiator Springs Race track fast passes.

Then we rode lots of rides and had lunch before riding our favorite ride with our fast passes. We then headed to our hotel for a rest and cool down. We headed back and this time went to Disneyland. We had a blast over there. Ate dinner and rode and rode. the kids loved Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland. We got back to the hotel about 11:00. Tomorrow we have to get up at 5:45! Eeeeek.

day 15 -San Diego to Anaheim

We had planned on going to the SD Safari Zoo but decided to save the money and go to the beach! We headed to Carlsbad and bought some boogie boards and a wetsuit for Ethan then we hit the beach. It was lovely. Ben and the kids thought the water was about perfect and I layed in the sand and sun.

After hours of fun we headed to Candy Cane Inn near Disneyland. We spent the evening in downtown Disney eating dinner and shopping. It was a very nice day.

day 14- San Diego Sea World

We did a lot in a day but I ended up putting my phone/camera in a locker so not too many pictures. Me and the kids did get to touch a dolphin which was a must do fir Alicia and myself.

day 13 San Diego

My Great Aunt Mildred lives in La Jolla, about 20 minutes from our hotel. We had thought of going to Sea World in Texas but decided we would go to Sea World in San Diego so we could visit her and her husband Del. We met them at their church,City View, and then they took us out to eat. We had Mexican at Coyote Cafe. I would highly suggest it if you like a lively fun atmosphere. we then went and checked out their retirement home right on the ocean. The kids played in the sand and the seals came out to play.

day 12-Tusayan AZ to San Diego CA

This was a long driving day. One of the longest on the trip. For that reason we left about 8 AM so we could stop as much as we would need but still get there in the light. The kids are starting to show signs off little sleep. And Ethan is not a fan of National Parks. He likes things like ATV rides, playing in White Sands, and the waterpark. I think all four of us will like the things planned for Cali.

We have decided our next family vacation will not be a road trip. We have gone 3500 miles so far and we are tired of sitting. This is what we saw for about 6 hours.

the kids got pipe cleaners to create with.

We ate a early dinner or late lunch at a Mexican place that Ben likes in Palm Springs so he could get their shrimp stuffed peppers.

The kids swam at the hotel then we went in search of a laundromat because our hotel doesn't have a washer dryer and we need some clean clothes! Especially since we will be going to my Great Aunt Mildred's church tomorrow.

day 11 -Phoenix AZ to Tusayan AZ

I had hoped to get moving early today but the kids are more and more tired. We finally left Phoenix about 10 and it was already 100. We were on our way to the Grand Canyon! We stopped for lunch in Flagstaff and made it to the GC about 3:30. It is really amazing. We headed to our hotel-the kids swam we brought fast food back to our room and then bedtime. Not too exciting of a day.

day 10- Phoenix

Today was a waterpark day. We got up went to breakfast and then hit the Oasis. Ben and I brought books and we would go around a few times on the lazy river then jump out and read for a bit. When we got hot or the kids wanted us we'd jump back in the river for a few circuits. About 1:30 we headed to our rooms for a break then went and saw Despicable Me 2. We grabbed some food at a grocery store and went back to Arizona Grand Resort and Spa. Then Ethan and Ben headed back for some more water fun. Alicia is not as big of a fan. She is at an awkward age where she doesn't want to play for hours in the water with her brother but she doesn't want to sit there and read either. We spent the rest of the evening reading and watching a Harry Potter on tv while eating our snacks.

I didn't get a picture of us on the slides. I took my phone down and then right back to the room so it wouldn't get wet or stolen. So not too many pictures today. The long straight slides were fast. Alicia and I only went on the loopy slide. Ben went on the fast one once and that was enough for him. Ethan liked the fast one but didn't want to go by himself.