California!

So, almost two weeks ago we got back from a trip to California. :op We attended a two-day/one-night camp-out with our ward the Friday and Saturday before (which was LOADS of fun, and was Raia's first introduction to the miracle of S'mores, which she loved!), then took off for California on Sunday morning.

We made the drive over two days, stopping for the night in Medford, OR. We arrived in California Monday evening, and just in the nick of time, as the kids were D.O.N.E. with being in their carseats.

They actually handled the drive rather well though, enjoying their snacks, movies on George's laptop, and coloring pictures with blank paper, colored pencils, and a clipboard. (at least, Raia and Errol colored) When we got to my parents' house there was the novelty of a cute little dog who Patrick immediately started chasing after. They also got to go swimming in the pool in the backyard.

Tuesday we went to the local FleaMarket, and while there met up with George's sister, Gayle, and my brother Andon and his wife Katie and little baby Camilla (who is adorable!). It was one of the hottest days of the Summer, so we didn't spend too much time looking around at the knock-off purses and clothing, although I did buy some cute earrings (and then lost them :( ) and a cute pair of sunglasses (which I still have).

We cooled off at my parents' house afterwards while the kids rested, then we drove up to my brother's house to hang out with him and his kids and enjoy their community pool (although I didn't go in, as my swimsuit had ripped, so I entertained Patrick after he got bored with the water). The cousins all played together and we had pizza and a good time. :)

Wednesday was a trip to the train museum in Old Town Sacramento, which was Errol's idea of Heaven. He's asked every day since we got home when we'll be able to go back. I went to that museum as a kid and loved it, so I was happy to see one of my kids find that same love. It hasn't changed much since I was a kid, except for a new mezzanine level where they have electric train sets that the kids can watch, and wooden train sets (Thomas) that the kids can actually play with. But the ACTUAL sleeper cars and dining cars and locomotives that you can walk around in and sit down in and explore, are all still there. Gayle, Katie, and Andon were with us again, and it was nice getting to spend time with siblings. My parents' are both teachers, and their first day back to school was the Monday we arrived, which was a bummer, but it was the best time to visit Gayle (who is soon to be deployed) so we rolled with it as best we could. That day was their wedding anniversary, so after they got off work we drove back into Sacramento to have dinner at the Elephant Bar, which had *amazing* food! I loved it! I wish there was one nearby to go to! We had such a fun time there eating as a family. The kids were all really well behaved and enjoyed their food and talking to Grandma and Grandpa.

Thursday we took the kids to the park, then drove to a hotel in Vacaville where we could be closer to Gayle. We had dinner with her at the Nut Tree and George bought a HUUUUUGE ice cream sundae from Fenton's. It was so good!

Friday morning we went to the Outlet Mall and shopped around (didn't find much, except for some clothes for Raia and George got some cute earrings for me), then drove to Vallejo to buy tickets for the ferry that goes to Pier 39. We got there *just* as the last ferry left (of course) and had to wait a couple hours for the one that went to Pier 1. It ended up working out for the best, as Gayle was running late, so we were all able to get on the next ferry together, then walk from Pier 1 to Pier 39 (do-able, at least it's all flat, and the weather was super nice). The kids LOVED the ferry ride. It's a hydrofoil ferry, so it goes *fast*. I took Raia and Errol out on the upper deck (at the rear of the boat) and they loved the fast wind. For about a minute. :op

At Pier 39 we did all the touristy things: watched the sea lions (they weren't as entertaining this time though), road the merry-go-round, bought some crepes (Nutella with bananas and strawberries. YUM!) and some fresh mini-donuts, and Raia got a new pair of Tinkerbell socks from the sock store to replace the Tinkerbell socks she outgrew that we bought the last time we came to Pier 39.

We caught the last ferry from Pier 39 back to Vallejo and went back to our hotel.

Saturday Gayle met us at our hotel and we went to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. THE funnest day of the trip! The kids did awesome, Raia LOVED the roller coasters, and Errol was in heaven when we brought him to "Thomas Town". They had a Thomas train with Annie and Clarabelle that the kids could ride in, plus Herold the Helicoptor and Bertie the Bus. Errol did all of those, but his favorite attraction was the train table in the gift shop. It was Patrick's too, and we dealt with many fits of infant rage trying to get him away from it everytime we road the train (because, of course, the "exit" from the Thomas ride took you right into the gift shop.)

Raia showed just how much she takes after me with her love of roller coasters. There were a few kid-sized ones that she rode on, plus the big water splash ride, and a "grown up" rollercoaster called The Cobra which was her favorite. She LOVED going fast. That's my girl. :)

George's favorite attraction was the observation area for the white water rapid ride (which we didn't go on). There were vending machines where for 25cents a shot you could spray a water cannon at the passing boats. It was hillarious to watch! Right before the boats reach the water cannons there's a small waterfall, and one guy saw his seat about to go under it, so he stood up - and got a nice shot to the chest by the water cannon! There were also some water cannons in the observation area for the splash ride, and George got me and Raia with one as we were coming off of the ride. (one of the cannons is aimed at the bridge that goes over the ride, where people can get sprayed by the boats as they reach the bottom of the drop.)

The kids were real troopers, and we managed to stay at the park from opening until just shy of closing. They were POOPED when we got back to the hotel! We all slept good.

Sunday we went to church at Gayle's single's ward (which was an interesting experience with kids! LOL) then said goodbye to her and drove back to my parents' for Sunday dinner. We left Monday morning and got home Tuesday night (stopping in Medford again in the middle) I was sad that our visit had to an end and that the kids didn't get much time with Grandma and Grandpa, but we hope to go back soon.

And Yay! I'm finally done logging the whole trip down! :op