Vacation Pictures, July 2008

WOW!!! What an amazing vacation. We started on June 27 and got to Vegas on Saturday and had lunch at the ESPN Zone. The kids loves seeing the lions at the MGM. We then continued on to Rancho Santa Margarita to see/stay with our friends Chris and Kjersten Johnson.

On Sunday we decided to go into LA for the day and see Hollywood Blvd, Sunset Blvd, Rodeo, the LA temple and Santa Monica Pier. On our way their we got off on the wrong highway and ended up in little Mexico. We felt like Chevy Chase in "Vacation" when they get lost in East St. Louis. We strolled the walk of stars and stopped at Man's Chinese Theatre and saw the handprints in the cement. When we left we went to the temple and loved walking around without crowds. Rodeo Dr. was way too high class for me and Barry in our hillbilly attire so we just drove on through. Santa Monica Pier was great. We did the typical tourist thing and ate funnel cake on the pier. It was delicious! We were beat by the time we left to go back to our friends house.

On Monday we decided to go to the beach. The kids had a blast playing in the sand and ocean. Jared got on the body board and got taken out by a wave. Payton got taken out by a kid on a body board. They recovered from salt in the mouth, mostly by gagging and almost throwing up. Liza loved laying on the beach and eating sand. by the time our 4 hours were up in the parking lot I was fried. My back and legs got so sunburned it hurt for a week.

Tuesday was Disneyland day. The only bummer part was having to wake up at 5:00 to get ready and out the door. Getting to Disneyland was absolutely amazing. I got emotional upon entering the gate. Seeing all the things that you see on TV was just overwhelming. We saw Mickey and Donald right when we walked under the train, so we stopped for pictures. The most shocking part of the time in Disneyland was that we didn't wait in line hardly at all. The longest line was for Splash Mountain at 9:00 at night. We spent two days at Disneyland and California Adventure. Jared's favorite ride was Indiana Jones, Payton and my favorite was Splash Mountain, and Barry's was a tie between Space Mountain and Toy Story.

Thursday we went to Sea World. The kids had a blast. By that time I was completely exhausted and worn out. I enjoyed sitting and watching Shamu and was disappointed when it ended because that meant I had to get up and walk again.

Friday the 4th was a lazy day in the hotel napping, swimming, and napping some more. We went back to Disneyland for dinenr and ate at the Rainforest Cafe and by the time we got done eating the fireworks were starting.

We left LA Saturday and drove up to Corning, CA to visit my mom's father. It was fun seeing him and letting him love on the kids. We ended up getting a flat tire the next morning. It's no fun getting a flat in a town like Corning on a Sunday. Every tire shop was closed and the truck stop wouldn't touch our car because it wasn't a diesel. We got some fix-a-flat and drove to Andersen, CA to a Wal-mart to get it fixed. We finally got to Ashland around 4 in the afternoon just in time for dinner.

We spent a week in Ashland and had a great time with Barry's family. There was 1200 bale's of hay to haul in off the field. I was the resident driver, and I might add that I was a darn good one too. I could back up that trailer with total ease, man! Barry's brother blessed their new baby and we mostly just played around all week.

We got home on the 18th and loved sleeping in our own beds. I can't believe that our trip is over. It was great. Cindy, we had a great time with you and your kiddos in Disneyland. Thanks for coming with us!!! Love ya!