the boys' last day

Jared took the boys to Legoland with his brother Derek!

He took lots of photos of the Miniland and Lego StarWars Miniland.

They got wet on the pirate boat ride and didn't dry off the whole day.  brrr...

Shark tank

I love Jordan's reaction here.

I was glad Jared took photos so I could see what they were up too.

Other favorite spots were the Lego Club area with Master Builder's Academy, roller coasters, and driving kid sized Lego cars (They had to obey traffic signs and all).
We couldn't take a trip to Southern California with those two young Lego lovers without getting them to Legoland.  Jared wasn't so sure it was a necessary investment.  But it was a good way to finish the trip.
Meanwhile back at the condo, I packed up all our bags and cleaned up the condo to be ready for the trek home.  We left as soon as they got home and had a bite of dinner.  Homeward bound!

Flagship

One of the last days of our trip, we went on a whale watching trip out of San Diego Bay.  Jordan loves learning about sea animals and especially orca whales.  He has told me a few times that he wants to see them in their real habitat.  So when Stan told us about this trip, we decided to try it out with the whole family.  

I took this photo as we were pulling away from the dock.  The aircraft carrier museum is along the same pier.  The "other" whale watching boat is behind us, leaving at the same time.  I chose the less expensive boat and felt a little guilty because I realized it was less stable and more apt to rock in the waves and produce sea sickness.  But, I chose the right boat for a great sighting!  The naturalist and crew said we had the best show in years.

As we left the bay we saw the city skyline, resort areas, military areas, natural reserves, and the Point Loma lighthouse.  It was fun to see it from a boat with a lot less traffic and trouble with navigation.  The tradeoff though was that Michael got a bad case of sea sickness and Jordan (our fearful one) got pretty nervous about being in the open sea and deep water.  Overall I think it was a valuable learning experience that we won't forget.   

The grey whales follow the same migration pattern Northward along the coast to their feeding grounds each Spring.  Our boat, and a couple other small ones you can see in the pictures, caught sight of 5 whales and 20 or so dolphins playing in the water around them.  The whales were stopped maybe eating or just resting.  We stayed near them in the water for a good 40 minute show before heading back to the bay.   

Michael slept after the Dramamine kicked in.  After filling up his first white sack, he kept the second one close by.

Leisel, Tessa and Jordan were the only ones not affected by the boat's motion. 

Tessa made a friend with the only other girl on board.  It was just what she needed since the total trip was about 4 hours!  I came with lots of activities and treats for her to share.   

I loved seeing the sea lions sun bathing on every buoy and dock along the way.

Jared found a good spot along the harbor to try some fresh oysters and a red clam chowder.  

Old Town and Mission Beach

The closest we got to Mexico on our trip was a great restaurant in Old Town San Diego, and it pretty nearly satisfied me. I wish I would have taken more photos of the colorful fountains and garden.
 

Then we went a block down the street to the visitors center for the Mormon Battalion.  It was awesome!  They asked us to "like them on facebook" and I did. :) 

Michael loved being the volunteer recruit.  The gun is a foot taller than he is. :)

The big and little kids love panning for gold!

I had planned to spend LOTS of time at the beach during the trip. But we only made it for an hour!  ...Right before rush hour and getting back to the condo for dinner.  Jared did not enjoy my navigation around San Diego.  :0 
We did have lots of "marine life" time on the boat trip and at the aquariums.  Maybe it was better that way since we came during the Springtime chill.... 
The cold, with sweatshirts and all, didn't keep the kids from jumping right in at the beach.  When they got back in the car they were soaked and covered with sand.

Jordan is reunited with the beach!!    

I love how the video captures some of the kids' personalities and quirks

Scripps Acquarium

Michael stole the phone again took some great photos --while I "tried" to keep Tessa out of trouble. 

 

I had never seen a real chambered Nautilus before, of the favorite poem by Oliver Wendall Holmes

at the tide pool touch tanks

Thanks for finding a great spot Grandpa!

to San Diego

 This was a fun day after Anaheim.  We caravaned with the whole family to San Diego and stopped at the temple along the way. 

picnic with cousins

 

 

Michael took this awesome picture too. :)

Home away from Home

I didn't get photos of the yummy dinners Susie and Teresa brought or of the comfy accommodations Stan and Teresa arranged for us, but here a few fun moments at the condos.  We spent the first few nights in Anaheim and then the rest of the week in San Diego near Old Town.

sleepovers, breakfast, and caught in the act :)

playtime and meeting cousins :)

Michael put together his souvenir "Lego Mech."

Jared took the kids swimming with their cousins one day.  Then I enjoyed a bit of the sun later with Tess and Leisel while the boys were at Legoland.

California Adventure

Day Two of our adventure was spent at "the other Disney park." 

I looked forward to all the Classic Disney things at Disneyland, but didn't know what to expect or didn't expect much at California Adventure Park.  But we "loved it!" the kids said. 

I love that the park showcases the geographic and cultural areas of the state like Hollywood land, Spanish Buena Vista Street, Paradise pier and Pacific wharf.  My favorite was the nature/outdoors area called Grizzly Peak.  It looked like we were walking through a national reserve complete with a scout camp and old pioneer logging mill. 

The Soaring Over California ride was spectacular.  I could spare you the description, but for the sake of my journaling....  We were suspended way up in the air, simulating a hand-glider ride.  A film was projected on the enormous screen that made it seem like we were gliding above and through the beautiful natural and man-made wonders of California.  We saw Yosemite, the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, San Diego harbor, the lights of downtown Los Angeles and others and then finished back at Disneyland.  The special effects were exhiliarating, like smelling oranges as we flew over the orange groves and feeling the wind rush past.  The whole thing was accompanied by an amazing musical score.  One of my favorite things as a mom is to experience and show the beauties of the world with my kids.   It was a natural high!

We hopped on the trolley car to go meet Jared after Soaring Over California.  Our tag team for rides with height restrictions usually worked pretty well.  I visited Ariel's Grotto with Tessa while the boys splashed through the Grizzly River Run.

This is a goofy picture, but I was so excited that we got to "meet" the Incredibles! :)  When Susie said she was making shirts for us with a Disney character.  I joked that Jared had to be Mr. Incredible.  And he came right back that I had to be Elastigirl. 

When we saw "Jake (?)," Jordan just had to say Hi.  

Car's Land.  Many of the attractions in California Adventure are made to get you to step into the movie.  fun. and funny feeling :)

Tessa and Daddy are riding in one of Mater's junkyard trailers.

A few of our other favorites without photos included the Turtle Talk with Crush, the Animation Academy, and the Pixar parade.

Here's a video of the whole family in the Ferris Wheel.  --one of our last rides of the day
 

3-D glasses at Toy Story Mania

Michael took this photo waiting for the light show.

an incredible finale for our Disney adventure