California 2010

I am such a procrastinator. What is it about the layout of blogger - not being able to see each picture without previewing while writing a blog that makes it such a CHORE? Anyhow, here are the said photos from our two weeks past trip to CA. I wasn't very good about taking photos while I was there and now feel sad that I did not capitalize on opportunities to take photos with my sisters and Dad individually. Rachel and I kept planning to take Willow and Kailey to get some photos done at the mall studio and did not . . . regrets. I can't believe how CRAZY it is there even when they are on summer break.

This was taken the day that Isaac and the twins arrived from driving down from Utah. It was a birthday lunch for me. They made me wear a giant Mexican hat, a tradition that takes place whenever I'm in California, even if it has been months since a birthday. The flan was delish and I was nearly bursting for joy when I opened my present. A bottle of this:

I don't know if you can see Diane's lashes in the first photo but they are soooo long and thick. They nearly hit her brow bone. It's pretty awesome! The only problem is that you always have to use it and I know I'm not going to be able to afford it at $120 a bottle. Oh well, I guess I'll have some nice lashes for a while.

We decided to jam pack the two days that Isaac and the girls would be in SCV to make the most of the trip. We went to visit Grandma Gibson the following day in the morning. She did not look well and truly seemed old to me - it made me very sad and I wished for years passed and regretted that I may have not made the most of them with her. As adults grow older, you truly realize how little you know about them. Maybe it is because you never needed to know such information when you were little and spoiled by them, but as you grow up you want to know their histories, happinesses, and heartaches.

After we left Grandmas, we headed out to Redondo beach. It was such a darling beach front area. It was however very busy since there was an international surfing competition going on, but we found a section that was fairly empty and suitable for us. Isaac, Becca, and Natalie braved the cold water (I'm really not a CA beach girl - too cold and dirty). Willow and I had a great time walking the beach, getting our toes wet, laying in the sand, and collecting shells and items we found on our walk. She loved it!

Redondo Beach Pier

Isaac and I really wanted to visit the Getty, but following a trip to the beach did not really make it plausible, AND you really need hours to explore, so instead we opted for City Walk at Universal Studios since Isaac had never been. Of course we had to brave the LONG traffic on the 405 to get there. Natalie who tagged along is thirteen, gorgeous, and absolutely boy crazy. She really pushed going and was jazzed that we gave in. Unfortunately, the jam packed crowds weren't the place for Isaac. So we quickly found a spot for dinner and salvaged the night. Willow liked the lights, and I always love being in the midst of studio city and driving up ventura boulevard - it's pretty exciting and what CA is all about.

Jillian's at Universal City Walk

Upon arriving back at Dad's late into the evening, I was again surprised with another party (this one was for Willow). Unfortunately she was asleep, so we took the following photos and ate the Carvel cake - my very favorite cake in the whole world! The morning that we left, Willow was presented with a different cake that she GLADLY dug into. Since she seemingly abandoned her giraffes while we were there and took up ponies, they bought her a My Little Ponies Set that she adored and this Chicco high chair for us so that we have some space for her upcoming birthday present - a play kitchen!

Birthday hat

Carvel cake - the easiest way in the world to make me happy.

The day before leaving for home was the big day - Disneyland! If you know me, you know that I ADORE Disneyland. It seriously makes me SO happy. I was really excited to go with Willow for the first time and for being there from sun up to sun down, she was an ANGEL! I was also pretty proud of myself for finding hopper passes on the black market for $55 a person - yes!!

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

The Gibson Girls at the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

Riding the carousel in Fantasyland. We blew through all the rides in Fantasyland first and didn't really wait for anything; however, for being the kids land, most of the rides were pretty scary - I had forgotten.

Mickey waffles for breakfast at the Carnation Cafe. Yummy!

The following are on Small World - perhaps Willow's favorite ride!

This was Isaac and the girls first time going to the California adventure park. We were REALLY impressed with their Aladdin show! It was practically Broadway quality.

For me, Disneyland is all about the shows. We were able to hit the parade, Fantasmic (my favorite), Aladdin, and World of Color . . . which was indescribably good. When we got home it was still fresh in my memory, so I went to the following link to experience it again. Please keep in mind that it is a million times better in person! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o0Icz6ExiM Apparently they spent seventy five million dollars on it and it is totally magic! I'm truly sad it's over, I even get teary about it because in my imagination I'm in a different world while at Disney.

The day after Disney was traveling home day. It certainly wasn't an easy two hour flight with a good traveling toddler that had previously slept nearly the whole way on the plane on my lap while watching It's a Bug's Life on my ipod. That being said - she was pretty good. We turned her carseat around for her and it was like a whole new experience for her. She didn't cry at all, but got anxious toward the end of the 13 hour drive. We also had a few hold ups. The first was a TERRIBLE diaper blow out. The second was a lesson I'll never forget. DO NOT leave your car running in the 100 plus heat of Death Valley while it is not moving. After doing so, we experienced a terrible burning smell and then cessation of the air conditioning for ten minutes (completely miserable). Fortunately it started again but not without a concerning noise to accompany it. I'm glad we made it home safely because just over a week after getting home it broke completely. Turns out it was a pretty expensive trip . . .

Source: http://isaacchristensenfamily.blogspot.com/2010/08/california-2010.html