Vacation Day 2 - Sea World

Day 2 of vacation we headed to Sea World.  We were ready to go "into the blue", and it did not disappoint.

We first met Pete the Penguin who had to have us pose with him for pictures.

We had fun looking at all the ocean life in the aquariums, although by the time I finally figured out how to use my camera properly for these photos we had already seen most of the underwater tanks. 

Chase loved looking at the sharks, we could not find them at the end of the day anywhere in the park for a souviner (apparently they swim off the shelves).

I think one of the big highlights of the day was going to the Shamu show.  We decide to sit in the "splash zone".  How wet could you really get?  When noone was choosing a seat near us and they started selling ponchos in our area, I got a bit nervous.  Matt decided he would buy us a poncho to share just in case, again how wet could you get?  *Funny side story all these empty seats near us and a huge group of asians come sit right next to Kelsey (when I say right next to her, I mean literally on her lap, there were rows of empty seats and tons of room on the other side of them but they chose to sit right cozy up to her). 

We were amazed when the show started how high these giant whales could jump.  It was beautiful.

This is when I thought..hmmm maybe we sat to close.  This photo is in no way zoomed, THIS is how close we were, and yes they can make a splash!!  Chase was mad when it first began he didn't get wet so he got out from under the poncho and traded places with Kelsey...BIG MISTAKE.

This is us after the show...

Even with a poncho on I managed to get completly wet under it.  Chase was head to toe drenched and had to walk like a penguin the rest of the day.    You can see the pool of water at our feet, yea it was that wet.  *Back to the funny side note.  Remember those asians that were right next to Kelsey they went running like you would not believe as the first wave hit, it was hillarious!  Besides the shows we hit a few of the rides.  Chase loved the Manta, Sadi said she liked the Journey to Atlantis but she will NEVER go on it again and to hear her retell the ride is pretty hillarious.  Kelsey learned Shamu had nothing on the ride Shipwreck rapids.  She came off soaked and everyone else came off dry.  We all enjoyed going on the helicopter ride down to the wild arctic. 

It was cold down there, even the wall was made of ice...

The Beluga Whales were one of our favorite to watch.  So graceful.

I think we will all agree the best show was the Seamore Sea Lion show.  Not for the Sea Lions but for the pre-show with Biff.  *Biff is a Sea World staff member who does a little skit to music that makes you laugh your butt off.  I think I was laughing so hard and so entertained I neglected to get any photos of him.  The kids all wanted to go back to see Biff.

We did go back...three times.  Just as funny, every time!

Vacation Day 3 - Ocean Beach

Day 3 of vacation:  We decided to wind down a bit and have a day to relax, so we headed to Ocean Beach for the day.  It was a bit overcast and windy so we weren't sure how the kids were going to like it.  The girls were a bit hesitant to get in at first, but later did dip in and out.

Although the water was frigid, Sadi laughed I think the most this day going in and getting kissed by the waves...once she got over the shock of the cold water.  Brrr.

Chase made me the most nervous, this kid has no fear of the ocean and the big waves.  He should be a surfer.  He would run out wayyyy to far and run in from the waves,

Get caught by the wave, (giggling the whole time)

and get sucked under by the wave.  Yes, he's in there if you look close you can barely see the brim of his shark hat.  This is why we had to lifeguard closely...it doesn't look like I am panicked by snapping this picture, but I assure you I was having heart palpitations....but a good picture is a good picture, am I right?

This was his first realization that this was not like pool water.  He was just about vomiting salt water through his nose...a good laugh for all who were there.

Although Kelsey braved the water (kind of) she was much more content on the beach lifeguard watching.  I caught her more than once eyeing the hot bodies patrolling the beach.  I think she might have faked a drowning just to be rescued by one of them.

After a day at the beach we took the kids to Seaport village to walk around the board walk, eat dinner, and do a little shopping.  

We saw lots of pirates, and found lots of cool treasures.

We even saw a real pirate ship sailing by and shooting real water cannons at us.

We came across some real pirates on land.  Arggghhh!

We also came across a bird man?  He was out showcasing his birds.  When we stopped to admire them he decided we all needed a bird perched on us.

I wasn't so sure about the one on my head, especially when it felt like he started making his home up there.

It ended up being a really nice evening, and the perfect end to yet another great day.

Vacation Day 4 - Happy Birthday!!

Day 4 of vacation was also Kelsey's 16th Birthday!!  We got up early to run down and make her a special breakfast in bed (although after a few days of waffles I'm not sure how special it was).  I had packed candles and matches, however I did not pack the box which apparently you need to light these particular matches :(  So we had to pretend her candle was lit while we sang Happy Birthday to her.

We did have a few surprises for her to open (which turned out not to be a surprise either because as we were packing Chase continued to yell "Hey Mom did you remember to pack those surprise presents for Kelsey's birthday and Father's Day?!).  She got some new books, DVD, and CA$H! 

After gifts and breakfast it was off for another fun full day at...

 We wanted to do something memorable and special for her birthday so we bought everyone all you can eat wrist bands, which entitled you to eat all you wanted all day at certain restaurants.  It was delicious...and we all left totally stuffed, so I think we hit the mark on the memorable part.

She was even able to get a huge slice of birthday cake!   

We stayed in the park all day and into the night.  When the sun went down, we went to the nighttime Shamu show.  We opted to stay OUT of the splash zone this time.  It was an amazing show, and after there were fireworks.  It was a really fun day.  I hope it was a birthday to remember.

Vacation Day 5 - Father's Day

Day 5 of vacation was also Father's Day.  We were so exhausted that morning we all slept in and our wonderful Daddy got up early and hit the breakfast bar and made us all waffles and brought them to us in bed.  We spent most of the day at the zoo seeing all the animals we missed the first time around and visiting the ones we really loved a second time. 

 Sadi and Matt were all about monkeying around.

 Aren't these the most handsome zoo workers you've ever seen?

 All that walking around can really make your feet tired.  I told the kids we needed to get daddy a foot massage, but Chase thought his quarter was better used for....

himself a foot massage!! Sorry Daddy, we love you anyway.  Hope you had a great day!

Calico Ghost Town

On our last day of vacation we decided to break up that long ride home with a stop at Calico Ghost Town to stay overnight.  I remember going there when I was just 4 years old.  My memories are few but clear (or so I thought).  When we arrived mid-day the temperature gauge outside read 106!  After sitting in the car for hours just what you want to do is get out and walk around in that right?  The kids were troopers and humored me in walking down memory lane. 

We tried our hand roping a bull,

Tried on some coffins for size,

(I think Chase was creating a death by hanging here)

We took a train ride around the town,

and explored the underground mines.

Sadi got caught in the town jail, (This is Sadi telling me "Hey ya better let me outta here".  It was funny because she could squeeze right through the bars but insisted someone let her out).

Matt and I tried on the towns "look".  We look pretty good right?

This was the old school house that I remember from when I was little.  I remember the day we were there it was really windy and there was this swing set outside and all the swings were swinging back and forth.  (At 4 I was pretty sure it was ghost children...I think some of my siblings probably helped with this memory).  Alas the swing set has been removed.  Chase didn't believe me it was true but sure enough in all of the souvenir shops all the pictures showed a swing set used to be there.

I think everyone was ready to dive into this little pool of water they used to put out fires.  Chase couldn't stop staring at the cool blue water.  But there was one memory I had that we just had to find.

We walked a long time looking for this old Chinese bath tub.  Everyone in the town I asked about it said they thought it was still there but no one seemed quite sure where.  Huh...it was in China town, duh!  My parents have a photo of me at the same age as Sadi in this same tub.  Thanks family for braving the heat for me to get this photo.  Maybe Sadi will remember this like I did one day.

After being in the sweltering heat all day we went and got our keys to our cabin.  We had a little fun telling the kids that not everyone survives the night in a ghost town.  The little swamp cooler in this tiny cabin could not crank the cool air fast enough and when it looked like the sun would not set for hours we decided to backtrack to Barstow for some dinner at the golden arches for some ice cream and relax in the air conditioning.

Later that night when the sun had set we took a walk up to the town cemetery....that always puts you to sleep right?

The kids got to sleep up in the bunks that night, and when it got late Sadi did not want to turn out the lights.  When we told her it was time to turn out the lights she would yell "No!  I'm not ready to be haunted yet!"

The next morning it was sadly time to go home.  This was definitely a vacation we will all remember. (I hope)

Birthday Bliss and Vacation Reveal

Today was my **th birthday.  I am still super young although some would dispute that when they hear that little number...mostly my kids.  It was a fantastic day.  Matt made me breakfast in bed, and surprised me with a gift certificate to the spa for a day, he even made the appointment for me (very unlike him..he doesn't even make his own appt.'s).  So after breakfast I was off for a pedicure and foot massage...ahhhh.  My feet are all ready for the beach now.

And it just so happens that today was the last day of torturing the vacation countdown.  The kids now know we are going to...

SAN DIEGO!!!  We are so excited!  This whole vacation countdown has been really fun, and all the kids got really into it.  In fact I think Kelsey may have enjoyed it the most.  We only had one day of a small upset.  The day we took down Disneyland there were a few sniffles (Chase).  So, we are headed off to California for a bit over a week, and ready to relax and start this summer off with some serious fun!