We had a fun trip to Southern California the last week of April. The girls had been saving their money since Christmas and we were able to go to San Diego and Disneyland.
We left at 4 am and drove to San Diego. The kids were actually pretty good for the drive down there. I followed advice from a friend and bought some new little toys for them and wrapped them in newspaper. Every few hours they got a new toy and loved it.
After checking into the hotel the first thing we did was head for the beach! I wish I could capture the excitement the girls had for the ocean. Each time a new wave came in, they squealed and giggled. They could have stayed all day. Except that the ocean tried to steal their clothes and my camera, then knocked Eve over.... so we had to go.
How do you go the beach and NOT bury yourself in sand?
Eve really liked the sand. On the way back to the hotel we caught her sucking all the leftover sand off her fingers. Gross!
The next day we went to San Diego Zoo. It was huge and AWESOME! Here's the panda bear mommy, her baby was sleeping in the tree.
They had a little petting zoo area where you could walk around with goats and sheep. Anna, my animal lover, could have stayed with this goat for the rest of her life. She loved feeding it and petting it.
On Sunday we went to the temple in the morning. It was so beautiful and peaceful there.
Larsen girls in all our glory.
A close up of Kate's glory.
Of course, after we'd been there for approximately 13 seconds Kate tells us she has to go potty. It's Sunday, and there's no visitor's center open. So I load her back into the van and begin searching for a gas station. How are there no gas stations there? I ended up driving to the shopping center across the freeway and snuck her into the bathroom at a little Greek restaurant. The food smelled so good I almost hoped they'd tell me I needed to buy something if I wanted to use their restroom.
After visiting the temple we went to sacrement meeting in University City. Ours were the only children in that chapel. And, being the brilliant mom that I am, I had totally neglected the "kid entertainment" we usually bring to church. I think I had I package of Ritz crackers, and it was not enough. I'm pretty sure they're glad that we're not moving into their ward. Luckily the kids all fell asleep in the car while we drove up to Anaheim.
Monday was Disneyland Day! We got there before the park opened and went straight to Space Mountain. Kate was not technically tall enough, but we got her in. I think it was a little too much for her, although she didn't cry. Just later, when Anna wanted to do it again, Kate said, "That's too scary for me. I want to ride Dumbo."
We were so lucky to have Trav's parents come with us. They were so helpful and fun to be with. We just rotated staying off the rides that Eve couldn't go on, and we all had a fun day!
Eve loved the Small World ride best of all. She literally screamed in delight through the whole thing. I think Kate's favorite was Splash Mountain. I was sitting behind her and after the big drop she just started to do her little Katie-giggle for about 5 minutes. It brings me so much joy to see my kids be so happy. Anna says her favorite is still the Matterhorn.
By the end of the day we were exhausted, wet and cold from Splash Mountain (our third trip down that ride), and hungry. We kind of ran out of steam and there were lots of tantrums and whining, but once we got the kids into bed, all was well again. I loved staying up late chatting with Trav and his mom.
