Family Vacation

We made the trip down to Anaheim, CA and stayed in our usual hotel at the Embassy Suites just down from Disneyland.  It was hard to leave Sammy, and a little strange to be on vacation without him, but it was the only time Sam had off, so we made the best of it.  The plan was to go down for a few days, Sam fly home on Sunday to work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, then fly back for our family reunion starting on Friday the next week in San Diego.  

The girls really wanted to go to Disneyland and California Adventures, but Sam and Jackson did not, so I took the girls and Sam and Jackson picked up the boogie boards from Aaron's work and went to the beach.  I took few pictures, but love the ones we took.  The last picture in the ride photos I have my eyes closed.  I wasn't feeling well, tired (blame it on my hyperparathyroidism), so I was enduring the ride with my eyes closed.  I think that was my last ride.  I was ready to leave at 5:00, but we stayed a little longer so the girls could get their fill.  We went on the Tower of Terrors for the first time.  The girls like it so much that we went again right away since the line wasn't very long.  I think I'm good for a lifetime with that ride.  :)

 We sent a picture to Sam (upper right) telling him what a fun time we were having.  This was around 5 when I needed to rest for a little bit explaining why we should be done.  It didn't work so well.

I took this picture of my beautiful girls in front of my favorite ride at Disneyland.  I'm glad they talked me into going.  I did have fun.

I think I almost forced these girls to go get their pictures taken with the princesses.  There was hardly any wait at all.  Usually there is a 2 hour wait.  I think it was 20 min.  Why wouldn't we go in?

Bell is Aliza's favorite, but we made due. Maren says Cinderella is her favorite.  I'm glad she was there for us.  My favorite is Sleeping Beauty.  I've always like the movie growing up.

I think the girls were glad once they were in there to get their photos with the princesses.

It's so sad that they are growing up so fast.  The magic is going away. :(

Saturday was beach day.  We had a great time as always.  I enjoyed the usual relaxing under the shaded umbrella on my beach chair enjoying my family.

Sunday, Sam didn't have to be at the airport until late afternoon, so we found a ward that met in the late morning and went to church.  We took Sam to the airport, then headed back to the hotel for one more night before heading to Aaron and Brock's to stay and play with them.  I had the kids write a little letter on the hotel's note pads to Sammy so he would get a letter from us while in the MTC.  He's only in there for 13 days.  We mailed them from the hotel Monday morning.

Thanks again Hon, for a wonderful trip to the South.

Last Minute Vacation Destination

When I didn't think we could be more crazy, something comes up to prove me wrong.  We have had this week off more months.  We have had no idea what we were going to do this week.  Not even when we got in the car and drove away.  We had thought about the Redwood Forest, but Sam thought it would be too far.  I thought we were going to go though.

 Here is a text between Anny and Myself---Anny: Did you leave yet? Where are you going?  Me:  We just left half hour ago.  I think we are heading south to California.  We are still throwing out ideas for up here area but kids all want to go south. I do not want to go to California.  We were even going to haul the camper down there had it at the house and ready to be packed but decided to drive van instead.  We cannot make up our minds.  Anny:  So funny.  So you left but don't know where u r going?  Let's all go to Moab:) Not the redwoods huh.  Me:  Nope.  I'm sad about that.  We are going to Huntington Beach area.  Just like every year.  Boring.  Anny:  I'm sorry

So, we left Saturday late morning, and decided down the road to drive straight through.  We got to Corona, CA at 6:30 a.m.  I called up Aaron to see if we could stop by and have a little rest while they went to church.  I feel bad that we always pop in to Aaron's, but they were up for it.  We saw them for about an hour.  Watched the kids play and get ready for church, then we slept for a few hours, grabbed our beach stuff, then headed off to the usual hotel.  I know in my text I didn't want to go to California, but once we decided to go, I was excited and hoped we would do some different things.

This trip we had three days.  We decided to do Hollywood, the beach, and Disneyland.

HOLLYWOOD

We walked around for a little bit, then got tickets to go on a tour bus throughout Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

j

We stopped to see the Hollywood sign, but as you can, it can barley be seen.  Oh well.  The guide pointed out where Justin Beaber's house (well roof) was across the valley and the girls loved that.

THE BEACH

Maren brought her Activity Days dog, Wags, along and we had to get pictures to put in his scrap book.

Even though it was a little over cast, the kids has a blast boogie boarding again.

This time however, thanks to Anny's suggestion, we rented bikes and went for a good hour long ride up and down the beach.  Sammy and Maren road together on a tandem bike.

Sam was up in the front and I was in the back.  Some how I feel better in the back making sure no one is left behind.

 So Cute!

Aliza

This isn't my favorite picture, but I did want one of Sam and I on the bikes.

DISNEYLAND

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Of course the kids all wanted to go to Disneyland again.  So we went.  Sam stayed for quite a while today.  He did have to go back to rest his back for a little while.  The lines weren't too bad.  Even though it was the 4th of July.

The girls did bring their Ears from last time so we didn't have to purchase new ones this year.

We did go on the submarine ride this year which we had never been on before.  We probably won't go on it again.

We got to go on Splash Mountain before the line got too big. It was fun to see the picture at the end.  Not a bad picture of a picture.

Sam, Jackson, and Sammy were ready to go back to the hotel before the fireworks, so they left and the girls and I stayed.  It was a beautiful show with beautiful old fashion American music in the background. 

It really ended up being a great time in California.  How could it not.  On our way out of town, we dropped our beach stuff back off to Brock and said good bye.  

Well, who knows maybe we'll be back next year.  

Even though I really want to go to the Redwoods.

Spring Break Part 1----California!!!

About 5 months ago, when it was getting "close" to Maren's birthday (in March), she said she wanted to go to Disneyland. I thought, well, Spring Break is about 10 days after her birthday, so, maybe we could. As we were planning on going, Sam of course had that week off as well, and said, "What about MY break? I want to go to Tropic". So, we put both vacations in one week. We flew down to Vegas, rented a car, drove to So. California for two 1/2 days, drove to Tropic for three days, then back to Vegas. It was a very fun filled trip. Here are some fun picts. and things we did.

Dinner at Aaron and Brock's

I can't believe I didn't get ANY pictures of this fun activity. We got to our Hotel at about 3:30, rested for a little bit, then drove about a 1/2 hour to Aaron's (my youngest brother) for a wonderful Barbecue. Aaron grilled some great burgers, potato salad, and strawberries. We then went to a nearby park and let the kids run wild. (We were traveling since 5:30 that morning). Thank you Aaron and Brock for a wonderful time.

The Beach
The next day, we got up, and headed for the beach. Rain was predicted a few days earlier, but ended up being a beautiful 80 degree day.

We were supposed to meet Clint and Amy, but we got our beaches mixed up, and ended up 10 miles from each other....They didn't want to move since they just got settled, and we were meeting Brock and Cameron at the spot we were, so we switched some kids around, and the cousins played together.

Karissa and Aliza

Cameron was a little shy at first......
but later started playing with the kids and had a fabulous time. I guess this was the first time he played in the water....thanks to Karissa (Amy's daughter).

Maren went to play with Randon on "their" side of the beach, and had a wonderful time. Thanks to Amy or Clint who took great pictures, I wish I could put them all on.
Sammy, Patrick and Patrick's cousin, Alex, who lives in California, hung out and boogie boarded the whole time. They had a lot of fun.

I just can't believe I didn't get ANY pictures of Jackson. He was back and forth with Sam and in and out of water. But, overall, we had a fabulous day at the Beach!!!

Disneyland

Tuesday was Disneyland, we met up with the other Pollocks at the front gate...took "The Picture" (without Clint or Sam...great).....then headed off for some fun!

Patrick and Sammy took off by themselves, with a phone, and we didn't see them very often...probably for the best :).

The lines weren't too bad. Normally a 30 min wait. We did wait in one 60 min line for Space Mountain.
Some of the favorites...Space Mountain (Sammy & Aliza), Splash Mountain (Jackson), Matterhorn (Maren), It's a Small World (Becca), and Thunder Mountain (Sam--his hat fell off and the guy behind him caught it...phew)
Jackson and Paige met up with Patrick and Sammy halfway through the day, then I finally caught up with them and got to go on It's a Small World with them. First time for them, second time for me. It was a little chilly when the sun went down, hence the rain gear :) (there was a chance of rain, so we had some ponchos just in case)


After the fireworks show, Sam took Maren and Jackson back to the Hotel, Amy and her girls were shopping, so I got to go on a couple of more rides with Patrick, Sammy and Aliza. When it is dark and chilly, Splash Mountain isn't so "cool" :) They were a bit wet, cold and done!

It was a fabulous day! We are so glad we went, and that Clint and Amy's family were able to be there as well!

Other Highlights of the trip:

• In-n-Out Burgers...three times.
• Swimming pool at the hotel.
• The Roaring Lion at the hotel.
• Having beautiful sunny warm skies.
• Seeing Joleen (one of Sam's assistants) and her family at the hotel.
• Getting to see where Aaron and Brock live (very beautiful).
• Being on the top floor (14th) and facing Disneyland...we had a wonderful view of the fireworks show Sunday and Monday night.