We're Back!!

We have been back for a week now and I still feel behind. BUT---let me tell you---we had an amazing time on vacation. Maybe that's why I still feel behind. I still want to be in California.

We were gone for 10 days, so let's start at the beginning. My parents went with us which was the best of blessings. I've always wanted my kids to experience a trip with their grandparents. There just aren't enough words to express all the memories made for all of us.

We started things off with a couple of days at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Valley Center, CA (close to Escondido). We were able to visit with my cousin Kevin, Wendy and their adorable girls Mandy and Aubrey. Needless to say they all have a wide variety of animals. Otters, wallabies (spelling?), turtles, horses, cats, dogs, snakes,foxes and the list goes on. It was like going to our own private zoo. My Aunt is currently hand raising 3 baby foxes. You can often see my cousins otters on Jay Leno and other talk shows. How cool it that!? Oh, and can I say there is no way you can beat the view from both homes. It was amazing! We really enjoyed seeing all of them.

We spent a day at Sea World. It was a bit cool, so jackets were required. We saw the ever famous Shamu and all his sea critter friends. It was a great time. Thanks so much for the tickets Kevin!

Then off to Anahiem. We spent several days at Disneyland. We must have walked 20 miles. We celebrated Sami's 17th birthday. We saw lots of characters, rode LOTS of rides and just tried to fit it all in. We spent another day at California Adventure. I absolutely love the California Screamin rollercoaster. Holy Cow!! That thing takes off like a shot and goes 60 mph up down and around and around. So cool. Poor Gracie was too little, but Dave and I rode on that over and over again. We both love rollercoasters. My mom thought I was nuts!

Our last day we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch. I can't tell you how thrilled I was. I L-O-V-E Forrest Gump. It's my all time favorite movie. I love all things Forrest Gump. So lunch there was a hightlight for me. The food was great and the whole experience was awesome. I stocked up on Forrest Gump T-shirts and knick-knacks at the gift shop and of course took loads of pictures. :o)

Then off to the beach. It was over cast and a bit cool, but we took off chasing the waves and looking for sea shells. All was great until. . . Gracie got hit by a big wave. It flattened her. She was both wet and full of sand and to top it off now cold. Then Sam realized that she had lost her phone. Why she was texting on the beach. . . I don't know, but it was lost. We combed the beach in all directions. Unfortunately the tide was coming in and her phone must have washed out into the water. We tried to make light of it, by telling her that the fish would be texting her. But to her it was like loosing a limb. It was the end of the world.

We left for home the next day, tired, smiling and so incredibly grateful for the trip and all the memories.

We had such a great time we are thinking of going back this fall. We'll see, but it gives us lots to look forward to.

So back to the routine. School, work, and all that goes with. It really is nice to be home.