Halloween was a busy day for us. This year we decided to do a small family birthday for Annie-but it was still just as crazy. On top of last minute birthday things-we were also packing last minute things for our trip too. The theme for Annie's birthday was The Little Mermaid. She wanted an Ariel cake, which Brandon had a blast making.She got to pick what we ate-homemade Mac and Cheese. She got many Ariel dolls-which was was so excited about and many other fun gifts. This year she knew it was her birthday, and really got into it-except when it came time to sing. She did not want anyone singing. Just blow the candles out and cut the cake-then it was back to playing with her baby dolls.
After dinner we went Trick or Treating. We decided to stay in my parent's area for this (less hills then in our area). We have fun Trick or Treating with Bompa-he takes us around to all his friends in the ward and loves to help Annie. Cori also comes with us-so far the adults out number the kids. Annie also got the hang of how trick or treating worked. Last year she got the general idea but this year she was all over it. She also remembed this year that she had candy so we had to share where last year Brandon and I ate more of it.
That night at 7:30pm we were off to California. Our first stop was in St. George where we stayed for the night. The kids did great on the way down mostly sleeping to our first stop. That morning after breakfast we headed the reast of the way and got into Oceanside about 3pm. Emily and Robert came over. Annie was very excited to see her Emmy. They loved playing and laughing.
The Elmer boys (Bryce, Robert, and Brandon all sporting wigs) have a great time together. They love to wresle, and joke around. It's always fun to see them interact. It keeps us all entertained!
Monday we mostly hung out. We got to have lunch at Surf Brothers which I was very excited about. The last few times we went down we did not stop. That day we enjoyed being with the Elmer's and also got to see my friend Katy. Tuesday we went to the Zoo with my Mom, Aunt Rossanna, Robert and Emily. We had some great encounter with the elephants. They recently opened a new Elephant area and it is wonderful! We were just feet away for them several times. What an experience! We also had to check on the lions. Last month Annie was having bad dreams about lions, and they were often in her room. We finaly told the lion that it was going to get cold here and he would be much better off at the San Diego Zoo-he went and we needed to make sure he was there. Annie did look at him but then moved on.
Wednesday we went to visit my friend Nina and her mom, then to the beach, and then to a park to hang out with my friend Alisha and her family. Annie love the beach. She played in the water, chased the seagulls, and got wet and then cold. Of course we were not think about the fact that she would get wet (duh!) and did not have a change of clothes-but I did have clean underwear. So by the time we got to dinner she was in a damp shirt and dry underwear.
Dinner that night was at the Aplert's (Pops and Dea to the kids). I have been friends with their daughter Cori since jr. high. We had Hamburgers and played the Wii. It was a fun night!
That night my friend Sara from here in Utah flew in for her first trip to Southern California. I drove her around down town that night-we saw Gaslamp, the Midway and more. The next day (Thursday) we started with a drive up the coast. We had breakfast at VG's. You have to stop there and try their donuts. Get there early enough in the day and you will be there with all the surfers on their way out to the beach. The we drove to the temple.
Next was a stop at the Children's Beach also know as Seal Beach in LaJolla. We saw all the seals hanging out on the sand. We also went out on the look out bridge and got splashed by waves. Ethan was not to sure about the water splashing on his face. That day we had lunch at Ogata's in old Encinitas.
We headed back up to Oceanside to play with more cousins (Abby, Jada and Emily) before heading down to the Farmers Market and dinner at my favorite place, Kealani's.
Friday morning we got up and headed to Disneyland. We were all very excited to go. The one thing Annie wanted to do was see Ariel of course. The crowds were not to bad for a Friday. We got to go on many rides in the morning.
One of the big reasons for Sara coming to California was to give Annie her birthday gift-a princess experience at the Bippidy Boppidy Boutique. Here she met with some Fairy God Mothers in training. She got to pick her hair style (she picked Disney Pop Princess) and also get her nails done. The where were to her, telling her fun stories about the pricenss and tinker bell. Wendy and Peter stopped by while we were there too! They even convienced Sara to do her hair too. Annie picked her hairstyle (same as her's ) and the twins finished their make over with fun pictures. They both got tons of complements the rest of the day.
After lunch and a few more rides it was time to see the pricesses. They have the Royal Walk where there are about 4 pincesses. You do not know which ones are there when you get in line. The whole time we hoped Ariel was there-and she was! She was the first one we saw. Annie was so excited. She told Ariel all about her Ariel dolls and toys and how she was a Mermaid for Halloween. Ariel was very cute and was a very good listener. Bell was also there and took a liking to Ethan since he had "Blue eyes like the Beast". She was touching his face and giving him kisses all while he smiled at her.
After the firework show we headed home. The next day was Saturday. After spending the last of our time with the Elmer's and running a few last minuted errands, we headed to Ceadar City for the night and then finaly got home Sunday night. It was a great trip full of great memories. To see all of our pictures click here. I took well over a hundred so there are many more to look at!
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