When we moved to Washington Michael and I understood that we wouldn't be able to travel at all the first year while he built up his vacation. When midwinter break came around and Michael had a work trip planned the same week I was really sad. I had been looking forward to going back to California all year. One night I was feeling overwhelmed and sad about the situation so I made a plan and committed to taking the kids to California on my own. After a week things fell into place and Michael said he was going to come with us!! Austin and his dog Beau tagged along also.
Our drive down was LONG! Our 8 hour day turned into 12 hours of traffic and rain with lots of potty stops. It was stressful and exhausting. The next 8 hours went by a lot better and we got to Bakersfield in 10 hours. The kids were so good!!
We stopped at a McDonalds and got a fun happy meal toy that kept the kids entertained and me laughing.
The first stop in California was In-N-Out! Too good!
Olivia carried Walt to Oma and Opa's front door haha! This trip triggered something in Olivia and all of a sudden she went from a little girl to a mature little girl. She was helpful and obedient and didn't whine at all! It was incredible!
Emily opened the door and Beau ran to her and peed!! hahaha It was so funny!!
Oma was on her Grandma game and had all the fun activities pulled out for the kids.
After church on Sunday we sat in the back yard and played while we enjoyed the warm sun. It was heavenly!
I played down on the couch with Ellanore and took a nice Sunday nap.
The drive from Seattle to Bakersfield is such a beautiful drive compared to the drive from Idaho to Bakersfield. There were hundreds of almond orchards in full bloom. We took full advantage and had a little photo shoot with Emily after our Sunday naps.
Oma brought out all our old dance costumes and the girls had so much fun playing dress up.
We had almost everyone in my family together on Sunday. We missed Rachael and Jake and hopefully we can be all together soon.
Walt woke up before me one morning and decided it was time for his work out haha.
Monday we headed down to my Grandmas house. Before we left on our big trip Olivia wanted to see Grandmas secret elevator and basement. She talked about it for a week and reminded me often so I wouldn't forget. She was really happy to give the dumb waiter a try.
I love everything about my Grandmas house. Every time we visit I am flooded with memories that make me so happy. Her floors and walls bring back memories of warm summer days running around playing with my cousins or walking down this hall Ellanore is sitting in to get the Grandma's Store in the garage. I always love spending time with my Grandma, its probably one of the hardest parts of living far away.
There was no way we could be in Orange County and not see all our friends. Walt had been talking for weeks about seeing his best friend Bradley. The two picked up right where they left off.
As we left my grandmas house I started crying and I cried for and hour and a half straight to Orange County. When we first moved I commented how much I missed California but the longer we live here the harder I try not to make comments like that because the kids picked up on it and always said how they wanted to go back. Now with out any prompting Walt on a regular basis says how much he missed Orange County.
I have never been on a vacation to Disneyland!! We have always had family close by to stay at or we would drive home that night. When we moved to OC we went 50 times and after we felt the kids were getting tired we would head home. This was a new experience for us. I loved seeing the kids take their suit cases up to the hotel room. It made it feel like a really vacation!
They were so excited to stay at a "Disneyland Hotel"! We stayed a few miles away but it was so exciting for them.
I wanted to get cute pictures of everyone in their Disney outfits but keeping kids happy was more important.
We arrived to the parking structure and as silly as it sounds it felt like home. We quickly slipped back into our old routines.
Olivia is still nervous about all the rides and Walter couldn't wait to get on the Cars rides.
We were so excited to see Lightning McQueen!
Walt made himself comfortable with his best friend!!
I was so excited to take Ellanore to the Frozen show. She sat so good through the whole straight face then clapped excitedly when everyone else did. This girl wasn't phased by any ride and simply took everything in. I think she really loved the show.
She was SO excited to see Elsa and Anna. It made me happy to see her get excited.
She just stood there looking at them then would give them a huge hug then go back to looking at them in amazement.
Olaf loved Ellanore's hair and Ellanore loved Olaf!
My Dad came to Disneyland with us!!!! The kids were so excited to have him there! It was his first trip to California Adventures.
Walt had a few tantrums in the morning and after a while I realized that he was upset because he wanted to ride the Cars ride. He has been talking about this ride since we moved. He was sad he had never ridden it because he was too small. Now that he was big enough thats all he wanted to do. I felt back because we sat in the back and he couldn't see a thing over the seats in front of us. He missed a lot of the fun parts of the ride then when the fast part at the end comes and there are a few little hills that make your stomach get butterflies he couldn't see them coming. It freaked him out. He cried and later when I asked him if he wanted to ride it again he said "No! I X the cars ride out on the map!!"
He was all smiles the rest of the day!
We saw a little 4D show called "Its Tough to be a Bug" that blows air and spits water on you. The kids did not like that! Walt kept crying he wanted to go home haha! Ellanore wasn't phased.
My mom made Ellanore this adorable mermaid tail. Baby loved it! Some how we lost it in our travels... Im really sad!!
We had so much fun with Oma, Opa, and Emmy.
Im sad I didn't get a picture with my dad in it. But at least I have one for proof that he went!
Who says Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth??!! haha this picture cracks me up!!
I love Disneyland!
It sounds so silly but it was so good to be back. Its more than rides and princesses. I love the memories I have with my kids there. I love looking back on all the videos of them laughing and having fun. I feel like I let the stresses of life get in the way of a lot of joy. Tantrums are natural but I let them overwhelm me so it brings back sweet feelings to see smiles even when there are tantrums.
This was Ellanore's first ride on Its A Small World.
When did my baby get so big!!?
Ellanore Loved seeing Minnie Mouse. There were lots of hugs!
Michael and I got in line for the Matterhorn and Walt ran up to us and got in line! We asked if he was sure he wanted to ride it and he said yes. He was so nervous once we got on the ride but after he said he didn't like it but he like the fast part and the wiggly part. I was proud of him to try something so scary. I let fear take away opportunities from me and I hope to teach my kids to be brave.
Olivia was so talkative with all the princesses. I loved seeing her be brave and talking to them.
Ellanore was so excited to show the princesses her Minnie shirt.
The moment Ellanore had been waiting for all day! She loved Airel.
Its not a trip to Disneyland without a mint julep and beignets!!
Michael and Emily had a little powder sugar war.
I don't know how well you can see them but the night before we went to Disneyland I put the kids to bed and hid in the bathroom to paint my nails. I loved how they turned out! I even got creative with an old bobbie pin to dip in the nail polish to make polkadots.
We did a lot of rides and saw a lot of characters. We got Walter to ride Thunder Mountain!!! He was so tired and probably way over stimulated for the day so he wasn't super happy about it but handled it like a champ. The kids were happy and getting tired we left the park at 9 to get the kids in bed. After they were all asleep I hurried back to close the park with my mom and sister!! We got some yummy macaroons and went on a few more rides. We shopped a little after the park closed then headed back to the hotel. Maybe in a few years we can do a girls trip to Disneyland!
Its hard to believe that my baby sister is graduating this year! She will be heading off to BYU-Idaho!!
After checking out of our hotel we headed to our beach. I love the beach. I am thinking about selling everything we own and living in a little house a few blocks from the beach. My heart was so happy to be back.
The kids happily played in the sand while Michael and I just soaked everything in.
Baby was tackled by a wave and got a little wet but luckily it was right before we left. Did I mention how cold this whole trip was? It has been in the high 80's for a few weeks but this week was in the 50's. Kinda lame but at least we saw lots of sun!
We left for this trip on Olivia's 100th day of school so we collected 100 white rocks from the beach to take back to her class.
I love little legs running on the sand.
Our last big event was lunch with a lot of my good friends in Orange County. While we were at Disneyland I got a message on Instagram from my friend Bethany saying "we have waited all week patiently, when are we going to see you?". I told her a time and place and she let our the ladies from our ward know and 8 of my friends showed up. Olivia even got to see her closest friends. Some moms took their girls out of school to come see us. My heart was full of love.
We spent the night in Bakersfield then left early Friday morning. I was sad to leave but this trip, as hard as it was to feel at home in a place that isn't home any more, helped me remember that there is a purpose for us in Seattle.
Ellanore watched frozen a few times on our trip back and she was so cute acting out most of it with her dolls.
Its nice to be back in our space and our own beds. This trip was way too short but exactly what we all needed. Im so grateful for all the fun memories we created.
HUGE shout out to Michael for supporting me in all my crazy plans. This trip was stressful with all the driving and not having our own beds and routines. Michael patiently waited while I visited with my friends and family, he quickly helped me do the things that meant the most to me, and he loved me as I cried a lot a told him how much I missed living in Orange county. I will follow Him and Heavenly Father anywhere so for now I am going to continue to do my best at finding joy and happiness as we explore and try new things in the Pacific Northwest. California sun and beaches will forever have a very special place in my heart.
