California Vacation.....FINALLY!!!!

We finally made it back to California.....oh, how we have missed everything about that place, the people, the food, and the weather:).....not so much the traffic.:(
We have been planning on this trip now for two years. Our friend came home from his mission and we decided to go to his homecoming. He is so grown up...we have not seen him in 5 years. Our trip started Friday as we drove to St. George, and stayed with our friends Brent and Lyndzi and their 3 cute children. It was a great time, thanks for everything guys!!!
On Saturday we didn't have to be any place at any particular time, so we just hung out, Mike caught up with Brent and his new business, and Lyndzi and I did the kids thing, and we got to catch up too. This was really relaxing for me, and much needed.
We then took the kids to Del Taco, and let them play before we headed out of town. We didn't know that we weren't going to stop until California, which was our destination, or I am sure we would have done a last bathroom break there. The kids did so well though. Mike had a treat, when we hit California and the kids were a little antsy, he broke out a DVD player. I didn't know about this, but it was a neat thing. I have been against these things for years, but it was okay, and the kids had limited time on it, so I justified it.
We made it to California around 6:30 their time, we had dinner with our friends, whom let us stay with them. Matt and Deborah, are amazing. They had chicken nuggets for the kids and made from scratch lasagna. Everything tasted so good.
They don't have children yet, and they were so kind and patient and accomodating to our kids. The next morning Ryker threw up in the bed!:( I was in the shower getting ready for church, and so he did it all over Mike and in the bed... I was numb, didn't know what to tell them, and they were so nice, and we helped them put it in the washer. They didn't say anything, but "no problem." They were so kind.
On Sunday, we went to our old church....oh, how good it was to be back!!! Mike and I feel that we grew up out there, so it was pretty special to go back, and have the feelings we had. It was so great to see all the familiar faces we just loved and still love. I cannot believe it has been so long, 5 years, there has been a lot of changes!! We went on a ride around Long Beach, up to the mall, around certain rodes, parks, and places where we spent a lot of time. Then we went to Scooters homecoming dinner and hung out with his family for a while. It was too fun!!! It was perfect weather, we sat around their pool, and chatted the afternoon away!!! I really love that family:)
Then we were invited to a family dinner. We had a family who adopted us into theirs.....we really like to be part of it. It was like we never left. Sure kids have gotten older, but it was the same.....so much fun and love. Ryker was not feeling the best, so I am sad that they didn't get to see his personality. Hailey jumped right in with all of the boys....so fun to see. We love our family parties, and miss them. Thanks for everything. The food was great and the people and catching up was awesome.
On Monday, we were presented with something we didn't know was happening. When we lived out there I was a Beehive leader in the Young Womens, well I really got close to a few girls and hated to leave them....Katie was one of them. She is now older and so beautiful, and she works at Disneyland. She signed us in for both parks, and got my kids hats!!! We were so thrilled. My kids did not know what to think. I have not spoken much about Disneyland, because I knew that it might not happen, and did not want to get there little hopes up. Katie made my dreams come true. Many times in the day I got teary eyed and had to choke it down, to see them have fun and love the magic was just so much fun. They loved everything about that place, and so did I. We rode Peter Pan with Katie, and then she had to go take a nap. We then rode Pirates, tow mater ride, the bumper cars, nemo, teacups, dumbo, peter pan again, and pirates again. We waited for winnie the pooh, but it broke twice while we were in line....sad, but we did get to see Katie working, she is too fun!!!
We ended the trip with Hof's Hut a local place to eat, and Ryker threw up in the car but we didn't let that stop us from getting to the beach and getting to see Mikes old work and friends at his old office. We went to Seal Beach where we have so many memories of bon fires, and watching the ocean. Hailey loved the beach and could pick sea shells all day if we let her. She is for sure a California Girl! Ryker saw the sand and said "this is the biggest sand box eber!" He loved to dig and dig and gather shells as well. We loved the feeling of riding down the coast and knowing that our life used to be there. I love that the kids were able to love the beach......like I did.
After the beach we decided to leave town, before everyone else left LA. We were still in the traffic, but we tell ourselves it would have been worse had we not left. We made it to Mesquite at 10:00 Pm. We decided to stay at a hotel. I was so sleepy and not a good co captian, and the kids were out! We stayed the night, and woke up and went to St. George, just in time to clean up more throw up. I was sad that Ryker was sick the whole time. He did so well though. We picked up Mikes phone charger and was on the way home. I fell asleep off and on the whole time. The kids were talking to Mike and helping out, so this time I didn't feel bad when I drifted into another world.
We made it home just in time to put the turkey in the fridge and go grocery shopping for the fresh veggies we needed for a thanksgiving dinner. We did all the laundry and folded most and went to sleep after showers and baths in our own beds. Tonight was the first fire in our fireplace, oh, I love to listen to that crackle!!!
Stay tuned for picture overload, thanksgiving, and more!