Road trip heading east

After dropping the kids off at LAX and watching their plane depart Justin and I started our travels east.  First stop was the Hoover Dam.  We made it right before the parking deck closed and were able to walk around some.  Boy was it HOT!  We couldn't go in the visitor center but read the signs and took some pictures.

I have a hard time staying awake if I am a passenger in a car.  It puts me right to sleep!  I had a great nap on the way from LAX to the dam.  

 An airplane and the moon rising on our way into St George, UT.

On the road to San Diego and the Zoo

After going to Disney, we picked up Justin's car from the LA port.  We spent some time loading the new car top carrier and getting the car packed.  We have a few bags (read: over packed)!  But when you are not going to have a house and are going to live out of a bag for 6+ weeks then it happens. 

 When we got to San Diego we stayed with my friend from second grade, Megan.  It was great to see her and meet her boys.  The next morning we headed to the Zoo.  We had a great time checking out all the animals.

 This was most of the bags!  We rented a 4 door full size truck (it was WAY cheaper than a minivan).

 They all fell asleep on the drive to San Diego.  Disney was fun but wore us out!

 Will enjoyed sitting outside cuddling with Megan's dog.

 Brand new baby giraffe only 3 weeks old.

After the zoo we drove back to LA to get the kids ready for their solo flight back to NC.
The couple of days in LA were helpful in breaking up the 6 hour time change getting to NC has.

Disney California Adventure Park

Day 2 we went across the way to Disney California Adventure park.  The whole reason we planned our move to come through Southern California is so we could go to Cars Land.  Both boys have been completely obsessed with the Cars movies and they are the perfect ages to still enjoy this.  

It was a cloudy cool morning again the second day which was perfect!  We bounced from DCA to Disneyland and back the second day.  Crowds were super light in the morning so we did everything we wanted to do and then went back over to Disneyland to hit up favorites from the day before and then back to DCA to watch the lighting of the neon in Cars land.

 Will trying to pull out the sword in the stone.

 Family picture after the neon signs were lit.  It was the coolest thing.  The music from the movie "Life is a Dream" started and then the neon signs were lit one at a time starting from the end of the street.  Just like in the movie.  We were sitting on a bench waiting for this to happen and Will leans over to me and says, "I didn't think it was real.  But it really is real!"  He thought it was so cool and after all the lights came on he wanted us to take a picture of everyone!

 This ride was my favorite in the whole place!  Nobody we know is in that car but just the level of detail that Disney puts into everything is always amazing to me.  This ride later had over a 2 hour wait!!

 Justin took the big kids on the super roller coaster, California Screamin', then when they didn't want to do it again but Justin did, I got the chance to go with him.  We parked the kids on a bench overlooking the water and ride, gave them Justin's phone, and got in line.  They did great and it was fun to ride with Justin.

 Pluto thought it was neat that Eric had him on his shirt!

 We were in line for a picture with Mater but he left 2 people before our turn.

 No worries though!  Lightning was next!

 All the neon lit up!

 Everyday the kids always wanted to do one more ride when we told them it was time to go.  Justin and I were TIRED!

It was a magical 2 days and we could not have asked for a better Disney experience!!

Disneyland

We landed in Los Angeles Saturday afternoon.  After getting our rental truck (not a car, we had too many bags) and getting to the hotel, we all went to bed.  We had gotten up at 4am so jet lag was not a issue thank goodness!  The next morning we got up early and headed 7 miles down the road to Disneyland!!!

It was an amazingly great day.  We spent 14 hours in the park and went home tired but happy.  The kids were the perfect ages.  We didn't have a stroller or kid carrier, they were tall enough to ride everything, and wanted to!  Justin carried a backpack with our refillable water bottles. And the best part was Eric was able to walk the entire day!!  My phone said we walked 25,000 steps and the kids did amazing.  Not one request to go to the hotel pool either!  A great success!

 Prime parade watching spot.

 We lucked out with the weather too.  The high was 73 the whole time we were in LA.  We all wore jackets!!

 Sleeping Beauty's castle

 I do not do spinning rides.  Good thing I have a husband that will!  The kids loved the teacups and I loved watching them.  Check out Justin's face in the picture.

 Several rides Eric wanted to ride in the front seat.  That's not always possible but he's a brave 5 year old!

 Another highlight was the Jedi training academy.  The kids all got a chance to train to fight a bad guy.  As you can imagine they loved it!  Eric is getting is lightsaber below.

 

 Will and caroline practicing their moves.

 Caroline battling Darth Vader!

 Will defeating the dark side!

 Eric dodging an attack from Darth.

 After making their own lightsabers, they were thrilled to meet a storm trooper.

Saying Goodbye

The last few days in Hawaii flew by!  We had VBS every morning and fun activities in the afternoon with friends.  

One night while waiting for a table at a restaurant, a stranger walked by and told me I needed to take a picture of my family.  So I did!

                                             

The housekeeper at the hotel arranged the kids' lovies like this after changing the linens.  They thought it was great.

One afternoon we went to iTrampoline with friends.  Everyone had a blast!

And the tears when you have to say good bye!

Friday night we went to our friends, the Phillips, for dinner.  It was nice to not have to eat out and sad farewells.

We had a beautiful double rainbow to bid us farewell as we boarded out flight.

Aloha Hawaii!  We will miss you.