~CaLiFoRnIa 2019~

This was a trip for the books. And I'm so sad it is already done and we've been home two weeks now. Also a bummer that is intensifying my desire to be back on this vacation stems from the snow flurries we received last weekend, and the fact that we've had sicknesses in our home since we flew home.

This trip had been planned for over a year, and it was such a joy to go and celebrate Trav's grandmother's 80th birthday with all his Uncles/Aunts, and other family. 

Grandma Eileen, you rock! 

She walked over 20,000 steps each Disney day. 

She rode EVERY crazy ride we did. 

Yes, that includes Guardians,

the incredicoaster,

Matterhorn,

etc.

For us, we flew into Cali and spent the first few days enjoying our time with some of our favorite California relations. The best parts would definitely be watching Addie water the flowers with the flamingo watering can, assisted by Cousin Derek. And the other was getting to have Travis go out on a bike ride with his Uncle Lee.... and they found a "friend" along the way!! 

We enjoyed a few days at the beach, two days of Disneyland, dinners out with family, and then to end the trip on a high note, we ended up renting an AMAZING beach house for the same cost of us getting hotel rooms! There was a rooftop bbq and fire where we enjoyed dinner in the sunset, and wonderful company until bed. In the morning we were able to take the beach cruisers around before checking out, going to Ruby's for breakfast, and then sitting at the airport for a few hours and starting a miserable trip home (miserable because 1. We left the iPad at the Uncle's house 2. It was a late night flight 3. We bought the wrong converter for the headphones/only had one pair 4. Addie... just ADDIE in general!!!!). Side note: God could see we were done and just trying to get home; he threw us a bone and the flight was just over an hour shorter on the the way home. 

Blessings!!! 

He got to wear a birthday pin all around Disneyland, and
loved it.

We finally met Susan's daughter, Leah
and it was an instant friendship.

Her first time to the beach did NOT disappoint!

The ONLY time she fell asleep and it was just before we
were getting back to the car to go to lunch....
She was a beasty toddler on this trip. 

But she takes after her dad; the beach is definitely her happy place

I hope I never forget how I felt watching her take in
all that the beach had to offer her

a VAN.... we rented a VAN! 

We came off the Pirates ride and that was the first
moment we ran into our family:)
The kids (and us as well), really felt the Disney magic in that moment

Her FAVORITE ride was DUMBO. Travis
said she screamed and screamed when
she had to leave

Meeting Captain America

The view from Trav's bike ride

First mins at the beach

The "friend" they met!!

New Disney pj's from Gma Lori

I didn't even ask them to pose... they are just becoming friends!
This was Aaron's first time on Indiana Jones.
I asked Maddix if he enjoyed it again and he replied, "I love it as long as I can
plug my ears, and close my eyes so I don't hear or see anything." 

Rooftop view! 

 Some of our family members were built for travel, and handle it so well. 

Other members... really put us through the ringer this trip :D

Gpa Vaughn was always the first to volunteer to
skip a ride and hold a baby.... :)

The "Dab" as it looks to each member of the ride

Happy 80th bday Gma Eileen!
Thank you for all you've given us
and done for your family! 

I had separated from them and saw their picture
about to be taken so I came sprinting over and
jumped in for the picture at the last second!

I just have to say how AWESOME my kids are. Maddix kept his hands up the ENTIRE ride. And Aaron, he rode this one multiple times and was so awesome each time. I just LOVE his face this time around :D