An early Christmas present came to the Erskine family. We took our kids to Newport Beach, CA where we were able to go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea World, and the beach. Thanks to my Mom and Dad who were a huge part in making this happen...they were the ones who let us use their Newport Beach time-share! We left the day after Thanksgiving, spent a couple days in St. George, and then drove to Newport (note to everyone...never, EVER drive from Vegas to California on a Holiday weekend!! It took 12 hours...just to get from Vegas to Newport...ouch!) Despite the long drive, we had so much fun together as a family! It was great that Grandma and Grandpa could join us for part of the time, and it was fun meeting up with the Morris's (our neighbors from home) and the Bray's (neighbors from home that just moved to Laguna Beach)! We were able to play, eat good food (our favorites were The Crab Cooker, Cheesecake Factory, and of course, In & Out Burger), relax and just enjoy being together as a family with none of the everyday interruptions (ie. work, phone, housework, etc...) It goes down in our book as one of the best family vacations ever...we loved every minute of it...yes, even the 12 hour car ride!!! :) Here are some of the highlights of our trip!UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
We practically had the place to ourselves...it was fun to run from ride to ride and wait in no lines!
Emery and I shared a BIG chocolate cookie!
We did the Universal Tour...and when jaws came out of the water...Emery had a meltdown! She did NOT enjoy one bit of that tour. To be honest, I thought it was kinda boring...but I remembered loving it as a kid. Oh well.
Jurassic Park and the Mummy ride were definitely our favorites!!!
Brielle and "Chuckie"....eeeeww!
I have a picture of Jason in this Raiders uniform, too....blackmail for my Cowboys fans! :)
The night was so pretty!
DISNEYLAND & CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
The Happiest Place On Earth!!
Small World at Christmas time is awesome!
Grandma and Grandpa and the kids!
We loved all the rides...especially Space Mountain and Tower of Terror! (even Emery went on those...she didn't know what she got herself into...he he!)
Grandpa was the only one willing to get dizzy on the tea cups with Caden and Brielle (this is someone who threw up after a ride on the teeter-totter in his back yard with Caden)! Way to take one for the team, Grandpa! :)
I stood in line with Emery for hours to see all the characters and the princesses! I love the look on her face in every picture...she wasn't quite sure what to think!
We had to stuff Brielle's shoes with napkins so she was tall enough to go on the Screamer at California Adventure! (It didn't make her tall enough, but nobody paid attention and we were able to sneak her on anyway...yay!)
Two long days at Disneyland and California Adventure wore us right out...but we had sooo much fun and can't wait to do it again!
Small World at Christmas time is awesome!
Grandma and Grandpa and the kids!
We loved all the rides...especially Space Mountain and Tower of Terror! (even Emery went on those...she didn't know what she got herself into...he he!)
Grandpa was the only one willing to get dizzy on the tea cups with Caden and Brielle (this is someone who threw up after a ride on the teeter-totter in his back yard with Caden)! Way to take one for the team, Grandpa! :)
I stood in line with Emery for hours to see all the characters and the princesses! I love the look on her face in every picture...she wasn't quite sure what to think!
We had to stuff Brielle's shoes with napkins so she was tall enough to go on the Screamer at California Adventure! (It didn't make her tall enough, but nobody paid attention and we were able to sneak her on anyway...yay!)
Two long days at Disneyland and California Adventure wore us right out...but we had sooo much fun and can't wait to do it again!
NEWPORT BEACH AND BALBOA ISLAND
My kids had a blast looking for sea shells on the beach. They came home with tons!!
Caden was standing here watching the waves crash on the beach, and unexpectedly, one crashed too close to him and got him all wet. It was pretty funny!
We found the Grizwalds house on Balboa Island! I would have liked to see this thing all lit up!
My cute parents!
My kids had a blast looking for sea shells on the beach. They came home with tons!!
Caden was standing here watching the waves crash on the beach, and unexpectedly, one crashed too close to him and got him all wet. It was pretty funny!
We found the Grizwalds house on Balboa Island! I would have liked to see this thing all lit up!
My cute parents!
SEA WORLD
We all had fun petting the dolphins...
and feeding the sea lions,
and watching the penguins swim...
and the parade of flamingos!?!
When the sun came out it was actually quite nice...but it didn't stay out long. The kids still had fun swimming and playing chess on the giant game board. It was nice to relax by the pool!
They even made it snow...we felt so at home!! :)
We met up with the Morris's (our friends from home) and spent the day together in Sea World!
Our favorite show was definitely Shamu and the whales! All the boys sat close to the front and got DRENCHED!! They were freezing cold the rest of the day! Our next favorite show was the Pet Show. It's amazing what they can train dogs, cats, and even pigs to do...now if they could just train my husband...just kidding, Jason! :)
We all had fun petting the dolphins...
and feeding the sea lions,
and watching the penguins swim...
and the parade of flamingos!?!
FINALLY, A DAY OF R&R!
When the sun came out it was actually quite nice...but it didn't stay out long. The kids still had fun swimming and playing chess on the giant game board. It was nice to relax by the pool!
And then it was time to say goodbye to a little slice of heaven...(sigh)...and a family vacation we will remember forever!!
9 comments:
Ok lucky ducks did all of that at one time....you guys are sooo much fun we had a blast with you guys in st george last weekend, we need too for sure do that again soon...every time i think of you our margo i cant help but just smile..you guys are so much fun
Thanks Susan for the above compliment!!! Heee heee heee. What a fun trip. Do you remember that we had the same problem driving from st. George to San Diego Easter weekend. It was a joke! I love Emery with all the characters -- you can tell she is trying to keep her distance. LOL I'm so glad your family got to go have a much needed break. Next time we will be right there with ya.
Oh, I am so jealous! We need a vacation so bad.
It looks like you did it all! :)
That looks like a blast. Im so jealous. There really is something magical about those places...especially Disneyland. Even I get so excited when I get to go. The pictures of your girls with the Princess's are soooo cute! Glad you had fun.
That looks soooo much fun!!! LUCKY!! My kids has been waiting for their California Trip. Maybe next year!! Cute pictures!! SO FUN!!
CHOICE pictures! You created memories for a lifetime on that one! Gotta go...can't wait to see the Halloween pics below@#$%^ Love the posts!
Oh, it looks like such a great trip! You did so many fun things. I'm jealous beyond words. :)
Isn't Pixie Hollow just about the cutest thing ever? I loved that so much.
what a fun Trip. Wow, you did a lot! So much fun i am sure you kids LOVED it.
How fun! Loved seeing the pics and it sort of reminded me of our trip for graduation. I have no idea why..but it did! Ohhh that was soo long ago!
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