California Dreamin'

As a family we have made a tradition of going to California at least once every year. When Kenzie was two, we decided to make it a tradition of going to Disneyland for our kids third birthday...right before their birthday, so we didn't have to pay for them. Well, Jenna turned three in August, and I wasn't going to go to Disneyland in August, so we decided to pay and go in November instead. We went to the beach on Saturday and I have to say, it was a beautiful day at the beach!

Caleb loved the beach...he was fun to watch in the sand. He was fascinated by the waves but he sure howled when the water got him!

This was before he realized that there was sand under him......and this was after.

We stayed with Uncle Bob and Aunt Liz while we were there and the girls fell in love again. They're already asking to go back and visit.

Here's Aunt Liz and Jenna on the beach.

Kenzie was absolutely terrified of the ocean waves the last time we visited the beach. So much so that she cried if she could so much as see the waves. Not so this time. She was full on sitting in the water waiting for the waves to come and get her. (She had the swim suit full of sand to prove it!)

Running from the waves

Our cute kids!

After playing in the water we went over to the pier (we were in Santa Barbara) to fish for some crabs. We've had great luck in the past catching crabs, but the fishing that day was not so hot. The girls really wanted to catch one though, so we were excited and relieved when we caught this one. (If you can't see it, it's because it's only about an inch around.)

Uncle Bob and Caleb on the Peir in Santa Barbara

Then we went on the pirate cruise...

...and saw the sea lions...

...and the girls got to drive the boat. (Jenna wouldn't stay up there long enough for me to get a video) I think it was lucky that we didn't hit anything with how well she's paying attention!

And then we went to the Santa Barbara Zoo. It was a very full and very fun day.

And on Monday...DISNEYLAND!!!

Kenzie had been talking about it for days and Jenna tried to be excited, but didn't have a clue what Disneyland was. I think it exceeded both of their expectations. Jenna's favorite ride was the carousel, and Kenzie's was whatever we happened to have just ridden. Her statement ever time was "can we do it again?" She acually loved the roller coasters, which surprised me a little. She rode the Matterhorn and Space Mountain both twice and loved Splash Mountain. Jenna rode the Matterhorn and hated it! She was begging to get off at the end. We made up for that and rode the carousel three times.

Caleb loved the Nemo ride

Both girls were so excited to ride on Dumbo

Waiting for the Buzz Lightyear ride

And of course, there was meeting the celebrities. We didn't meet any of the princesses this time, but we did see them in the parade. They got to meet Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter, Woody and Jesse, and Mary Poppins and Bert. They also got to dance with Pluto and Mickey's band.

And at the end of the day, Jenna and Caleb were very excited and happy to play with the Disney toys in the shop while waiting for Kenzie to go on Space Mountain (twice).

We had a very full and exciting day. Kenzie and Jenna both fell asleep during the fireworks show and Caleb had already been gone for an hour. It was an adventure for Aaron and I to transport three sleeping children to the garage! What a great vacation!