California Day 5: The real beach - Huntington

We could NOT go to California without going to the beach. I have been begging Brett for months to go to somewhere. It is one of my favorite places ever. Every time I go to California, I remember when my family would go to San Diego. I was little, but I remember my Aunt Paula spending hours and staying up late braiding Jaci, Kenzi, and my hair into the tiny little braids all over, so that we didn't have to worry about doing our hair all the time. I remember falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the waves. I remember waking up really early when it was still dusky and looking for sea shells before they were all picked through. I remember going to La Jolla and playing with all the creatures in the tide pools and seeing the sea lions in the cove. I also remember playing in the water and the waves almost sucking me out to sea and me falling on the not so sandy beach and getting scratches all over (not one of my fondest memories).

We got up in good time and headed to Huntington Beach. I had only ever been to Mission and La Jolla beach up by San Diego and those aren't nearly as busy as this one. We went out on the pier and saw sea lions swimming all around. I guess the fishermen aren't too happy when they are around, because they will steal the fish off their lines, but I thought it was neat. 

After that we ate at Ruby's out on the end of the pier. It was super busy, even though  it is the slow time of the year. But the food was delicious and you definitely got a plenty of food for your money.

After that we headed out to the beach. Brett told me that Huntington Beach is where all the surfers go, because it has some of the best waves.  And even though it is winter, there were so many surfers!

No one though that I would get in the water, because it is really cold, but I can't go to the beach without playing in the water a little. It was freezing, but it was a blast.  Brett even came out to play a little. He's such a good sport.

Then we rented these little cart things. They were like a four person bike. It was kind of weird, but fun at the same time. We returned the bikes, explored the shops a little, then went home to relax in the hot tub. Brett was a good sport and got in the big pool, even though it was a little bit cold. Him and Addie wrestled the snake/pool vacuum and she thought it was the funnest thing ever.

California Day 4: Santa Anita

This was probably the coolest thing I've gone to in a long time. We all went to Santa Anita to watch the horse races. I've never really seen a horserace...unless you count the one time I saw a race at the track in Parowan when I was little. The stadium was amazing the scenery was beautiful, and the horses were GORGEOUS! I will work there someday...(joking)

There was also a wine tasting event there, so I decided to try and branch out. I wasn't as adventurous as I thought I would be, but hey....I tried right!

Brett and I weren't going to bet, but he caved. And on the first race he won like $45. We decided we would keep betting until the race was over or we spent the money we had won. We ended up breaking even at the end of the day.

To anyone that hasn't been to a horse race....GO! It was so much fun to read about the horses. And even if you don't gamble, it is a fun atmosphere and you can always just bet for fun.

California Day 3: California Adventure

Today was the day that I finally caved. I have been so worried about my leg hurting because of my sciatica. I can hardly walk 5 minutes without it bothering me. Brett had been telling me for weeks that we should just rent a wheelchair. I did really well yesterday, but today I was hurting. As embarrassing as it was for me, I got over it and it really was better to be pushed around than to be hurting and miserable the whole time. Even "Elsa" wanted to push me and go for a ride.

I can't believe how amazing my husband is. I was really upset when we went to get the chair and had to spend a few minutes in the bathroom composing myself. He never once complained about pushing me around the entire park and all he could talk about was how he was glad that I was having a good time and not hurting. He makes everything so much more fun because he is always excited to do things and is so positive. We are like little kids together and it is amazing to me that I was able to find someone like him. I may be bias, but I feel like we have a lot more fun that a lot of people our age, because we aren't afraid to be silly and have fun.

I think it is safe to say Carsland was a big favorite. It was just like walking into the movie.

 They had parades every night. We didn't sit and watch a full one, but they were fun to walk past and see all the dancing and singing.

 The Tower of Terror

 Walking through California Adventures. Even though there weren't really any fun adult rides in Bug's Life, I thought it was one of the coolest places in the park. Again...like walking into the movie.

 Brett and I at the "boardwalk" in California Adventures.

 I had only ever been on an old wooden one that was on a boardwalk, but Screamin' California was the first roller coaster that I have ever been on that went upside down. It was so funny cause I was doing my "nervous, but it's kind of fun laugh the whole time". After that we all went down to the shops and the boys played some of the games.

 Addie wanted everyone to go and see the Little Mermaid ride. It is so funny how they cram an entire movie's worth into a 15 minute little ride. This is us in a clam shell :)

 After being at California Adventures, we headed back over to Disneyland for some of the rides we missed yesterday. We went on the Jungle River adventure and of course we couldn't not go on the Indiana Jones Ride. That one was probably one of my favorites.

 Brett and I were the only ones who really wanted to go on the riverboat. I knew it wouldn't be exciting, but I have wanted to go on a real one in the Mississippi for a long time, so I thought it would be kind of fun.

California Day 2: The "beach"

Donna didn't want Addie to know that we were going to Disneyland. Dani and Ray had talked to her about it so that she knew what it was and she said that she wanted to go there someday. Donna wanted to surprise her right at the gates, so code name for Disneyland for the first day and the first part of this morning was "the beach". We all had to wear our Mickey and Minnie shirts to go to "the beach."

We got to the gates a little early and I think Donna was so excited she couldn't wait any longer and finally told Addie where we were. It was the cutest....EVER! Then she cried after cause the gates weren't open and we couldn't go inside yet ha ha.

Addie got to go to the Bippidy Bop Boutique and was transformed into Elsa from Frozen. She would go around freezing everyone (mostly Casey) and having Tayler and Donna pretend with her. She is so cute sometimes I can't even handle it. Poor Keith has broken ribs, so he spent most of the time hanging out with little Easton-ater. He is such a good baby. Never even fussed once!

                        It wouldn't be Disneyland without Minnie ears!             Brett and Easton at the Frozen play

 First time Brett ever heard/saw the whole Frozen story. He's not an Elsa fan

                                                                       In line for Peter Pan

                At the Golden Horseshoe Stage                       They put on a hilarious play

 Brett, me, Tayler, and Casey on Pirates of the Carribean

Louisiana Square 

                 Casey and Tayler probably hated me for it, but I am a huge Finding Nemo fan, so I had to go on the ride!

 Brett was so excited to go see Inovations. We didn't get a picture of the robot ASIMO, but we did get Ironman

After our fun filled day at "the beach" Brett, Casey, Tayler, and I headed to a women's college basketball game. Tayler's old SUU basketball coach had moved to a new college and her new team was playing a game in the area. Tayler scored us free tickets, so I thought why not! I'm not much into sports, but it was fun to get out and do something. After the game, Casey and Tayler stayed to visit with some of her old friends while Brett and I went and go the car. Well California is stupid and once we left the parking lot, there was a security guard that wouldn't let us in the direction we needed to go to pick them up. So we had to leave the campus and go all the way around to where we came into the game, which was quite the excursion. After the game we stopped at some hole in the wall burrito and chicken joint haha. It was actually pretty good food and we were starving after our fun filled day of adventures.

California: Day 1

For a while now I have been talking about how Donna bough us all a trip to Disneyland for Christmas. Well we finally made it! Donna made us all shirts to wear and they are freaking adorable!!!!

After hours in the car we finally made it to the condo we are staying in. It is one of the cutest places I have ever seen. I would kill to live here! But I bet it is super expensive being as cute as it is and being within walking distance of Disneyland.

Sunday Fun-day

Brett has really gotten into helping me practice with my concealment weapon and shooting. So for New Years, we went out and did some "practical pistol drills". It is intense when he gets talking to you about it, but it make sense. As much as it is scary to think about someone attacking you, how they would do it, and how you would respond it is really helpful. And it makes sense that you would need to practice until it all becomes second nature, because in the heat of the moment you would fall back to instinct.  Plus it is fun to go shoot ;)