CALIFORNIA.....

We surprised the boys and took them to California. It was such a fun surprise. Mike and I were both so excited to tell them. We love California and Disneyland. It was really like waiting for Christmas morning. It is hard for me to keep a secert, but I did it and it was so worth it. We did it to them 2 1/2 years ago and it was so much fun, so we decided to do it again.

We left the Tuesday after Labor Day. I went and picked up car pool and told Cole were going with Dad to a job at the airport. Mike has had a job at the airport, so Cole didn't even think twice about it. We came home and grabbed Mike and the other 2 boys. Little did they know- we had our luggage all packed in the back. We pulled up and were parking the car and the shuttle bus came right behind us, so we told them the news. They both screamed and couldn't believe it. Of course Cole is our thinker- He said"How can we go? We aren't packed. I can't miss school." it was hilarious. Jayce just kept saying " We are going right now? Right now?" We got on the shuttle and caught our flight and off we went to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Here are the Thing 1 and Thing 2 on the shuttle bus. They couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces.

That night we got in late and they were all 3 wired. They were dancing and playing.

Day #1- BEACH
It was the perfect Beach Day. We love the Beach. It is one of our favorite places. Zander loved the sand. I thought he would try to eat it, but he just played in and was in heaven.

I could watch these 4 playing in the water all day. It was so fun.

Here is a Star fish. They were all over. It was so cool. Our friends use to live in California, so when we use to go out and visit them, they showed us some fun beaches. This beach is our favorite. It is called Aliso Beach. It is beautiful.

The boys made friends with 2 little boys from Germany. They had so much fun with them. They had a body board, so Mike of course asked to barrow it. He was like a little kid out there.He loves the Ocean.

It was such a fun beach day. We spent all day just playing and relaxing. We came back to the hotel and cleaned up and had pizza delivered.

The boys at their own little table.

Zander eating his pizza relaxing on the couch.

Day #2- Disneyland
Today was our first day at Disneyland. We were all so excited. We asked the boys what ride they wanted to ride first and of course it was Splash Mountain.
Here is Zander waiting for his brothers.

Me and my baby. He looks so big to me. Not a baby anymore.

Here they came off the ride. So excited. You can tell by the picture- no one was there, so we went on it over and over again. It was so great. We got spoiled with no lines.

Cole and Daddy went on Indiana Jones and Zander was asleep, so Jaycer and I went and saw Jasmine and Aladin.

Zander was such a great baby. He slept when he was tired and was happy pretty much the whole time. He is a people watcher. He would just sit in his stroller and watch. It is pretty entertaining.

Woody came right up to Zander and played with him for a while. Zander didn't know what to think.

That night we met up with our friends the Slacks. They have boys our boys exact ages and they get along so great. It was alot of fun to be with them.

Whit, Jace, Jayce and Cole.

Zander was obsessed with climbing the bunk- bed ladder at the hotel. So the boys played along with him. He scared us to death. He is so fast at climbing.

Day #3- Disneyland and Yankee Game.
We had another great day. They boys did awesome. We spent most of our day in California Adventure.

We left a little early to head to the baseball game. This was a big reason why we went when we did.
The Yankees were playing the Angels. We are huge Yankee fans and Mike wanted to take the boys to a Yankee game for a while now. We had so much fun. We of course had to go 2 hours early for batting practice.

Love this picture of the 3 of them watching and hoping for a foul ball. Zee slept, so I just watched.

Mike got us great seats. He really spoiled us- we were on the 4th row. We love Derek Jeter. Such a huge fan. And I am really not kidding, but he waved at us and smiled. Zander was wearing a Jeter shirt and I held him up and Zander waved.

Mike was all smiles. He loves his Yankees. It was fun to watch him. He was pretty happy.

We ended up losing in the bottom of the 9th by 1 point. Our friends are Angels fans. They are really Boston Fans, but anything to cheer against the Yankees. It was fun. Rob teased the boys about the Yankees losing the rest of the trip.

Day #4- Disneyland

We headed over to California to be the first ones to Toy Story. It ended up raining on us pretty good, but then it cleared up and it was a beautiful day.

The boys being so tuff with their 3D glasses. These are what they picked for their souvenirs. Jayce a buzz light year gun and Cole a Etch a Sketch.

We went back to the hotel and had Zander take a nap and the boys went swimming. We also watched the BYU game. Disneyland closed at Midnight, so we knew it was going to be a late night. It was a nice little break.
The boys were excited and ready to back. It was so fun. They rode Spalsh Mountain over and over again. We also love Big Thuder railroad. We were riding it when the fireworks were going off. It was so cool.

They were dancing...

Even Zee was wired. He is laughing here- not crying.

Our last picture right before we left. It was late and we were tired. The boys did great. It was after 11. They were all troopers and had a great time. I was worried Zanders age would be hard, but he was great. Cole and Jayce are little Disneyland pro's. They know where things are better then we do. They love it and were such good boys.

Day #5- Church and San Diego
We slept in and then went to church in Newport. There was nice chapel right next to the Temple. After church we went over to the temple and walked around. It was so pretty.

The boys walking with Zander.

Me and my sweetheart.

After church we drove to San Diego for the rest of our vacation.We went to see Janae, Carter and Raolins.
We met them at Bolboa park. They were having a special interfaith in honor of 911. It was really neat. They had all religions speak and sing. At the end, they asked if any kids wanted to go up and sing. Jayce pretty much ran up there. He is so brave and so funny. So proud of him.

Balboa Park was beautiful. We had a great time.

Zander has to much fun with Daddy.

Then we couldn't get him to wake up. He was exhausted.

Day #6 - BEACH
We hit a couple beaches. The first one was out in Cornado. It was still early in the morning and not super warm yet, but we had fun.

Cole found a sand dollar. We couldn't believe it, so we all went looking for some. We hit the jack pot. We ended up finding 14. Cole was so proud. He is just like my Mom. My mom loves to find stuff on the beach and will look for hours. Cole does the exact same thing.

That afternoon we went to La Jolla Beach. It is another one of our favorites. It was such a pretty day.
The boys buried us. They thought it was so funny.

We built a Sand Castle.

Buried Jaycer.

Zander woke up from his nap and was so happy. I think he just loved being with dad all day everyday. It doesn't get better then that.

He conquered walking and decided to run on the beach.

He also did Yoga- Downward Dog. It was so funny.

So beautiful. The clouds were amazing.

Love my 4 boys.

Day #7- Mormon Battalion

This was the best picture I could get of these 2 together. They are both so fast and don't want to sit still.
Such cute cousins and only 2 months apart.

We went to the Mormon Battalion. It was awesome. The boys loved learning about it. I learned alot of things I didn't know.

Zanders smile for the camera. He closes his eyes and smiles.

All dressed up and ready for war.

Aunt Janae with the boys.

We had to say goodbye and head back to Long Beach to fly home. We always hate saying goodbye to Janae. We always have so much fun. We love her and her cute family. They are so good to us. The flight home was great and we were all home and in our own beds about midnight.

We had such a wonderful trip. I think what I liked most was just being with Mike and the boys all day everyday. I have missed Cole and Jayce since they started school. It was nice to be with my sweet little family. I love them so much and I am so grateful we could go and make such wonderful memories.