Fun California Trip!

I've been slacking on the blogging lately, and it's because we went to California for spring break.  We had a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and got to do some fun things while we were there.

First we took a trip down to the Oaks Mall.  This is the mall I grew up going to so it was fun to go and see all the work they've done on it.  And they're still doing this big renovation.  They're putting in a Nordstroms and a nice big theatre.  It will be fun to see when it's all done.  We got to visit the Easter Bunny while we were there, and he even gave the kids some fun bunny ears.  (Don't you love the mystery hands holding up Kelsey's ears...:)

Then on Tuesday and Wednesday we got the chance to go to Disneyland!!  We used to have season passes when we lived there, but now we don't get to go as often.  The kids were glad to be back!  We even got to go on the new Finding Nemo submarine ride, which was really cool!!
At California Adventure we saw a fun parade they have there.  We sat right by the entrance to where the parade was coming out!  It was great seats!!
The kids loved wearing their mickey ears, and Tyler was excited because his Uncle Bill won him this cool dolphin at the arcade!  We met up with Dave's parents who happened to be in town also, and his sister and husband were there, too.  The kids got pretty spoiled between the new pins their aunt and uncle bought for them, and the present grandma and grandpa got them.  
It was so nice because my sister lives about 30 minutes from Disneyland, so she came and picked up the two little ones on Tuesday morning while we were at California Adventure and kept them overnight and then brought them back Wed. around noon, so we got to hang out with the older ones for a while.  It was nice to be able to ride the rides and not have to do the child switch thing.  Plus the kids loved the extra attention from mom and dad!  

When we had the little ones come, Kyle saw the rockets and couldn't wait to go.  I had Kelsey and she ended up loving it!!!!
Here the kids are on the Splash Mountain ride.  Tyler always gets nervous about the big drop, but he loved it!  

We took Kyle on the Matterhorn ride for his second ride and he did NOT like it one bit!!  He was a little nervous about riding the rides after that, but he did it.  The kids all had a great time, even though the parks were a bit crowded with Spring Break.  Good thing there are Fast Passes on lots of the rides to avoid waiting in too many long lines!

On Friday, we spent the day at the Park with my two brothers and their families.  It was a beautiful day, and Kyle loved taking this bike up the little hill, and riding down fast!  I love his face in this picture!!  There were lots of other kids there, too, and Kyle started giving the other kids rides on his bike.  He is getting to be quite the tricycle rider!!
While we were at the park Dave took some of the kids on a nature hike.  They have a really cool botanical garden nature trail.  It's so fun for me to visit this park.  It's just down the street from my parents house, and I have lots of fond memories from this park!  It was fun to see Tyler playing in the creek I used to catch tadpoles in when I was a kid.  It really is a great park!
And of course Kelsey spent her time collecting all the shoes.  I don't know what it is, but she sure loves shoes!  We better watch out!
Jessica and Ashley loved spending time with their California cousins.  Here they are with their cousin Amber.  

We had such a nice time on our trip, and always love to visit Grandma and Grandpa.  Thanks so much for the fun visit, and letting us stay with you.  We love you!!