Simply Lexie

This is going to be extra long and full of pictures…. we spent 2 wonderful weeks in California basking in the sun and enjoying the warmth and fun.

Friday morning Mike surprised us all with a trip to California.  So Friday the kids went off to their last day of school and I packed and cleaned and got us ready to go.  When they were out of school and we were all packed we headed on our way.  That night we made it to Las Vegas and stayed with the Messina Family.

Saturday morning we continued on our way and got all settled in.

Sunday night was the beginning of our fun… we went with Mike’s friend Dan to Balboa Island to watch the Boat Lights Show.  It was fun playing in the sand watching as the lighted boats floated by.  After the parade of boats we walked around the Island looking at all the houses decorated… One house even had a real Snowman made out of ice.

After much walking we finally settled into a bench to enjoy some yummy hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies while watching the Fireworks. It was such a fun evening.

Monday was the beginning of our Disney Adventure.  The parks were all decorated for Christmas and packed with people.

Alyssa loved the rides!  Our first ride was Winnie the Poohs Adventures.

Our next ride was The Haunted Mansion (all done up for the Nightmare Before Christmas)

We visited Toon town and played in all the houses

For the evening we headed over to California Adventure… while Alyssa, Brandon, Leah and I waited for Mike and Emily, we rode the the Carousel.  Alyssa loved every minute of it and wanted to do it all by herself.  She wouldn’t even let me touch her while she was going up and down on her fish.

Then it was time to go watch the Electrical Parade.

The next day we took a break from the parks and went shopping.

Then back to the parks again for the next two days (23rd and 24th)

Brandon got to be a part of the High School Musical Street Performance

They decorate so cute for Christmas…

Just as we left Christmas Eve we happened upon a short line to see Mickey Mouse all dressed for Christmas.

Then we made our way back to our hotel and had some tasty donuts.    Yum Yum!

Christmas day came and we had a little Christmas.  (We left our Christmas home) so we got each of the kids a toy from Disneyland.

Christmas Day we moved from our hotel to a house that we were doing a house swap with.  The home was beautifully decorated for Christmas It was nice to have all the comforts of home.  The next two days we took it easy and enjoyed the sun.

The 28th (Monday) we went to Legoland.  It was so much fun to see all of the cool things made out of Legos.

The kids got to go on a couple rides and had a blast.

Can you believe all this is made out of Legos.

The rest of the week we spent visiting friends and family.

Tuesday we connected up with Dan again and went to the top of the Disney parking structure where we watched Disney’s Fireworks and had hot chocolate.

Wednesday we visited with Danior Martin and family.  We went out to dinner with them and our kids loved playing with their kids and all their toys.

New Years Eve we spent out and about.  First we ended up finding a big Family Bash for the neighborhood we were in.  Then we headed over to My Aunt Paula and Uncle Bill’s.  The kids had a blast playing and Mike watched some football.  It was fun to see them and hang out. Just before midnight we headed home and had Ice cream then watched as the ball dropped .  Brandon was highly unimpressed… he said to me “It didn’t fall”.  He must have been waiting for it to hit the ground.

New Years day we went north and visited two friends.  First we saw the Martins.  Mike had a fun time chatting with them about Gina’s new book she wrote (Reads Like a Murder Honolulu).  Then we headed over to visit with Donna and Jerry Lewis and enjoyed visiting and watching more football.

And last but not least when your in Cali you have to hit the beach…. so Saturday morning we got all packed up and headed to San Clemente Beach to bask in the warmth before we headed back to the cold snowy world of Utah.

For Dinner before we headed home we ate at this fun little Creperie and ate their Challenge desert.

Buh-Bye beautiful warm sunny California!

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