Schlitterbahn

After returning from our week vacation to California, Todd still had almost another week off before having to go back to work. Sunday and Monday we got caught up on house stuff and Tuesday we went and did all the kids school shopping so Wednesday we thought it would be fun to go to Schlitterbahn in Galveston. One of the boys soccer teammate/friend came with us. Here they are getting ready to hit the water:

Emily and I floating around relaxing in the water:

Todd and the kids:

Todd riding the rapids:

The kids coming down the rapids:

The kids love going around by the big waves:

Me just relaxing:

The kids swimming:

we mainly stayed in the area you float around the river:

When the waves would come through the kids would see if they could reach up and touch the top of the wall:

taking a ride up instead of walking:

The kids didn't really ride many of the water slides, they don't like waiting in line, they would just rather float around in the water, but they did get in line and ride the boogie board one time, except Emily, she didn't want to. Here is Dylan:

JT:

Justin:

Even Todd rode:

After swimming for awhile we took a break and got some dippin dots:

We had a great day!

Part 1-San Francisco

One day Mimi and Popsy asked if we wanted to take a trip out to California, we said sure sounds like fun, so we started planning. At first we talked about driving it and going to see Grand Canyon and other things between here and there, but the more we thought about it we weren't sure if we wanted to, so we decided to fly. We left early Saturday afternoon out of Hobby and few into LAX. JT, me and Tyson on the way out:

Popsy, Emily and Mimi getting ready to take off:

Todd and Dylan:

There were several things we all wanted to do and see. Once we landed we got a SUV and decided we would go ahead and drive out to San Francisco. It was a pretty long drive, but we made it Saturday evening.

Sunday morning we got up and headed out to go do some sightseeing. It was cold. Well only like the low 60's but after just leaving the high 90's it felt cold, and good, to us. First stop was the Golden Gate bridge. It was hazy that morning, but we drove across the bridge:

On the other side we pulled over and parked to take some pictures:

Todd and I, you know if he is wearing pants and a jacket, it must be cold, he wears shorts around here year round:

The kids, Emily was cold and tired and didn't want to be in any pictures, but oh well:

We loaded up and went back over the bridge down to Fisherman's Wharf area:

We took a tour of an old submarine and next to that was this old fashioned game room, so we let the kids go inside and play some of the games. Emily played this Adam's family game where you have to hold the handles until you light up the bulb, she did it on low and never let go until the light bulb lit up:

JT was gonna do it, but changed his mind, so Dylan did it next, but he put it on high and hung on til the light bulb came on:

So then JT thought he would try again, he put it on high, hung on, but let go right before he got the light bulb on, he didn't like the way it felt:

This was a cute little farm when you put quarters in came on and all the things spun and danced and sang, etc.:

Then the boys and Todd and Tyson tried out this arm wrestling game, of course Todd beat it:

Right outside the game room on the pier you could see Alcatraz:

We walked down towards Pier 39 and they had this Rockin Jet Boat that went out in the bay, sounded fun, so we took a spin on it. Here we were just getting on:

I couldn't take many pictures on the boat ride, as it was not a relaxing one, the driver took us out spun us around and kept getting us wet, but I did get a few photos while out in the water:

A closer shot of Alcatraz:

The few sea lions that were out as we were coming back in:

Then we walked on over to Pier 39 and went to the Aquarium by the Bay:

Some of the jelly fish in the aquarium:

As we were walking through some divers were inside cleaning the glass:

The kids petting sting rays and baby shark:

After we saw all we wanted we had lunch and then headed over to ride the trolley cars. Emily and JT both wanted to stand up:

Getting ready to leave:

It's a little scary when you have to pass another car coming your way, had to make sure the kids leaned in:

Emily hanging on the front as we head down the hill:

We got off in town and then rode back out to where we were parked, Emily froze being on the front so on the way back she sat and JT took over the front:

San Francisco was nice, we enjoyed all the hills, but we had more fun things to do, so we went back to the hotel to get ready for the next adventure on our trip. We were getting up Monday morning and driving back to LA.

Part 2-LA/Anaheim

We got into the LA area Monday afternoon. We drove up some really tiny curvy streets to see this: then back down we went, we drove by a lot of the studios, saw the walk of fame, drove through 90210 area (Beverly Hills) past Rodeo Drive, but didn't really get out at any of that stuff, none one really felt like it, so after we saw it all from the car we went on to Anaheim to get ready for Tuesday.

Woke up early Tuesday morning, grabbed a small bite to eat and headed to Disneyland and California Adventure park. Emily wasn't a happy camper, think she might needed to sleep a little bit more:

We got on some rides, Emily got in a better mood, the tour guide on this river boat ride was hilarious, think that helped her mood some:

It was a little crowded and we did have to wait in some lines to ride:

After riding a few rides at Disneyland and eating lunch we went over to California Adventure park, the boys waiting to get on the Toy Story Mania ride:

Todd and I with our 3D glasses on:

The kids:

Finally got on, Dylan and daddy rode together:

I rode with Mimi, JT and Popsy rode together, but I never got a picture of them as they sat behind Mimi and I, and Emily rode with Uncle Tyson:

The Phineas and Ferb show:

Popsy and the kids watching part of the parade back over at Disneyland:

Mimi took Emily to ride the tea cups while Todd, Tyson, JT and Dylan waited in line for the Star Wars ride that was a LONG line:

We did do a few fast passes and rode a lot of fun rides, my kids are like me they want to ride rides, so we didn't get any pictures/autographs of any characters, as they didn't want to waste time on that kind of stuff when they could be riding rides. I didn't take a lot of pictures either as I was too busy having fun riding the rides. We stayed late and had a great day. Here is the big Ferris wheel all lite up at night:

Disneyland was fun, but I think Disneyworld is better!