Thursday, September 16, 2010

The post we’ve all been dreading: The California Trip Recap

**disclaimer:  real camera lost in Disneyland (I know.  I have real camera-keeping problems.), so all photos are from the iphone or other’s non-lost cameras.  Lucky for you this means less pictures.)

First, we stayed with my dad and step-mom, where the kids took part in the normal activities:  swimming, golfing, fishing:

Gabe Fishing 2

and the less normal:  a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory.  (All agreed…not exactly worth the hour drive.)

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Ryan got to “work” from home for the week we spent in Northern California.  Faith was a BIG help:

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Then we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Romney for the usual days in the pool

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trips to the park, In N Out and Yogofina.  (Apparently I relied heavily on the actual camera for this part of the trip, as I have no evidence that we did any of these things.  Boo.)

We also celebrated Gabe’s birthday during this week, with some Caramel French Toast, bacon and hashbrowns:

Gabe's Birthday

and a trip to San Francisco, where we got to see Tammy at the oldest playground in America (VERY cool)

and walk her dog (big highlight.  You know how you know how fun it is?  How many fights erupt.)

and eat shrimp at Pier 39.

We capped the night off, with some strawberry cake (made by Grandma)

and LOTS of birthday money which has turned into this bike:

BdayBike

 

After 6 days in Northern California, we got back in the lovely van and headed to Sunny Southern California for Sam’s Wedding to Stephanie (does she look like she belongs in our family or what?):

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(Almost all my siblings):

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(Me, insisting we get a family picture “I don’t care what Faith’s doing!!!”)

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(Outtakes from while we were in the temple)

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(Rate the comfort of my shoes on a scale of 1-10)

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Coincidentally, Seth’s Birthday was also the day of the wedding.  Here he is telling you how old he is, while on the temple lawn:

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We tried to celebrate with balloons and Cookie Crisp in the hotel room:

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He even got to have the entire reception sing to him, with a piece of wedding cake:

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He also got a few presents after the reception was over.

I tried to make this big, awesome surprise about going to Disneyland for Seth’s birthday.  But it flopped because a)big-eared eavesdropping older kids heard, apparently, ahead of time and, thus had no reaction and b) clueless younger children, apparently, don’t realize how awesome Disneyland is and THAT IT COSTS THEIR PARENTS HALF A COUCH to go for one day.  Oh well.

But go to Disneyland we did.  Even if no one cared. 

We met up with Ryan’s brother Greg and his wife Christy, who live in Texas and just had the best three days. Grandma and Grandpa drove down for some fun, too. Some obligatory D-land pictures:

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Can I also just say?  Disneyland is worth every penny.  So clean, so friendly, such a nice day, such a great way to be with adults, big kids and little kids alike.  I, truly, had the time of my life.

We also hit the beach (so fun)

Picture 004 

and ate lots of food and talked until waaay too late in the night with the Texas Romneys.  LOVE those guys.

We headed back up to Northern California for a one day pit stop and then began the 15.5 hour drive back home.

47 hours of driving, upwards of $2000 on hotels, food, gas and theme parks, 2 birthday boys, 13 days, 6 different places to sleep, 2 lovebirds, ALL sides of the family =  Way more fun and WAY less stress then we’d thought.  Thanks for the memories, California!

13 comments:

Rochelleht said...

How fun! I love Disneyland, too. It's best to do it with extended family, I think. Looks like a fun trip. That Tammy is so stinkin' adorable. You guys both look SO cute in your pic. You look like a fun, young single chick, too. Really.

Lindsey said...

I LOVE california. And LOVE Disneyland. I also think it is worth "every penny" but most of the time bilk grandparents into buying our park passes. :)

Cami said...

It sounds wonderful.
I LOOOOOVE Disneyland. We might get to go twice next year.

Lovely wedding photos.

I am so very sorry that you lost another camera. Is this the fourth? Oh well, right? It's just the other half of the couch.

Robin said...

I would give the shoes a 9 on looks and uncomfortableness.

Nikki said...

Caramel French Toast....recipe PLEASE! I felt giddy walking into Disneyland with my kids...it's a moment to savor.

Lisa-Marie said...

No one dreads your trip recaps (except maybe you.) It's always fun to see what a great time the Romney family has.

I too LOVE Disneyland. Truly the Happiest Place on Earth! I'm glad you had fun!

Brooke said...

so much fun, good food, and fun people, and all that good stuff! Wish I were there.

Tristan said...

Oh this post makes me home sick :( But I'm glad you had such a fun time! I love that you take so many pictures!

Lauren in GA said...

I have never been to Disneyland...We will probably go to Disneyworld in Florida one day, though...I am glad to hear that it is worth it. I love your clever description of it costing half of a couch. So true. We have checked prices for Disneyworld and it definitely costs that...maybe even thow in an ottoman ;).

I loved reading about all of it. I have only seen your family through pictures but your new Sister-in-law, Stephanie certianly looks like she does belong! How fun!

Happy Birthday to Gabe and Seth!!!

Lauren in GA said...

Oh, and those high heels are way, way, too cute to have any kind of comfort. I give them a 10 for pain and discomfort.

Brown Sugar said...

I seriously thought Bill Clinton, former US president, was in one of your photos outside the temple. I am assuming it isn't otherwise I think you REALLY buried the lead in your post about your california adventure.

your trip looks so fun!

Tammy said...

So fun to see you and the family. Your kids were so much fun. I had a blast.

katie said...

Looks like it was an awesome trip! Disneyland can get really pricey, so I'm glad you think it's worth it. Stephanie TOTALLY fits in with your family. I thought that when I got Sam's wedding announcement. You all look great!