California Trip 2016

We had planned to go to California right after Christmas this year, and then when it was announced that Wyoming and BYU would play in the Poinsettia Bowl, we changed our plans a bit to head down and go to that game.

The only flights that made sense money-wise were not convenient at all, but we ended up flying out of Denver on a 5 am flight.  It was torture as far as time in the morning, but the kids did amazing.

In addition to the 5am flight, we had a two hour layover in Vegas. I was a little worried about how we were going to pass the time, but it turns out one of our fellow passengers is a magician and balloon artist and entertained my kids the entire time.  He was the nicest guy and I will be forever grateful. 

We got to Ray and Karen's house, unloaded and settled a bit.  Dropped Kendree, Devynee and Brynlee to hand out with family and Hallee, Easton, Ronnie and I headed down to San Diego.

We had pretty decent seats, but as luck would have it, it started to rain before the game even started and really never stopped raining.  In fact, it was a downright downpour for a large majority of the game.  Hallee and I took shelter in the nosebleeds with Cheryl and her family and then never left.  IT was wonderful to catch up with one of my favorite people for three hours.

Our kids got along so well (why can't we live closer!?1?)

A picture of the field to prove that I knew what we were there for.

Ronnie and Easton were able to go visit Ronnie's old roommate Chip for a while as well.

I was also able to visit Emily, a friend from junior high and high school.  It was so great to see her and meet her sweet little girl Harper.

After the game, we drove back to Orange County and after being awake for 22 hours, it was ALL Ronnie and I could do to stay away those last 20 minutes.  We were dead.

After a good nights rest, it was time to live it up in Cali! These photos are grouped by event, but not necessarily in the order we did them.

We made it to the tide pools and the beach one day.  It turns out it was the only day that it didn't rain, which was good planning on our part.

Lunch at Ruby's on the pier.

The beach!

The kids were in heaven.  Running in and out of the water, digging for shells, etc.

After the beach, we ended the day at the pool.  The kids loved it and it washed all of the beach off. Hallee enjoyed stretching out after a day in the carrier.

The other kids swam and swam and swam.

Devynee must have really enjoyed whatever she ate before this photo.

Craft time at Aunt Alisa's house!

Now I can't remember who is hiding in this chair under the blanket, but the finder never did find them.

The kids enjoyed a Christmas morning at Grandma's! Santa found us!

We then went to Church.  It was great to see everyone in Ronnie's home ward.

In the evening we went to Ronnie's cousin's house and the only picture I got was this one of Hallee waving hello. ;)

We drove out to the Shrimp Boat for lunch one day and the kids all got to try frog legs.

Ronnie hated them the most.

We decided to take Kendree and Devynee to Build-A-Bear since Easton got to go to the game. I think they were happy with the deal. Kendree with Poppee.  A leopard that has clothes that match Kendree's own clothes and a stuffed elephant just like Kendree's stuffed elephant Dorthy.

Devynee with Snowflake, her Elsa bear in rainbow sparkle clothes with pink glasses to match her own.

We had a fantastic trip. We loved spending time with family and I just wish I had taken more pictures.