California Trip

We left for California on May 18- Lexi and Ashlee stayed home from school to help me get everything ready. While staying home they missed their honor roll assemblies- I'll have to get pics up of them with all their awards. Carly went to half day of school because it was Field Day- and it would keep her busy while I ran all my last errands. The last day of school was Monday the 21- but no one was sad to miss it since we knew we'd be in California by then!

We drove and drove and drove and drove....

Baylee loved looking at the maps- she fell asleep reading the map.

We got to Aunt Michelle's and Uncle Jimmie's late Saturday night. We really enjoyed going to the Deaf Branch there. It was amazing to watch my kids learning to sign along with their cousins. With every lesson and song they have a projector up. On the songs they would dim the lights and on the screen would appear someone and you would sing by signing along. It has really motivated us to start signing more so we are better able to communicate with Sydney.

After church we all went to their park down the road. They played catch, swings, and played on the playground equipment. Brooke and Sydney got 20 inch bikes for their birthday and Carly tried riding one of them. Hers is an 18 inch, but those two inches were tricky for her. She biffed it and didn't really care to ride it again.:) Jamie and Stefan were there also. It's so strange to think she's old enough to be not only married- but halfway through her pregnancy! We skyped with Brittney and Clay while they are in North Carolina- we miss seeing family!! We said goodbye to the Ruesch's on Monday and headed to Disneyland. (The Ruesch's joined us on Wednesday at Disneyland.)

Our goal was to get going early each morning... Did not happen! We were trying to adjust to the time change, but going to bed so late each night... The kids weren't even waking up until after 8:00- that's 10:00 our time! We loved Disneyland!!

 First ride is always It's a Small world. Baylee is not really a brave girl so we needed to start her on easy rides that weren't scary.

We were so excited to come across Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother with NO LINE! Baylee and Carly were so excited- and in a bit of shock.. Lexi and Ashlee were pretty good sports about taking pictures with the Princesses.

One of Darrell's best friends from High School came with his family. We always have so much fun with Bill and Brooke! The kids don't remember each other hardly but it didn't take long for them to stop being shy.

 We saw some very interesting people while waiting in line. In this picture above the guy in front of us cracked us up with his sweatshirt and super short shorts. And the white legs with the socks and saddle shoes.:) I know I have white legs- but his put mine to shame!!

 Carly and Baylee loved Playhouse Disney- Lexi and Ashlee were sweet to make sure they both got some of everything that fell from the ceiling.

By Thursday we had been on all the rides and watched all the shows we wanted to- and we were just plain tired! We decided to leave at noon and drive to Las Vegas. It was a quick 4 hours- and I think everyone except Darrell slept almost the entire time.