July 2007 Adventures

We left on July 2 for San Diego to visit Olin's family. Sea World was having a great deal on the internet where you had to pay for one day's admission and you could go back any time through 2007. So, we went every day of the week we were there, except the 4th of July. One day we just wore our swimsuits and sat in the soak zone and got soaked by Shamu. We even got to feed the manna rays. I loved it!

One of the days, we went over by the dolphin exhibit where they were just about to show us what the dolphins could do. The trainer told us what area was going to get wet. We were just off to the left of that area and to the back. Boy, were we surprised when the water came flying! I had some mad girls that weren't expecting to get wet, but of course, I laughed my head off for the next 1/2 hour.

They had a new rollercoaster ride called "The Atlantis". It drops you at the very beginning while they dump water on you. Of course, they take a picture right at that moment. When I saw that picture, I busted up laughing so hard. For that whole next week, if I saw that picture, I would just start laughing. Can you tell by now that I am easily amused?

We also spent a day at the La Jolla Shores beach. Emily & Marin (Em's friend) loved boogey-boarding, as did Becca who went out with Olin. Julia, Katie, and Jacob spent a lot of time playing in the sand. Somehow one thing led to the other, and Emily & Julia got into a huge sand fight. I stepped back and started taking pictures. Jacob discovered the ocean right when it was time to clean up and didn't want to leave.

Our next week started with LegoLand. It was a pleasant day and the crowds were thin. LegoLand has a lot of trees and plants, so almost the whole place is shaded. We were all amazed by the things that were built with legos and had a lot of fun trying to make our own lego cars and see who's was the fastest. Of course, Olin's won.

Our next day, we headed up to Los Angeles and more importantly, Hollywood, to see the musical "Wicked". If you ever get a chance to see this, do. It shows us that there is always another side to a story. I was definitely in tears by the last song.

The next three days were spent at Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, and California Adventure next door. By this time, we were all so exhausted. We started off with a bang though. They had a Jedi Training Academy where they pick boys and girls out of the audience to participate. We all were pointing at Jacob so he got picked. It was so cool! I wish I could have done it to. They had them wear robes and gave them each a light saber. Then, they taught them some Jedi moves. Suddenly, the music changed to Darth Vader's theme song and out came two Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, and Darth Maul. They lined up the boys and girls (padowans) into 2 lines, and one by one they each got to fight. Jacob got Darth Maul. Being a mom, I was worried that he would get scared and run off, but Jacob fought him. When he was done, I told him that he did a good job kicking some Darth Maul butt! He was so proud!

Disneyland had a similar thing for the girls who all got to participate. It was called the Princess Academy. They got to make crowns and then Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty came out and taught them a princess dance. Then, they did a maypole dance with ribbons.

Emily's favorite ride was "Space Mountain" and got on it every chance she could. Julia went with me on my favorite ride "California Screamin" and liked it. Becca liked both of those rides and also liked Jacob's favorite, "Soarin' over California". Katie's favorite is still "It's a Small World". And of course, we always get a kick out of the Tiki Room.

In the three days we were there, we packed in everything we could and closed down the place every night at midnight. Can we say complete, mind-numbing exhaustion? We were more than ready to come home.