California trip

Todd and our family have not been to CA for 4 years and pretty much have not taken a family trip in that time either, so we decided it was about time to do it. Todd has a very interesting schedule as a nurse, which we really enjoy, and with this crazy schedule, he has only had to request 4 days off and that gives us 15 days to enjoy. We were able to spend 2 weeks in CA and it was a blast and, much needed. This was the first trip to CA for the 2 youngest, and the first trip that was a long road trip. The did great though, so who knows we might just do it again someday. We did several things while there and of course took a ton of pictures. I tried to narrow the ones I liked, but it was hard, so I ended up doing several slide shows of the highlights of our trip. Sorry for the overload of pictures, but it could be worse, I could of uploaded all the pictures I took and it would have probably taken you hours to see them all, Haha!

On our way to CA, we stopped off at Saltair. The kids have been wanting to go back since we visited 4 years ago on our last trip to CA. They had fun playing in the stinky Salt Lake and playing with the many bugs flying around.

Our next stop was in Elko to get some gas, and we decided the kids needed another break, so we went and found a park to eat lunch at. Then before we left Elko we noticed this park out of the corner of our eyes. I think this is one of the coolest play sets that I have ever seen. The kids could have played on it for hours.

The next day after we got to CA, we took the kids to Bridal Veil. They have a small waterfall at least compared to the bridal veils up Provo Canyon, and the across the HWY from that they have a state park with a river. This is a place that Todd would go often growing up. The water was freezing, but that didn't deter our kids.

We also spent an afternoon at Sly Park Lake (Jennkingson Lake), another place not to far from Todd home growing up that he would go often. There were some geese swimming around while we were there and they were definitely not afraid of people. They came right up to our blanket where the kids were eating. The kids through them some food, and when they wouldn't give them more they started hissing at the kids. It kind of freaked them out. Todd and I were in the middle of the lake swimming back with Knightin when this was going on. The kids were screaming at us that they wouldn't leave them alone, and were hissing. So we had to try to explain to them in a very loud voice from the middle of the lake how to shew them away. These geese were relentless. They wouldn't stay away. Finally after many, many, many chases, they got the picture and didn't bother us much for the rest of the stay. Moral of the story, DON"T FEED THE GEESE AT SLY PARK LAKE!!!!

Hahaha, it's was still alot of fun!

That Thursday we got invited to hang out with one of Todd's childhood friends. We had a party at his parents pool and a BBQ. Then the next day we headed into Biggs, CA where I grew up to show our kids my old houses and old schools. From there we headed up to Redding to visit one of my old school friend that I have known since we were 7-8 years old. Our kids got along great. We did a lot of playing, some blackberry picking, went to Whiskeytown lake and did some boating and playing in the water. Ki got to go Knee boarding for the first time and did amazing. I think we will have to purchase a knee board and have some fun on my parents boat here in UT. Sat. night before we headed back to Camino we went and saw the Sun Dial bridge! I guess there are only 2 in the world and Redding has one. It really is a working Sun Dial. It was pretty cool. Taylar was a little freaked out with the sensation of walking on Glass, even though it wasn't see through and the babies, decided it was the coolest thing ever and were pretty wound up and excited.

Monday we took a trip down to San Fransisco. We saw Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, the Wax museums, Giradelle's Chocolate factory, China Town, a big Cruise ship, and lots and lots of the city. After finishing in town we went to one of the beaches along the coast, and hunted for sea shells and played in the water and sand. the kids had a great time.

Tues. we got together with all the family there and went to Discovery Kingdom (six flags marine world Africa USA. good thing they shorted they name, heehee) Grandpa, grandma, Karen's family, our Family, Jon's family and Venisa's brother Ross all went. It was a warm day and the kids had a great time. It was hard at times, for when it comes to amusement parks we have a very split family, but the older kids did great when we dragged them around the smaller kids parks, then for the last couple of hours Grandpa took the babies and we set off with the 3 older ones to try some of the bigger rides. We weren't quite ready for the big scary roller coasters yet though, maybe in a few years. They tell us Marine World was the best part of the trip!

When I was in Elem school we took a Field trip to Old Sac and went to the train museum. I thought it was so cool. So Old Sac was on the list of things to do. We just spent the day there taking in the sites.

Saturday before we left we got invited over to Todd's aunt's house. There we played with cousin's and lots of water toys. They had a slip and slide, a couple of sprinkler beach balls, a couple of wadding pools, ducks, kitty's, and horses. The kids didn't run out of things to do. We got to eat good food and play for hours, then when it got dark we watch a movie out on the tramp. We also were able to get many fun pictures on the tramp. You'll have to check them out!

It was a great Vacation and we were sad to have to come back to regular old life!