My family normally goes up to Island Park for our family vacation, but this year we decided to do something a little different. We went to St. George and then to California! And, seriously it was so much fun! Avery LOVED the trampoline and swimming pool and loved playing with her cousins, especially Hadley. We left Thursday night and it took us almost six hours to get down there!! (I know, it really shouldn't take that long!!) But, it really wasn't bad. I thought for sure Avery would have a rough time sitting in her car seat but she did great! I'm not really sure why, but this trip I wasn't in any hurry to get anywhere and I didn't feel any pressure to be somewhere at some time. It was actually a really relaxing trip, even with Avery's crappy sleeping habits! We swam, the guys went and played golf, the girls went shopping, we went and saw Tarzan at Tuachan (slightly disappointing, it was just really slow!!) and went bowling. We of course ate until we couldn't eat any more and just enjoyed eachothers company.
My dad really wanted to go to the beach, so we headed to California! Jake and Mark had to go back to work, so it was Jaymie and I in the car! (Aubrey also came with us). We stayed at the Embassy Suites South Hotel and it was very nice. It was so funny, when we got there, Avery was so hysterical! She was so excited to be there that she was running, laughing and squealing down the hallway! I don't know if it was just the energy that she had built up from the car ride or what but she was so funny! When the Becker's got to the hotel room, Johnny was coming out of the elevator, Avery was so excited to see him, she ran up squealing and hugged his legs! He jumped because he didn't see her coming!! Avery and Haddy also had such a fun time together. They laugh at each other, kiss, and play pretty well together. The hotel had a pond down where you eat breakfast and all she wanted to do was see the fish!! She LOVED the fish, she would cry if I wouldn't let her go see the fish!!
The next day, we headed to the beach. (Driving in Cali is kind of a crazy ride! You have no idea what direction you are going or if you are on the right street!! Luckily we had gps!!) My dad was like a kid again! He LOVES the beach. I think he would have rathered stayed the week at the beach than in St. George. Avery LOVED the beach too! She had no fear. She would run out and then run in so the waves could chase her. She was making me a little nervous because it is deceitful, it seems shallow when the water goes out, but it gets pretty deep when it comes back in. We spent most of the day at Newport beach and then headed back to our hotel. Avery was so exhausted.
The next day we hit up Disneyland and OH my Gosh!! Avery has so much fun!! I had so much fun!! Avery again had no fear and wanted to go on rides. She met "Tink"erbell and was horrified of Mickey Mouse. I didn't really think Avery would like Disneyland, I thought she would be too little....oh boy was I wrong! I was showing Jake the video and she kept repeating "ride, ride"....she wanted to go on the rides again!
At midnight, we hopped on the shuttle and went back to our hotel room. Avery of course stayed awake the whole time and was so slap happy she was funny!! She is quite the character when she is tired!
The next morning we headed home. We didn't leave until about noon or 1, and I thought for sure it was going to be an awful ride, but again, I didn't feel any pressure to get home. I didn't feel any pressure at all...we could stop and stay somewhere if we needed to, but I wanted to make it home in one trip. I really didn't want to have to stay somewhere with Avery. I didn't want to pull everything out again just to have to repack it the next morning! It's A LOT of work!! So we made the trek home. It took us about 12 hours and the drive was actually pleasant. Avery got restless about an hour away from home. She slept most of the way and was a champion! Although, once we got home she was so excited to see her dad, that she had a hard time falling asleep! I think it was 3 or 3:30 before we fell asleep.
You know when you go on vacation and by the end you are ready to go home? This trip was not like that at all. I was ready for round 2! It was so fun and relaxing and enjoyable. It was a nice change from Island Park....so fun!
