Vacation Supreme!

Our kids have not seen the ocean before or done the whole craziness pie we call Disneyland and the like, so we dared the impossible and spent our vacation in California.

This Best Western was the funkiest looking hotel, but we did have a "partial view" of the beach from our balcony and we enjoyed lunch there more than once:

The true story is that parking lot, however. People in and out all day and more than once did someone stand in the empty spots to try and save it. The empty spots filled up in less than a minute. All walks of life, it was fabulous. A novel is waiting to come out of that parking lot. There is a seafood restaurant just on the other side of those parked cars, so the delivery trucks were a whole other story, to be sure.

Here is everyone just as we stepped on to the beach for the first time:

Dan and the kids even looked professional the next day, don't you think?

And my mom and my toes while they looked professional:

Dan and I got up very early one morning and enjoyed the quiet while everyone else slept:

Of all things, my brother and his family were in San Diego as well and we actually met up at the beach. Most importantly, we got to meet Paige for first time:

We hit Sea World, Lego Land and Disneyland as well -- total craziness but much fun. First up, Sea World:

I have not been to the parks in 20 years (and this was the first time for the kids) and could not believe how exciting all the shows were -- so well done -- I was amazed at how my creative tank was refilled just watching.

Obligatory Orca shot:

One ride was what I think of as the Sea World Space Needle, where we got a bird's eye view:

Next up was Lego Land and let me just say -- INCREDIBLE:

Yes, that is Einstein out of Legos.

I did feel like someone was watching me as I was knitting:

(A sample I am knitting for Ren at Purl Yarn Boutique -- more on that soon!)

And my other favorite is Mount Rushmore in all its glory:

Dan and Kate had to say hello to Elvis:

Disneyland and California Adventure (right next door) were all they were supposed to be:

Nothing says Disney better than pink bling, don't you think?

Look closely and you see green Mickey ears:

(We were waiting for our bus to take us to Disneyland from our hotel.)

It's not all fun and games, however. Watch out for Stormtroopers:

And Dan almost became a pirate:

He nearly left altogether, but we talked him down:

Kate made sure he couldn't leave the vacinity:

Paul and Wade had some issues:

But they survived.

Being at Disneyland did allow for some knitting as I was waiting in line. Remember this scarf from last summer?

It may never end, as it is still not finished, but I worked on it as we waited for the monorail:

And some other random line:

My mom and I were amazed that we saw not one -- not one -- knitter or crocheter the whole time we were there. At least once I heard, "Wait, I think she is knitting..."

California Adventure had the most amazing show at night called World of Color. Here is the Ferris Wheel lit up:

Then colored water and lights with Disney music lit up the sky:

Even fire!

You wouldn't believe how hot...

And then we had the perfect wrap up for our trip. My brother, Dave, actually had his birthday the day we were flying home, so we celebrated appropriately: