Home at Last...

We had such a wonderful vacation to Southern California with the Kimball Family! We arrived home just in time for me to jet off to Girls Camp. I arrived home yesterday and should have received a gold medal for # of loads of laundry done in one day! Here are some highlights of our vacation... Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: Beware of Picture overload-to my defense there were over 460 pictures to choose from :) Plus, I need a lesson in formatting--just slightly frustrating trying to get things to look 'published' as they do 'creating'


First airplane ride-we would fly Jet Blue again-great service and loved the tv's in the back of each head rest...





Our little family went 3 days earlier than the rest of the Kimball Clan and were so blessed to be able to stay with 'Aunt Lucille', my grandma's best friend for over 80 years.


Encinitas Beach


The day we arrived it was off to the Beach as the kids have never seen the ocean in person. Taylor was taking it all in. It didn't take him long...






Rain-dance!!! (This one is for my siblings!)











Tanner was riding in style. The stroller became his little home away from home, as he ate, napped, and was transported everywhere via the stroller.




Kite flying at Mission Bay














Taking in the sites at La Jolla Cove







We purchased the 'Go San Diego' Card and that got us unlimited access to parks and attractions for 5 days in a row. It was so fun to do things we wouldn't have done otherwise, but going for 5 straight days in a row sure wore out our little ones. Probably a better option if your kids are a little older. We started our pass off at the San Diego Zoo. A must see if you haven't been there- we loved it!


The highlight was feeding the giraffes. It was an extra fee, but well worth it :)




We finished the day off by taking a tour of the USS Midway--another must see for history buffs and anyone who loved 'Top Gun' :)







The following day we were off to the the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. It was so fascinating to see the animals from the 'train' as we toured the grounds. A different feel from the Zoo as they interact without cages separating them from each other. The highlights include feeding the birds nectar (another small fee required, but well worth it), the baby elephants, and the carousel.

















Then it was off to Legoland. Legoland is most suitable for those 48" tall and under 12 years of age. It was fun, but the lines were long and the rides extremely short :)



The kids loved the 'water park' @ Legoland. We brought their swimsuits and they had a blast getting wet. The highlight of Legoland was the cities and towns built out of Legos--very impressive!
We spent the next day at Knotts Berry Soak City. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures there. The highlight the 'funnel' ride--the best part was Marie's scream, and Lisa's backside suctioning into the tube on the drop :)
The following day we headed off to the Birch Aquarium, and Belmont Park.









Tanner made a new friend at the Aquarium :)









At Belmont Park, Phil and Jessica tried out the Flow Rider at the Wave House--another highlight. It was perfect timing as a private party had booked the viewing area in front of the wave, so everyone canceled the session except Phil and Jess-so it was like a private lesson as normally there are up to 15 people per session. I have some great video I will add at the end...
















The last two days were spent at the beach where we had such a wonderful time hanging out with our family and just relaxing. We took advantage of all the Kimballs being together to do a family picture on the beach--then we took advantage of being all ready for pictures and took one of our little family. We caught everyone at sunset, so once we rounded up the kids again, it was a little dark for our family one, but the kids hammed it up anyway :)











Wish you were here!!






Tanner and I enjoying ourselves at Girls Camp... okay, I was enjoying myself--Tanner wanted to get down and explore :)

'my' girls!-- just before heading home from camp!