Sea World

Sea World was always one of my favorites growing up.  In fact I wanted to become a Marine Biologist for a long time because of this place.

DJ and Grandpa Evan petting Bamboo Sharks.

 In snowed in San Diego so they boys went sledding.

 We love sea stars!

Alex checking out the penguins.  They all had colored bands on their wings and we decided the colors meant their names so we started calling them things like red black yellow yellow, green pink black, yellow red green.  Alex wanted a penguin name too and decided his would be black white.  Silly boy!

 Surfing on the back of a sea turtle.

 We got to feed lettuce to the sea turtles.

 DJ checking out the sea turtles.  Can you tell what one of mommy's favorite animals is?

 Daddy and the boys sitting in the soak zone at the dolphin show.  They only got a little wet.

 Petting Bamboo Sharks with daddy.

 More sledding

 After our day at Sea World we traveled part of the way home.  It was a super late night!  We were so glad to see the hotel!

Sunset at the Beach

We traveled down to San Diego today and after a day of driving beach time is a great way to spend the night.  

Daddy and the critters walking on the beach.

 Alex at sunset

 Digging and playing in the sand.

 They didn't care too much about the sunset, but it was amazing and you can't ask for a better background!

 My blurry crew.

 Me and my love

DJ and Alex have fallen in love with the beach!  They would gladly spend every single day and night there.  Our next trip to a coast will be purely comprised on beach days!

Magic Morning at Disneyland and Thanksgiving

We got to go into Disneyland an hour before it opened today.  We had such an amazing day!

Here we are on 'It's a Small World'

 We went on the Haunted Mansion a couple of times during our trip.

 We got sick on the teacups.  (If you look really close daddy is in the picture too)

 DJ's first time riding the Matterhorn.  This became his favorite roller coaster.  I think he was super proud that he got to sit in a seat all by himself.  What a big boy.  Alex was sadly 2 inches too short.

 Another favorite this trip was Splash Mountain. 

 Good thing we have a strong daddy!

 We saw some different characters today...

Captain Hook, 

 Genie, 

 Oswald the lucky rabbit (Walt Disney's first character)

 This is how Alex rides all roller coasters!  Hands up style

 Space Mountain.  I forgot that they took pictures and Alex's head went to the side so I was reaching to straighten it up just in case another big turn was coming and flashes when off right then.  Ha Ha, but check out his arms.

We had our turkey for dinner.  Our thanksgiving was very different than how we normally celebrate, but being with our family (we wish all of them could have come) and spending time together is the most important to us.  

Since it is Thanksgiving I want to express my thankfulness for my amazing family, adoptions, especially open adoptions, health, the Gospel, the beautiful world, spending time together, and so many other things.  

Universal Studios

We ventured over to Hollywood today and went to Universal Studios. 

We met Optimus Prime and we was AMAZING!  They have a new transformers ride that was so well done, Alex and I went on it 3 times in a row.

 Everyone went on the Simpson ride but Alex was too short so we spent a little time with Homer and Marge.

 We went down to ride the Studio tram and Marilyn Monroe was there.  Of course DJ wanted to take pictures with the pretty girl!

 The boys with Dracula

 This is how we now travel as a family.  Both boys in a side car and daddy riding on the back of the motorcycle.

 The boys wanted to ride too.

 Minion time!

We love the Grinch and so we had to get some pictures with these enormous guys.

 Universal Studios apparently are big Utah fan because look at that statue on the guy in the middle holding up a big U.  Go Utes!

They are currently putting in a wizarding land which was under construction and will be fun to see one day.

Disney Time

Disneyland Day 2

We took a picture with young Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.

 Sully also came out to take some pictures.

 The boys helping Sully scare us.

 Christmas Pluto

 We took a treat break, Alex was in heaven!

 Grandpa Evan with the grand kids in their awesome 3-D glasses.

 Sitting by daddy in Star Tours.

 We loved splash mountain!

 This is the boys first time on Big Thunder Mountain.  This was one of their favorite coasters!  DJ is my little worrier and Alex is super carefree can you tell.  Jason didn't prompt Alex to put up his hands.  After the ride we asked him why he raised his arms and he said he saw other people doing it.

 We paddled around the island in a canoe.  This was my first time in the canoes at Disneyland.  

 Gotta love pictures with 3-D glasses on.

 The boys loved this statue of an Indian.    

 We convinced DJ to go on Tower of Terror again because Alex was miraculously tall enough today.

 We saw Jake again so of course the boys had to take another picture.

 All of the Christmas decorations are so beautiful!

Another great and long day at Disneyland!