So I am FINALLY getting around to blogging about our amazing trip. Wow the past couple weeks have been out of control busy.. but that being said I have loved every second. And with all the craziness it was SO nice to be able to take off 8 days and have my little family all together with no distractions. We went with my in-laws on this trip. Ava loved being able to play with her little cousins all day long. I feel so much closer to everyone that went after this trip and am so amazing grateful for such amazing family members in my life. Russ has a great family.
We got to the beach on Sunday and started setting up camp. We were right on the beach and the back of our tent overlooking the ocean, it was absolutely amazing sleeping to the sounds of the crashing waves. We LOVED it. Ava was super excited about it, all the kiddos were in heaven getting SO dirty playing in the sand and dirt.
Here is Ava seeing the ocean for the first time, oh and showing "dolly" the ocean too.
Big smiles for mom :)
And THIS is her actually first time up close. She loved it here.
I love how Russ documented her first experience with pics of us. I love them!
We we looking for sea shells and found a rubber ducky in the sand..
haha how random.
SO, day 2- apparently she changed her mind about liking it. The tide was high and so there wasn't much beach to play on and every so often the water would come up to our beach towels and under our chairs it scared her I think. The pic below is to true to how she felt about it.
We relaxed and enjoyed our days playing in the sand with the piles of sand toys my mother-in-law bought for everyone. Russell was just one of the kids, and made this huge amazing sand castle. Here he is standing by his work of art. Love my man :)
Along with sandcastle building, all the kids would find hundreds of these sand crabs and put them in buckets. Ava surprisingly loved the crabs and would hold them. Here she is making friends.
This was yet another attempt to get Ava in the ocean, but failed.
Here she is snuggling with her daddy... he makes it safe.
Day 3- We bought a kite to fly. It was my first time and Ava's too. It was pretty cool. It only crashed once so Russ had to head up the steep hill behind us to rescue it.
Me and my little Tinkerbell girl.
Here is little Ava with her auntie Kim. I love how great Ava is with my in-laws. She really bonded with everyone which I love. It was really sweet how she loved Kim so much.
And it wouldn't be a trip to Cali without heading to In-N-Out at least once. Ava was ALL smiles here :)
Here I am showing our camping area and our fantastic views!
Day 4- We left the beach and went to
Seaworld. My first time there. It was a crazy morning having to get everything packed up and getting ready for our outing.
Here we are at the Pets Rule show. It was a great way to start our day there. Ava was
mesmorized by all the tricks the pets did.
My cute family :)
After the show we got to go meet some of the "stars" of the show. Ava with no fear headed straight for the big dog.
At the penguin area.
Here we are at the
Shamu show. It was really impressive. Ava was excited as you can see.
At the end of the show we went below and were right next to the tank he lived in.
Shamu would swim right next to the glass and it really showed how HUGE he was. But those pics I took you can't even tell what it is it just makes the pic all black. Ava loved being that close, again no fear from my child.
Watching the whale with daddy.
Next we headed to Sesame Street world, within the park. I had no idea that was there. But THAT made it all worth it for Ava. She LOVES all the characters. And these were her first rides. This ride was kinds like the teacup ride at Disneyland.
This was taken mid spin, notice Ava's little tongue out.
haha
Then we went and got to actually meet "
Ehmo" and "
bebe" (Elmo and Abby)
I wasn't sure how Ava would react to the characters up close. She didn't like Santa Clause and was freaked out by the Easter bunny. But she LOVED these guys. She gave them hugs and kisses. I was kinda surprised that she loved Abby more then Elmo. But at home she LOVES Elmo the most.
Elmo was interesting... he keep pointing to how we were matching, wearing the same color.. he kept putting his arm around me. And the camera guy was like, "Elmo she's married."
haha he was hitting on me. Should I be flattered?
haha Russ wasn't too worried about it. He knows big furry Sesame Street characters aren't really my type.
lol
Ava playing on the bouncing thing.
End of the day... tired little girl. Everywhere we went everyone would fuss over her. She is cute I will say. Sure glad she is mine :)
Day 4- DISNEYLAND! Where all our dreams come true, and our wallets drain empty. But worth every cent. Here we are waiting in line.
Here we are one the first ride of the day. The look on Miss A's face says it all. She LOVED it!!
The day was perfect. We took Ava on the kiddie rides and then my parents-in-law would take her and then Russ and I got to go with his siblings on the big rides. What a perfect combo, we got to have fun just the two of us and fun with Ava.
Here is Ava in line with her grandma, she was so good waiting in lines. I was super proud. Disneyland wasn't as busy as I expected so we didn't ever have to wait more than 20 or 30 minutes. Most of the time is was about 15
mins.
From far away to called to her and told her to smile. I love how she will smile for the camera now, her big cheesy grin!
SOO cute!
I took her to meet some princesses. She was excited as we waited in line but as soon as we got close she was all shy and wouldn't hug the her.
And again with Sleeping Beauty she was shy.
Next we went on the carousel. She loved and and we went on it a couple times.
We took her on the Nemo ride. It was so much better than before. It was a boring sub ride and now has Nemo in the theme. I thought it was great.
Next up we took her on the car ride. I was the driver... haha I will just leave it at that. We had so much fun that day. We ended the night watching the fireworks and Ava fell asleep in her stroller after all the excitment. I got to go on Splash Mountain for my first time and we went on Indiana Jones a couple times since it is probably my favorite one. We stayed until midnight. It was a long fun day! Can't wait to go back!
He is Ava with her cousins at the pool.
Here we are day 7- in Primm, NV at Whisky Pete hotel. They had a great pool and waterside. we all had a blast playing here. And a perfect end to our trip.
Me and my hunny.
Me and little miss.
All around a great trip and a million memories to take away from it. I feel so much more connected with everyone who went. So grateful for the amazing family I married into and so happy Ava has so much fun with all her cousins.
Looking at the ponies.
He loved all the animals
Haha :)
She loved all the lambs, my parents have a bunch of sheep and new lambs every spring so she already loves and trusts these animals.
The guy in the stables let Ava go inside the cage to feed the lamb one-on-one.
With the goats, I told Ava to smile and then had camera issues. This is her faded, "hurry and just take the picture" smile.
The "little Hands on the farm" event. Ava always loves this part. They get a basket and apron and get to plant the veggies, and pick what they grow.. all things real farmers do. Grandpa Wadley would be so proud of her :)
Checking her basket.
Apples.
Planting her seeds.
Picking the veggies she planted.
Brushing the sheep.
We had a great time at the fair! A perfect family afternoon!
