A little bit of sunshine in the rain

We went to California.    Mainly we were trying to score free Disneyland tickets from our nephew Greg who was apprenticing there.   Shortly and I mean a few weeks before we were scheduled to go, we were informed that Greg had finished and was hired on as a contractor.   Which meant for us...no free Disneyland tickets.
Now I'm all for going any way....but frankly 1,000.00 was well above what we were willing to pay.   You see.....we don't Ever and I mean EVER pay full price for anything when traveling.   I lie.  we pay for food and gas at asking price.  ha ha
We had already explained to Sydney that she could choose.   Go to Disneyland for your birthday (you see where I'm going with this right ?) or stay home and have some friends over for a birthday party.
She chose Disneyland (strange I know)  
We couldn't comPLETELY let her down so Jan found some tickets online to Knotts Berrry Farm for 25.00 a person.
Can't beat that.

We were able to stay at the Marriott resort on Newport Beach.  HOLY COW that place was nice.   It certainly shows you how the other half lives.  
Sadly the weather was cold and crappy so we weren't able to enjoy the beach.    The kids did swim in one of the heated pools for a bit before bed the 1st night.   I just wished we could have stayed for a week.   The weather being in the 80's of course.

The boys best friend Max, who moved away in September lives there and we were lucky to spend a couple of days with them.    It was fun catching up, I miss them.   The kids had a blast.
They live 20 minutes from Aunt Pam and Uncle Rich's family.   We were so lucky that the Irwin's were able to get the family together, including 5 month old baby Carson, so that we could visit.   They are so great and always make it so fun for the kids.  
The kids played, "where did the balls go, Magic Trick" on us.  Which included a table cloth....a bunch of balls and a kid on each corner :)   The ceiling fan made it out safe.   I'm still not sure how.
Cousin Robbie took turns throwing tennis balls at the kids while they dodged behind a turned over table in the backyard obstacle course that he had put together.   He of course asked his wife to go first....to show them that it was safe and easily accomplished :)  Jessica is a great sport, I will say.

With stops in Vegas out and back and "Wreck it Ralph" just out on video....how could we lose.
Oh yeah.  That dang cold weather in California.  blah.

Pictures.
Part of the resort included great stuff like a kids cave building.   It included a play room...game room full of puzzles, games, books and movies and even an art kitchen area.   Had we been there longer we could have participated in some of the kids activity days that they plan and include.

 Pictures of a couple of the pools.   DANG IT IF IT WERE ONLY 80 DEGREES !!!

 Syd was treated to an outlaw side show because he saw her badge that she got when we arrived that said it was her birthday.  Everywhere we walked at Knotts Berry....the employees would stop and tell Syd happy birthday.  She loved the attention.
This guy was great.   You can see the lady and the guys in the back.   They were managers (?) and were unknowingly included in the skit and sang happy birthday with him.   He gave her a shot gun shell and one of the managers called up to the busiest ride and told them to expect us.   Janice, Syd and I went up the exit and got on the front of the front row.   WAY TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY SYD !

 When Syd wasn't going on big rollercoasters she spent time with the rest of us in Camp Snoopy.   An area with rides just the boys size.

Pictured...everyone but Nate.   Who didn't notice that he was left out due to a lack of seating, because he was too busy swinging on the railing and watching Charlie Brown perform on the stage right next to us.

The pony express....everyone's favorite ride.

 The greatest park ever in Las Vegas.   I highly recommend it if ever you're there.   It's next to the airport on Sunset.  We could have stayed all day if given the chance.   We stumbled upon it by accident on our way out to California and loved it so much we stopped there on our way home too.  We arrived at the park at 9 am and had already had breakfast, packed and checked out of our hotel room.  :)  With our early risers and the hour time change....we started our days Super early.  

Janice made it to Pawn Stars.   Bought herself a shirt.   Didn't get to see any of the guys though.   :(   

Syd hated the driving part but over all had a good time.
She got to take 3 of her best friends to Jamba Juice when we got home....so it wasn't a complete miss celebrating her.  :)