July: California

I just changed my blogger interface to the "new" one offered by Google...hopefully this posts correctly. Or even better than it did before!

Highlights from California Reunion:

1. Getting our rental car--a teeny tiny Toyota Yanis. Almost the same size as a Smart Car. :) We BARELY got our luggage and stroller to fit in the "trunk". Olivia was so excited to see "Uncle Mike"...and fell asleep just as we were pulling up to the hotel (after a 35 min drive). She was wide awake and happy to see her cousins, though. 

2. Day 2. Went to eat Dim Sum with my cousins and aunts and uncles. Yum! Then headed to the beach for some fun in the sun. Then grabbed our own dinner-to-go for an evening boat tour around the area. Saw a bunch of sea lions...Tim told Olivia they were "Toby-s"...she LOVED that. And still calls them Tobies when she see's the pictures. 

3. Day 3: Temple and Family Dinner/Talent Show. Woke up early and got the kids to a chapel near the LA Temple. Then to the temple. I sat and waited downstairs while everyone else went through a session at the temple. Then met up with them for the family sealing. It was so amazing to see my cousins and my aunt and uncle be sealed. And to see all of my family in the room together. Such an amazing spirit there. 

Later that evening, we all headed to another church building for our family reunion dinner/talent show. It was fun to see all the kids run around and play, and then to watch everyone's talents/performance. The magician was fun to watch. Before the slide show, I helped my cousins take some family pics...I'll have to post those in a sec...

Olivia LOVED her balloon dog.

4. Day 4...Disneyland.
Tim and Olivia followed along with Captain Dorothy as she led them to Disneyland and California Adventure. I rested back at the hotel until the cooler evening, then Tim came and picked me up. Rented a wheelchair and enjoyed time with the family. Olivia LOVED riding the rides, seeing Woody, etc.

5. Day 5... Beach Day! Took a break from Captain Dorothy's Disney Days and headed to the beach with the cousins. Then some more swimming at the hotel pool. Olivia made great strides in swimming--head under water and some major kicking!

6. Day 6...Disneyland again! Tim and Olivia went early again with Dorothy, Mike, Tanya, and kids...I hung back with my parents and Andy...then headed over together. Got another wheelchair, and enjoyed the day.

Olivia loved Mickey and Minnie's house...she was quite intrigued with the black and white Goofy cartoon showing on Mickey's tv. She almost freaked out when we took her away...

After Disney, Tanya, Andy and my parents went to Irvine to grab some yummy chinese food. They brought back a Red Bean drink and Salt-and-Pepper Popcorn chicken for us. Yum!

 At the airport, heading home...