Here we are in our first landing - at the Stratosphere Las Vegas! It's become our go-to hotel for a quick in & out stays. We were lucky enough to get adjoining rooms for our 2 night stay this time around!
We headed to dinner to meet our cousins! Super fun times! Here are our kiddos with the Andrada's following a very filling meal! Chyler instantly fell in love with Sydni. She loved having girl time with her cousin!
The next day, we all went swimming together! Here are the boys doing Kung Fu moves into the pool. And Chyler hanging out with Sydni again!
We then drove to Oceanside California. A little bit above San Diego. It was a bit chilly there - the average being about 65-70 degrees during the day. Loved having an excuse to wear a sweater though! The coolness did not deter the water babies their water time. Again, jumping into the pool and having Mommy take action shots was the highlight of the day. Chyler especially enjoyed the no-age-limit hot tub. Smart girl!
Our hotel was directly across of the Oceanside Municipal Pier. So, of course, we had to take a walk! Lots of fishing going on!
While here, we noticed a lot of birds flying in V formations. Until we got to the pier, we did not realize that these were pelicans and how LARGE they were up close! Only Dallen had the guts to stand somewhat near to the one perched on the rail.
Instead of doing the throngs of California theme parks that we did last year, we opted to stay close to our hotel and enjoy several days at Legoland and its surrounding attractions. We started out at the new Sea Life aquarium. Very small - probably comparable to the Waikiki Aquarium.
Then, we did Legoland...a few times.
Interestingly enough, there was a new Star Wars exhibit in Miniland and a Star Wars sand sculpture in the front as you walked in. My kids could have cared less about all that Star Wars stuff, but Chyler is always a willing model for pictures.
Then, we did the Waterpark for half a day. It was cold!! The Waterpark is small, but fun. It has enough to do but in Legoland itself, there's a nice water play area for the kids so I don't think a lot of people do the waterpark anyway. I'd go again...just when it's warmer.
In the parking lot, there are alphabetized rows to help you find your car. It goes up to H. Coincidentally, we have names that use the first 4 letters in the alphabet and we were parked in E. Might as well take pictures on the way to the car!
There is a strawberry field on your way to Legoland in Carlsbad CA. We have always said that we should go strawberry picking. This year, we did! It was a neat experience. A little muddy and according to Dallen, the strawberries are sour! He's not a fan but Austen is - so he was eating just as much he was putting in his bucket. Brennen loved picking strawberries - he was super excited. He enjoyed eating them as much as Austen. Chyler picked anything...small ones, green ones, mushy ones...I kept telling her BIG, RED ones!
After a week in Oceanside, it was time to head back to Las Vegas. Our family vacation was extra special this year because our neice/cousin, Sydni, was graduating from Cheyenne High School! Although we're proud of all of her accomplishments - being the Student Body President in her senior year, in all kinds of AP classes, attending Concordia University in the fall with several scholarships under her belt and delivering a speech at her commencement ceremony, we're especially proud of the beautiful young woman she has become. She is smart, sensible, kind, poised and a good friend to a lot of people. She is definitely someone that our kids can look up to. We're so proud of her! When Lad and I got married, Sydni was only 6 years old. Now, she's a graduate and boy, do I feel old! But, I feel blessed that we got to watch her grow into who she is today. She has such a bright future!
After a week in Oceanside, it was time to head back to Las Vegas. Our family vacation was extra special this year because our neice/cousin, Sydni, was graduating from Cheyenne High School! Although we're proud of all of her accomplishments - being the Student Body President in her senior year, in all kinds of AP classes, attending Concordia University in the fall with several scholarships under her belt and delivering a speech at her commencement ceremony, we're especially proud of the beautiful young woman she has become. She is smart, sensible, kind, poised and a good friend to a lot of people. She is definitely someone that our kids can look up to. We're so proud of her! When Lad and I got married, Sydni was only 6 years old. Now, she's a graduate and boy, do I feel old! But, I feel blessed that we got to watch her grow into who she is today. She has such a bright future!
We got to spend another week in Las Vegas just hanging out and spending time together at the pool, in the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, at the Andrada's house and at our hotel. Leisure time with our family - best way to spend a vacation!
