Elsie’s 1st Band Lesson

Elsie had her first and only summer band lesson this morning. Due to our vacation, she could only make the last lesson, but it went really well. She was excited to get her clarinet for practicing over the rest of the summer. 

Almost There!

Last Long Drive Day

We left Topeka, Kansas this morning, and hope to be home by the end of the day

Alstan and Aunt Nette dressed like twinsies today! It was unintentional, but we had fun with it anyway.

Colorado Springs

We were lucky to be able to spend our day at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs today. We walked the Garden Center loop and then hiked a path around the outside. Originally it was supposed to rain for most of the day, so we were very happy that it didn’t. After sitting in a car for 8 hrs or so yesterday, it felt great to spend the day walking in nature.

Santa Fe

Today we spent the day checking out the art scene of Santa Fe. In the morning we checked out some of the artists’ galleries on Canyon Road. After lunch we spent the afternoon at the Palace of the Governors market square checking out more local artists’ booths and shops.

Drive Day to Santa Fe, New Mexico

The rest of the family loves to make fun of how mom looks as she sleeps during most long car rides. So, of course, mom couldn’t resist taking this photo of Elsie zonked out on our drive day.

Final Disney Day

Alstan had gotten a gift certificate for Disney for his birthday. He chose to use it to built a droid. Only one adult could be in the droid depot with him, so he asked Aunt Nette to join him.

During that time, mom and dad took Elsie on one of her favorite rides: Splash Mountain. Even though Elsie is the one who always begs to go this ride, she tends to try to convince other people to ride in the front where you get the most wet. This time mom had to, so Elsie “could be in between mom and dad”.

Incredicoaster is Elsie’s other favorite ride. Both kids enjoyed riding it together.

Disneyland With Aunt Nette

We ended up leaving the park for a while during the hot part of the day, so we could come back energized in the evening. We stayed until the fireworks, and watched them from Batuu while drinking our blue or green milk.

Happy Father’s Day

After lunch on the beach in Santa Barbara, we headed to Anaheim to visit Disneyland for the second time on this vacation. This time with Aunt Nette experiencing it for her first time.

Day in Santa Barbara

…because you can never get enough of being at the ocean.

1st Night in Santa Barbecue

We had dinner on the pier and a walk along the beach, before settling into our hotel.

Glendale, California

Alstan was excited to see the new Jurassic World Dominion movie at the TCL Chinese Theater, since it was also where the first Star Wars movie premiered.

Elsie enjoyed a stop at the American Girl Doll store here.

King’s Canyon National Park

Today we spent a couple of hours hiking through the Sequoias at King’s Canyon before heading on to Glendale. Trees have a tendency to make people look small, but man, these trees made us feel ant sized.

Fresno, California

Look who we picked up along the way! Aunt Nette flew into Fresno to join us for the rest of our trip.

There was a vineyard not too far from our hotel that had live music and wine tasting on Sundays. Aunt Nette and mom enjoyed some local wine while we all enjoyed a snack picnic on the lawn.

California Adventure

Today was intended to be our day at the California Adventure Park. We tried to get there early enough to get onto the Cars ride without too long of a wait. Our day did not go exactly as planned though. 

As we were lining up for the rope drop, Elsie told us her stomach was bothering her. We stood in line for almost an hour to get on the Cars ride, but as we neared the gate Elsie knew she just wasn’t feeling up to riding roller coasters. Mom and Elsie went back to the hotel for most of the day, while the boys stayed at the park. By about dinner time Elsie was feeling better, so we all enjoyed the evening together at the park. In the photo, Elsie is enjoying an Infinite Fizz drink.