Planes, no Trains, Automobiles, and few Roller Coasters

So, settling back into life after our crazy, fantastic trip to San Diego...it was our very first attempt at a full-fledged vacation with the kids where we flew, rented a car, and stayed in hotels...and, despite all of my pessimism going into it, it was awesome!!! I have to say, I was so proud of my kids...even though they had to be exhausted (if how I felt was any measure), they kept their bad attitudes in check, there was little sibling in-fighting, and the trip was really really great...

SO - while there, we saw La Jolla Cove amd the sea lions, the San Diego Zoo, Sea World San Diego, the USS Midway, took a harbor tour, spent an afternoon at Coronado Island on the beach, and spent 2 days at Legoland...and had an amazing time!!!

Here are a few of my favorite pics from the adventures...

First airplane ride for both of my kids...we got to fly over the Grand Canyon and saw it from 28,000 feet!!!

First ocean experience for either of my kids....neither had ever even seen one before, much less put their feet into it...this was by far my favorite part of the trip - watching their faces and seeing the joy and wonder in their eyes as they tried to wrap their brains around how HUGE and mysterious the ocean is...

Getting REALLY up close and personal with a hippo at the zoo....

Sitting in the "Soak Zone" at Shamu's show yet somehow not getting soaked!!!

We were able to tour the USS Midway - a naval aircraft carrier made into a museum. The kids loved being able to get up into some of the airplanes and pretending to fly....By the time we left there, it was "Captain W" and "Commander A"....

Some good beach time on Coronado Island...A must have walked up and down the beach a dozen times, retrieving every shell she could find...the water was really cold but this was a blast..with the exception of the seagulls who decided to eat all of our potato chips while we walked on the beach..and then, after I chased them away, they continued to stalk us for the rest of the afternoon, just hoping for a treat..

Some good swim time at the resort's pool...a nice, heated 82 degree pool....much warmer than the ocean!

And, last, but certainly not least - LEGOLAND!!! The kids LOVED this place...and you cannot even dream in your wildest imagination all of the things that were made out of legos there...no joke. Here are a few samples...

Anyone who knows W well at all knows that he is all about Star Wars...afterall, he is an official Jedi Knight!

Dad was a bit worn out by all of the adventures..so he found this nice Lego Man to take a nap next to... :)