I had a hair appointment that morning that I dragged Tyler along with me to. Afterward we met up with his friends (Nevan and Joshua) at Irvine lanes for a quick bowling playdate. There was a little incident between Tyler and the older brother of one of his friends. Apparently the older brother is somewhat of a bully at times and he was really trying to push Tyler's buttons. I witnessed it myself! He's like 3 years older, why pick on a little kid? Tyler was pretty upset, especially since we had to leave right after the second game started to pick up Katelyn.
Tuesday morning, BRIGHT and EARLY, I took Tyler to Disneyland. This was the last week before our Disneyland passes were blocked out for the summer, and we were leaving for Houston the next morning. I wanted to get our money's worth for sure! We got there before opening and were able to ride on quite a few rides before the park got busy. Love our mommy/Tyler-time together. Plus it was a wonderfully overcast morning - my favorite Disneyland weather.
Astro Orbiters. 5 minute line!
Matterhorn - 15 minutes!
Star Tours - 15 minutes!
Around 10am Tyler's friend Brady (and my mommy friend Christine) joined us. Tyler was so excited! It was our first time going to Disneyland with just Brady and we all had a great time. We waited the hour or so it took in the Radiator Springs Racers ride. Totally worth the wait, love that ride!
Afterward we waited in the Midway Mania line, another one of Tyler's favorites. Long line, but we survived. The kids kept each other occupied so time passed pretty quick.
Chris/Brady left after that ride and Tyler/I headed back to Disneyland. No rush for us, we even took the horse drawn tram down Main Street.
We got the mandatory turkey leg for Tyler's lunch and ate it while we waited in a much longer Matterhorn line. Tyler didn't mind, he was busy eating the whole thing. We headed home afterward and Tyler was knocked out tired (me too). So tired that we didn't even make it to swim practice that day. Oops.
After dinner that night I carpooled with Chris to Houston's to meet up with some mommy friends for a night out. Best quote of the night: easy on the ice = easy on the eyes. Got me a huge vodka shot on the house, haha!
Wednesday morning. Another early morning, we woke up the kids and headed to John Wayne airport in a taxi. The kids (especially Katelyn) were super excited for our Texas trip.
As usual, Will headed onto the plane first (with his early boarding pass) to set up for us. I like to keep the kids off the plane as long as possible, let them run around in the airport before we really have to board. They've got a long time to be strapped in, so why not?
Video of the kids boarding the plane to Houston:
All strapped in and ready for take off. We use these things - earplanes- to help Tyler with his ear pressure. He gets really bad ear pressure and these have really helped in the past. The flight went really smoothly, but unfortunately we didn't put his earplugs in before the pilot started his descent. Oops. Poor Tyler. We made it though, and was blasted with the Texas heat and humidity when we exited the airport. Yikes!
Katelyn had a stomach ache on the drive home after my sister picked us up. Poor thing. Flashbacks of our visit last year when Katelyn had a stomach ache and threw up on Grace's carpet. Oops. Thank goodness that didn't happen this time. She was so excited to see her cousin Annie though!
We picked up my nephews and headed to dinner at a Brazilian BBQ place. Lots of food. Stuffed.
Wednesday morning, early (everything is done early here before it gets crazy hot!) we headed out to the USS Texas battleship and memorial. I love these historic sites, but with the kids I never get enough time to thoroughly read all the great information they have to offer. We rode the elevator to the top of the memorial.
The battleship was really cool to see too (but already it was getting hot). The kids loved sitting on the big cannon guns and pretending they were shooting. Katelyn was hilarious. Later she apparently jumped off the seat and hit her head. I was down under in the battleship with Will and my nephew and my brother-in-law was watching her. Unfortunate accident, just a little blood though, but Katelyn sure screamed bloody murder (per my sister).
Video of battleship fun:
Bunks all over inside the battleship!
It was hot. Katelyn always made a beeline for any fans.
The kids pointed out the touch-me-not ferns that were growing all over in the grass. They are so much fun to play with, you touch them and they close up!
My little poser!
After the battleship, we headed to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Katelyn knocked out quick in the car. Exhausted! We stopped by to pick up lunch to eat later.
At the museum! Katelyn woke up once we got there and we all headed to the butterfly habitat. Lots of cool things for the kids to learn and interact with.
They each had these cool little butterfly glossaries where they could try to name each butterfly that fluttered near them.
Then we headed next door to the Museum. The kids really enjoyed watching this giant pendulum swing, every minute it would knock down a little wooden piece and the kids would cheer.
This place had a HUGE dinosaur exhibit. Really cool to see and learn about. It's amazing!
How amazing are fossils? So amazing! How can these be real? Amazing!
The kids even got an opportunity to touch a real life fossil. Exciting!
On the way out, we gave in and let Katelyn ride this animatronic dinosaur ride. She loved it! I was a little annoyed that the lady working there wouldn't let me in to help Katelyn get on. The gap between the stairs and the dinosaur was quite wide for such a little girl! She loved the ride though. Although when it was time to get off, I tried to get in again and the lady said No again. I shouldn't have listened. The lady ended up pushing Katelyn from the back and her leg fell in the gap and she got caught! Crying! Before I could even blink Will was in there helping her out. I was so mad and Will was too. We ended up complaining to the higher ups. No one messes with our kids!
Video of KK on the dino ride:
Back at my sister's house, the kids played light sabers in the hot yard. They always have a great time together. If I recall, there may have been an incident between Tyler and Annie, but I don't really remember what it was. Poor Tyler doesnt have as tough as a skin as his cousins, and he's definitely more sensitive to some of the things that they say.
Thursday morning, we headed to Hermit Crab beach, riding a ferry! Exciting! The kids got off on the ride and fed the crazy seagulls.
There was even an observation deck at the top of the ferry for us to walk around.
Awesome beach, tons of hermit crabs in their natural habitat! The kids thought it was really cool! The little guys are just walking all around the beach with their little shells.
Video of kids at hermit crab beach:
Quick stop at a huge touristy gift shop. So many fun trinkets.
Back home, whew these days are hot and tiring! We always wind up exhausted and ready to just hang out by the afternoon. The kids even got in some Wii dance!
Video gaming with the Hwangs:
Always good to have a big sister around to help Katelyn eat her vegetables. She wasn't thrilled to eat her green beans but Annie helped encourage her.
Friday morning we headed to a you-pick farm to pick blackberries! Exciting, our first time! Yum, Katelyn loves blackberries!
Video of blackberry picking:
Great farm, so many activities to do. Next we went into the petting zoo and the kids caught these little chickens to play with. So cute! Katelyn said the chicken she was holding was crying, and she imitated it's little chicken sounds, so cute.
Video of chicken petting:
Barrel rides were up next. I went with them and MAN was it bumpy!
Then bike tractors!
Hay ride up next after that. What a fun place huh! And the place was empty since we were there right at opening. Love it!
Lunch was this yummy empanada place. Ridiculously yummy. Hungry just thinking about it. The kids got pizza emapanads and the adults got ALL types. YUM! Katelyn liked the cheesiness!
Everyone passed out on the way home.
Afternoon fun - the pool! Ooh, I'm remembering now. The Tyler/Annie incident happened before this. I guess the kids were spending too much time together. Anyway, at the pool everything seemed nice and back to normal.
Video of waterpark fun:
Our yearly cousin photo! Cute!
The kids have all been sleeping in the same room for the whole trip. It's so cute and such a commotion, they love it though!
Sunday morning - heading back home. Good to be going home.
What a fun trip!
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