Sea World and Shamu

Of course no trip to Sea World would be complete without going to see Shamu, right? We went to as many shows as we could, but we made sure that Shamu and the dolphin show were a priority. It is so crazy to me that those big animals can jump so high out of the water!

Trevor hadn't ever been to Sea World so it was a new experience, but I still remember it from my last trip. It is so crazy because seeing it for the first time, and as a kid, your perspective is so different. Every show we went to when I was younger seemed so much longer. We did spend more time there the first time I went than this time, but I don't think there was as much stuff there now as there was then. There are more shows and rides and stuff that weren't there at all or in the process of being built. The biggest downer of the day was the heat. We could hardly stand it. It was worse this day than any other day that we were in California. Both Trevor and I got a little burnt. We didn't stay as long as we had planned due to the heat!

One of the coolest things about Sea World, for me at least, was this area where you could touch like star fish and other things. There were tons of little kids around the pool of water. Some of them were so scared to touch anything. I think that sea world would be way more fun to take little kids to than Disneyland. We heard more kids exclaiming out loud at all the different exhibits from being excited than anywhere else we went. It was so fun to see all the animals and things through their eyes! They were so cute!

If only it hadn't been so gosh dang hot we could have taken more time and seen more, but even though it was short I still loved it! Sea World is pretty cool, especially now with all that there is to do. BUT the one thing that Disneyland does have that's better, it's the food. Every stinkin' restaurant was gross.....(bring your own food if you go there).

Cirque de la Mar

One of the little shows that we watched at Sea World was called Cirque de la Mar. It is a spin off of Cirque de Soleil. We were really excited to go see this show because when we went on our Honeymoon to Las Vegas we saw a show called "O" by Cirque de Soleil (you say it like surk day sew lay). It is a show that isn't really done with much talking at all but has lots of action. There is acrobatics and all sorts of crazy stuff. It really can't be described. You have to see it to know what I am talking about.

The show in Las Vegas is done in a theatre and the stage goes down and is filled with water. They jump off of swings and way up in the rafters. They also do acrobatic stuff while being suspended in the air. Then they always bring in people that are crazy strong and flexible. The show at Sea world was on the stage in the sea. There was all sorts of crazy things going on. Of course it was on a smaller scale than the las vegas show and it was only about 25 minutes long, but it was still fun.

Here are some pictures, but I really wish that you could see it. Because this just does not do justice to the insane things these people can do with their bodies!

Happiest Place on Earth

That's right.....Disneyland! We went to Disneyland on Thursday of our trip. It was great. We decided to splurge a little and get the park hopper so that we could visit both Disneyland and California Adventures. Trevor was four the last time he was at Disneyland, and so much has changed in the nine years since I have been! We randomly chose to go into Disneyland first. We were there as the gates opened, so we were lucky. Like every day that we ended up spending in California it was hot and muggy!

We picked out all of the big rides first: splash mountain, the mattahorn, space mountain, pirates of the carribean and so on. We tried to hit all those first because we were worried about the lines. Fortunately for us, the longest we ever waited was about 12 minutes! yay! I think that it was just complete luck that we went to Disneyland first, because after we had done all the big rides we decided to head over to California Adventures, and people were still pouring into Disneyland like crazy!At California Adventures there were basically no lines. We hardly ever had to wait at all. I think that Disneyland was way more crowded because people were coming with their little kids. (on a side note...who in their right minds would spend the money to take little kids to disneyland when they can't ride half the rides, and won't hardly remember being there?)

I didn't take very many pictures at all. We were just walking as quickly as we could from one place to another. These pictures were all taken at California adventures. Half of the background behind us is an illusion! It is painted on a building. It was so cool, because you couldn't tell until you got up close.

I will say this...it was lots of fun. Trevor loves rides! I get a little freaked out. But that's no big surprise coming from someone who never liked riding on the zipper at our little county fair! I was more terrified on that stupid huge ferris wheel that was slower than tar than anything else. The Tower of Terror was really fun. I think that was my favorite. Trevor loved the roller coasters and the one that shoots you up in the air really fast. (I nearly cried on that....I couldn't believe it was over so soon! Good thing too...)

I don't think anyone has ever gone through both parks as fast as we did. It was a little rushed, and I wish we would have taken more time, but we were concerned about getting to our hotel in San Diego. Traffic was nuts. On our way there we got to see the San Diego temple off the freeway and couldn't believe that it was just right there!

Overall, awesome day....great fun....and a little scary (for me at least......what a chicken)

Sun, Sand, and Sea

It's been a while since I last posted, but it's because I was waiting to get pictures developed. Unfortunately I still haven't developed all the film that I have, but I figured I'll just post what I have thus far. The weekend of Labor Day Trevor decided that we needed a vacation. I was so excited because part of us not having kids right away was so that we could enjoy each other and go places and see things. Well, we haven't really gone anywhere or seen anything, so this was our chance. On a Wednesday afternoon we set off for California. Woot-woo!

We drove to Barstow California that night and the following morning we got up and went to Anaheim, and then on to San Diego. We spent the majority of our time in San Diego, and loved it all...minus the heat wave that they were in at the time.

The one and only requirement I had for our trip was some beach time. We didn't spend as much time as I wanted to there, but at least we got to go at all. We went to mission beach and spent a couple of hours there. It was Trevor's very first time to the beach, or at least first time that he can ever remember. I hadn't been since I was thirteen. Trevor just let the waves crash into him for ever! He kept trying to make me come farther and farther out, but it kinda freaked me out! I know I am a big chicken, but I am really not a good swimmer and I didn't want to take any risks. Of course, I finally did go out too far, and the waves had gotten pretty big, and this one just washed over me unexpectedly and I went under. I swear my life flashed before my eyes. Well, okay, maybe not really but it did scare me...and I paddled as hard as I could and then after that stayed way closer to the beach. Trevor stayed out in the water for way longer than me and I just watched him as I found sea shells.
Overall, I really think that going to the beach was my favorite thing. I just love it there. The sea is so big and overwhelming, but so amazing. I love the sounds, and as sick as this may sound I actually like the smell of the beach. People who live near a beach don't even have a clue as to how lucky they are. I love it!!! But I will say this...I do love Arizona. I don't think that I would trade living here, I just wouldn't mind getting some more California time!

In Memory...

Okay, so I just wanted to post this in case anyone wanted to know. Darla Barnes (one of my best friends from high school) oldest sister, Deana died in a car accident yesterday morning on her way home to the valley. Plans are still in the process of being made, but I am pretty sure her funeral and burial are going to be in Mesa. If any of you would like to know the dates and times let me know and I will get back to you. Her family is struggling through this, as I am sure any of you can imagine, so remember to keep them in your prayers! Thanks.