Sunday was a day to show Mom Mom and Pop Pop what was around and we really just hung out. We made a morning trip up to San Juan Capistrano to the mission. It was beautiful. It is the only mission in all of Orange County and let me tell you how cool this place is. The buildings still stand for the most part and the history is amazing. I did receive one of those listening things, but sadly it was in French. Had it been in Spanish I probably could have hung in there. I am not Catholic, but being a Christian I definitely have a respect for the work these Catholic monks performed. The sheer size in this place and structure was so great. 
Monday we went to Huntington Beach (Surf City) which was only 15 minutes north of us via the PCH. Since we drove through shore towns it took a bit longer than if it were highway driving. (think driving from Harvey Cedars down to the south end of Beach Haven with all the local traffic and lights). It was a beautiful day to be at the beach and thankfully our warmest day so far. By warmest, I am talking 72* which for me is a bit chilly to be at the beach. Since I could not swim, it was warm enough just to sit in the sun and play with the kids in the sand. The ocean was a chilly 54* and all the surfers were wearing full wetsuits with some even with booties and hood. I mean it is cold, but come on wussies. I think I even saw a dry suit out there.... Kids had a blasts making sand castles and running from the cold waves coming in. It is funny to see the differences between the Atlantic and Pacific. The Pacific did not have any sea shells and had HUGE sea weed type stuff, when on a beach in at the Atlantic you have lots of shells and little seaweed. The waves break differently and come in sets that come and crash multiple times when at the Atlantic you typically get a good wave that you can ride in to the shoreline and that is it. I can honestly say that the peaceful feeling I get from just sitting in the sand and having the salt air blow in my hair with the waves crashing as my background is just Heaven to me. All annoyances, head aches and really anything negative go away when I got settled down there. The kids follow after me when it comes to the beach. They LOVE it. They could sit and play all day. Frank is not a beach person. He is bored within 15 minutes of being there. He was not raised as a kid going to the beach everyday of the summer like I was so he is not on the same page as me when it comes to going and just "being" while there. I could sit there all day, everyday and would never get bored of it. Since it was Memorial day there were lots of sales at the stores along the road where the beach was and lots of people watching. Mom and Dad Skinner are not beach people either so while the kids and us were playing in the sand and water, they walked around the pier then the shops up at the street level for a few hours. Perfect day :)
Tuesday we went to Legoland in Escondido, CA which is just about an hour away from where we were staying. It is about 30-40 minutes north of San Diego. We have been there before when Riley was 9 months old and Devin was just over 2 so we knew what to expect whatnot. Devin is really at the perfect age for this park. Riley was able to ride on a little over half of what was offered and that was great for her. She LOVED LOVED LOVED riding on every single ride that she could and even cried when she was not tall enough to ride on the bouncy ride. We packed lunches and ate halfway though the park which was a great refresher for the kids since they were starting to loose it by then since they were so over stimulated and had empty bellies. Devin loved everything about this park and was asking to go on every single ride. I think there were really only one or two that he was not tall enough for. He got his first big boy Lego kits as well and he and Pop Pop put the together. Devin really was into these and that scares me because those pieces are so little! Both kids slept the entire way back so it was a nice car ride home to the villa. Wednesday was a relaxing day. We went to Fashion Island for a lil bit of shopping and for lunch. Fashion Island is The District/Town Square meets Palazzo. Or for you NJ folk its Promenade meets KOP. The kids both built new bears at Build A Bear. Devin received his for his birthday from Mom Mom and Pop Pop and Riley got hers from them just because the love her. Devin picked out a Panda bear and a wizard outfit, while Riley picked out a blue bear (her all time favorite color is blue) and Mom Mom picked out Princess Tyanna's outfit for her. We went out to lunch with the kids and then a little more shopping. We were stopped by an agent walking around because she was turned on by the kids. I gave her our info and let her know that although we live in Vegas, I can come to LA anytime if she finds something. We may never hear a word, but I think it is cool that we were stopped and talked to.
Thursday we went to Disneyland. We have never been there before so it was all new to us. The drive was not bad (only about 22 miles) and we left around 8:45 in the morning to head up to Anaheim. Let me tell you, Disneyland is definitely not like going to Disney World. First it is smack in the middle of a town off a highway. Second, its much smaller. Third and most importantly, it is not well marked for parking. The only parking open was a parking garage and that was not well labeled at all. The satellite lots were not open yet, since it was the day before the grand re-opening for the new season. It took 35 minutes to get settled in the garage after we got off the exit which was SO frustrating since it was literally 1 mile away. Devin and Riley both LOVED going on the rides there, and unlike Disney World there were not many height restrictions at Disneyland. Devin and Riley both were able to go on almost every ride and they did. The park was not overly crowed but did have a steady stream of 15-20 or so minute lines at each ride. That is nothing! While at Disney World last April, we started pin trading necklaces for both kids. They both received a year pin and Devin got one extra one to trade (last year.) This year we got them both a year pin again and I bought a variety pack of 7 for them to trade with pin traders throughout the park. Devin also got to pick out a special pin (as his special gift at the park) and he picked out Pirates of the Caribbean. They traded the cheapy pins I bought for some really great ones. They both also got a pair of Mickey Ears with their names embroidered on them. Riley ended up napping in the stroller for a solid hour which is awesome so we were able to stay until 5 pm. 
Friday was our last day at the villa. We checked out mid morning and Frank, myself and the kids drove to the beach. Mom and Dad Skinner went up to Downtown Disney for the day to shop a bit and go to lunch. We went to Hobie to grab a new pair of flip flops for me and they suggested Corona del Mar for a beach to play at and it was just perfect for us. We left there around lunchtime and made our way back up to Anaheim to stay for the night. We stayed at the Marriott right in Anaheim which was perfect considering it was only 2.4 miles from Angels Stadium where Frank, his dad and Dev went to the game Friday night. Mom Skinner, Riley and I went to Downtown Disney for dinner at Rainforest Cafe. Saturday am we were up by 7:30, ate breakfast and were on the road by 9:15. It was a fantastic trip. Definitely glad to be home....but we made some great memories while there. :)
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