Sabbatical Trip #3: Amusement Parks in California

August 5th

This morning before piling into the car and driving the whole day, Garrett took the kids swimming after breakfast while Maggie and I got ready.  It was already so warm at 10 in the morning.  It was a nice pool!

We started to leave around 11:30, but before we got out of St. George, Garrett wanted to make a quick stop at one of his early relatives house, Jacob Hamblin.  He was an early settler in St. George and Arizona, I think.  

In front of Jacob Hamblin's house

Inside the house

Had to get pictures of St. George's famous red rocks on our way out.

Stopping to see the beautiful St. George Temple.  

Before heading out, Noah had been complaining about his sore throat, so this is what it looked like.  Lots of sores and redness in there.  Poor guy.  He had sores on the outside of his lips, too.  

Pictures of our drive.  We drove through 4 states that day.  Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California.  

Passing by the strip

These two girls being silly to pass the time.

We didn't get to San Diego until about 10 that night.  It was a long day!

Glad to be out of the car and getting ready for bed!
August 6
Beware, there are lots of pictures!

The first amusement park that we went to was Legoland.  We have been to Legoland one time before, when we were in England.  It was cold and rainy there, but today was nice and sunny!

The first ride we went on was "Fairy Tale Brook" It was a little boat ride that took you around to see fairy tale stories like The 3 Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood--all built from Legos.  

Next we got in line for something called "Sky Cruiser" which was supposed to be pretty popular.  The line was so ridiculously long!!  I bet we waited over an hour!  It was pretty hot, too!  I don't even think the ride was worth it.  It was fun, but you had to pedal yourself around.  You got to see lots of the park because you were up above the ground.  It was ok.  

Bella trying to pedal.

A view of the park

Another view

Maggie and Lydia ahead of us

Paige, coming in behind us. 

The next ride was "Sky Patrol".  We flew in helicopters. 

Noah loved it!

Driving in a police car.  Next, we took them over to actually drive Lego cars, but Paige was the only one who wanted to (out of the little kids.)  I waited in line with Noah for about 20 minutes and about half way through the line, he said he didn't want to drive a car.  I was really shocked, because he loves any kind of car.  So, I tried to talk him into it while we finished waiting and when it was his turn, he still refused.  So, we didn't go.  

Then we came over to "Skipper School" to drive some Lego boats.  There was a really long line for this one too.  But, they had stuff for the kids to do while they waited.  It was hard to find a place in the shade to wait--it was really hot!

Building with legos before it was our turn

Finally getting our boats!

I drove with Bella and Garrett took Noah.  Everyone else was by themselves.

A quick selfie of Bella and I

After this, we went over to the castle/medieval area for some lunch.  

This is where we ate.  It was so good.  They had bbq ribs, chicken, baked beans, cornbread, and fruit salads.  My favorite kind of meal!

After eating, Maggie, Lydia and I went to ride 'The Dragon' roller coaster, while Garrett and the younger 3 went to watch a medieval show.  

It was fun.  (This is just a picture from the internet)

When we met up again, the kids were in line for a horse jousting ride.  So Maggie and Lydia took these pictures.  

Paige jousting

Noah really enjoyed this one.  

Bella 

Lydia and Chewbacca

Then we went over to their Miniland USA and we came to the Star Wars section first.  These were so cool!

Noah and Han Solo

Paige and Leia

Noah and Darth Vader

Maggie and heart throb Anakin

We were all so amazed by all the scenes from Star Wars.  I didn't even include them all, they had so many!

Then after walking through the rest of Miniland, we rode on one last ride called 'Coast Cruise'.

These are Lydia's pictures from that ride

Then we took the kids into the stores and they could each buy one thing.  They mostly came out with new Lego sets, but Maggie got a key chain.  I think they were all pretty excited.  

These two LOVE Lego Friends!  

Lego land also has a water park.  We didn't have time to do that today, so we were going to come back in a couple of days.  

When we got back to the hotel, Bella and Noah's throats were hurting and they each had sores in their mouths.  I had them drink some Onguard mixed with water, so it could start fighting off whatever virus they had.  I kept thinking to myself that they had hand, foot and mouth disease.  Noah had some spots on his hands, too.  Luckily, I think the onguard worked, because they were both getting better by the next day.