Our California Trip

Last week we went to California for Mickey's niece's Quinceanera (15th birthday party), always a big event. We had big plans for what to do to pass the 5 days we were there, but between kids, naps, eating, and planning the party most of it changed. You know how it is. :) Still, we had a lot of fun and it was great to meet his family again. The kids were shy at first, but Mickey's sisters have a no-nonsense attitude about that and snagged them from us right away, so they warmed up quickly. :) Pretty soon they were both following Tia Eli and Tia Karen everywhere, and poor Tio Ariel couldn't get them off of him. That's what they get for being nice, right? LOL

Kayin and Kareli both climbed their first tree while we were at a cute little duck pond, much to Kayin's delight. He's been asking to climb a tree for ages, and this one was perfect for them both.

We went to a Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus, which Kareli went nuts for. She sat on our laps and refused to let us sit back; she had to have her hands on the rail the whole time so she could see everything and spent the whole time clapping and stomping and yelling. Kayin, on the other hand, made it about halfway through and started asking "Are we done yet? Can we go play?" Crazy boy. :)

We also went to Medieval Times, which was AWESOME! Wenches (yeah, I know you love that, Troy) and Serfs served us food on pewter dishes that we ate with our hands while we we watched a 2 1/2 hour play. There was jousting, sword fighting, and skill displays, and they had horses doing tricks during the breaks. Everything was amazing. They only down side of the whole evening was that the knight our section was paired with was a little girly-boy, constantly flippin his waist-length hair and blowing kisses. He lost every event and was the first to die. :-( I got over it by cheering for the red knight who was really cool. :)

This was the announcer for the whole evening and had parts in the play; he was really funny and got everyone super excited.

Kareli's favorite part was the food (naturally; she never stops eating *smiling*) and the horses. Kayin went nuts for the fighting - he was on the edge of his seat the whole time. He liked it much better than the circus and says it was his favorite thing of the whole trip. :)

That's the green knight; he double crossed everyone but luckily got killed in the end. :) Oh, and they have a different story every night, so you never know what will happen.

Here's our fancy kids, all dressed up for the party. Kayin was so proud of his "fancy clothes" and showed them off for everyone. Tia Eli bought us all new clothes for the event.

Here's Oscar Jr, (a nephew, and Alma's Escort), Alma (the birthday girl), and Crystal (another niece, and Kayin's "bestest friend ever! I love her!")