California dream'n

Every Summer I try to make a trip down to hot California.  This last summer I almost didn't think we were going to be able to make it because we were so busy, but life calmed down in August, and we had a few free weeks before school started.   This trip was calmer, and we didn't do anything too spectacular.  However, the boys just enjoy spending time at Grandma's house and love to go to our usual California destinations.  When we come to California, its still my home and I feel like we never left. 

Its hard to think of new things to  do in California that are not too far away, and don't cost a lot of money.  Things seem to be more spread out in California than they are in Utah, and I hate spending hours in traffic just to drive to a museum or zoo.  One thing we used to do all the time when we lived in Ontario was walk around the mall.  My mom used to go with me, and while it seems like a simple event, the boys and I have a lot of wonderful memories walking around with my mom, often getting ice cream or pretzels.  Even now when we come down for a visit, I make sure to walk around the mall with my mom.  This time we decided to have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.  Its pricey, so we don't usually go there, but it was nice being able to take my mom and enjoy the fun atmosphere.  Blake was a newborn last time we were here so he was a bit apprehensive.  The animals look so real, and the thunder and lightning is a little scary for a three year old.  I think they all really enjoyed that experience though.   

Blake's poor nervous little face! 

"Mommy - I see an elephant!" 

Another favorite is John's Incredible Pizza with the cousins.

My Grandma is the sweetest, most loving person I know.  I miss my family so much, and I love being able to go down to visit with her.  She delights in the smallest things, and watching my boys brings her so much joy.  I often take my boys' for granted, and overlook the simple ways they act or talk.  However, my mom and Grandma notice every little thing they do, and they find so much joy in my children, which as a mom makes me so happy. 

One day my boys were getting restless and needed something to do before they destroyed my parent's house.  I took them to a little splash pad which also happened to be serving free lunch to all the kids. 

Yummy ice cream sandwich 

The beach is my boy's favorite California activity.  I don't like the drive, but I love the calm and peace of the ocean, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing the joy on my children's faces. 

Another one of my favorite places to visit in California is Vince's Spaghetti.  Its an old, dark, ugly restaurant, but it brings back so many happy memories.  My grandparents took our whole family here often as a child, and its full of nostalgia.   Even my Dad has been coming here since he was small, and apparently it hasn't changed much in the last 50 + years. 

One of the last things we did on our trip was visit Oak Glen - a cute little mountain community known for its apples.  We were a little early for apple season, so many farms were closed.  However, there were not many people there, so it was very peaceful. The boys got to go on a little nature hike and feed some animals, we had some apple dessert after a picnic lunch, and we even got to go berry picking.

On the way back home I took the boys to Cove Fort.  Its a long drive from California to Utah, so I'm always looking for new places to stop for a break.  This place is perfect - its right off the freeway and is a great way to stretch our legs while learning about history.