Back from 10 Days in California with the kiddos. The weather was not so great the week we were there, a couple days of rain and in the mid-60's. Despite that, we had a couple really fun beach days. We spent one day at Disneyland, mainly for Ainsley who loved it. But, we also hit just about every scary ride - after Space Mountain Ainsley exclaimed she never wanted to go on another ride again - then the "Small World" boat ride got her to change her mind!  We spent a day at Legoland as well - of course for Aidan (and Jeff...).  Lots of cool rides there too, more legos to buy and tons to touch (gave them some building ideas...).  On our way home from Legoland we came upon a strawberry field in Carlsbad, perfect timing (dinner). We all got filled up eating strawberries and then ate them for breakfast the next few days too!  Jeff took the kids on a hike in Malibu and to the La Brea Tar Pits while I got a couple days of work in at the hospital.  The hike was cut short when Keeley saw the sign "Beware of Rattlesnakes!", that was just a second before Aidan fell and scrapped up his knee.  The kids got to visit my office and were treated to a suprise b-day treat for me with cake and balloons for each kids (and a decorated office).  Kaelin and I had a chance to go horseback riding in the mountains - in the absolute pouring rain, but she could have cared less. Neither one of us could walk straight until the next day.  I can not believe we did NOT get sick. Check out the pics of her riding by herself on a huge horse!  Keeley loved going to Hollywood and shopping in Beverly Hills (we are in trouble when she gets older...). We tood some pictures on the Stars just like we did a few years ago when she was a baby.  We also went to the California Science Museum on one of those rainy days and the Rose Garden (where again we took some pictures for historical look-backs!).  We chowed down at our favorite Mexican Restaurant - Don Antonio's in Santa Monica, best chips and salsa anywhere! Jeff got a dive trip in with his buddy Tim (cool pics). We spent some time kicking around the old stomping grounds in Santa Monica and Malibu. We had a lot of fun on the the rides at the Pier (but the kids could care less when we were driving around time pointing out where they were born, where we use to live, the farmer's market, where we walked down to the beach every night when we got home from work, explaining why it was so appealing for homeless people to live in CA...etc. etc. - that tour was really more of a walk down memory lane for Jeff and I!.  Jeff and I never did get our date night in LA, but will manage to grab one this weekend for sure.  The last night we were in LA, we where driving down Sunset Boulevard on our way home from the beach - we hear a scream, look back and Keeley has blood practicly spraying out of her mouth...the tooth she had been wiggling all week (because it would be cool for the tooth fairy to visit her in LA) popped out!  Yes, we took pics of course!  And, she was psyched when the tooth fairy visited her, left her a special prize, some money and a note in her special fairy handwriting (all 7 hours before we had to pack up for the airport. 

The gang was great on the 6.5 hours on the plane, but I think next trip we'll be heading East and not West. They never really did get use to the time zone change the whole time we were there. Of course, I'm more than use to it!  Our apartment next to the hospital fits all of us, but was definitely "cozy."  The kids loved the pool and especially hot tub (now they want one). They seem to also have the impression that I actually have time to go in that pool and hot tub when I am working in LA...

Overall a good trip, but this was definitely a vacation where we need a vacation to recover..But, alas, now we are in planning mode for Kaelin's horse birthday party in a couple weeks, end of school year activities, recitals, shows, etc. etc. etc.

Enjoy the photos - there are plenty of them of course (no time to organize or edit!