31 May 2006

Some highlights from our trip to California

We had the best time visiting my brother Philip and sister-in-law Allison in Irvine, CA! We loved staying with them, eating Allison's great meals, and visiting all the fun things to see nearby.

We went to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach--it's a beautiful drive from Philip and Allison's house along Pacific Highway. Sebastian loved watching and listening to the waves--he was fascinated by the ocean. Abraham was a bit nervous at first, but once he got involved in helping Philip and Sam build a sand volcano (with surrounding moat), he had a lot of fun. Abe and Seb both had shovels to dig with, and we left Abe's in the moat while we walked along the beach. When we came back, it had been carried away! We looked around, but couldn't find it--but then just as we were about to leave, Philip suddenly went leaping off down the beach, and when we looked after him, there was the green shovel in the waves! He caught it and we were happily reunited.


Abe can't resist leading the music by this music-stand-like sign




These are pictures of the LA Science Museum and surrounding Rose Gardens. It's right by USC, and there are several other museums nearby, too. We spent most of the day at the science center, with a break for a picnic in the rose gardens. Sebby was happy to be carried in a pack instead of a stroller, and Abe loved all the interactive exhibits. We especially liked the musical instrument and wave-related exhibits, like this long talking tube, and other tubes you could blow water rings and make whirlpools with.





Because Sam works for Disney, we get into Disneyland free, so it was great--we went there twice without feeling either time that we had to stay too long or "get our money's worth." I didn't realize they would have so many fun things for Abey to do. He loved all the little-kid rides, especially when he got to ride with Philip or Allison. My favorite ride was "Soaring over California" (which was a bit scary for Abe, though he talks about it quite fondly now). Abey liked the Small World ride best. Sebby just loved watching all the people and taking everything in. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the fireworks, or "Turtle talk with Crush" (a show that I'm told is a must-see), but maybe we can go back again sometime for those. :)

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