Our Whirlwind Vacation!

We decided to take one last vacation before school started to Northern California to visit my Grandma Cunningham. We drove with my sister Robyn and her family and my mom. We met up with my sister Heather in Santa Rosa. The trip was a ton of fun, but very exhausting! (Please note~the kids had to swim at the hotel every night after the activities-mercy we were worn out)

We got in Monday afternoon after visiting the Jelly Belly Factory where the kids tried all kinds of flavors including; skunk spray, buggers, baby wipes, and toothpaste. No one was brave enough to try the vomit, pencil shavings or ear wax flavors...I'm not sure why??????!!!!!

We had a fun barbeque at my cousin Jodi's house that evening with her family, my Grandma, Aunt Peggy, and some other friends.

Monday-

Tuesday-

We went to Six Flags. Theron and Bella took off early for all of the roller coasters while the rest of us focused on the animals and smaller rides! We did meet up various times during the day including below where Drake, Isabella, and Emmeline are riding an elephant

Thomas Town!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited Grant was for this part. It's a small area of the park, but he spent most of his day there with Grandma Rutledge! You can tell from his face what he thought of everything! He's such a Thomas freak! This was Grant's first amusement park (we usually leave him home) and he was quite the daredevil....he wanted to go on everything...and was never scared. Guess we can't leave him home anymore.

Wednesday-

We drove to San Francisco. We had a great time walking around Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Heather, Bella and I ate some awesome crepes, Drake found his dream Chocolate store, we saw some sea lions, bought some souvenirs, and watched a few interesting shows and in the middle of it all we took a three hour break and went to see Alcatraz.

Heather at the crepe store. We ate there for lunch-chicken crepes, and then went back later and got some desert crepes-yum!

Drake at Chocolate Heaven....he wanted to spend all of his money there....I wouldn't let him.

Alcatraz!!! It was an awesome! We went on a 45 min audio tour (that's why my kids have head phones on in all of the pictures) and then just explored around the rest of the time. The tour was amazing and interesting to hear all of the stories. It was a bit creepy, though, and Drake and Bella both thought it was a little scary! ....Good maybe it will keep them out of jail!JK

My little jailbirds!

His past finally caught up with him....just kidding!!!!!!!!

Solitary Confinement?????

The view the prisoners had. Thursday-

We left early in the morning at headed to the the Redwoods-Armstrong Grove. It was beautiful and peaceful...even with all those kids.

Then we were off the Drake's favorite place...The Beach. He was ready to move back to Oregon after the three or so hours we spent there.

That evening Robyn, Heather, my Mom, Grandma Bea, Aunt Peggy, Jodi, and several friends went to Adeles. My Grandma has gone there every Thursday night since she started square dancing years ago. None of her friends square dance anymore, but they still meet there for dinner every week. After dinner we took pictures and played cards. It was a blast.

Heather, Jodi (cousin), me, and Robyn with Grandma Cunningham

Friday-

A 12 hour ride home. Time for a vacation from our vacation!