Road Trip--Oceanside!

We were fortunate enough to get an invitation from my bff, Becca to take a road trip and stay with her family in Oceanside, CA. It took some coaxing on Brett's part, but when he finally gave in, he confessed that he needed a vacation as bad as I wanted one. We left on the 26th (our temple anniversary BTW) and drove to St. George. We stayed overnight at my aunt's condo and then on Tuesday morning we headed for CA! It seriously was the right choice. It was sunny and beautiful and best of all I got to see Becca! She and I met at the University of Utah. We had Spanish II together and we ended up on the same study abroad in Chile. Afterwards we traveled to Peru together and had so many adventures. We took a couple of classes when we got back and have just stayed really good friends. Becca taught me to love running too--I can't leave that out! We were able to go running together a couple of times while I was there and it was great. I wish I could gather all of the important people in my life and keep them close to me. I would run with her everyday if I could. We've only seen each other 3 times since we graduated and I miss her dearly. I'm so grateful this trip worked out and that we were able to get away from the cold and enjoy our friends! I appreciate their hospitality so much. I love you Becca!

When we got to Oceanside, we hung out at Becca's for a little while and then they took us to the pier down at the beach. It was the longest pier in the Western U.S. and it was so fun to walk out into the ocean as the sun was setting. Lot's of people were fishing for Sardines and we walked down to the restaurant at the end of the pier to get penny gumballs for the kids. I didn't get any pictures, but I loved it.

On the second day, we were able to go to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido. It was a beautiful day and we had fun wandering and checking out the animals. In the pictures below, you'll see just how much fun Jolie had playing in the splash play area. She's so funny! It took Luke a few minutes to get brave, but then he had a blast too. Becca's son, C loved it too but her little girl, E just kept escaping and climbing the big hill!

Luke eating a delicious PB&J

This is Becca trying to keep E in the splash area. It didn't work!

Jolie went crazy in the water area. She's a little fish. She loves to get wet! She played and played and played some more.

The elephants are my favorite. There were a lot of babies this year at the zoo. 

Becca and I at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

On Thursday and Friday we went to Lego Land. I really liked it! I was sad that Colby couldn't see all the amazing things they had built out of Legos, so we need to go back with him.I was impressed with that part alone! I also liked that we could gear our day towards our little kids. They loved it.

This was one of our first stops to PLAY Legos! 

E really getting into it haha!

There were several cities that were built out of legos. This is Washington D.C. and it was absolutely amazing. Everything was re-created from the Vietnam Memorial to Iwo Jima. I loved it! They said that in the New York display there were like 3 Billion Legos. I want to know how many Legos there are in the whole park.

We LOVE waiting in line haha!

Our little Aviator!

At Lego Land there was a giant Fort with slides, tunnels and obstacles. It was great--we ran around in there for a really long time.

This was an amazing Christmas display made out of Legos. They also had real snow while we were there. We didn't stop to play in it because, hello--We're from Antartica and we knew we'd be headed back there soon.

Bumper Car fun

Jolie with her Drivers License!

Luke on the little train. He had just woken up so he wasn't quite ready to smile for me.

Becca, You put the wet stuff on the hot stuff, you put the cold stuff on the hot stuff. Don't forget.

The highlight for Brett Yancey: soaking people. Cory and Brett  soaked quite a few people on this ride. There were little pirate ships that sailed around and when they got to Brett and Cory they got sprayed in the face by two grown men laughing their heads off. There was also a ball area where Brett was shooting people in the face (including me and Becca). He was almost in tears a few times when he saw people's reactions to being assaulted. 

Lego Buffalo!