Last one! Conclusion of the family vacation reunion.

This is the Parker iphone picture. Missing from the photo is me, taking the picture with my iphone. :)

This day we spent at Universal Studios. I haven't been here since I was a little girl - and a lot has changed. It was a great day, beautiful weather and short lines. Highlights were the Mummy ride, Jurassic Park ride, and the Studio tour, everything else was pretty lame.

Shrek has always been a favorite of my kids'. He especially liked Veda's hair this day!!
I love Veda's expression in this photo.

This will definitely be a vacation we never forget. Now that we are all spread out across the country (and Pacific) these times we have together are especially precious. I can't wait for next time! Love you guys!!

Family vacation reunion - Part 3

We spent 3 days at Disneyland/California Adventure, but I'll lump all the Disneyland days in one post.... since I can't remember which day was which. (Maybe if I'd blogged about this trip months ago.....)

We hit some of our favorite restaurants at Disney. This is at the Blue Bayou restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Arrrr Matey!

Merrit and Eve eating candy corn in "Candy Corn Acres" in California Adventure. These two look more like sister than my girls do.
Eve and Kalena bonding in their pjs.
I had to choose from the 101 princess pictures I have. I'll just share a couple...
Another favorite character restaurant - Ariel's Grotto
The adorable Parker grandaughters.
Waiting in line for Matterhorn. It was great that the cousins had each other to entertain in the long lines.
We're all geared up to try the new Toy Story ride in California Adventure. It did not disappoint!
Mark and Eve. Just a word about Mark and Torrey - they are the best Uncle and Auntie we could wish for for our kids. They were awesome sports about being on a "kid centered" vacation and smiling and having a great time. Not to mention a HUGE help with all the kids. We love these two, can you tell?

Parker ladies

Family reunion vacation - Part Two, Parker style

Parker style apparently means going non-stop from theme park to theme park for days on end, with no rest - but having a blast doing it! Day one we went to the San Diego Zoo. Guess who forgot to bring the camera? There we were treated to some true miracles of nature - including getting shat on in the aviary (Veda), and watching up close and personal as a gorilla disimpacted himself with his finger, then scooped up his success to smell and taste it. Ahhh, sweet memories.

Next day was Seaworld. I DID bring my camera this time...and check out those mad skills! The Shamu show is always my favorite thing at Seaworld. These huge gentle creatures are amazing to see in real life. It always gives me chills.

Veda and Merrit insisted on sitting in the front of the ride on Atlantis (you can see the huge drop at the end of the ride). They were soaked to the bone, but got right back in line to do it again. :)
Veda's favorite animals at Seaworld are the bat rays. You can buy squid and feed them by hand.
Ryan and the kids sitting bravely in the "soak zone" at the Shamu show. Thanks for taking one for the family Ryan!
Ok, this one is at the Zoo. I did have my phone. And the one zoo picture I have is of a fake polar bear.
I had so much fun getting to know my little nephews - Brigg and McCord. This is McCord and I bonding. I miss him.... :(

We've still got Disneyland, California Adventure and Universal Studios to cover...so stay tuned!