The End

So, the end of our trip consisted of taking our time getting home. We just enjoyed driving at a reasonable pace, relaxing in hotels, cable television and continental breakfasts. We also went a wee bit out of our way to visit the Jelly Belly Factory. Really cool. On top of the free bag of beans you get upon exiting the tour, they have a Jelly Belly Bar where you can sample a handful of beans of your choice. This is my guys on the tour. The hat is for sanitary purposes - don't want to shed hair while walking through the plant. Notice Micah's also wearing a hat (?).

Now, Micah and I got a small bag of the typical grown-up flavors (mmmm... Mint Cappuccino, Strawberry Cheesecake, Toasted Marshmallow, Pomegranate, Plum, so many choices...) but Solomon decided to bag up some of the more, uh, unconventional flavors to try back at the hotel:

Ooooo! "Jalapeno"!

"Pencil Shavings" was really quite nice - we both tried and liked that flavor. Also one of my favorites, but unfortunately discontinued, is "Grass". Tastes just like summer.
"Skunk Spray"! Delish!

"Earwax". Who thought of that one?

"Boogers". Solly says, "Hmm. Salty."

And, the cause of this face? "Vomit", of course.

We then continued on our way. We stopped here at lake Shasta. So beautiful! We then headed to Grants Pass to spend our last night at Uncle Daniel and Aunt Angela's. So, all said and done, a great trip! We were very glad to be home, though, and to sleep in our own beds next to the various furry members of the family who missed us like crazy! Next up for the family's agenda?

Committee for the Dream Team on April 16th!

The Middle

So, we spent Solomon's 6th birthday at Sea World. After some rides and walking, he stopped here and found a nice spot to open his birthday cards. He got well wishes from Aunties and Uncles and spending money to buy souvenirs. Can you guess what he bought? One of the bears he's sitting on.

This pic is a bit blurry, but I love it just the same. The boys were checking out a couple of penguins making out.

See? Told you.

At dinner we got Solly a piece of decadent dark chocolate cake to share with his brothers as we sang Happy Birthday To You! We also got a variety of other dinner items, much of which was stolen by a kleptomaniac seagull. He had such patience and waited until Nana was left alone with the food while the rest of us rode this:

He then saw his opening and began systematically stealing everyone's food. Poor Nana hadn't a chance against such an experienced and motivated foe. By the time we returned, soakin' wet, the left-overs were gone, the Nana was flustered and the Seagull was boasting a full gut of delicious (and expensive) dinner. The next day we found out that Sea World will replace any meal taken by Seagulls free of charge. Seems this is a recurring problem.

We found this onsie in the gift shop and busted up laughing. In case it's too small to read, it says, "Careful! I bite!" Most of you know that Levi came to us with a bit of a biting problem. Those days are over for the most part but we couldn't resist...

Oooooo...the shark tunnel.

And checking out the flamingos...
This ride was one that Solly didn't care for. He felt very insecure in the swaying basket and that water looked too far down for him. He was pleased to exit this one. Oddly enough, he did great on some of the bigger coasters and water rides. Except for the coaster I put both him and Kai on. They were with Daddy and Auntie Cyn, but I majorly underestimated both how fast and how high it went. It spun in circles, too. After the ride is over, you can view clips of yourself enjoying the ride. Then, of course, they're so kind to offer to let you purchase the DVD containing the complete 55 seconds of the experience for only $20. Solomon's was so hilarious that we ended up forking out the cash. Poor kid. I'll see if I can get it up on here eventually. Here's Levi waiting patiently to feed the dolphins. We ended up spending $30 on sardines. Totally worth it!

Auntie Cyn and Kai visiting with the dolphins.
Solomon doesn't like the way they feel. Too funny as this was the moment we came to California for. This was his birthday wish!

Mommy and Levi have their turn. "Give eh bite! Give eh bite!" He thought it was so funny when they caught his fish!

Time to head back to the hotel for a swim and a soak in the hot tub. Nana wants to order in pizza - boy does that sound good! It was an awesome day enjoying the wonder of God's creation. He's so good to bless us with the beauty of His amazing creatures.

We're so thankful. And tired!

Happy Easter

John 3:17

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

Thank You, Jesus.

Beginning

So! As promised, here are the highlights of our trip to California:

Well, to begin with, a few days before we were due to hit the road Onie's face exploded into a ginormous infection. Come to find out, although I cleaned and treated the wounds he acquired in his fight with Mr. Opossum, I didn't get all the way down to the base of the wound. Onie's head healed over top of left-over opossum cooties and proceeded to fester unbeknownst to us. His beautiful thick fur hid the goings-on nicely. That morning we woke up and and saw our fever-laden kitty laying lethargically on the couch. When I say his face exploded, well, I wasn't exaggerating. This pic is after the vet worked her magic. I couldn't post the before pics. They're awful and leave you feeling that One of One certainly used up a couple of his lives that day.

Anywho, $175 worth of vet bills later, Onie is now healed. Scarred but healed.

So, tragedy averted, we headed out and made it to Sacramento the first day. Micah's Papa Davis & Gramma Anna live there and were kind to have us overnight. The boys were thrilled to see that they have a lovely lemon tree in their back yard and insisted on eating some of it's produce (PS - Malachi's Supermans met with some unpleasantness during a previous meal. That's why he's the odd brother out.)

Mmmmm-mmmmm-good!

The next day we were refreshed and off again. We put in another LONG day and arrived in San Diego that evening. We camped out with Auntie Cynaera, caught up and rested. Nana also flew in and we met up with a long-time family friend, CeCe. The next few days were whirlwinds of rides, shows, laughing and walking!

I'll leave off here for the night.

I will, however, update those of you who are following our adoption journey and waiting for our much-coveted Dream Team's Committee date....drum roll please.....April 16th! Please pray for wisdom for all who are on the Committee, that the Holy Spirit would guide their thoughts and reasoning and that God's will would be done in these kids' lives. They are precious indeed. And really super cute, too.

Home Sweet Home!

Whew! We're home! Using one word to sum up our trip activities: FUN!!

Using one word to sum up our return activities: LAUNDRY!!

So, because I have tons of un-packing, a van that's interior tells of well over 50 hours spent on the road, and I'm quite tired, I'm throwing some teasers out here. Come back later and see....

what caused horrible reactions.....

and adorable reactions.

And get the scoop on the bad mojo that went down just before we left the State for 2 weeks.

...and the hold-up for a Committee date for the much-coveted Dream Team is over at last!!

More to come....

This Chick's Going on Vacation!

This will be my last post for a couple of weeks as we're taking the boys to San Diego for Solomon's birthday! Please pray for safety for us and for sanity as well (3 little boys in the van for 18 hour of driving - we may need it!). I'm sure I'll return with lots of interesting tidbits and pics.

Farewell!

It's Another Gold Start Moment! -or- Why Mommy Needs to Join a Gym.

So Malachi was working on his phonics and the time came for him to read "The Sentence of the Day". This is done on his own and after sounding out the simple words he tells me what it says. He's usually quite proud of himself and may run to Daddy and share what he's read.
Today's "Sentence of the Day was written next to a lady beside her car at the gas station. It said: Mom got gas.
Funny in and of itself, but I laughed even harder as Kai omitted the first letter of the last word. He ran to his Daddy and yelled,
"Dad!! Mom got a**!"