Day 2-Huntington Beach, CA

Here is where our R&R begins! We found our dream resort! One we would highly recommend to folks with kids! Our room was big and roomy, but the truth is we didn't spend much time in it! We stayed at the Hyatt Huntington Beach Resort & Spa. It was across the street from the beach "the real beach" according to Leah. Noah played football with Dad, we dug holes in the sand and even stepped into the FREEZING water! Apparently the water was unseasonably cold. Not a cloud in the sky, the temp was in the 80's!
Leah LOVED the water slides in the kids pool. Noah did too...but he was planning his next adventure at the resort--SURFING!

Stop for a quick visit to see Great Gramma Jean in LA!

Great Gramma Jean wanted to make sure the kids had an opportunity to experience some of her favorite places in LA before we headed south. We visited her apartment, she took us over to see the LaBrea Tar Pits, no visit to LA is complete without seeing the the Elephants stuck in the hot tar! We had to remind Leah "they aren't real."

The next stop was a surprise, but shouldn't have been for Guy and I. She wanted the kids to experience the "99 cent store!" She gave them some cash and told them to go in and spend it! It was like the Mall of America of dollar stores. (This has been Gramma Jean's favorite place to take visitors since I was a kid).

Noah scored a Celtics DVD, Ken Griffey Jr. VHS, Beach Mats, Toothpaste, MLB Pepsi Bottle and some other random items. Leah on the other hand was in heaven, she picked up beach toys, pens, coloring books, stapler, scissors (which she used to cut her Hannah Anderson dress in three places-"She wanted to be cool like Anna") and many other random items. Oh, I scored a case of water for 2.99, Guy of course thought I was crazy, but we actually drank it! It was in the 90's the entire time in LA and Anaheim.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles - Part II

Day 1 - MSP to LAX, visit with Grandma Jean, then arrival at Hyatt Huntington Beach.

As you can see, Leah loved the Sky Club. Expecially in LAX, they had her favorite sprite with cherries and apples! Noah on the other hand is an experienced traveler! Yes, that is HIS travel pillow. He is one of the few that can sleep on any flight. Despite our late departure, the kids were still ready to begin our annual adventure!

THE GAME! Giants vs. Dodgers

AT&T Park was AMAZING! All of us would recommend a visit! Noah was looking forward to this game the entire time. I am happy to report, I think it may have exceeded his expectations. Leah loved it as well! She loved the kids field, where she was hitting whiffle balls out of the park(seriously, she hit one through the fence), and running clockwise around the bases (3,2,1, home), she ran fast and took it very seriously. All we could do was laugh and enjoy her new found passion for the game! Unfortunately, the Giants didn't pull off a win! 4-2 Dodgers took the game! Wow, is this a rivalry. The fans were very intense! Well, I better run to bed, as tomorrow should be a very busy day! Lots left to do in San Francisco!

We've arrived!!!

We made it to San Francisco! Our final destination!!! The kids loved the streets! Weee.... "this is like a roller coaster."

The picture on the bottom is as we drove in over the Golden Gate Bridge. We arrived the same time as a large cloud! It was really cool, we drove right through it! The temperature dropped very quickly!

Day 11-Headed to San Fran...but first...

We made a quick stop to the Charles Schultz museum! It was really neat! Many folks don't realize that he spent nearly 40 years of his life in CA! The picture that we are all standing in front of are Peanut comic strips assembled to display two of Charles favorite characters!

Day 10- We made it to Sonoma!

Paradise for adults, but "boring" for kids! Guy and I visited two vineyards, we loved them! However, the kids didn't like it.

Of course we did...

drive through a redwood tree!!! Guy and I both remember it! We couldn't deprive the kids of it!

Junior Park Ranger

Noah became a Junior Park Ranger. He was sworn in! He had to do some research take a hike, pick up garbage and meet with a Ranger. They were VERY impressed with how much he retained!

Our hike with the Ranger in the Redwoods...

We did it, and loved it! The hike with a Ranger was very informative, even Leah asked a question...(can you believe it?) She wanted to know "how do the trees get so big around?"

The AMAZING Redwoods!!!!

The trees were amazing to the Kids and their Parents! Guy and I both remember how amazed we were seeing them when we were kids! They still make you look twice. Yes, these are pictures of a road that we drove through. Needless to say, it took a while!

Day 9-Leaving Crescent City and Heading to the Redwoods

This was a LONG day of driving for poor Dad! We first made a stop to take a final shot along the coast at a spectacular overlook, before heading out onto the twisty and winding roads that have been carved through the Redwoods!

Bye..Rich, BJ and Uncle Art were such wonderful hosts!

We hated to leave, but knew we had a long drive ahead. Cresent City, CA was our next stop for the night!

How could we forget to share pics of Uncle Art's Fancy Pad!

Uncle Art's "garage" puts ours to shame! Now that is a Guest House!!!! It was really fun getting a tour, and it was rather amazing!

Day 8- We make it to visit Great Uncle Art!

We made it after nearly 3+ hours of nail biting driving from the coast, we found Grants Pass! Uncle Art, Rich and BJ, were very excited to see us, as were we to see them! They whisked us right off (per Uncle Art's request) to the brand new restaurant on the river! It was rather spectacular. They were incredible hosts!!!! We really enjoyed our visit!

Oregon Dunes...

We didn't plan far enough ahead to get a dune buggy ride, but the kids LOVED playing in the sand dunes on the beach! A place I would recommend seeing someday! The sand was so soft and fun to play in!

Day 7-The Oregon Coast (On the road again)

After a long debate, we decided to head to the coast and put off Crater Lake. It was beautiful, but hazy, as it is most of the time. We visited the MOST photographed Lighthouse in the world and added a couple of new hikes to our list of accomplishments! As you can see the kids had a great time! Dad too, this time! No sandals-Tennis Shoes!

All the Nilsen's!

Yes, it is true we got to meet and see everyone! We were VERY excited! Now...we are told that John will be providing a flowchart that I will attach with all necessary info. I know, Mom (Patty) you should be jealous! Now it is your turn! They are awaiting your arrival! (And hopefully planning for the Cierzan's next visit!)

Made it to meet our Oregon Cousins! The Nilsen's!

John and Ginger were so kind as to host us for dinner and invite all the kids over! We REALLY enjoyed our visit. I had not seen them in over 20 years! Noah really hit it off with Jonathon! Leah Loved her "new cousins" too!