Day 3:
Sunday morning dawned grey and drizzly! It was not looking like a good beach day, but Alan promised me that it would burn off soon, and the kids would have a great time at the beach. We packed up the hotel room, loaded up the van and we were off. Unfortunately, this really nice hotel didnt have a continental breakfast, so we decided to just munch on granola bars and find something to eat closer to the beach where we were going to meet my brother and his family.
We contacted them by phone, and they were already at the Crystal Cove State Park just waiting for us. It took us about another 20 minutes to meet up with them, and then we began the trek down to the beach. We took the baby in the stroller, our beach bag, chairs and kids down a long narrow flight of stairs to the beach below. Im sure we were a sight! This beach is known for the tidal pools that are created when the tide is out, and the kids had a ball exploring them! It was kind of chilly, but not too bad. My kids stripped to the bathing suits and they were off! They found crabs, sea slugs, anemones, and starfish. They had a marvelous time digging up shells in the sand, and exploring. Alan and my brother, Addison, were great with them. They kept an eye on the little ones, so that my SIL, Dana and I could watch the babies on the beach. Timothy was fabulous! He was content to sit in his stroller and watch the waves. Danas baby, Chris, dug in the sand, and brought us shells to see.
We werent expecting to hear from my Dad who was traveling with my sister and her family, for several more hours. Imagine our surprise when they called at 11:30 to let us know that they were in Orange County and looking for us. At that point, we decided to pack up our spot in the State Park (since the kids couldnt take any of those shells as souvenirs) and find a nice sandy beach where the kids could play in the waves. We arranged to meet up with my Dad and his crew at a beach a few miles up the Pacific Coast Highway.
On our way, we stopped at a grocery store, and picked up some more sandwich stuff. While we were waiting, we made lunch for our hungry crew! As we were finishing, up drove my sisters family in their van. They ate some lunch, and then we found parking spots on the street so we could walk to the beach. It was only about 2 blocks away.
Once on the beach, we set up chairs for Dad, me and some of the others. The kids all ran for the water! It was darling to watch them jump in the waves, and get braver and braver! While the younger ones were in the water, Alan took Katie and our niece, Marina, to a small pier close by, and they discovered starfishes that they could actually pick up. They were thrilled. Alan gave his cell phone to my BIL to keep it dry and he waded in the water to get enough starfish for everyone who wanted one.
After about 2 hours on the beach, we were all ready to go. The sun still had not shown its face, and we were getting chilly. The poor kids had blue lips and were shivering! We packed up and started to the vans. BIL decided to get a couple more starfish for his kids, so we left them on the beach and told them wed meet them at the vans. It wasnt until our kids were all loaded up that we remembered that BIL had Alans phone. We crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. Not much we could do about it by then! Unfortunately, BIL had forgotten he had the phone, and it took quite a dunking in the ocean. Totally dead! At least we still had my phone.
At this point, we formed a caravan to get to our hotel. We were staying at the Park Vue Inn. Its the same place weve been staying for the last 14 years that weve been going to
Disneyland. Its directly across the street from the main gate, and is technically the closest hotel to the parks. We like it, as its clean, and theres a continental breakfast. Nothing fancy, but enough to hold us.
When we got there, we got checked in and met up with my other brother and his wife. They had flown in from New York State with her parents for the trip. It was great to see them again! Once we were all checked in, we literally threw our kids into the pool to get the sand from the beach off. Well, Alan stayed with them, while I unpacked in our room. As I unpacked, I realized that I had forgotten to pack Timothys sun hat! I was so mad at myself! Alan offered to take me to the store to pick one up. We decided to go to the character warehouse store in Fullerton. Dad and Marina went with us. We found hats to go around, light up toys for the kids for 1.99, and a stuffed animal (Pip from Enchanted) for Katie. It was a productive trip for us!
When we got back, the kids, who had been swimming with cousins, were ready to eat dinner. We got everyone out, showered and dressed and loaded up the van to go eat. We decided to go to a Chinese place that Alan and I found several years ago. Yummy food, huge portions, and quite reasonably priced. We ordered 2 plates with 3 selections on each and split them between us. There were 6 of us eating, and we still had food left over. A good deal, all around.
Once we got back to the hotel, we got the kids in their pajamas and went to the breakfast patio to watch the fireworks over Disneyland. This was to be the last showing of the fireworks, as a new show was opening on June 12. There were no other fireworks scheduled for our trip. We met up with the rest of our extended family, and had quite a fun time watching the show! We could faintly hear the music, and it was just lovely. Once it was over, we all hit the beds, and were asleep very quickly. The busy day had certainly taken its toll on us!
I'm glad you got your phone working again.
I gave him Motrin and a bottle of water and put on a movie. We'll see how he is in an hour.
Baby News !!!!!!! 
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You poor thing, you and the whole family. Wish I was closer and could help with meals.
It still says I have an unread PM but it doesn't show. 
....I'll stop whining now, bbl...
I know most have you have seen my Facebook updates. 
I work with some idiots...lemme tell you. At least I'll be living with the nobodies in the State of New Orleeeens soon. 
my new phone. 
