Phase 2

We have moved on. So long to home cooked meals, endless childcare, and large amounts of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade. Our time in Arizona was lovely and very easy as usual. Now we are sitting in a hotel room in Laguna Beach, CA and the room feels much too small for us and our 8+ traveling companions (aka the luggage).  The first night here pretty much included getting off the plane, renting the car, and speeding down the 405 south to Laguna Beach.   We thought we might get stuck in traffic so we let the kids use their little video game units.  Bad move.  Turns out we could use the carpool lane and we were traveling at about 75 mph.  About 20 minutes later Phoebe started moaning, and when we showed in Laguna Beach she ended up puking all over the lobby of our hotel, Brett, and the prized blankie.   We didn't have plans for the next day, but number on our list was now laundry.  And, we now know she is prone to motion sickness.

Our life in suitcases - and I am kind of sickened by the amount of  clothes.   The toys and the duffel bag entirely of shoes I can live with (but I will not have to hang those on a line to dry)

So, yesterday was just a a day to hang out.  Bought some groceries, did some laundry, and hung out at the beach.  We thought a picnic at the beach sounded like a great idea.  Again, we were wrong.  Turned out to be the most terrifying picnic of our lives.  Not many people were at the beach, and no one else was eating.  I think they knew something we didn't.  The Attack Birds.   As soon as we took our food out some big seagulls showed up.  And then, about a hundred started circling, and then, they started diving - I thought they were going to carry Phoebe away.  They were trying to yank a chicken leg from her handand flapping their wings in my face.  I hate birds!  And we couldn't scare these away.  We retreated (fast!!) to the minivan and had picnic in the back.  Oh well.  It was still a pretty good day.

Picni in the minivan

Hanging out at Laguna Beach

get those darn birds

 Today was the big day - DisneyLand!!  We didn't tell the kids we were going and it was fun to surprise them.  The weather was beautiful, the lines were not long, and everyone held up pretty good.  They gave Liam a button saying it was his birthday so the staff would all say Happy Birthday.   Phoebe got a little princess time and her face painted.  Liam was chosen for Jedi training and got to battle Darth Maul in a show. Only setback of the day was when someone stole our rented stroller.   You don't get charged for it but I had left my favorite water bottle in it - which I just spent two days in Phoenix searching for the matching cooler to it - darn it!  Hard to get too mad though.  I think Liam had pretty awesome birthday!

Liam in the Jedi training Show

  

So, this is it.  Our last night in the U.S.  Starting to get just a few butterflies.  The cell phones are getting tossed tomorrow.  We head to Fiji next and I am praying we stay well there.  Not sure we researched our tropical diseases enough.  Also a little worried about the boat ride we get to take after our 10 hour flight - there will definitely be some dramamine being passed out to the whole family.  The kids are starting to get a little homesick as well - wish they had a cure for that.  Well, I should probably start packing again!!  Next time you hear from us, we will likely be in New Zealand.