Bird Family Vacation

St. George TempleWe had a great family vacation. Kris bought us a nice mini-van, so we were all quite comfortable (although the kids in the back seat would tell you they were wedged in so tight that they had no need for seat belts!) We stopped in St. George, Utah at the temple visitor center on the way down - Xian liked the statue of Christ and REALLY wanted to go into "Jesus' house!" and said it loudly over and over while trying to pull Kris towards the temple. Las Vegas - Circus Circus! - We decided after driving down the strip that we'd probably rather drive down Salmon's Main Street. Not as exciting, but a lot more peaceful.We stopped at Circus Circus for just enough time to win a few stuffed animals and watch an aerial act, then went on to Los Angeles where we spent two days at Disneyland. My sister Shauna and her family were also there, so we were able to visit with them for a little while.

Disneyland! Then we went to San Diego to see the Supercross races (the real reason we were in California) where Chad Reed won (yea!) and where we also went to the beach, the zoo, and Sea World. After half a day at Sea World the kids said they'd rather go back to Disneyland, and since we had a 3 day pass we went back for a few more rides, the parade and the fireworks.

San Diego Zoo

Sam wants to know "How many hours till we go back to Idaho?" Xian rides on a Polar Bear Xian walks like an Egyptian and dances for the Polar Bears. On the Sky Ride San Diego Beach Universal Studios Nida, working on her collection of smashed pennies from around the world! Kris, running a little late for football practice. . .

Three Guitar Heroes!

The last day we went to Universal Studios and the beach in Santa Monica. Then it was time to head back home. In St. George I demanded that I couldn't go any further until I'd stopped at a nursery and bought a palm tree to take home with us. If we'd known what was waiting for us further north, we would have stayed for the night, because only a short time later we hit a blizzard of a snowstorm on the I-15 freeway on a 6% grade downhill slope, driving in deep snow and ice that must have caused us to lose our serpentine belt and spend four hours in the 22 degree cold on a deserted Ranch Exit while trying to get it back on with the use of Sam's gameboy screen for a flashlight and socks for gloves! Thanks to the miracle of cellphones, we were able to call Dad, who tracked down phone numbers to a tow truck driver and a motel --- In the end we rode on the back of a tow truck (a feeling similar to an amusement park ride) and spent the night in the last two rooms in a Filmore, Utah hotel. But now we're finally back home in Sunny Salmon, Idaho. I think everyone is quite happy to be home --- I think we are also in agreement that we don't need to see any more amusement parks for several years (although I think Xian and I could live at the beach - she just LOVED running after and away from the waves and throwing sand - her giggle was great!)