Soladay Family Caliventure: The Finale!

I am combining our last 2 days
in the fabulous golden state of California into 1 post,
so hold on tight, my friends, because

heeerrrrrreeee we go!

This day was spent at Sea World San Diego

We're here!

First stop:

Shamu's show "Believe"

Ever since the tragic death of one of Shamu's trainers just under a year ago, the remaining trainers no longer enter the water with the massive whales.

How crazy is it that they can actually communicate and train these human-like mammals?

Enough with the camera, Mom! Seriously.

After seeing the people in the first few rows get soaked during this show, the boys decided they wanted to sit in the splash zone for every show thereafter.

Moving on to the sea otter show....check out the scenery surrounding Sea World.

Awesome.

Sittin' in the Splash Zone, baby!

Sittin' in the dry zone, baby!

Ya, I never really got the whole banana thing, but look at Mr. Otter!

What a fun job these women have!

The one in the middle is my sister's college boyfriend.

The salt water aquarium was fantastic:

Parana anyone?

Trysten would like this one with melted butter on the side.

Ryan and the boys' favorite exhibit...The shark tank!

We saw countless sizes and types of sharks from tiny:

To VERY large:

Scary.

I had to take a picture of this.

I managed to set off an alarm while doing so.

Nice.

What is it you ask?

You're welcome.

Next up:

It was freezing in this exhibit, but these little guys were in their element!

Polar Bears!

Beluga Whales! Have you ever seen a beluga whale? They are incredible.

Back outside for the dolphin show

This one seemed to be geared more toward little girls with a princess and a love story with butterflies, etc....hence the facial expressions on our boys!

More chances to observe nature

"Lift me up, Ryan!"

Time to go!
Tired boys...

Notice who Trysten is resting his head upon. =)

We decided to stop for dinner before heading home to Ryan's grandmother's house.

Yum!

The next morning we head out to Newport Beach for one final day in California!

I looked in the back seat only to find Carter doing this:

Really?

Lunch is first on the agenda!

Can you tell we like to eat!?

Remember how I said that each of the boys took their turn pouting during the trip?

Well....this day was "The Teenager's" turn.

It was hard NOT to laugh.

 Seriously? He did finally get over himself and join the group. Good times.

Time to get down to business, baby!

Let's eat!

They ate like champs!

Newport Beach!

Greatness.

Carter still goes back and forth with feeling completely comfortable swimming without a life jacket, so we oblige we he feels the need.

We didn't bring his jacket with us, so on with the big orange floaties!

Sweet boy...

The boys began digging the most enormous hole in the sand

Kids all over started helping them!

The hole grew bigger...

 and bigger...

Done!
Love this kid.

Ryan evidently got a hold of the camera while I was dozing.

The only reason I included this picture is so that when I am old, fat, and wrinkly...I can look back and remember that at one time in life,

Mama could wear that little pink and white striped bikini.

Can I get an amen, ladies!

Hello, handsome man!

Towards the end of the day, the boys started running and jumping into the hole...boys....

Silly boy, you make my heart smile...

I love this video.

To be this carefree...

Since it was our last night, we got dressed and went out to dinner with MeMa Dee Dee!

 Love him!

I love the relationship between these 2...

"No more, Alli!"

Good times!

The next morning, we packed up, said our teary goodbyes, and drove to the

John Wayne Airport. The same place where the Soladay Family Caliventure started.

This vacation was better than we expected. Every time we do something like this, we grow as a family, and that's why we go all out. It is not easy being a blended family. You have 2 other families you share your children with, but when we're all together, that's what we focus on. Thank you, Ryan, for working so hard, making it possible for us to take a trip of this magnitude. We have given the boys memories to last a lifetime!