A Week In California

We've enjoyed this week of vacation here in California.  This is the first time we've ventured into California as a family, which is strange since we live in Oregon.  We've gone to Utah twice and loved it.  Our large caucasian family always fit in pretty well there.  Utah's really conservative too.  Now we are experiencing the other end of the spectrum!  

For instance, San Francisco. :)  A week ago we celebrated Katie's 13th birthday in Ghirardelli Square.  It was a fantastic day!  Click here if you'd like to see more pictures...

On Sunday we travelled down to Anaheim and spent Monday at Disneyland. Here are more pictures...

On Tuesday we explored Disney's California Adventure.  Yes... we went on the California Screamer!  At least a few of us...  Here are the pictures!

On Wednesday we were scheduled to go to Knott's Berry Farm, but it rained and rained and rained that day.  Both Knott's and the hotel extended the invitation, so we went to Downtown Disney and spent all the Disney Dollars we had been given.  

Isaac found the Lego Store!

This 'rain day' was a huge blessing to us.  Katie (and all the rest of us too!) were really tired after two fast paced days at Disney.  A few of us were under the weather, so being able to take HUGE naps Wednesday afternoon helped us get ready to enjoy Knott's Berry Farm the next day...

And it was great fun!  Thursday was sunny and warm... and all the rides were in operation (many shut down when it rains).  Annie wins the prize for being the most fearless rider in our family.  She would have gone on any ride, for sure... loving it the whole time.  Here are more pictures from our time at Knott's Berry Farm.

Montezuma's Revenge

(Annie wanted to be on the front row!)

Ghirardelli Square/Alcatraz in San Francisco!

We arrived!

Favorite Part of the Trip... and NOT

So THIS is my favorite part of the vacation - Road Trip!  But not everybody's...

Getting Things Done

How does a woman get 6 children (and one husband) to Disneyland?



My wife is amazing...

Kids Wish Care Package

A week before leaving for California the Kids Wish Network sent a care package to Katie and her siblings. My question... how big of a Care Bear does a kid need!?!

It's Katie's trip... but everybody's excited! She's taking us along. :)

Quote of the Day

Janie takes a taste of her candy cane and says, "This tastes like toothpaste!"

Saying Goodbye

Our little foster son went to his adoptive family today. He went to live with an aunt and uncle who love him very much and are excited to have him come live with them. We have had him 400 days today. 13 months is a long time in a 4 year old's life. He was very bonded to us and we loved him like our own.

Please pray for his little heart during this transition. He is so little to have to have processed so much in his life already. He knows he is special. He knows God made him and loves him very much. He knows Jesus will never ever leave him!

Please pray for our family. Even though our children know we just got to keep him for a while to keep him safe--they still love him and miss him.

There is so much more I could write, but tonight I am just remembering to breathe and entrusting him to God.