Santa B

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So, I was out visiting teaching last Wednesday and Jonah called and said, "come home quick, we're going to Santa Barbara". I told him he better pack up then, and he did, kids and all. He didn't forget anything, except a bathing suit for himself! :)

We were going to Santa B for a vacation, but also to check out a car that seemed like a great deal, but when we got there, it was totally trashed. Jonah and I decided Ana needs to be included on all car sales meetings from now on, because the first thing she said to the owner was, "Gross! You didn't even clean the car before we got here! How much do you want for this car?!?" Later, Jonah asked her if we should buy it, and she said, "No. " "Why not?" "Ugly." "Why do you think its ugly?" "Three things: ripped seats, dirty, different." So, we decided to just enjoy our vacation instead.

We spent the night in Vegas at my dad's on the way to California, and he took the kids to visit some of his heavy equipment. Cam loved it, obviously, and I think Ana liked it too. She mostly liked counting the change in my dad's drawer, and was so surprised that he had $28 dollars just sitting there that nobody had ever counted! My dad said he's just going to give her change for her birthday and Christmas from now on.

We found a great deal on Travelzoo for a hotel right on the beach and just a few blocks from downtown Santa Barbara. It was not at all crowded in Santa Barbara, and its so clean! The beaches and the pier were gorgeous, and the kids loved that the hotel pool was right out our room's back door. They didn't like that Jonah got a room with just one king bed and they had to sleep on the floor. Here they are enjoying hotel breakfast with all you can eat cream cheese, Ana's "BEST cream" that she just licks off the knife.

A little walk along the beach. We were on our way to rent a four person surrey bike thing. It was a fun little jaunt along the boardwalk, but super hard to pedal. Sorry there aren't any pics of us on it... we were too tired from pedaling.

Elsie loved the beach so much, though she couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to play in the waves by herself. She had lots of handfuls of sand for lunch. This is at a beach called Santa Claus beach, and you can see Ana in the background on the right.

Here is Elsie's twin, Ana! This is when we went to San Diego when she was one. Its weird to me how similar they look.

Cam didn't feel a need to run and play in the waves and make friends with a different family down the beach and hang out with them for a few hours like Ana did. He just likes to move dirt, while wearing his lifejacket just in case a wave comes all the way up where he's digging.

Is there anyone in the world who hates going to the beach?
The next night we were there, we stayed in a Motel 6. Ana explained that she liked this new ratty motel much better, especially since it had two beds in the room, and the name has a 6 in it. Jonah and I, on the other hand, had no problem leaving early the next morning. We bought the kids a box of fresh donuts and told them we had to go look at another car to buy and they'd have to sit in the car for a few hours.

But, we tricked them pretty good and instead walked them into the front gate of the Santa Barbara zoo before they knew what was going on. It was a great, good-smelling, small zoo that is right on the beach. Ana and the alligator above.

Elsie of course loved the underwater penguin viewing area and the flamingos (she loves all kinds of birds). Then, after the zoo, we walked to the beach and played there and watched the sand volleyball tournament for a few hours. Ana learned the game of volleyball pretty quick, and she also learned about popping kelp and floated in the waves with Jonah for awhile.

The best part of the day was when Cam turned to me and said, "Can we have this same day again sometime?". Also, Ana said, "This is the best day ever!" and Cam said, "Ana, the day isn't over yet!"

Sadly, we had to leave beautiful Santa Barbara on Saturday night, but we broke up the drive by stopping in Primm, NV to go on the Desperado rollercoaster at Buffalo Bill's. Ana was SO SO SO excited to go on it, and Jonah scored some free tickets, so up they went. I don't think she really knew what to expect. Here they are a the top before the first big drop! I've ridden this coaster dozens and dozens of times, and it used to be one of my favorites, but I think I've gotten old or something, because it was pretty scary when I took Ana for her second time. Ana said she wanted to wait until she was 8 or 10 before she goes on another one.

Instead, she and Cam LOVED the little "Hopper" ride. Its 10 pm, btw. And Ana hasn't washed her hair since the beach. Gross. But, they sure are cute when they are having so much fun.

So other quotes:
Cam: "I had a bad dream. It was about Gummy Bag (Gunny Bag, from Joy School). He was trying to eat me. But Gummy Bag doesn't like to eat people, he only like gowbage and toys."
Cam, as he's walking with Jonah along the freeway: "Hey dad. Look! I'm walking on your statue!"