Saturday, May 13, 2017

Our Family Vacation to Universal Studios

We had a wonderful family vacation to Universal Studios as a whole family!!
We left on Saturday April 22nd we were all driving separately.  Nana, Papa and Gaga were in one car leaving Sonora.  Our family of four left Merced and Titi was coming from a baby shower in San Jose.  On the drive down we decided to meet half way in Hanford at a famous ice creamery place.  I had heard about it and always wanted to try it.  It was not the cleanest place but it was still a fun experience minus the trying to get a large table and the crazy guy yelling the F word.  The sandwiches and salad were good but what they are really known for was the ice cream, sundaes and milk shakes which we all tried all three.
 This was a single scoop of rainbow sorbet!
 and this was the size of the sundaes it was pretty crazy!
 After lunch we only had about 2 hours of driving left and then we were at our hotel.  We stayed at the Residents Inn and it was perfect! We got 2 two room suites and we all had our own room and bathrooms.  It was the perfect hotel for a big group.  We had fun playing in the pool that afternoon.

 We then got ready for dinner and went to this really cool English style restaurant we found on Yelp.  The ambience was really fun and the food was very tasty!

 After dinner we went back to hotel and got a good night sleep for the next day!
Sunday 4/23 was our first day in the park.  We were so excited! I can't believe how tall Aubrey looks next to Titi in the picture.

 Once in the park Nana rented a scooter and then we were off for some fun.
 First stop Harry Potter World.  
 The kids were so excited to go on all the rides with Papa, Nana, Gaga and Titi! They loved talking all about all the rides and showing them all around.  It was a little crowded but thanks to moms pass we were able to jump right on rides.  We were surprised though how non handicap assessable some things were we had a crazy adventure getting on the big Harry Potter ride but we made it and we were so excited Carter was tall enough on this trip. 
 After our rides we got a yummy butter beer 


 Then it was off to all of our favorite ride, The studio tour! I just love that ride!! We had a great tour guide and we all had a blast!









 We then had a nice lunch in the courtyard and then got to see the animal show.  We didn't get to see this one last time so we were so excited it was a great show!! 
 Then we did the Minion area which is so cute and fun.

 We then made it to the down below area to do the Mummy ride which is Aubrey's all time favorite ride.  Man I think it's kind of scary and I was worried about Carter the whole time.  He did okay but decided to sit it out the second time we went on it that day.  He did go on it the next day again though.


 It was time for a treat after that ride!
 Then we went on our other fav Jurassic Park.
After that ride we made it back up to the top level.  I did all the stairs which is a good work out.  By then we were all pretty tired and decided it was time to head back to hotel.  First we walked through City walk.


On our way home we stopped and picked up pizza's from Pieology for dinner.
 We had a good nights rest and then woke up on Monday for another fun day in the park!

Monday 4/24 (Yes we kept the kids home from school for 2 extra days of spring break, yay!)  I was excited to see Mario Lopez from Extra.  He looks a lot smaller in person! 

 First up today was the Special Effects show.  We got great seats and could feel the heat of the fire when the guy was on fire.  It was super cool!



 Then we went to the Water World show another show that we didn't get to see last time.  It was really cool and we all enjoyed it.



 We went into Harry Potter World for some lunch.  I love this restaurant.

 Then we had some fun wand time.  I love this land so much!!!

 We made it down to the lower level again and got to ride Transformers. 
 We also did the Mummy and Jurassic Park a couple more times.  Then Carter and I walked up all the steps together!
 After we made it up Nana and Papa took the kids shopping to pick out some fun shirts and stuffed animals.  Titi also got them some fun Minion key chains with their names on it and some other fun prices, these kids are so spoiled!!


 We had a fabulous vacation! I just love being with my amazing family and making such fun memories!!!
Tuesday 4/25 we drove home and got ready to get back to life the next day.  
Wednesday 4/26 back to reality! 
The kids looked so cute for school in their new shirts.


 What a wonderful way to end Spring break.  We have summer fever like crazy now!! only 4 more weeks!!

Spring Break 2017

Spring break this year was April 14th-24th.  We had a wonderful week and I love that it was the week after Easter.  It allowed us to really relax and enjoy the week.  
Monday 4/17 we played with all our new Easter stuff and relaxed most of the day.  I had caught a horrible cold over the weekend so it was a day for us to rest and get better.  The kids had fun with their new fossil kits. 


 On Tuesday 4/18 I went into work and Nana came down and spoiled the kids with a trip to Target and to McDonald's for lunch.  Sadly I didn't get any pictures.  Also that day both kids had play dates in the afternoon.  Aubrey went to Molly's and Carter went to Maddox's house.  While they were playing Nana and I got to go to Costco to their Universal Studio tickets and enjoy a yogurt together.
Wednesday 4/19 The kids and I rode our bikes over to a very cute Watermelon bake sale our friends were having.  It was way cute!
 We enjoyed our watermelon treats all the way home.
 Then we got in the car and headed down to Fresno to go to Skywalk just the kids and I.  We love that place and had fun jumping like crazy.






 We then came home and had baseball practice and then came home and I made a fun fish dinner I was pretty proud of!
Thursday 4/20 we meet up with daddy at the Pizza Factory for lunch and then decided that it was so windy we had to go get a kite and fly it.  We had fun running around the neighborhood flying our kite.
 Aubrey and Carter then decided they wanted to make something for their American dolls.  They love making food so they thought they should make a refrigerator.  I helped a little but they did most of the work and made it look just like ours!
 Friday 4/21 Carter had a play date at Cord's and so Aubrey and I had a mother daughter date to Five Guys for lunch.
 and to get mani and pedi's at the nail salon.  

 It was such a nice treat and so much fun to get pampered just in time for our vacation the next day.
 After our salon time we went and did some shopping.
 That night we had the boy scout spaghetti dinner and then we came home and packed for our big family vacation! Aubrey had decided she only wanted her toes done at the salon so I did her fingers for Harry Potter Land, Minions and sherk!
Up next family vacation!