OUR SUMMER UPDATE

This past weekend, we traveled to CALI for the long-awaited beach break and wedding of Adam's sister, Annelise to our new Uncle Ray. All just get the bad news out first- I forgot my camera :( But there were plenty of people snapping pics, so hopefully I'll get a few. My kids looked darling.

To make a long story short - it goes like this: 2.5 hr delay to Long Beach, dinner, beach, very little sleep, beach some more, picnic dinner at the park with cousins, more sleep than the night before, wedding: sealing at San Diego temple, luncheon in Oceanside, check into hotel in Riverside, little bit of rest, reception in Riverside, LOTS of good deep sleep, followed by an early morning spent swimming at the hotel with cousins, drive to Long Beach airport, ANOTHER 2.5 hr delay - boo on Jet Blue, followed by our flight, drive home, and the best sleep ever in our own beds. (Sophie slept in until 9 AM this morning - that NEVER happens).

Landon hates driving, he hates his car seat and he hates being confined - makes us rethink any trips. Tons of fun, but we need some major recoop time at home doing nothing but the normal.

So, now this trip has me thinking about our upcoming Disneyland trip. How can we make it as relaxing as possible?! We have 8 full days in Anaheim so there won't be any need to rush through everything. For those of you who have been to Disneyland, give me your best tips!

Fortunately, JetBlue did hook us up with $50 each for each flight that was delayed, so we have $100 credits to use. I'm watching flight deals like a hawk and hoping we can fly for very inexpensive and avoid Landon's dreaded carseat for 14+ hours each way. If we fly, we can take a stroller. We can't if we drive because we'll take our Honda. Here are some questions:

I don't think we're the type that are going to go to Disney every year like many of you. So, given that this may be one of the few trips we take to San Diego, should we try to do Disney/Cali Adventure/San Diego Zoo/and Sea World all in one trip? We could do 4 days Disney, one day beach, one day Zoo, one day Sea World. Or should we just stick to Disney and go 5 days Disney with a couple days of beach? 5 Days at Disney would allow us to go back to our condo each day and take naps and have a good healthy lunch rather than eat at the park.

Even though Sophie will be almost 5, if we fly and can bring a stroller, should we bring a double stroller so her legs can get a break, and we'll have extra room to stash drinks and snacks?

What else do you suggest to make this a vacation we enjoy and avoid coming home thinking, "vacations are way too exhausting!"