Arriving in California (Day 1 in California)

We started our eleven day adventure in California by somehow getting all of our stuff into a cab and to the airport. The flight was uneventful although I expected at least Olivia to nap during the 2 1/2 hour flight, but neither girl slept at all. Once we arrived we found all of our luggage and loaded it onto a cart. We had my large suitcase, the girls' suitcase, Olivia's car seat, pack-n-play, and three backpacks. Sofia pushed the cart full of luggage while I pushed Olivia in her stroller. We made our way very slowly, and with a few spills of Olivia's car seat and/or pack-n-play along the way. We finally made it to the cab stand and they helped us organize and load our suitcases and we were off to our rental car pick-up location. I think that was the hardest part of the whole day!

We got our black Kia minivan and headed straight to In-N-Out for a burger! The girls had snacks in their backpacks and weren't terribly hungry, but I was starving! As soon as I ordered, Olivia fell asleep and slept most of our drive to Sian's house in Moreno Valley. Sofia kept asking "So, now we're going to Mimi's and Grandpa Joe's house?" and I had to explain our trip and that we'd be seeing Grandpa Joe in a week or so. It did feel odd to drive right by the exit to their house and keep going. We made it to Sian's with little traffic, although it was 3:30pm and we did get into a few patches of it. Once we arrived, we unloaded our stuff and I set up the pack-n-play in Danielle's room, where I also would be sleeping. It was so good to finally make it to Sian's and see her, John, and Holland (Danielle was away at a retreat).

We hung out for a bit and Sofia became Holland's shadow with Olivia trying to get involved with whatever they were doing. Once we were hungry, we drove over to Redlands, picked up bean, rice and cheese burritos from Cuca's and headed to the University of Redlands' quad to eat them. Such good memories of doing just that while in college at the UofR. The burritos were delicious, as usual and we went into the chapel to look around. Although the doors were open, it was empty so Sofia and Olivia took to the stage and "performed" for us. We left there and headed to downtown Redlands to the weekly street fair. It was so much fun and I wondered why I didn't go more often when I was going to college. There were pony rides, a bounce house, lots of vendors and a farmer's market. It was so cool! The girls rode the ponies and we walked the entire length of the street fair before heading back to Sian's. The girls were really hanging together well, considering it was after 9pm their time already! Once we made it back, Olivia went to sleep and Sofia decided to sleep on a mattress on the floor of Holland's room.

We've arrived!

Sofia found a fellow cotton candy lover in Holland

Olivia's very first pony ride! She spent the entire time smiling and trying to kick the pony to make him go faster...that's our girl.

A very serious Sofia!

Both girls on their ponies

Walking through the street fair