Knotts Berry Farm

No more can our boys complain that "We never go anywhere!"

We took a spring break road trip to California last week, going to a few places, the beach and the pool every day.  It started with a Sunday afternoon drive to Las Vegas, then an early morning drive the rest of the way to LA. 

We got to Knott's Berry Farm Monday around noon. As did everyone else. 

I have never seen the park that crowded. Long lines and hot sun made some of us a little sad, but overall I think it was a fun day.

This is the Sidewinder. Max was tall enough at 6 or 7 and loved it then.

When we got on the little train, these two posed for me. See that flapping front tooth? It took until the next Friday on our drive halfway home to Las Vegas to come out.

Millie got to ride many of the kid rides and she was soo cute. She got lots of smiles and double takes from people in California.

For much of the day, JB took the big boys on big rides and I took the littles on little rides. But we all went to the wild west Camp Wagon stunt show that I look forward to every time we go. And the big train ride is always fun.

And fried chicken. I always have to get the fried chicken at Knott's.  This is right after we ate our feast (Millie is still holding her chicken in her fist)

(previous trips made in 2010, 2012, and 2013 are here)

Road trip food!

Of course I had to blog about the food from our California trip because:

-JB is a foodie and does all the research into must-eat spots.
-Max daydreams about cheeseburgers and pizza so we had pizza at the hotel one night, and ate at In-N-Out twice during the week. Max also got a cheeseburger on two other occasions for lunch at the amusement parks.
-I daydream about chicken and mashed potatoes so we had that at Knott's Berry Farm.
-JB and I both remembered great fish tacos from a place near Huntington Beach from our last trip so we had that one night, too.
-Benny daydreams about breakfast food so he was in heaven at the hotel's complimentary breakfast. I think he had a bowl of cereal, two mini-muffins, two mini-bagels, and an orange every morning.


Some other places we visited included Chili John's in LA. Very old place, very yummy.

It's small, and you sit on stools around a U shaped bar and very nice ladies let you taste test before dishing it up.

Another new place we tried in the LA-area was Philippe's. Also very old and very yummy. They are known for inventing the french dip sandwich.

Benny got a pre-packaged PB&J. He wasn't feeling the meat. JB and the mini-JB liked it a lot, as did I.

And finally, at Universal Studios, we tried Jodi Maroni's Sausages. Also tasty. It appears the old wives' tale is true for me that craving meat means you are having a boy.

It feels like the rest of the time we ate goldfish crackers and fruit snacks and other stuff I had packed from home. And I had some treats for the drive that the boys could trade their "Travel Tickets" for.

Knott's Berry Farm

Friday was our last day in California and it rained off and on most of the day. That was the day I had passes to Knott's Berry Farm.

Andrew loved these trucks. He cried "No No!" when it was time to get off, so she let us ride again. There was barely anyone at the park because of the rain.

I brought ponchos which helped. But most of the rides are outdoors, and they shut down when it rained, so we did what we could.

This is Max's favorite ride. It's called Revolution and it goes way up in the air and all around and I'm very glad I was not allowed on it because of being pregnant. JB didn't much feel like it, either, but took one for the team to go with Max.

Andrew grabbing a nap in the stroller.

We gave up and went back to the hotel, but at least we got some of the delicious fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy they make there.

Then the weather cleared and we spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool. Max learned to swim with his face in the water all the way across the deep end. That night we had a great seat right in the doorway of our motel room to see the weekend fireworks coming from Disneyland. We were only a block or so away. Fun memories we feel blessed to have shared before I get too big to do much, and before this baby comes and we can't go anywhere for a while!

Knott's Berry Farm

I do so love the chicken at Knott's Berry Farm. and the Wild West Stunt Show. Good times.

Max was so funny. Two years ago, when he was 4, he rode the Sidewinder 6 times. This time, he hesitated to do it even once. He seems to be worried about roller coasters now.

Can you see JB turning around to check on Max?

But then he rode this huge swingy-swirly thing and had a great time. That's JB next to him there practically upside down.

It's quite fun to drive a semi-truck around
.

Andrew is a driver, too.

Waiting for the train to start.

The swirly hats make me dizzy but I take it for the team.

See my face? That corner whips you around with quite a surprise. I was holding on to my little baby so he wouldn't get hurt.

We love these pictures of Benny. He did such a great job on the trip. NO meltdowns or tantrums, tons of patience. A gift from Heaven I believe.

Disneyland

There must have been a million people at Disneyland last Tuesday. It felt like it. I know, I know, spring break, our fault.

I found out today that one of Max's good friends was there with his family the same day -- it would have been nice for them to keep each other company in the long lines. And we randomly met people who used to live in our neighborhood while chatting on the Tram. Thank goodness for my free media passes (I get four a year if I request them) or I would have felt a little peeved to spend all that money to jostle through crowds just for a few rides.

But we had good fortune. We got there right when it opened, and hopped over to California Adventure right when it opened. We used Fast Passes when we could, and the rider switch for people who have strollers is VERY helpful. The boys were able to ride a few rides twice in a row, once with JB then once with me, thanks to the stroller switch. That was nice after waiting in line for so long.

I had quite a scare. While JB and the boys were on Soarin' Over California, this little runner-climber fell off a chair and smashed his nose. Blood was everywhere. It was awful. My sweet, sweet baby. But a really nice cast member helped me to first aid and he got cleaned up (did you know Hydrogen Pyroxide takes blood out of clothes? True story) and there was no sign of concussion or anything wrong. He already had a cut lip from falling at Legoland. He just is in that run-faster-than-those-little-legs-should-go stage.

Andrew waiting for the boys and me to finish Toy Story Midway Mania, and watching the big roller coaster nearby.

Max holding Flat Stanley for his class project.

Max took this picture of me and JB on Tom Sawyer's Island.

Look who was in JB's arms at the time -- a very sleepy 15-month-old little boy.

Benny liked Splash Mountain more than Max. Can you see JB holding Benny's arms up? They both loved Soarin' Over California and Star Tours and the teacups and Tom Sawyer's island and Pirates. Andrew liked Pirates because it was dark and cool in there.

Mama Cozza's Italian food after our long day. Guy Fieri recommended it.

For 24 hours we thought 200 pictures were gone. Our SD card was bad it turns out. But when we got back Friday night JB found a way online to get almost all of them back.

A few more posts to come -- Knott's Berry Farm, the beach, and hotel pool -- all with pictures we recovered.

Knott's Berry Farm

Last week we had a great time in California. Two of the days JB's parents and siblings were with us. First stop was Knott's Berry Farm, which I feel turned into a story of love.

Max LOVED the Sidewinder coaster. He rode it 6 times. And to think I was worried he would be scared by such a big ride.

Max and Benny fell in love with Snoopy.

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jeff, JB's siblings, loved playing with the boys. I loved that they rode the kiddie rides with them, held them, fed & watered them, etc.

JB loved this sign that a guy made for him in the park.

I LOVED the chicken, and everybody loved the Boysenberry pie.

And these guys, well, I think they fell deeper in love.

Next stop: Disneyland and California Adventure.