San Diego - Legoland

We had the great fortune of staying just a few blocks away from the San Diego temple. One night we had to run to the closest drug store and as we were driving I looked across the parking lot and out of nowhere was this amazing temple. It looked out of place. Here is a shopping center and just across the way is this amazing edifice. We spent some time walking around the grounds. The only disappointment is there isn't a visitors center, the area is super small but it is amazing. We went to the tiny distribution center and Ethan wanted to buy a combo, James got a Book of Mormon, and Paige got a gospel art kit.

My handsome guys.

The beautiful SD temple & three pretty great kids.

This selection of photos are the last for me to upload and share about our trip. We spent 2 days at Legoland and even if you are not a Lego enthusiast it is a pretty cool park, with a couple of exceptions. All rides are for 42' and up (4 years old or 5-ish) and the age that you max out at would be around 9 or 10 (maybe older if you REALLY love legos) - there are no rides for under 42' inches (oh actually. There is a storybook boat ride and a tiny train that circles a playground, but that is it, 2 rides) - Abbey spent a lot of time in her stroller.

We found a shark willing to oblige us, but Paige & Ethan tasted probably as stinky as they smelled and the shark just couldn't keep them down.

Another attempt - rats... nothing worked. We kept the kids after all.

whose having more fun? This is a little mini roller coaster. It's a fun ride, but I think it would be disappointing if the wait were longer then 20 minutes.

Here the kids are deciphering the ride. This is a fairly new "Indiana Jones" type ride with laser guns. It's not even a little scary and the targets are a little hard to hit. Kind of surprising that Abbey couldn't ride with us. 

The man himself with a greenish colored skin, he shouldn't have eaten the extra bread stick. Stay away from the carbs, Indy they are no good at your age.

Two blonds and what is up with Paige's ensemble? She looks like some Bohemian child. It's so fun when your kids are old enough to dress themselves. You never know what you are going to get.

This was the main show that got top billing. We like Bob, but the show was disappointing (like watching an episode with 3-D glasses). After coming from Sea World where they know how to put on a good show - Legoland had little to offer and not very good ones from what we saw.

The kids with Bob's understudy.

I blame Aunt Jen for Paige's pose in this picture. Every missionary picture Jason had from home when Jen was like 15 or so had her in this pose. Really? I call this ride Bionicle Teacups. It was fun and had no line which was an added bonus.

Look what we fished out of the sharks mouth. He wanted to keep this one - but she is a tasty little morsel and what would have to kiss on if the shark got Abbey? Two boney, sassy kids - just not the same. Abbers is way too kissable to give up.

Darth Vader humored Paige while R2D2 got some James lovin'

Legoland has really inventive rides. For being for younger children, they have some really creatively fun twists. In this ride you can shoot people walking by or playing on the playground, only trouble is that they can also shoot you back.

James & Paige love the small villages, cities, and towns

The Curse of the Mummified James

almost all their tiny rides have pictures to go along with them... good times.

This is the build-a-bear ride. You get to bleep, blop, beep, boop, punch in a few tricks and this thing shakes you up one side and throws you down the other. It's fun to watch, but I opted to sit out with the kids. There are serious restrictions to this ride - no moms over thirty who would probably puke on the innocent bystanders.

This was another pretty inventive rides. You pull yourself up by ropes and then get the "free fall" down. I didn't get a chance to ride it - but it looked like a little bit of a workout.

James & Jason showing off thier muscles.

Here is the temple from the shopping parking lot.

running to get on a ride - but there is no line.

Ethan & James flying high.

Ethan and James had a photo shoot in the hotel room - kids can only stay sane in a confined space for so long.

My cute girl - Paige

She is a dragon tamer as well...

This ride reminded me of Mary Poppins when the carosel horses break free and race in the derby. These go up and down in the same way.

This is the cave of wonders - watch out for the low hanging ice cicles - maybe the bear will kiss her better.

My attempt at Legos, Jason and Abbey were asleep so we amused ourselves.

waiting for the "big kids" so we could go on another ride.

I truly hate spongebob squarepants. I can only handle so much potty humor, good think Nickelodean plays it for at least 6 hours every day.

This was Paige & Ethan's favorite ride - the Volvo driving school. Did you know if you go to the park driving a Volvo you actually get preferred parking - not so if you drive a Honda.

Paige, Thomas and James

more from the hotel photo shoot - is that a "steamy scene"? or just a lens with too many fingerprints on it?

James making me laugh - something he is quite good at.

Abbey's one ride - yeah. The kids got to ride in their very own boat.

No lines at the entrance - that is always a good sign!

Ethan & Paige flying planes

King James getting ready for the dragon mini roller coaster ride - just outside this ride is where they sell the "apple fries" - really good stuff. Like eating an apple pie, but they are fries. Really good stuff. In fact I was pretty impressed by the food we had in this park. They have really good stuff (pricey) but good.

JAmes, Ethan & Paige in the cute tiny train in the play park area.

still a little confused by what they are trying to tell us - but we'll take our chances on this ride.

James & Jason having fun

James and his bff, Thomas

This ride almost seems like the rides in the mall that cost a quarter. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Paige proving she has the mad skills to survive driving in Southern California.

Worlds Best Baby Award... and the winner is "Aburps." SHe really was so amazing to sit and squeal on demand.

Ethan mozying along.

Ethan takes on a bionicle

Ethan & Paige

This ride actually looked cool, but you had to be 9 years old and it was a 45 minute experience. So what were the rest of us to do while we waited? Most of the rides had to be accompanied by an adult... 

Sir Ethan-a-lot

Paige & Ethan get close to a dino. This little roller coaster was fun & they let you go twice back to back.

Ethan makes friends with friendly pups in the cave of doom?

Ethan & Jason feel what it feels like to be a Jamba Juice smoothie.

James & Jason showing off for the ladies.

Abbers, being the sweet little stinker that she is - no wonder she's my favorite. She always lets me kiss on her, she doesn't sass (yet), and she does what I tell her to. You got to love babies.

The End.