Summer vacation times three

I'm finally home after more than three weeks of intense "relaxation."  It was quite a whirlwind, but I enjoyed every minute.  I have a couple of hundred photos,  but I promise to share only enough to leave you wanting more.

Vacation #1...San Antonio...June 19-June 28

Things I love about San Antonio; birthday shopping with my two favorite nine year olds, deer, Jason's Deli, Red Mango frozen yogurt, watching The Blog Fairy work, swimming with Abby, Liv, Ellie and Riley (who was visiting with Liza from Amarillo), picnics, the village of Gruene, Landis Park, seeing "Toy Story 3", and being gifted an iPhone!

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Abby and I flew back to Bakersfield together on the 28th.  It was a little tricky getting out of the San Antonio airport.  Crazy rain and lightening grounded all  planes for more than three hours, so that by the time we finally arrived home it was 3:00 a.m.  Abby was a real trooper during our stay at the airport, which was so over-crowded there were no available seats.  All she asked for was a square of carpet and her DS.

Vacation #2...Anaheim...June 29-July 1

For this leg we were four; Bill and I, Abby and Aubrey.  We stayed at a Marriott near Disneyland and arrived on Tuesday in time to swim and enjoy Walt's fireworks from our hotel room.  Wednesday we spent fourteen hours at Disneyland and the lines were short enough that we did everything we wanted to, including Bill's favorite...the train.  Abby went on all the wild rides, many for the first time, and thoroughly loved them!  Aubrey was a perfect older cousin and even shared her hoodie while watching "Fantasmic!"

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I confess that I did a bad thing while I was in line for the Matterhorn.  No, I didn't take cuts...that would be inexcusable... I pretended to be taking a picture of the distant background while actually zooming in on a fellow ride patron.  I think you'll agree that it was worth it:

We returned to Bakersfield Thursday afternoon where the party continued for Abby and Aubrey with more swimming and a sleepover at Aubrey's house.  Friday morning we picked them up for the final leg of our vacation extravaganza and added two other passengers; Clare and Simi.

Vacation #3...St. George...July 2-July 6

Who knew that rodeos were so much fun???  Saturday night we attended the Gunlock Rodeo, an annual Fourth of July affair which, over three days, earns enough money to keep the tiny hamlet of Gunlock afloat for the rest of the year.  Sean's brother, Tod, arranged for Aubrey to have a horse so that she could ride in the parade.  She also took part in the Chicken Chase and Abby did the Boot Race.  We had a blast!!!

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One of the highlights of the evening was when we discovered that Alvie (age 2) had figured out how to walk up by himself to the snack bar window (where his grandma and aunt were working), shout out the color of snow cone he wanted, and have it magically appear.  I think he had five.  Mostly "Greem!"

The rodeo was just the beginning of our St. George fun.  We also swam, had a water balloon fight, ate and gamed at Pirate Island, played rock band, visited with great Grandma and Grandpa, and toured the temple visitor's center.

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We had a wonderful three weeks.  We came home inspired, renewed, relaxed and refreshed, and isn't that the whole point of vacations?