SEAWORLD FEB. 2009
We had a great time on our trip to Seaworld, Legoland and Disneyland.
The day we went to Seaworld was very stormy. It rained the entire day; all but 30 minutes for the Shamu show. We were all soaked. It was also very cold which would have made for a miserable day, however we were on vacation, and determined to see Seaworld. We bundled up, got umbrellas and ponchos. However none of them kept us dry because the rain was coming down so hard. Even the trainers at the Walrus show commented on how hard it was raining; they were laughing pretty hard I think in amazement that people were actually willing to sit through it and watch the show.
The highlight of the trip had to be when Max was chosen to be the helper for the Shamu show. At first he wasn't sure he wanted to do it, but we told him he had too. He wasn't too happy about it at first. I think he was a little nervous. Max hates to touch fish.
As part of the show, he would need to feed Shamu either jello, ice, or fish, depending on what the trainer decided to feed him. Max was hoping and praying that he would choose jello or ice; since he hates to touch fish.
We sat down waiting for the show to start. Poor little guy was so nervous...he just kept saying "I hope I don't have to touch a fish". First off they introduced him to the show as trainer Mikes friend. Mike asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up...and of course Max responded "A Landscape Architect". I think he was surprised to hear that. Then Mike said "You must really love the outdoors and nature". Max said he did. Then it was time for Max to meet Shamu. They walked down to the water and suddenly Shamu appeared from out of the water. It startled Max just a little bit. Then the trainer asked Max to feed Shamu. This was the part that Max was so worried about. Mike proceeded to pull out Shamu's food...No,it was not jello, nor was it ice. It was a HUGE fish; probably 16 inches long!!! We all started to gasp. All three of us; Tom, Grandpa and me looked at each other like "oh no"! I was so worried for Max. All we could think of was what is he going to do? Max took the fish in his hands, and suddenly got this look of disgust. But he handled it very well and threw it into Shamu's mouth. All of us let out a huge sigh of relief. Then he got to touch his fin and give the command to make Shamu dance. Then all of the sudden we looked up onto the big screen and there was a picture of Max. It was soooooo awesome!! He was having so much fun and so were we. It was such a cool experience - a once in a lifetime opportunity.
As part of the show Max was given this hand carved necklace of wood. It was signed by Mike the trainer and it said "Max, Thanks for being a part of the show. Trainer Mike". We had so much fun and Max did a great job as Shamu's trainer for 10 minutes.
Mom, Megan and Mya decided to take a picture of ourselves while waiting for max to perform in the Shamu show.
Anticipating the Shamu show. Hoping Max doesn't fall in with Shamu.
Max and Grandpa before the Shamu show. Max being so nervous he could hardly sit still.
Waiting for the Sesame Street 3-D show. Don't they all look groovy with their 3-D glasses on?
Mya decided that it was fun to lick the rain dripping from Dad's umbrella. We were so wet. There wasn't a dry spot on any of us.
Trying to have fun in the rain and cold. The Flamingos were so pretty.
At the petting pond touching star fish, sea cucumbers and other sea urchin's. Megan thought that the Sea Cucumbers were the very best. She said "They look like they are prickly, but they are very slimy.
Mya and Grandpa watching the dolphins.
LEGOLAND 2009
We went to Legoland. It was a lot of fun. Megan and Max especially enjoyed driving the cars.
This is volvo SUV made entirely out of Legos. It was pretty amazing.
This is Megan as a Mummy. We laughed so hard when we saw this picture.
Megan decided to drive Grandpa in her Lego boat. I don't think she's quite ready for a drivers license. This ride was very fun, because the boat is not on tracks.
The girls favorite ride. It took you up into the air and then bumped you all the way back down. They just laughed and laughed and screamed and screamed.
Max had the boats mastered.
Megan and Mya in front of the Pirate ride. Each person had their own water gun and was able to get each other wet. Dad was very wet from sitting down on the seats. We just had to take a picture of his wet bottom.
Mya on the horse. She loved this ride.
Megan flying an airplane.
Disneyland 2009
Max and Grandpa riding on Casey Jr. Who ever said big boys still can't have fun on little kids rides?
Mya and Daddy on Casey Jr.
Mom and Meg on Casey Jr.
This was the perfect place for Grandpa. He was in Mickey's house playing all the instruments. Did I mention that it sounded Great!! :)
Mom found her place in Minie's house sweeping the floor.
Dad found Mickey's chair...not so comfortable for someone he is 6'1". I guess it really was built for a mouse.
Grandpa seemed to be kicking back nicely. After all, being with 3 little kids and 2 big kids for 9 days would make you very very tired.
Megan fit perfect in Minie Mouses chair.
Max sitting at Mickey's desk.
The entire gang with Mickey Mouse.
Here we all are at Donald's house.
Max was so nice, he took the girls up the tree house for the 5th time. They loved walking through Tarzan's house.
Here is a picture that Megan took of me and Mya. We were waiting for the boys to get done riding Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Winnie the Pooh ride.
The girls were so excited becase we have never seen the witch before from Snow White. We thought they would have been scared to see her, but they just went running up to her and wanted their picture taken.
She told them that if they see Snow White to tell her they want a juicy red apple.
Grandpa and Megan on the bumper cars in California Adventure's Bugs Life.
Had to laugh at this picture. Notice that all 3 Dobson boys are all standing the same? Can you tell they are related? Three peas in a pod.
Mya and Grandpa on Ariel's Carousel.
Megan loved this ride...jumpin' jellyfish. Max was nice enought to go on it with her many times.
Max, Megan and Mom in front of Jumpin' Jellyfish.
Max in front of the plane in California Adventure.
This was the first ride we went on at Disneyland. The Matterhorn. Mya really wanted to go; she actually liked it.
Megan got to ride with Grandpa. She had lots of fun.
Girls in front of the airplane shop at California Adventure.
Eating lunch at California Adventure Pier.
We had such a great time on our trip. I wish we could do it all over again tomorrow. Usually we fly, but this time we decided to drive. Grandpa didn't want to make the drive (don't blame him) so we met him at the hotel. It only took 10 hrs. to drive down. Not too bad. Each of the kids had their own DVD player to watch their own movies. This was a great help.
Megan decided to have a feast in the car without us knowing. She was sitting in the very back of the van. It just so happened that the snacks we had packed were very conveniently sitting next to her. She at 2 boxes of Yogo's, 3 boxes of fruit snacks, 3 breakfast sandwiches, trail mix, and anything else that she could find. No wonder she was so quiet on the way down. When we found out all that she had eaten we were all laughing. When she got out of the car her tummy was very full. Ha Ha.
The drive back home was not so nice!! We had bad weather and got stuck on the pass from California to Nevada. They had actually shut the road down. It took us 2 hrs. to go 1 mile. Everyone had to exit the freeway and wait out the storm. The funny thing was...it was only 1" of slush on the roads and they closed everything.
We just wanted to tell the highway patrol..."Don't you see our license plates? We are from Utah! We know how to drive in snow". However, we got off the freeway and waited out the storm just like all the other people.
We left Anaheim at 7:30 a.m. and pulled into our garage at 11:30 p.m. NOT FUN!!
Everyone had a great time...we just wish we could go back!
