A Spontaneous Trip

Last Monday after realizing we had a boring week ahead of us due to the fact that most of our friends and Brad's coworkers were out of town because of spring break we decided to take advantage of the slow time and get the heck out of dodge. After a quick phone call to my Aunt Kim in Concord, California to see if we could crash at their place for a few days we took off on a 10 1/2 hour drive to sunny California. I was very proud of my spontaneity since that is not the easiest thing to do with a 1 and 2 year old and it could have ended up a disaster. Fortunately it turned out to be a great decision because it was a wonderful trip. We left Tuesday afternoon and after 7 hours arrived in Reno, NV that evening and stayed at the Atlantis hotel and casino. I felt a little odd staying at a smoky casino with two little kids but we got a great deal on our room and ultimately an even better deal after being comped to an upgraded room after our first nonsmoking room smelled like smoke. Ayden loved the hotel because of the glass elevator, bright colors and new sounds it had to offer. Unfortunately that night Alex came down with a high fever and runny nose and did not sleep well. It got worse the next day and we eventually took her to an urgent care in California and between a cold, ear infections and teething she was not a happy camper. Once we got her on some antibiotics and pain medication she started feeling a lot better. We did not get to do as much as we wanted because of this but we got a lot done in the short time we were there. We spent time in downtown Walnut Creek shopping, we went to a park , stocked up on Trader Joe's food, ate out at spaghetti factory and PF Chang's, went to San Francisco pier 39, The Aquarium at the Pier, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Jelly Belly Factory and Brad and I even got to go on a date just the two of us.
Ayden had a blast with my Aunt Kim and Uncle Carl and cousin Zach. She got a ton of attention and really enjoyed being at their home. Alex took a special liking to my Uncle Carl and she even fell asleep in his arms. We loved spending time with them all we were so glad we decided to take this trip.

Finally there!!! We have just arrived at my Aunt and Uncles house.

Since Alex was not feeling well we took it easy on Thursday and went to the park. This is my Aunt Kim pushing Ayden.
The first smile out of Alex in a few days. Even though she was feeling cruddy she loved the swing.
My Aunt Kim helping Ayden climb a rock with Brad and Alex in the background.
Friday we went to San Francisco. This is a picture with some pirate statues since Ayden loves Pirates!
Ayden is trying on a hat at an ALL pirate store in San Fransisco.
Alex looking at a Star Fish (sea star is it's real name) at the Aquarium at the Bay.
My Aunt, Alex and I walking through the tunnel of fish.
Ayden was too scared to touch a sea star but Alex loved it and kept wanting Kim to put her back down to touch it.
A happy Ayden and Kim looking down at the sea lions on pier 39.
A family picture next to the Golden Gate bridge looking across to San Francisco.
Brad and Alex at Golden Gate Bridge. Brad, the bridge man, loved it.

Kim and Alex on the bridge.

The four of us walking along the bridge.

On our way home we stopped at the Jelly Belly Factory and took a tour and got some Belly Flops, the irregular jelly beans they do not sell at stores.

On our way home we also took a little detour when Brad accidentally got off I-80 and we found ourselves driving on HWY 50. Since this detour was going to set us back about an hour, it was the first time our spirits were not very high on the whole trip but our spirits soon brightened as we found ourselves driving through some amazingly beautiful towns in order to get back to I-80. We drove through Placerville, Ca and I fell in love with it. I told Brad maybe our detour was meant to be and we are supposed to move to Placerville. He thought it was beautiful too but I don't thing he bought it. Maybe someday! We did not take pictures of the beauty of the area, but here are some driving pictures after our spirits were a little brighter and we were back on I-80.

Well, Ayden did not know what was going on but she was really good the whole drive because of the blessed DVD player!
Alex did not know what was going on either but she was really good too.
This is a picture of Alex when we pulled into our house at 1:00 am this morning. Those lips are just too cute!