Spring Break 2013

I can't make it through a midwest winter without a spring break somewhere warm and sunny. Sam was going to a trade show in Anaheim, CA in early March. I figured this was the perfect opportunity for a family spring break. 

Sam left mid-week for the show and Inga and I followed on Friday. This was the second time flying by myself with Inga. We had a direct flight from Columbus to LAX and purchased Inga her own seat. She slept for most of the flight and it worked out really well. I was exhausted by the end since I was Mommy Pack Mule. Inga is getting her own backpack so she can carry some of her stuff.

My purse was full of all her animal friends.

We were staying at the Disney Paradise Pier hotel, which has character breakfast at the restaurant. We went down for breakfast on Saturday with Uncle Dan and a couple co-workers (who where still working the show). Inga pretty much freaked out at the characters (Mickey, Pluto, Daisy, and Stitch). She screamed and cried through most of it and only wanted to sit between Daddy and Uncle Dan (the two great protectors). It was rather amusing, actually. Fortunately, that was the only really traumatic experience of the weekend.

 Sam still had to work on Saturday. Inga and I joined Sam at the show (yes, kids were allowed on the show floor or there was daycare upstairs). This was the Natural Products Expo West, which is a show for consumer brands to find retailers (basically). That meant there were tons of companies giving out awesome samples to their target audience: mommies! We scored some sweet samples because Inga is so darn cute. I wore her in the Ergo carrier at the show since that just works for us and I don't like to travel with a stroller. I got pretty tired of the gawking from middle-aged men. Haven't they seen a baby carrier before?

Inga and I played outside during lunch. She had fun running around on real grass.

My Omega Man and Omega Baby trying some frozen yogurt with Omega Swirl at the Barlean's booth.

 My parents drove down Saturday to see their granddaughter as she isn't on the West coast too often. On Sunday, we all went to Disneyland! It was very crowded, but I had a good time and Inga appeared to as well. We rode the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Columbia sailing boat, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Star Tours (just Mommy and Daddy did that one). It was really nice having Grandma and Grandpa along to help corral Inga and push the stroller.

Riding the train around the park.

On the Jungle Cruise

Driving a car in Toon Town

She woke up from her nap with Minnie ears!

Inga, Mommy, and Grandma

 The next day we headed to the coast to see the Pacific Ocean and take a hike. We went to Crystal Cove State Park near Laguna Beach. The park consists of 3 miles of beach, an historic town, and el Moro Canyon. We hiked up the canyon along the ridge line. It was a perfect day.

View of the Pacific Ocean and Abalone Point on the left.

Walking along the ridge

Eating lunch on the trail

Crystal Cove beach looking towards Abalone Point

SAND and Wa-Wa!

We headed back to our hotel. Inga got her much needed afternoon nap and Mommy got her much needed In-n-out. Our day wasn't done yet. We decided to hit the pool at the Disneyland Hotel. (Side note: We stayed at the Paradise Pier, but the pool was closed so we got to use the Disneyland Hotel pool.) It was a really nice pool area with 2 swimming pools, 2 hot tubs, and 1 zero entry pool with water slides. There were also lifeguards, which is always nice with so many little ones running around. Inga cried when we left the pool.

But I'm not done swimming!

We left Tuesday afternoon and were suppose to arrive home around 11pm. However, our flight from Detroit to Columbus was delayed 4 hours! We got home around 4am. It was an extremely long day, but Inga actually handled it very well. We also got $50/person from Delta for the delay, which is better than a punch in the face. This is how we kept Inga busy at the airport in the middle of the night.

Lots of sugary snacks and drinks. That's a bag of M&M's in the picture.

Turn the terminal into your living room, i.e. throw your toys everywhere.

Inga was a great traveler, as usual. She fits right in with the family and loves to go places. She was upset when we had to leave the hotel. This bodes well for our big summer vacation to Switzerland.

Ornery's Story

This is the story of a little known member of our family, Ornery the Otter. Ornery was born at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in December 2011. We adopted him soon after Christmas. He and Inga quickly became best friends. They went everywhere together. An inseparable pair. He love Cheerios just like Inga. He loved yogurt just like Inga. His tail was a perfect teething toy. He was just the right size for snuggling and sucking your thumb. Ornery was able to comfort Inga in the gravest moments of distress. He always knew just what to say or not say.

Then one day Ornery went missing. Out of the blue, he just disappeared. He had done this once before, but it turned out he was just waiting at the babysitter's for Inga to return. Inga thought he would return again. Maybe one of her friends decided to take him home for the night or maybe he was just hiding. We searched and searched, but he was nowhere to be found. Inga went into mourning, which involved a lot of tears and screaming and kicking and biting. Her first broken heart.

Mommy and Daddy didn't know what to do so we turned to the Internet for an answer. We found him hiding out on the other side of the country. We called him home. He arrived home and even brought Inga one of her favorite toys, a box. But, he was a changed Ornery. He had grown up!

Like old friends, Inga and Ornery quickly forgave each other for any passed transgressions. His reasons for leaving and his sudden return will remain a secret shared between he and Inga. But normal family life has been restored at the Wiley house, so I will not ask many questions. 

And then Ornery's cousin decided move in. Kinda weird, but it's cool now.