This year, our small family of three, decided to spend the Holidays alone and on vacation. Here is how we did it!
December 24 - leave at 6am, arrive in LA at 8:30, rent a car, drive to the LA Temple for a few photos.
Before I get much further, Alyssa gave me permission to discuss her little friend she brought with us on the trip. This doozy didn't leave the entire time. He stuck around to haunt all of Alyssa's photos. :( 
Universal Studios. Grinchmas Christmas!
Christmas Day: Disneyland. Here is Alyssa on Minnie's bed, in Minnie's house.
It's a small world, after all!
California Adventure Park - December 26/27
Troy was not thrilled we were waiting in line for these Princesses.. but if you travel to Disneyland, you have to see Snowwhite.
and Cinderella
and Sleeping Beauty
Monday, December 28. Knott's Berry Farm
Tuesday 12/29. San Diego Zoo
Wednesday 12/30. San Diego Temple. We met our Missionary's parents there, Elder Gemmell's family! What a treat, best looking temple I have every seen too! We spent 4 hours inside. 
Thursday 12/31. New Years Eve. Sea World. Beluga Whale
Manatee eating his lettuce breakfast. Who knew you could get so big on lettuce?
1/1 - USS Midway, ship 41. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Midway_(CV-41)
Sailor kisses Nurse statue, on display next to the USS Midway
Final day 1/1 - Breakfast with my highschool friend Tonya. She drove down from Palm Springs to meet me in Temecula and we ate at the Swing Inn Cafe. It was great to see her after 6 years, before that it had been 10.... my how time flies. She is a quality person and one worth investing into friendship with, something that becomes more important to me as I get older. 
And after all that, this little gal is tuckered out. 
Now the answer you are all waiting for: "did we hit our budget?". Our budget was $3000. We used miles for 2 of the 3 airline tickets. We bought the multi-park pass at Costco. We used the Microsoft car rental car discount. I searched on expedia for hotel fares and then called the hotel directly for negotiations. Our hotels were under $100 per night. And most importantly, we grocery shopped and prepared our own breakfasts and lunches. So, as you can see, we only went over budget by $301.35 and I am VERY OK with that! We didn't buy food in the parks or water and we never went hungry with our packed snacks. 
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised there were NO long lines and NO big crowds. It was amazing. We got up early each day and were the firsts in the parks and after about 8 hours each day, we were all done and back to our hotel for a good night rest. I am pleased with how we vacationed, smart! You may call it boring to be this detailed, frugal, or calculated..... for us, we loved it.
and Cinderellaand Sleeping BeautyMonday, December 28. Knott's Berry FarmTuesday 12/29. San Diego Zoo
Wednesday 12/30. San Diego Temple. We met our Missionary's parents there, Elder Gemmell's family! What a treat, best looking temple I have every seen too! We spent 4 hours inside. Thursday 12/31. New Years Eve. Sea World. Beluga WhaleManatee eating his lettuce breakfast. Who knew you could get so big on lettuce?1/1 - USS Midway, ship 41. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Midway_(CV-41)Sailor kisses Nurse statue, on display next to the USS MidwayFinal day 1/1 - Breakfast with my highschool friend Tonya. She drove down from Palm Springs to meet me in Temecula and we ate at the Swing Inn Cafe. It was great to see her after 6 years, before that it had been 10.... my how time flies. She is a quality person and one worth investing into friendship with, something that becomes more important to me as I get older. And after all that, this little gal is tuckered out. Now the answer you are all waiting for: "did we hit our budget?". Our budget was $3000. We used miles for 2 of the 3 airline tickets. We bought the multi-park pass at Costco. We used the Microsoft car rental car discount. I searched on expedia for hotel fares and then called the hotel directly for negotiations. Our hotels were under $100 per night. And most importantly, we grocery shopped and prepared our own breakfasts and lunches. So, as you can see, we only went over budget by $301.35 and I am VERY OK with that! We didn't buy food in the parks or water and we never went hungry with our packed snacks. 
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised there were NO long lines and NO big crowds. It was amazing. We got up early each day and were the firsts in the parks and after about 8 hours each day, we were all done and back to our hotel for a good night rest. I am pleased with how we vacationed, smart! You may call it boring to be this detailed, frugal, or calculated..... for us, we loved it. Here is our New Years card we will snail mail out soon! These were some of our favorite photos.
Now, it's back to re-filling our vacation savings fund so we can go to Hawaii or Whistler next Christmas. It was so nice to 'skip' Christmas, not shop, not wrap, not stress, and feel no obligations for gift exchanges. What a great holiday season it was for us.
Now, it's back to re-filling our vacation savings fund so we can go to Hawaii or Whistler next Christmas. It was so nice to 'skip' Christmas, not shop, not wrap, not stress, and feel no obligations for gift exchanges. What a great holiday season it was for us. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
* 2010 *
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