California: Photos, Part One.

My camera's SD card conveniently finished its run right around California Adventure, which happened to be halfway through our vacation, so I can actually separate these posts into two distinct albums, part one (San Diego, Legoland, RV camping, and Disney's California Adventure), and part two (Disneyland, the beach, and the San Diego Zoo).

If you would prefer just to see my outfits, check out this post instead.  :)

However, if you really dig my kids and the hilarity that can ensue when two parents willingly take three children under 6 on a cross-country trip, well then...

Enjoy!

CW is easy to please on a plane.  All she needs are crayons and coloring books.

Rex is even easier to tame.  All he needs is my kindle fire and Angry Birds Space.

Gus is flying while flying.  My mind is blown.  ;)

Our second day in California included a trip to the San Diego Botanical Gardens.  There was a insect fair going on.  For some reason, Yoda welcomed us.  I don't get it, and neither does Mr. Dina.

I had just eaten an Old Bay seasoned cooked mealworm.  It was really tasty.  :)  I was impressed that they used a Maryland spice to help make the mealworm even tastier.

Rex liked the mealworm, too.  CW did not partake.

This is Monica.  She is a blog friend.  She was the one that suggested we come to this fair because of the bug tasting.  Of course she would be enjoying the fare. 

You can't tell here, but we are both wearing modern red shorts.  She is also wearing a bug pin, which I appreciate, very appropriate for the occasion.  Angus doesn't care what he is wearing as long as he can gnaw on his bjorn (eck, he is teething, though, so I just have to wash the bjorn when I can).

Rex is slightly smaller than the snake.

I put the camera on its timer and got this shot.  There are the modern red shorts that I spoke of two shots back.

I am not making up a caption.  I am insisting that you blog friends make up one instead.  LOL.

This was on day three when we went to Legoland.  We are on a boat ride looking at Lego villages and cities.  It looks like Gus disappeared.  But he is there, at least his legs are.

I was beyond disturbed by this Lego.  Mr. Dina and Rex were very impressed, though.  You gotta love the joining of nerd fantasy one, Legos, and nerd fantasy two, Star Wars.

I only wish there were really palm trees at the Capitol.  It would have made working there so much better.  I also appreciate the lego ambulance.  I gather a Senator needed to be rushed for emergency care after spending too many hours in filibuster.

I got this shot of CW when we just hanging out waiting for Rex.  I love how the light captured just how hazel/yellow her eyes really are.

She also has a really pretty side view.

More than anything, this particular moment made CW's trip to Legoland worthwhile.  She *loves* pretty princesses.

Rex's first ride ever by himself!

I totally think that Mr. Dina looks like this knight.  He insists that it looks more like Russel Brand.  Who's right?  (Note--Mr. Dina is wearing white shoes.  LOL.)

Angus had no rides at Legoland outside of a handful.  This was even too big for him, but he still loved it.

Some nice little boy took this pic of Angus and me.

On day four and five, we joined my Aunt and her family at an RV campground in Menifee, CA.  I had no idea people willingly chose to live in that part of CA (very hot and dry).  Turns out that it was quite lovely, and the folks in the area were super nice.  This canal was fake, though.  It's rare to see that much water in one place in CA, especially desert southern CA.

Haha.  I adore this photo.

Last day there, I had coffee outside.  This bird came up to say hello...and then proceeded to stay next to me, then follow me, and then...

wait at the door of our cabin until he finally realized I wasn't going to be bringing him food.

Day five we went to California Adventure, which was built right next door to Disneyland a while back.  I had never gone because I always just want to go to Disneyland (I think I have been to Disneyland nearly 30 times), but then Mr. Dina suggested we go to both parks because he really wanted to see the Cars ride but also wanted to make sure we got to Small World.  We could have done that with a one day flex pass to both parks, but he decided not to kill us (wise move, btw).  Here CW and I are waiting for Mr. Dina and Rex to get the fast passes to the Cars ride.

After taking the above photo, we went and got a cappuccino for me.  CW posed like Hollie Hobbie while we were waiting.

And then, because we had even more time, we did another group self-portrait.  The cappuccino was really good.  ;)

Gaw.  Gus.

It's a family portrait that *almost* is perfect.  CW must love Hollie Hobbie.

Angus enjoyed this underwater version of a carousel.  I like the goldfish, especially.

You can't tell, but Mr. Dina is petrified.  This ferris wheel went really high, and Rex was all about making it move.

You can't tell here, either, but I am completely petrified, too.  I am clutching onto Gus like he is going to save me if something goes wrong.  The ladies to my left seemed so calm.  How in the world do people not get sick to their stomachs when presented with high heights and open air?  I mean, really!

CW has a boyfriend.

You could probably use this as an ad for Disneyland.  Even her tag is placed *just so*.

This is a train that takes you on a bugs-eye view of food.  The watermelon (very large) was my fave.

I know you all are SO envious of our super-chic eyewear right now.

Mr. Dina and I have a HUGE soft spot for the movie Monsters, Inc., partly because it came out when we were first married, but also because Boo reminds us so much of CW. 

Mealworms, Monster sushi?  I'll eat it all, yum.

Rex is actually really adept at balance and strength.  Maybe I will see what sports this means he would be good at...and don't say men's gymnastics.  He is likely going to be well over 6 feet tall and "sturdy."  Don't really see that as a great body type for the parallel bars.

We ended our night here, near Cars Land.  And with this photo, I bid you all good day, too!

California: The Outfits.

This is the closest I have ever come to packing well, outside of when I was in college and was trying to be a "backpacker."  (Well, I sort of was one...but I never did one of those six months in Europe with just a backpack, a map, and a youth hostel card. My backpacking was more like a bag, a map, makeup, youth hostel card, passport, camera, etc., etc.).

Even with all the good packing I did, we still had way too much stuff (thanks, infant Angus and all your needs, lol), and like I have mentioned before, our stuff may have got in our way of getting out of CA on time. It is still too traumatic for me to even talk about here, but one day I will tell the story of losing the car keys in Rex's bag, spending an hour looking for car keys, and how in the world we SCRAPED our way into the San Diego airport just. in. time. to catch our flight with seconds to spare.

So it is our goal to pack even better next time for our next trip, which may mean that I will pack a pair of pants, a dress, a pair of shorts, a pair of shoes, and a pair of pajamas. :) Oh, and a top or two.  (Just kidding, but we will be very mindful of not losing keys in the kids' luggage.)

We were in California from July 14-24, so these outfits should total right around 10 or so.  I have placed all the info on the pieces in the photo, so open them on up if you want to see more on them.

There was a theme of "red, white, and blue," which was very easy for me to work with, as I have more red, white, and blue pieces that I ever imagined.

If I can find a link to the items on the internet (if they are still for sale), I will include that link for your convenience.

The wires behind me are from the fan my friends have in their master bedroom.  It was great to have a white noise machine, even if that wasn't the original purpose for the fan.  I am very grateful to them, as well, for letting us stay in their bed (all five of us, awesome, but better than the other option--an air bed).  :)

Vintage Cotton Cap Sleeve in Stripe is still available and on sale.  I am wearing a small.

Went out and had fun at the San Diego Botanical Garden with all my kids and my girl, Monica (she was in the last BWRR reviewing the embellished tunic), and her kids, husband, and her husband's grandma.  :)  My hubby was at Comic Con.  (He was a runner-up in something that was announced at Comic Con, but I will spill the beans on that one in the "California: The Photos" post.)

This is an outfit you all have seen already.  :)  I definitely am a huge fan of this combo, very easy, a bit cool, and just dressy enough for a night out for some awesome Mexican food (seriously...every Mexican restaurant in CA is amazing, be it a dive or a five star eatery).

Wore this to go to Legoland.  Legoland is always a big hit...with my hubby.  The kids liked it, too.  ;)

The shoes are from Target, the Wilhelmina Flat Sandal in raspberry, and are available and on sale.  Very comfortable, btw, and look way more expensive than the $20 I paid for them.

Went out with my Aunt to a Mexican restaurant (!!!) in this get-up.  I went ahead and brought a few pairs of pants and longer tops because it can get cool at night in CA.  I was actually looking forward to not sweating constantly, like I have been for the past six months here in VA.  It is seriously obnoxious how hot and humid it has been here on the east coast.

Ultra Eyelet Shell is on sale.  I am wearing a size 4.

Cafe Capri in Foulard is also on sale.  I am wearing a size 8.

The Uptown Heels are also on sale.  These are a size 40.

CW is also in a mix of J. Crew and Boden, but reversed, her dress is Boden and her shoes are from J. Crew.

I bought this lace top a while ago from Madewell and was struggling on how to style it, but right before the trip, I was bound and determined to figure it out so I could wear it in CA, where I know its kind of loosey, lacy, 80s style, would be appreciated.

We were headed to California Adventure that day (the sister park of Disneyland).  It held up well, and I was frankly surprised at how resilient the lace top was.

Was headed to see Monica again (J. Crew shopping in Mission Valley), then to my Aunt's, then to dinner in Long Beach (in da house)*.  This ensemble was perfection, just dressy enough for dinner, but very sturdy and comfortable for the rest of the day.

*I can't be the only person who immediately says this to themselves whenever Long Beach is mentioned, right?  Other times I do this include when I read the word "distance," I immediately say, "he's going the distance, he's going for speed, she's all alone, all alone in her time of need." 

I am mixing two uniform patterns here, the top has bitty birds, and the shorts have embroidered keys.

Unfortunately, the birdie top had to take a break halfway through the day, only to be replaced by...

The most awesome tee ever.  LOL.  I kid, but I am a huge fan of Captian EO (in a theater near you...if you happen to be at Disneyland).  My hubby surprised me with this top partway through our day, and because of an Angus poop storm (seriously, what a phrase Mr. Dina made up), I had to wash the birdie shirt and wear this one instead.  Lucky me, it totally matched.

Yes, CW is in an Ariel dress.  No, that is not my favorite princess.  I personally do not agree with going against your family, making a deal with a (clearly) demented witch octopus lady fish thingy, losing your amazing gift of singing, all to get the eye of a man who likely won't even notice you.  She was SO fortunate that it all worked out in the end, no thanks in part to her blatant stupidity.  ;)

(I do have to say aside from Ariel being a dingbat, I do like that she is a mermaid, has great style, and wonderful red hair.  That's all that CW cares about too.  She's three, so she gets a pass on not knowing Ariel's past.)

Instead of going out with my friends on the Sunday night before we left, I decided to stay in the hotel and hang with Angus instead.  Since the law says that I must wear clothing to get food from an establishment in a public place (hotel lobby), I put on this outfit. 

Last full day before we left.  We went to the San Diego zoo, where madness ensued (more on that in the photos post).  I felt very comfortable, though, in this ensemble, so at least there was that.

Villa Dress in Stripe is still available and on sale.

Chevron Tie Belt is also available and on sale.

California Trip 2012. by dinagideon featuring j. crew shorts

Above is the polyvore of most of the pieces.

Alright, you all have a great night. :)