Spring Break - Day 1

We don't normally do a big trip on Spring Break.  Frankly, dealing with the crowds wherever you go isn't fun and also it is expensive when we try and do other vacations during the year.  This year, however, we made an exception for extenuating circumstances.  What were these circumstances you may ask yourself.  We had Australian family coming to visit the USA!  Anytime we have family from the other side of the world visit the US, we always make it a point to see them as it is easier and cheaper for us to do so.
With some very creative planning for our finances and asking for help from dear friends, we managed to make it work.  Unfortunately, Lorne had to work so he couldn't join us but since he took the girls to Australia last year without me, I suppose it was fair.
In order to make the vacation work, we used frequent flier miles to fly to California where the Blair Campbell Family had decided they wanted to vacation.  Ava and I flew together on one airline and then Jasmine joined us two days later by flying out on her own.  Her first solo flight!
We arrived on Saturday and picked up our rental car and drove out to visit my Uncle Don (older brother of my dad).  He gave us a tour of his garden and home and then we got into his minivan and went to the ocean to go whale watching! 

It was so much fun - I love whale watching and it was such a treat for him to take us.  We saw whales, dolphins and sea lions.  My favorite part was seeing the dolphins as they swam up beside the boat and jumped out of the water.  It was just amazing to be in nature and see these amazing creatures!

After we were done with the whale watching, we went back to Uncle Don's house and he cooked us a delicious steak dinner and after that we drove to Temecula, where we were staying with our friends, the Slussers.  It was a great first day and Ava was so exhausted afterward!