Benson and Claire were born with a rare genetic disease in which their liver produces too much oxalate--called primary hyperoxaluria. Claire's condition has progressed much faster than Benson's. She was on dialysis since she was 3 months old and for much of that time, did dialysis 3 hours a day, 6 days a week. She receive a much needed kidney / liver transplant on December 18, 2009. It is expected Benson will eventually need similar transplants.


Thursday, August 8, 2013

our California adventure

CAL I FOR NIA.  Oh what fun we had!  We did a lot of driving, strolling, walking, drinking, laughing, and smiling!  (of course with the occasional tantrum/break down from each kid...they all took their turns, but did remarkably well overall with all the go-go-go involved with a Disney Land/California Adventure/SeaWorld/Beach vacation!)  


Benson's favorite ride at Universal Studios, Jurassic Park.


It's a small small world.  Mabel couldn't stop pointing and saying "look at this, look at this."



I think Mabel could ride a carousel all day long!  One time she even snuck her way on to a second round because she refused to get off and clung so tight to the bar...the next group started coming onto ride so we just stayed on for another round of circles!


The gang of kiddos...minus my little baby nephew.  There was just as many kids on the trip as adults!


All the kiddos loved the tea cups.  I mean really, who doesn't love the tea cups (minus a few dizzy-prone adults :)


Tarzan's Treehouse


Princesses!!!


One of our many ice cream breaks.  Grandpa loves his ice cream and it doesn't take much twisting of the arm to get the kids to join him!


The whole gang.





One day we enjoyed time at the beach.  First on Claire's mind was to make an umbrella shelter for shade and protection from the wind.  After working on that for a while she joined the others and had some fun in the sand/water.  Mabel loved every second of sand, water and mud.  She could probably happily live on a beach for the rest of her life!  Benson and Jared loved trying out the boogie-board and had some success in riding the waves!





And then we went to Sea World and saw some incredible sea animals.  The shows were so fun!



Riding the sky ride across the water.  A picture perfect sunset.  



Such fun memories.  Memories that will truly last a magical-life time!

And the adventure hasn't ended yet...

1 comment:

grandpa Terry & Diana said...

What a wonderful adventure and vacation in Southern California. A great time was had by all.

Loved the time we spent together.