California Dreaming...that it was 10 degrees warmer!

In June we headed out to Newport Beach, CA, fully aware that it would be cool, or at least not hot.  It was what worked best for my extended family so we went for it.  It was COLD!  On the first morning we tromped out around 10 am and sat wrapped in our towels, coverups on, and even put up the tent to screen the kids from the wind.  Of course we wised up and followed the locals, staying indoors until around lunchtime when the chill had burned off.  I'm here to say, the chill never burned off.  It was always a little chilly.  So, I stand a firm supporter of the Atlantic side and the Gulf Coast.  However, we had a BALL!

My cute sister found a gorgeous spot in a very nice house and we squished all of the kids into the master bedroom.  It was perfect.

Boys, boys boys!  There are a lot of boy cousins which happened to be a good fit for our kids.

I laugh every time I look at this picture because we are all a bunch of raggedy travelers out for a hike.  It was pretty cool to explore that part of the country though.

We were in Newport over Father's Day so we did a bit of toasting and roasting and celebrating the dads.  My mom bought these hilarious umbrella hats and Christian quite enjoyed himself.  Who says he doesn't have a Marriott silly bone in him?

Lego Land!  The kids had a great time, but I would say it's a on-time kind of park.  And it's really for younger kids, so it was perfect for us.

Sharing shade with Nana.

The amazing cities and displays went on and on and on.  Truly incredible.

Cozying up with dad on the patio.  I wonder what movie they are watching?  Tarzan?  Mr. Fox?  Lion King?  Badger night cam?

Laurel is just a natural mothering person.  She took good care of Georgia

My darling mom after a day at the beach.

Georgia and Ava sporting the shades.  This was their first real experience getting to know each other.

Happy Charles, no matter the temperature of the water.

Best buds.  Jack was thrilled beyond words to hang out with his cousin he never gets to see.

Wrapping up warm with daddy.

James and Charles

Christian took a surfing lesson and really loved it.  We watched him take on the waves and he actually did a pretty good job staying on.  Not sure it holds a light to sailing in his eyes, but he had a great time and the wetsuit's not bad!

Digging the most giant hole possible.

Padme.  Don't you think she looks like her with her hair and hood?  So funny.  We were freezing.

Dinner out at the Crab Shack, I think it's called.  Great food served on paper plates.  

More Emerald Coast

Clean...for a moment.

Christian's dad and sister came for a couple days (his mom had to work) and the kids had such a good time with them.  I'm not completely sure they got the relaxing beach vacation that I did, but the kids loved having extra adults around to dote on them.

I'm hoping that there are other women in the world that look like me - no make up and wild hair - while at the beach for several days.  I think this is the first beach trip that I haven't painted my toe nails.  I guess that just shows how much I just wanted to sit and do nothing.

This was Georgia's first beach trip where she could actually play and she loved the sand.  

Just a little glimpse of the houses around Seaside and Seagrove Beach.  So charming.

There were lots of brackish lakes nearby and we got the kids a net to try their hand at catching fish and crabs.  Winfield was so determined that he would march off for the little inlet at the end of a long day.

Building sand castles

I walked out our back door and to the steps off of our deck to take this picture.  Isn't it remarkable that at 11 am during spring break that "our" beach was this empty?!  I LOVED it.

Happy kids.  Happy parents.  

Goodbye to Seaside, at least for another year.  We are definitely coming back!

Emerald Coast

Just looking at this picture makes me yearn to go back to Florida.  We found the most fabulous house right on the beach and enjoyed every minute of our spring break trip to Seagrove Beach, FL.  I highly recommend it to anyone, unless you're going for the surf.  There is none.  I floated on our boogie board like I was in a swimming pool, gliding along with the little rock of the tiny waves.  The kids swam like they were in the shallow end of a pool.  I could even take Georgia out on the raft, although she was a little frightened.  The downside was that gorgeous emerald water also showed any shadow of any fish or - gasp - shark that swam by.  Jack and Christian swore they saw one when they took the sea kayak out, but right or wrong, by day two the boys were out of the water at the simplest shadow of anything.

The boys found handfuls of tiny crab/clams/unidentified animals that would burrow down in the sand after a wave.  We brought some of them home and what a shocker - they smell terrible!  I threw them all away while the kids were at school.  

Easter in ATL

We had a lovely time in the lovely weather of Atlanta in the lovely care of my in-laws.  Janet put on a delicious dinner - always - and had an entire table of treats, toys, bunnies, and all things easter (plus a few guns) for the kids.  She made this precious smocked dress for Georgia so as usual I had the best dressed baby at church when she wears a Gammy dress.  By the end of the day she had gotten cheetos on the front of it, but handy Janet washed it out immediately.  Could I just move in please?  She cooks, she sews, she launders.  

Aunt Jessica helping Georgia find a few eggs before the boys get to them.  What's inside?  A dollar.

And what happened to be inside Winfield's plastic egg?  A picture of Mark from the 1970's.  I wonder who planned the egg hunt?  

Mark found a kindred spirit in Georgia at the drawing table.

After the Easter program at the ward in Atlanta (it was so impressive, I might add).

Do I have to wear this?

Daddy's girl.

Janet figured she'd wear her extremely high heels for Easter Sunday.  Little did she know she'd have to keep up with Georgia in the hallway during Sacrament Meeting.  These shoes are not made for babysitting (but can I add that to her list and can I please, please move in?).