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.  

Last Day of School

Charles' preschool has a tradition of walking to the park for lunch after their last day of school.  The parents meet the kids there and Georgia gave Charles a happy greeting.

These two women have been the teachers for all three boys (except Jack who had one different one), and in the fall Georgia will be in their class.  They are simply marvelous women.

Picnic on the lawn at the elementary school.  What a great community we live in!

"Prizes" from Mrs. Wintheiser, my favorite teacher of all time.  Can I say that on a public blog?  She really is something special.  

Wow, it's been a LONG time since I've posted anything, so looking back at the last day of school seems, well long ago.  There's nothing like walking out of school into the sunshine of a promising summer.  I remember it well and it matters not what grade you just finished, it always feels free.

The Grand, Grand Junction

 We went swimming at one of Paige's friend's homes and she basically lives on top of a mountain.  I mean, check out that view!  It was incredible.  I really loved Grand Junction's weather and scenery.  Such a surprisingly beautiful place.

 While we were there we just HAD to go to Aspen music festival which is only about 2 hours away and see Gil Shaham perform.  It made me wish I was a music student again and could spend three months at a gorgeous location learning from the best in the world.  But, this was as close as we got and it was fabulous.  I even saw a friend from IU playing in the orchestra.

 It was raining like crazy.  Good thing we had plastic from Dad's car - always be prepared!  Actually, it didn't help a whole lot, but we got some good laughs and so did the people who saw us.

 Standing by the aspen trees in Aspen.  Oh my!  Were my legs really that white or is Paige just really tan?!  Okay, I'm really that white, but I AM from Wisconsin after all.

All the boys after breakfast at the Main St. Bagel place.  We miss our cousins!

The Cabin 2011

 Nature walk with Nana while the big kids went horseback riding.  Winfield, Jane, Charles, Audrey, and Kate all learned about plants, checked the river for water skeeters, threw rocks and got dirty.

With Emily and cousins Matthew and Kate.

In the hammock with my baby girl.  Who can resist the hammocks under those huge pine trees with the river a few yards away?  I've never seen it so green as it was over the 4th; all thanks to a full month of rain in June.

Just had to include this photo of Audrey because she looks so pretty.  Glad she got Laura's looks!

How many cousins can a Brazilian hammock hold?  

If I could look this darling when I'm pregnant...Isn't Marian adorable?

After the scavenger hunt we donned the crazy eyes and felt right at home.

July 4th Tradition...Plus a little Surprise!

 Aren't they cute?  40 years of marriage and they still love each other, which is no surprise to me, but by the world's standard it's pretty amazing.  What was surprising was the party we threw for them when we were all gathered for the 4th of July.  We had "reunion" shirts made that said "Marriott" on the front, baseball style and then patiently Laura stenciled a number on the back of each shirt - all 40 of them - with the order in which we were born.  Christian and I were #5 and our children were numbered by the grandchildren starting with Melaine as #1 and Joseph #23, I think.  It was pretty cute to see them all running around in their shirts.

 Caroline made a photo book about them and it was so much fun to see pictures of them in high school and college and on their honeymoon.  I hope I can look back at my own pictures in 30 years and laugh with my kids!

Paige and John at the Oakley parade.  Gotta love the Rodeo Queens in the background.

This was our first try at the parade and the kids got SO much candy, they loved it.

Mom in her cowboy shirt that Dad bought for her in Chicago, of all places.

One happy kid - candy in hand!  

The Outer Banks 2010

We loved the OBX from the first perfect day.  The beaches were huge, soft, and warm.  The waves were exciting, just the right size, and fabulously warm.  We even saw dolphins swimming just off the shore. Luckily Charles was afraid of the waves unless he had a death grip on an adult's finger, then he would say, "let's run!" and go stomping through the shallows.

Georgia hangin' with the guys.  Thank you, John for babysitting in the shade.  Notice Will's beard that got smaller each day.  I wasn't very fond of the fu-man-shu half-way through the week, but he looked nice and clean-shaven by the end.

More running with Charles.  I loved it.

Jack would have followed cousin Tate to the moon.  The two had a great time together.

Wesley with a captured crab.  They were startling the sunbathers, scuttling up on the beach towels and running from the kids.

David's wife, Abby and future mommy.  Wish I looked that good pregnant.

Christian took a crew off-roading on the sand dunes and they spotted one of the Corolla wild Mustangs.  I was pretty sad to have missed it, but Christian said they were a bit mangey-looking.  Will walked right up and petted them, which is against the law apparently.

Yes, these are the three boys asleep in a closet.  We were pretty packed in the beach house, but this sleeping arrangement worked out rather well.

What a hunk.  Christian looks like Mr. Sportsman with the sea kayak.  He and Will hit a wave and flew out of the kayak, but survived.  My ride with him was much more relaxing.

Future hunks. (that's cousin Grant in the middle)

Pina coladas!  We ate out only once and it was ridiculously priced, but at least we had a good time!  

Mom tried to stay sun-free at the beach with her huge hat.  She was out riding the waves with the boys and having a blast.  Paige took us on a morning speed walk on the beach and taught us yoga in the evening.  She is the true Mrs. Sportsman.

Melaine with Georgia.  She was my personal babysitter and took the baby any chance she could get.  It was heaven.  What a shame they live so far away.

Nana and Winfield in their tie-dye shirts.  

Caroline's birthday with many helpers to blow out the candles.

The whole gang (minus Daniel and Marian's family who left early, and Paige who must have taken the picture).  What a memorable trip for us.  It was a sacrifice for the family out west to get all the way to the east coast, but it made it so special for the kids to re-connect with their cousins.  I fear that as the years pass my children will be known as "the Wisconsin cousins" who the rest of the cousins never see.  I'm going to do my best to keep these ties strong.  If that means beach vacations, sign me up!  Newport, CA 2012 anyone?