California

Our trip to California started out with so much Excitement! We drove to Utah for one night, picked up my parents and drove the next day to Steven and Keri's house to spend our first night with them. Our first day at Venice beach started out a bit chilly, but the kids didn't care one bit. Uncle Steve taught the boys to dig for sand crabs and Christian spent the rest of our trip digging up sand crabs. At New Port Beach he also found star fish and bigger crabs under the pier. He was in heaven! Our last day at the beach we spent 8 hours there and everyone got pretty fried. We just couldn't leave, the kids were having such a good time. The girls both took naps, my parents rented beach cruisers and we just relaxed! What a great vacation.

The trip back home was a different story. We vowed to never drive again after realizing what a terror Izzy is in the car drive when she is tired. We still love her and her craziness!



Had to stop in Las Vegas and get some In-N-Out Burgers. I'm not a fan, but the kids where more than happy to eat there and keep the hats for souvenirs.

Such cute cousins! Calvin was such a sport to entertain Izzy and share his toys. How cute are they in this picture?!


The following pictures are of Venice beach with KT, Brett, Keri and Steven. What a fun time!




Digging for sand crabs. Christian couldn't be more happy with all the digging he got to do. I wish I had taken a photo of all his finds.



Nico doing his own digging for sand crabs. What a handsome kid.

Lili with her Daddy. She is a mama's girl right now, but takes time out to be with her Daddy. Her first word was "Da". I think I know who her favorite it is...



The look on Izzy's face says it all. Sorry Calvin, maybe next year she will be more kind. Let's cross our fingers!


So sad I didn't get more pictures of KT and her family. Here is Christian with Oliver, and KT.

These two have the exact same parents. I promise.

Hangin' at the pool with my sister. She is such a great sister. Everyone should have an Elli around. She's amazing!


Lili is such a water baby. My other kids liked the water. Lili LOVES the water. I'm going to have to keep my eye on her when she can walk.

Our Daddy is pooped! After a nice lunch at Husky Boy Burger, there is nothing like a nice afternoon nap in the shade while your 4 children run around and splash in the pool. How does he do it?

Dewayne!

Took the ferry to Balboa Island. Very short ride. Needs to be longer. We had enough time to get out of the car and pose for pics.

What a classic picture. I thought Elli would appreciate this one. Poor Isaac doesn't have his mom's undivided attention. Hahaha!

Matching hats!

Being lazy in one of the pull out beds. Yes, that is Izzy crashed out. She does crash once she burns all her energy. It doesn't happen too often, but when it does it is so worth it!



Christian spent a whole entire hour out catching waves on his boogie board while Jamie did some surfing. It was so fun to watch the two of them together.

Nico spent his time building castles and destroying them. Such a boy thing...

Abu spent a whole afternoon with Izzy on the shore. So much fun! Izzy LOVED spending this time with her Abu.

Yup, he's all mine! That is until his big toe nail gets yanked by the leash on his surf board, then I can't go near the toe. Thanks Jame for covering it up with a band aid after the nail came off. Wowza!





Here she is again, crashed out and napping on the beach. Only happens rarely. How lucky to have it happen twice in one week!

After all the splashing on the shore, this baby was pooped! She crashed for a while, so Abu and I rented beach cruisers and took a nice long bike ride on the beach. So much fun!

The nasty toe before the nail got clipped. There was so much sand in it, Jamie had to keep cleaning it out and putting neosporin to keep it from getting infected. Ew!

Dang that Lili! She is looking at the water. Love this picture of all my kids. I have great kiddos.

Lili was the wake up call the morning we packed it up to go home. She LOVES her brothers. I don't blame her. They are pretty awesome.

The view from our balcony. So breath taking. You don't get tired of seeing this, that is for sure.

Abu, Papa and the girls. Thanks Abu and Papa for sharing your time share with us! We had a great time. Can't wait to go back next year.