April

We drove out to California in April so Phil could attend a conference at Newport Beach.  We turned it into a family vacation.  It was so nice to see the ocean after wintering in New Mexico. 

The thing I will always remember about this evening on busy Huntington Beach is that we thought we had lost Jack for what seemed like 5 minutes.  In reality it was probably a couple of minutes where we were shouting his name, frantically running in both directions down the beach.  I've never felt so panicky in my life as every mom might imagine.  He eventually came trotting toward me from up on the sand somewhere.  He had followed another little boy he had been splashing in the waves with back to this boy's family.  Just thankful everything turned out well!

Lounging in the hotel lobby at Huntington Beach.  Everyone picked up some shirts at Jack's Surf Shop beside the hotel. 

Watching the surfers fro the famous pier.

We saw them and had to do them of course. 

Crystal Cove Beach.  I took the kids there while Phil was at the conference one morning. 

We loved combing these rocks and surrounding tidepools for anemones, hermit crabs, and snails.

The Resort at Pelican Hill where the conference was had the largest circular pool in the world.  It was spectacular with views of the Pacific to boot.

Phil took the kids whale watching one afternoon and they saw several gray whales and these cute dolphins.  It couldn't have been better timed since Sasha's class was studying whales that month and she had to write her first in depth report about whales on the drive home. 

Before one of the evening dinners.  They had a lovely evening of crafts, movies, and kid food planned for the little ones while the adults enjoyed the closing reception.

The overnight at Legoland Hotel had been much anticipated at our house.  We stayed in a "Castle" themed room that had bunkbeds and a safe that could only be opened by going on a treasure hunt around the hotel.

The disco elevator

The lego pool

Nightly entertainment in the lobby

Driving school at legoland the next day.  Sasha passed her test and got a license!

Sasha diligently writing in her daily journal

I've always wanted to go to Laguna Beach.  It was as wonderful as I imagined it.

Ruby's Shake Shack

Jack warming up for his first cello recital.  They played flower song and did Rocket Song with their bows.

Playing the Barbie board game at the island while Jack does Legos.  Everyday moments I don't want to forget....

Jack is CRAZY about soccer.  Every day this spring he would ask me if it was a soccer day.  Every picture we have of him in games shows him with a big goofy smile on his face. 

Spring hike up sun mountain after a Saturday morning soccer game.

Easter brunch at our house with mom and dad

Breakfast in our room at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff on our way out to CA.