Beach and Los Angeles

Friday we woke up to cloudy skis but were determined to go to the beach.  We layered up and headed over.  It started sprinkling on the way.  It was SO SO SOOOO windy. But we were determined to go to the beach.  We got out of the car hit the sand and didn't make it very far before the kids made it clear they were done!  So we took a couple quick pictures and headed back to the car.

Croix had gotten a pinwheel as a new toy for the trip. he wanted to take it to the beach and see what it would do there.

I just spun super super fast and never stopped.

Doesn't it look cold!

She did great despite the cold wind. I love her blue eyes!

After the beach we headed back to my sister's and loaded up. We said goodbye and set off for LA. It should be a two hour drive, but LA traffic is horrible. It felt like it took forever. Finally we made it to my dear friend Amanda's house. She had a baby two months ago and I have dying to meet her. Little miss Zara was so sweet! It was so fun to see my friend as a Mommy. I'm telling you, becoming a Mom changes you, for the better. It is amazing. The most wonderful thing in the world, to hold your own child. Ah love, like you've never know! We hung out with her all afternoon/evening. Croix enjoyed playing with her step son Omari, who is 11. No biggie to Croix, he was just a friend. He was such a good boy! I was so impressed with how polite he was. In fact when we left Brent said, "That Omari is one good kid!" I agree. I got a picture of all the kids together before we left. It will be great to show them in 10 years or so!

Past bedtime we left Amanda's and went to Travis and Stef's house. We quickly set up the room and put the kids to bed. I was so tried I could have gone to bed with them, but it felt a little rude to invade someones home with out even saying hello for a while! Uncle Travis was great and read the kids their bedtime story. The next morning Maizy woke up at 6AM California time. I was beyond tired, she was happy as could be.

Croix and Maizy had fun climbing around on Uncle Travis.

Travis and Stef have two fur babies, Taz and Pepper. Croix was hesitant to meet his furry cousins (he's a little skittish around dogs these days)

It didn't take him long to warm up

and before too long he was laughing and smiling.

Searching for something for Croix to play with Travis and Croix found a motorcycle helmet.

I'm quite sure if there had been a strong gust of wind it would have knocked him over.

It was worth every mile of crying kids and traffic to visit Amanda and her family and Travis and Stef!  Croix cried as we left  because he didn't want to leave.


The drive home was pure misery. Croix did fairly well He started asking "are we there yet?" over and over at one point.  Brent and I just looked at each other wondering if there is some secret kid club where they teach kids all the annoying little things. Maizy was beyond done being in her carseat. She cried almost the whole way home. We had to stop several times to let her out. One of the stops was for dinner. It was at a truck stop place. They had tables with plastic table cloths on them. Croix took it upon himself to set the table. He found the plastic wear and napkins and put them on the table. He had picked out a spot for everyone. It was adorable! He even did the Vanna White hand gesture to show us our spots! This kid never ceases to surprise, amuse and fill with love!

We were all so happy to be home. While we were gone Marilyn, my friend I trade housekeeping with, came and cleaned. It totally rocked my world to come home from a long, tiring vacation to a sparking clean house! If only it had stayed that way! Ha! It was a lovely vacation, both because we did lots of fun things and got to see some wonderful family and friends! Croix is already planning his next vacation!