The beach

We were lucky enough to take a quick trip to the Newport beach a few weeks ago as our first trip of the summer. Tyler's brother Kyle was in Anaheim with his family for a few days and asked if we had any time to swing by and Tyler was able to get the time of from work so yay it worked out!  It took quite an effort to get everything pulled together for the trip and we were probably ready to call the trip off more than one time including the first night of the trip after unloading the car and the kids late at night. This never seems to get easier for us. I seem to have an Asthma attack each time--I think I am allergic to our stress. And Tyler nearly has a heart attack.  After the first few days though after we have apologized to one another and start over trying really hard to be patient and kind in the midst of the inevitable setbacks that happen when you are operating as a group with small wonderful and cute children we slowly start to have some fun. And by the end we have finally relaxed enough to have some really enjoyable moments together as a family and we are so glad we made the effort.

For this particular trip we ended up leaving later than we had earlier planned.  I think it was around 4 or so by the time we got on the road.  It was nice to listen to Tyler's music on his ipod and watch the landscape change from Las Vegas to California.  We pointed out the Joshua trees to Josh and appreciated the beautiful green that seemed to grow more and more dense on the mountains the further we drove. I like how the humidity of coastal air feels on my skin. It's very different than Midwest our deep south humidity. It's like velvet and it feels good to breathe in.  We stayed at the Anaheim Ramada plaza inn and were very pleasantly surprised with the quality of the room and their Breakfast buffet.  We didn't get a chance to make it to the pool--next time. 

Josh was overjoyed when we arrived to the room and squealed as he explored the bed and mirror and all 300 square feet. 

I love to see my kids happy and that first few moments when you walk into a hotel room and its nice and clean and new. 

Hotels are nice too because you leave in the morning and come back to a room that is magically clean when you get back.

We ended up watching the world cup a little bit that night I think--maybe it was another night I can't remember. The boys had fun cheering and yelling for their favorite teams. I have never even paid attention to the world cup but my boys were sure excited about it this year.  Grant later told me that he loves how it seems to unite people...and that he liked to be apart of all the clamor and celebration.

The next day we we were so tired that it was hard to wake up so we ended up sleeping in a little too long and only had 30 minutes or so for breakfast.   Tyler wanted to get the kids up to swim earlier but I couldn't even imagine trying. It turns out they wished they had gone. Spencer at least and I wished we would have gone ahead and woken them up too later in the day when I was more awake and had a chance to think about it. Next time, I will listen better to Tyler. 

Down at the buffet they had the standard 3 Minute maid juices, and continental breakfast stuff plus pancakes, eggs, toast, sausage, bacon, watermelon and other fresh fruit. It was really great.  

Getting to the beach was an Adventure. It all started with many calls from Kyle wondering where we were. I am sure they were trying to coordinate with us and we just kept needing to push our ETA back further and further. Finally, around 10 or Eleven we were dressed and ready to head to the beach. (I really wanted to take some nice family pictures and bought for the first time ever a few coordinating things to do so. No one and I mean NO ONE was happy about this but me. But, I really appreciate after many not so friendly conversations and struggle everyone managed to get dressed how I wanted them too for the pictures.)
 At this point we really only had one option though with the bright sun and that was to take the picture under the pier.  Finally, after driving around forever for a park spot we found an open 15 minute slot right next to the pier. So we quickly hauled everyone out and managed to find a teenager there with her siblings and asked her to snap our picture quickly, once she finished snapping a few shots I tried to get some individual pictures of the kids. Josh was amazed and so were the boys. They wanted to get out in the sand and water and play so badly and I was holding them up in nice clothes and more pictures. They started kicking the water around and having fun and before we new it Grant was blinded by getting sand in his eyes and had to be led everywhere by Spencer.

 That made getting back to the van in time a challenge. We made it back and touched base with Kyle just in time to find out Desirae's Aunt was leaving and that we would take her spot. So we left the kids on the beach with Kyle where he was located just of 26th or 29th and made our way to the spot near them. We changed in the car and fed Kate then made our way down to the beach. 

Kate rested in her chair for a while then tried out Kyle and Desiree's stroller. Idah decided to try out her lips and see if they were working right. (This happened quickly as I tried to snap a picture--I promise I did step in and stop it.)

This picture was taken seconds after the above picture. Kate is so easy going. I'm sad I didn't get a good picture of Idah though.

The kids loved playing on the beach and so did I. 

At first I stayed on shore because the water was so cold but then I decided to join my boys.  They had been waving from the water for awhile trying to get me to come in. Once I got in the water it was so much fun I didn't want to leave. The waves were pretty high. Grant bobbed in the water waiting for each new wave so he could crash into them.  Spencer and I did the same and when the huge waves came I had to lift him high over my head...he liked that. 

I contemplated not posting any pictures of me since I am still 20 lbs over weight but I decided to do it anyway since it's just how it is and I want my kids to remember that I was there and I had a really good time.

The beach is a very therapeutic place for me. I really was so sad to leave. 

Josh loved the water and the bubbles it made when the waves came in.  He kept running around yelling "See, Mom, Water!. See Dad, Bubbles!"

Spencer was so cold the first time he got into the water.

He came out shivering and had a really hard time warming up.

I am sure the shirts had a lot to do with that. We lost them shortly after this picture was taken.

Grant was lost in thought much of the time soaking in the crashing waves the warm sand and the overall wonderful feeling at the beach. 

Spencer wanted Tyler to bury him in the sand.

I loved this angle with the water in the back ground I only wish Spencer was smiling.

Kyle's son Caleb had fun playing in the sand like this for a really long time. 

Tyler did a great job as usual playing with the kids and keeping them organized in some sort of activity.

I am so glad that we went and I am so glad I am married to someone who is willing to put in so much time and effort not to mention the expense to create these memories and to allow our kids a chance to play and have fun. 

So long Newport beach I hope we can return for Labor day this year. 

After the beach we went to hang out with Kyle and Desiree's Family.  We had tacos and ice cream and talked while the kids played on the grass. Grant and Spencer held a mini world cup just the two of them. And before we knew it it was time to go home.