California!

We were able to spend a few days in California in July!!!! We haven't been since I was pregnant with Lenora, so this trip was LONG overdue. And thankfully, coronavirus didn't cancel our plans. Nearly everything was still closed out there, but we still had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying the perfect California sunshine.

One thing that had just re-opened was the beach! Sunday morning the boys woke up early so the three of us headed to the beach for their very first time. They LOVED it! 

There's something so magical about seeing the ocean for the first time.... 

They were timid at first, but soon they were running in the waves before rushing out laughing when bigger waves swept up. It was one of those perfect moments in life that you wish you could just freeze in time.

It's no surprise they ended up soaking their "church" clothes. Rookie mistake on my part! 

The rest of Sunday we enjoyed a slow day spending time with Jamie, Grandma, and Grandpa. We enjoyed a late birthday celebration for the incredible Aunt Jamie! 

Monday morning I repeated my beach trip with all the kids this time while Michael helped Jamie with a project. It's been so long since we've been, I don't think any of the kids remembered the ocean well. They were in heaven! We ate breakfast on these rocks they laughed, played, and got soaked again! 

We spent the rest of the day swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool and capped off the night with a beach bonfire!

Tuesday we enjoyed a short visit at the beach with Michael's aunt who is also deaf. The weather was perfect for some kite flying! 

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was introducing Lenora to Mama Faye! Lenora's middle name Faye is in honor of this incredible women. It was so much fun for these two to finally meet, and for us to hear stories from her long, exciting life. 

After our lunch with Mama Faye it was time for more swimming. Lots more swimming. The kids came home SO tan!

Grandpa and Grandma helped Eliza overcome her fear of the deep end and she swam from one side of the pool to the other! 

By this point Conrad was so tired from so much fun and sun he crashed on the floor in the middle of the living room.

All too soon it was time for us to head home. We left fairly early Wednesday morning so we could have a nice visit with Michael's grandpa on our way out of town. This was his first time meeting Orson and Conrad in person. We had a wonderful visit with him! 

 

Now that we're closer, it won't be another 6 years before we see you again California. Thanks for a great trip!