California Highlights

In no particular order, some highlight from our California trip included: 

Swimming of course! 

Lenora has some mad cannonball skills! 

With one lesson from Grandma, Orson went from wearing floaties in the pool to swimming like a little fish! He definitely got some of the swimming genes from the Ballard side of the family. 

Being Spoiled by Grandma, Grandpa, and Jamie

Grandma cooked, cleaned, taught swimming, gave rides (or in the boys' case just a sit) in her awesome car, and just all around loved on everyone. 

Grandpa meanwhile had some fun science experiments planned and went out of the way to get camp cots so everyone had a nice place to sleep. 

In usual Jamie style, she had so many fun things planned for the kids. Dates, drives in her Mini-Cooper convertible on the "secret road" with the top down, fun experiments, games, and more. She also took all the kids on an ocean swimming adventure. 

Which brings us to Tide Pools and the Beach! 

Attending Michael's home ward and the Newport Beach Temple

Visiting Mama Faye

Spending the Night at Grandpa-Great's House

We had SO much fun the first night with Grandpa Craig. The kids tried without success to catch tiny lizards in his yard, Lenora went to town helping with his puzzle, and we enjoyed birthday tamales for the girls. I woke up the next day and Orson wasn't in his bed. Instead I found him cuddled up watching TV with Grandpa. So sweet! 

A Date to Gus's Fried Chicken and the Beach

Road Trip Memories

We stopped in Baker on our way out. Michael picked Alien Jerky as the pit stop for our bathroom break because he wanted to look around. It was 119 degrees when we got out of the car. I've never been so hot! Eliza was not amused with the heat or the smell of the Alien Jerky shop. Her face says it all haha! 

Also, you would think In-N-Out was life with how happy that lunch made the boys. 

Overall, a fun, exhausting trip!