Fall Break in California

Our friends have a vacation rental hotel/condo in California so we joined them for fall break. It was blissful. We spent most of our time on the beach. The first day was all day at the beach. The kids flew kites, played beach corn holes, found little crab things, built sandcastles, took naps in the sunshine, and of course played in the waves. It is so nice that they all swim well enough to have fun at a beach now. That night the kids watched movies and ate pizza while the adults ate in old town and got really delicious Mexican hot chocolate. Such delicious fish tacos...they alone were worth the drive to California. 

The next day we went to Sea World. Jocelyn's face watching the dolphins was priceless...Creed also got a ginormous kick out of the Shark tank thing. The shows weren't what they used to be but they did add a cool petting zoo of sharks area. The cool water tower ride in the middle of Sea World we all rode for the first time and it was a super cool view. We grilled street tacos back at the hotel and hung out at the pool. Also super fun.

The last day I took Taryn and Cami to the San Diego lds temple with our friends. Brent did some work back at the hotel and was "watching" Creed and Jocelyn. (they had fun exploring). It was Taryn's first time going to the temple and it was a really cool experience. When we got back we went to Hoodad's for the biggest best hamburgers ever and then hit the beach again. (Although Brent might have spent a long time driving around looking for parking...)Brent rented Creed a boogie board and it was a huge hit. There might have been tears when we had to return it. After the sun went down it was freezing so we went back to the hotel and got in the hot tub. We ordered Chinese food (Taryn's birthday request...real Chinese food) and had a good time watching Jocelyn and Creed try to eat with chopsticks. 

Sunday we headed out of town and stopped for church along the way. Overall it was just a nice relaxing few days...no rush or worry...just good times in the sun with good kids....

12 and looking good

Taryn turned 12 during fall break so we had to party before. She had like 17 girls over to play night games. She has a fun group of girls her age and our house and neighborhood was really loud. But I think the girls all had fun ate lots of pizza and cupcakes. We then ate cake with the in town family the next evening. I hope she made some good wishes because she deserves good things. She is still a passionate loud girl but she has definitely learned some moderation. She works hard in school and does such a great job. She still takes piano despite her great resistance and sews like a banshee (in a good way)...way better than I do for sure. She is a good sister and has recently started being a good babysitter. We are all really thankful for the excitement Taryn brings to our home. It wouldn't be home without her.