Summer Vacation in CA.....

It's 1:15 am and after gathering our things around my parents house and packing everything up I thought it was a good time to blog about all the fun we've had here this month. I wish I took more photos with friends we were able to visit with, the fun dates Bryan and I had while he was here for a short time, and I'm determined to get a photo of my mom with the kids before I leave tomorrow and add it to this post. The time spent here always flies on by. The entire trip I kept reminding myself to soak it in, every minute. I'm going to miss my parents so incredibly much. They are the most loving Oma and Opa to Brooke and Brody. It was so great to spend time with them. My mom is so amazing. She babysat the kids for me several times so that I was able to catch up with dear friends, spend time with my dad and sister and when I just plain needed a break! I had the most incredible vacation and I know the kids did too. Mom and Dad thank you so very much for everything. I love you both so much!! I can't thank you enough for allowing the kids and I stay with you for a bit and make such wonderful fun summer vacation memories that they will remember and continue to talk about throughout the year. I know I'll cherish these memories forever. Enjoy the pictures and many posts below!!

Summer Vacation in CA: Dodger Game with my Dad!!

One of my most favorite things I got to do while vacationing and visiting my family in CA was to go to a Dodger game with my sweet dad. Our seats were great and lucky for us we were in the shade. The Dodgers played the Rockies and won, yay! After the game we got to watch the movie 42. It was so very neat to watch this inspiring movie about Jackie Robinson in a ballpark after watching a Dodger game. I loved every minute spent with my dad at the game and it is a memory that I will cherish forver. I love you Dad!! Thank you for allowing me to be your date!!

Summer Vacation in CA: Big Bear!

My sister invited my dad and I to Big Bear to look at cabins. I have never been to Big Bear (shocker I know, born and raised in Southern CA and this was my first time) and it was such a wonderful day trip. My mom offered to stay behind and watch the kids for me (Mom you are the best!!!) and the day was perfect. Big Bear is so gorgeous, absloutely beautiful and the weather was perfect! The entire day was perfect! I was able to enjoy the time spent with my dad and my sister and it was so very relaxing for me. Thank you Mom so much for watching the kids for me!!!

Summer Vacation in CA: The Beach!

No vacation to CA is complete without the beach...our favorite beach which is Zuma Beach in Malibu. This is our beach. We've gone ever since Brooke was a baby. This beach is sentimental to me. In High School my small group of friends would always have activities at Zuma. Also, my best friend was married at this beach (I was in her wedding and had recently found out a few days before her wedding that I was having a girl). Some things and places are sentimental to me and this beach just happens to be one of them. We always, always, ALWAYS see dolphins and this trip did not disappoint. It was a perfect day and the kids were in heaven playing in the sand and water. It was so cute watching Brooke collect seashells with her bright pink sand bucket.

Summer Vacation in CA: Pool and Park Fun!

Many of our days were spent at the local parks and my parent's community pool. It was so fun swimming everyday with the same group of neighbors. I call them Brooke's "pool friends". Last year we did the same, went swimming almost everyday at the same time and we would see the same group of kids and parents. My sweet little outgoing Brooke became fast friends with these girls and boys roughly the same age. It was SO neat to come back a year later and see yet again the same group of children AND they even remembered Brooke! We walked right in and this sweet little girl said "I remember you from last summer!!" So a year later there were plenty more pool days with our pool friends. Brooke is a great swimmer and this year I was able to teach Brody and by the end of the first week he was doing amazing! My hope is by next summer he will be a very confident swimmer and I can enjoy the pool poolside soaking up the sun...in moderation of course. We also spent many nights at the park, I took the picture above of Brody before his back to school haircut. I miss his long hair but I know in no time it will grow back. It was so peaceful to watch the kids play and sit with my parents and spend time with them. The weather was gorgeous in the evenings after dinner.

Summer Vacation in CA: Misc. Fun #2

Our Summer Vacation: Misc. Fun #2 continues with lots of time spent painting our nails, our annual back to school haircuts with Oma and my sweet Dad teaching me how to make a pallet for a craft project I pinned on pinterest awhile back. He also taught me how to use a router saw, a regular saw machine and tips on how to make other projects I have pinned on pinterest. My dad is the greatest and I love him SO much! I appreciate all the time he spent with me and teaching me how to become a better wood crafter. I hope that someday I can be as handy as he is when it comes to creating things for around the house. I definitly cherished the time spent with him these last few weeks. Also pictured above is a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I had just walked home from the pool with the kids and there was a knock at the door. Bryan had sent me flowers with a sweet message. It made my day and I felt so loved!! Who dosen't love having flowers delivered?!?!

Summer Vacation in CA: Misc. Fun #1

Summer Vacation: Misc. Fun #1 starts with some fun things we did while Bryan was with us for a week of fun. We were able to spend the day at Castaic Lake with Bryan's parents. Best part of the day was when I had asked Bryan to grab something from my purse. He handed over his fishing pole (he had been fishing bright and early with his dad and both had fished unsucessfully all day) not 3 seconds later while holding the pole with one hand I catch the only fish for the day. HA! I thought it was awesome, Bryan not so much. He despises the fact that I'm the "fish whisperer" of our family. We also took the kids to see Monsters University. The photo above showcases my children's personalities perfectly. The 4th of July was super fun too! The kids were wiped out and enjoyed the fireworks show at the Valencia Town Center.