Tide pools, Waves and Strips

May 6th, Beach Day! Before we left the hotel, one of the kids captured Philip with the butterfly net! I always laugh at Jonas lining up all his toys. He loves a neat line up!

Our first stop was the tide pools at Laguna. We got there at a good time to find and see the sea life.

Ila was the first one to hold a living sea creature. Then Cora found a couple. She absolutley loves animals and sea creatures and knows a lot about them.

Jonas wasnt to sure about touching the things we found. But Tara found a sea cucumber or something big and slimy and he finally agreed to pet it.

I just love "Strips" at the beach! Sometimes I just crave them. They aren't as good as they were years ago but its just part of my beach life. So the tradition continues ... I can't go to the beach without getting some!

Ila is not intimidated by much. She loved the tide pools, the waves, the sand!

Grandpa with his kids.

Will and Philip just enjoying the surf and sand.

I told you she has no fear. However, she was a little unsure of the wave that knocked her right down.

Will and Tara having fun with Cora, Ila and Jonas in the late afternoon. My personal favorite time at the beach!

Whats a trip to the beach without burying someone? Jonas wasnt in for a full burial.

And whats a visit to the beach without playing with some seaweed?

Or playing in the waves as they go in and out?

Or letting your feet get buried as the waves come in and out while you stand in one place?

Or just enjoying the sights and sounds of the beautiful ocean?

Or getting pooped on by a seagull!?!?!? Now this I could have done without! It was on my chest and shirt ... sick!!!

Theres nothing like just snuggling up in your towel and feeling all warm and cozy.

Jonas found a lady bug. I dont think I have EVER seen a lady bug on the sand. But this one was his pet. It stayed on him and crawled around for about 45 minutes til we let it go to shower him off before leaving.

Back at the hotel, Whitney had come down from Oxnard to spend the evening with us. She hadnt seen Will's family in a long time and had a ton of fun with them. Of course! She is fun Auntie Winky!

We all went for a late dinner at Buca di Beppo. The kids went in their pj's! You can see Captain Jack came too. It was a long but fun day with Will, Tara and family ... and Whitney.

Disneyland and the beach and lots of good memories in the 3 days we shared with them in the middle of their family vacation. Thanks for inviting us!!!

Philip at Disneyland?!?!?

May 5, 2009



Today is Jonas's 4th Birthday and a fun filled day is just beginning. Grammie found a really cool gift. A Pirate set that had a sword with skulls and gun that both made noise when you used them and a Captain Jack eye-patch. It was a HUGE hit.


We all headed down to breakfast where Philip found some new friends. A girls sports team from Idaho! haha Not sure why he didnt sit with the rest of us? Tara found the Birthday muffins and added the candles. The birthday boy was far to excited to eat to much but did blow out the candles and ate a muffin.











Right off the bat, Jonas got his map out to figure out where we were and where we should go. Jonas and Cora both love to have a map whenever they go to the zoo or places that offer one. They keep them in their pocket and bring them out periodically. Its a crack up.



Cora gave a huge hug to Donald Duck. It reminded me of the picture I have of Will when he was just about 3 1/2 hugging Winnie the Pooh and we couldnt get him to move for the longest time!

Tyler, Tara, Jonas, Ila, Cora and Will posing for the family picture in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle.



















Philip and Cora on Dumbo.
This is Philip's first Disneyland ride in 14 years! He said he was never going to Disneyland again. See what Grandkids do to a person!

Will and Ila together and Tyler riding beside on the Carousel.


Ila, Will, Tara, Cora, Grammie, Jonas and Tyler ready for another fun ride!

Three girls in a tub ... oh I mean a teacup!

While we were waiting for the group that went on Space Mountain, Tara spotted Buzz Lightyear, one of Jonas's favorites. He went to say hi and showed Buzz he got a "Buzz guy". So Buzz took it and held it while I snapped the picture. Up to this time, Jonas didnt want to have anything to do with any of the Disney characters.


Jonas, Cora and Ila on the Storyland boats.

Three little honey bees at the end of a super fun day at Disneyland. Even Philip had fun. Even if he won't admit it!!!