California Adventures

We thought we'd make the best of our short summer vacation by spending a few days in California with my sister, Laura and her partner, Amy. Our many adventures ranged from beach travel to great-grandparent visits, every day beginning with much-too-eager to-wake-up-early kiddos and ending with 4 over-stimulated, incredibly exhausted ladies (myself included). But isn't that what vacation is all about? Meanwhile, Daddy was home alone alternating between enjoying some peace and quiet, and diligently painting our office.

On the way out, we stopped to enjoy a quick jaunt at a rest stop 

somewhere between hotter-than-heck and the sun. Not only did 

we get to climb on a giant pile of asphalt, we also temporarily 

lost Savanna, who had gone into the men's bathroom 

by herself while I was searching for an errant shoe. 

It was all very memorable.

(Notice Lexa's pink cheeks...it was like 110 degrees.)

Lex got to spend some much-needed time on her cousin's phone, 

texting and catching up with all the friends she had left behind.

We spent one day at Yucaipa Regional Park, which features a 

man-made lake of ice cold water and 

waterslides that Vanna wasn't tall enough to go on. 

She still had fun, though, I promise.

Lex, who apparently hates all things water-related 

(minus the bathtub) spent the day wishing we 

would get out of the water and take her to sit in the shade.

Julia, the daredevil, went down the waterslides 

approximately 17 times with my niece, Fantasia, 

who was kind enough to be her chaperon.

Here they are after the first run...notice Julia's little hip tilt. 

And this is only the beginning...there is much more fun to come. I'll post more during my lengthy recovery from our blissful vacation.