A quick trip to the beach and a fun wedding!

Last weekend we made a quick trip to California, specifically San Diego and La Jolla for my cousin Jake and his bride Tracey's wedding.  It was beautiful and gave us a chance to take a quick family vacation.  Nana and Papa were gracious enough to come along with us to help watch the kids so Jarrett and I could go to the wedding.  Here are some pictures of the fun time we had.

We have been saving our points and now that the Del is officially a Hilton hotel we were able to stay there during our quick getaway.  

We arrived on  November 1, the day after Halloween and while the lobby was still  decorated for fall, all  the shops were set up for  Christmas.   The Del is such a beautiful and fun hotel, one of those bucket list places we love to enjoy.  

Our first stop was the beach of course, and while the water was maybe a balmy 65 degrees, the kids didn't mind.  And good for them, how often do you get to go to the beach?  

So  pants,  jackets and socks and shoes for us adults, swimsuits and shivers  for  the  kids!

Jennings wasn't too impressed yet with the beach.

The boys went right to work trying to find pretty ladies.  Turns out the average age of the female crowd was probably around their mom's age or older.  Oh well!

It was fun having Nana and Papa with us.

This picture reminds me of a picture I took many years ago of just the boys running into the beach.  Oh how our life has changed now.

This was the picture we took at the same beach just a handful of years ago.

And now this is our family, minus Jennings who was with Nana at the time.

So many good moments shared at this place.

Even in the hotel room everyone had a nice time... all the kids need is a TV and they are happy. 

And Nana and Papa were too it seemed, Jennings makes anyone happy I think. 

We went to our favorite Miguel's restaurant and walking back to the hotel, the colors were so vibrant it was like watching fireworks in the sky.

We got up early Saturday morning and headed to the beach before most people.  

It was cold, I wore pants, two shirts and my jacket.  The girls, well they wore this...

Notice that huge bird on that guys arm.  Michael agreed to pose for a picture for me.

Meanwhile down at the beach, Gabe and the two girls were having a blast!

See, I told you it was cold!

We did get a quick family shot!

Such a nice picture of Jarrett, Jennings, Papa and Nana.

Madelyn had no fun, none at all.  (seriously she giggled the entire morning)

Then Michael joined in and regretted not wearing his swim suit.

Gabe was cold so he decided to bury himself in the sand.  Nice picture though right?

And the chilly girls too.

Jennings wasn't sure what to think of the beach.  

Dad loves this place. 

And it was Papa's first time staying at the Del too.  We hope he enjoyed it as well.

Then Isabelle took a page from Gabe's book and buried herself.  Did I mention we had a little bit of sand in our hotel room?

Michael couldn't stand it any longer, when Gabe started surfing in the water, he wanted to join in, so he stripped down to his jock (at least he was wearing one) and just went in the water that way.  He said it was no different than his racing swimsuit, and I guess he did have a point.  

Jennings is still not sure what's going on!

I hope the kids remember that we tried to take them to fun places and while it might not be the grandest adventure and it was only for a quick weekend, it was still so fun and memories were made. 

Then it was time to go to the wedding of my cousin Jake and his bride Tracey.  It was a beautiful wedding and so enjoyable that I forgot to take pictures. It was nice to catch up with everyone and to see people I hadn't seen in a long time.  I can't believe I forgot to take pictures.  Here is the only one I got!

It was a beautiful wedding and we so enjoyed getting to share in their special day.

On Sunday morning we got up and headed back home.  On our way we passed by Lake Jennings, of course I had to take a picture.  Funny on the times before we went to San Diego I never noticed, now all of us spotted it.  

San Diego always seems to bless us with grand memories, and great get-a-ways.  We hope to be back soon.

Until next time,

Angie

Happy Halloween!

Last Thursday we celebrated Halloween!  As usual lately, we didn't decide what the big kids were going to be until about 20 minutes after we were supposed  to leave to go trick or treating.  #howwerollthesedays

Jennings wasn't feeling very good, his sisters gave him a respiratory virus so poor buddy wasn't in the best  spirits but went along as usual too.

First he was a  pumpkin during the day.

Us girls and Jennings were ready to go!

It was fun to have our friend Trudi and Jim's kids over with us to go trick or treating.  It  was nice  to talk with Jim and our kids loved seeing their kiddos.

The boys feel like they are getting too old to trick or treat, its more about how they look and that it must be cool.  It's a part of the teenage years, I know.  Soon they will be adults like dad and I and care less about looking silly.  Oh and by the way, Jarrett went as an exhausted baseball dad with 5 kids.:-)

Jennings a  few days before Halloween when he felt better.

Gabriel thought Jennings might like to dress up as a baseball player to be like his big brothers.  The hats a bit too big still. :-)

We also decorated pumpkins this year, only markers though.  Mom didn't have the energy to carve them or even bring out the paint.  Here's Gabe showing off his artistic energy. 

It took a lot of effort. :-)

Yep,  he took it very serious as you can see.

Michael too!

And even the girls. 

It was fun, an easy pick up and a nice time spent as a family. 

It was a fun Halloween!  Especially thankful this little giraffe was with us this year.

Until next time

Angie