To spare you all the drama, (and to save me some time so I can go to bed) this will be the quick version of our trip to California.
Reece couldn't get too much time off work, so I drove out early to get the van fixed by my uncle Chris who is amazing! My mom offered to drive with me so I wouldn't go crazy for 12 hours in the van with the kids. She was an absolute blessing, and very helpful!
Once in Cali. we went straight to Toto's for some DE-licious pizza with my mom's brother Chris and 2 of his kids, and also Matt and Missy. I had arranged to stay with the Blackwells, so I parted ways with my mom and headed over there. The Clarks were also staying with the Blackwells for a few days, so it was a total party!
Here's uncle Calvin teaching the kids how to make super-dooper paper airplanes
Marina and Isabel
Grandmama, and Maximus
Here's Joseph doing sidewalk chalk in his favorite overalls
Christian had a really cool remote controlled airplane that they went to fly at the park
I didn't get very many pictures while at Grandpa and Grandma's house, but we sure did have a lot of fun, and got to see a lot of family. Reece flew in on Wed. morning, and we had to leave Thur. afternoon to start our drive up to Lake Tahoe. On the way up we decided we would stop in Fairfield at the
JellyBelly factory We wanted to take the kids on the free tour, but the wait was over an hour long, and we had to get going because we also decided to take a detour to the Clark's home, and go swim in their river.
Here's a few pictures on the river
We stayed on the river pretty late so Calvin and Kelly let us stay the night. We woke up early the next morning and got on our way. The drive was gorgeous!
As you can tell the kids really enjoyed it:
This shot is just off the freeway along the drive into town
We arrived to the hotel at about 9:30 where we quickly got ready for our adventure that day.(Mavis and Stan had also arrived at the wee hours of the morning and we all got to spend the weekend together, so much fun!) We had a short drive and then small hike to
Angora lake. We were excited to get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather. Here's all the cute little munchkins standing on their stumps.
Master Jo-da
Isabel
Lunch on the beach = SAND-wiches :)
Here's Max balancing on a floating log
Missy and Matt, so cute!
On our way home from Angora Lake, we drove over to the
Emerald Bay overlook, so pretty!
Upon returning home, we started to get dinner ready and did a little swimming. Dinner was great, and I got to see my Aunt Kathy (my dad's sister) and my cousin Katelynn and her boy Nate. It was crowded, and crazy, but just the way we like it!
Saturday my Mom and Missy did water areobics at the pool, so I decided to join them. Then we swam until lunch time, and then some. We then decided to drive out to Talac beach, where we go to see a cool old historic site, and jump in lake Tahoe. It wasn't too cold, even Max and Izzy got in.
Jo-Jo
Max
Isabel was a crazy woman!
Here's a picture of my boys
I couldn't quite capture the beauty of the lake, because it was so bright, but I did get this one below
Wow, we had a great time. This life truely is about spending time with family, and enjoying every day! I'm glad that Missy invited us all to her 30th birthday, and I'm glad that we made the trip. It was worth every second.
