Cali-for-ni-a!

Caution: Many pictures ahead!

I wanted to give a picture account of our June trip to California.

First, though...meet my family - Billy, Jason, Mom, Dad, Andrea:
Aren't they beautiful?! I just love them and miss them so much! This was either Mother's Day or my brother, Billy's birthday...regardless, we weren't there, and we obviously can't be in California for every event. It's times like this when I miss them the most. But, we are SO grateful for the amount of times we are able to spend with them whether it's here or their visits here.

While we were on our anniversary trip in Santa Monica, here are some of the things my boys were able to do with Nana & Bapa.

Play at Pretend City -



Make new friends!

Go to Chucke Cheese's!


Play at the park!

Go swimming with Uncle Billy...

...and chill in the hot tub afterward!

When we came back to Orange County, we were able to stay for a couple more days before we had to head back to Texas. This was such a great transition for us - rather than going from vacation mode straight back to Mommy & Daddy mode, we were able to still have help for a few more days. Such a blessing!

When we came back, of course, we had to go to the beach!

Daddy, Mommy, Nana & Luke built a pretty impressive sand castle.
I love this rolly polly back!
Luke is always so focused when he has a project. I love this about him...just like Daddy!
Daddy was the water gatherer.
And Jack just looked really cute!

He also kept rubbing his chest and stomach. I think he was trying to get used to the feeling of sand on it.
I love this profile.
His feet would get buried in the wet sand, to where he couldn't walk. Sweet boy.
Luke's finished product...he was quite proud!
We took my dad out for an early Father's Day dinner at a yummy barbeque place in San Juan Capistrano. This was the evening of the beach day, so the boys were super tired, but we managed, and they did great.

Here's my sweet dad and my sweet sister.
Bapa and one of his biggest fans. Seriously, they have an amazing connection. I love it!
Andrea and my cousin, Cynthia.

Yeah, that's actually just scary! (And, no, I'm not meaning to flip the camera off!)
Luke took this picture of Andrea, and he did a great job centering it.
He took this, too...not too bad!
This one...not so great! ;)

The many faces of Luke:



The tired, sun-kissed face of Jack:
Sweet, sweet brothers. I love these moments.
Staring in the windows of the store next door:
I love the progression of these next pictures.

1. There is a mannequin that Jack just hasn't noticed.
2. "Uh, Luke, who is that staring at us in the window?"
3. He is seriously in awe!
4. "Okay, I might be a little freaked out."
5. "It's okay, Jack. I'm here!". (He actually says that a lot.)
Our attempt at a family picture:
I love this picture of all of us...we are just missing my brothers! (They couldn't be there that night.)
Kisses for Bapa -
...and kisses for Nana.
I also really love this picture. So sweet!
"Aunt Nellie" and her boys!
Can't forget about this handsome guy!
We had such a great time...a trip we will never forget! When we came home, Jack asked for Nana & Bapa ALL THE TIME for a few days. He would finally be content when he could hold a picture of them. Sweet boy!