Heading Home..... :(

We had a very fun and sad last day in California.  I can't believe that three weeks has gone by so fast.  I feel like we just left our house headed to San Francisco.

 This is how I found Megan and Rena in the morning.  They are just so silly!!!!!

 We all got ready and loaded up all of our cars to head to Santa Ana to meet Gimi and Tami for lunch.  We had lots of pictures to take before we could go.

 Stefanie and I got a few good pictures of us together.

 We got a bunch of really good ones with my Dad also. 

 All five kids.  I am always amazed at how well they all get along.  It doesn't seem to matter how long we spend together they never fight with each other.

 Stefanie and I with all of the kids.

 Grandpa and the grandkids.

 We even figured out how to set the timer and got a few of all of us.  They turned out really good!!!!!  We pulled out of Stefanie's driveway at almost 10:30 a.m.  How sad.....

 We met Gimi, Scott, Tami and Andy at Red Robin

 Gimi, Tami, and Stefanie.

 After lunch we had to get the standard pictures of all of us again.  I am honestly not sure how I got so big in comparison to everyone.  I am a whole head taller and an entire person wider.  It always cracks me up.  Once again we are missing Kari.  We really need to plan better next time.

 Everyone that went to lunch.  It was so much fun to get to see everyone again even if it was just for a few hours.  It worked out perfect for Tami and I overlapping our trips.

 Tami and her boyfriend Andy.  I got to meet him in April when I was in Chicago but this was the first time for him meeting everyone else.  I wonder how much fun he had????? :)

 We are on the road again.  We have all gotten a good cry out and said our goodbyes to everyone and we are heading toward home. 

The sunset was really pretty.  It doesn't look as good in this picture as it did when we were watching it. 
We pulled into our driveway at 10:30 a.m.  Exactly 24 hours after leaving Stefanie's house.  It was a long drive home but it was so worth it to get to spend so much time with everyone.  We made it to Olympia before it started raining so hard that we couldn't see the road.  I was ready to turn back around and head back to California but honestly my buns were hurting so bad by this point that I just wanted out of the car. 
We had the best vacation and can't wait to get to go again.  We cannot say thank you enough to my Dad and Bonnie for having everyone to Palm Springs or to Stefanie and Jeff for letting us crash at their house for two weeks.  Thank you, thank you to everyone that made it so much fun.  What a great time!!!!!

Last Full Day.

Today was our last full day at the Keyes house so we made the most of it and as usual we had another great one.

 Everyone loaded into the car for the last trip to the beach!!!!!

 All 5 of these beauties are ready for some sand, sunshine and fun.

 We are settled in a comfy spot on the sand again.

 Everyone likes to dig holes and build sand castles.

 Stefanie joined in on the action.

 Megan is headed back from the water.

 Alex and Megan are resting up before we have to go.

 Loaded up for the very last time.  How sad!!!!!

 Rena got buried in the sand again today and she was covered in it from head to toe.  I am positive she has it in places that are not to comfortable.

 This is how she decided to shower to get all of that sand off.

 She was positive the water pressure was better at the lower level.

 We went to Rubio's for a late lunch on the way home because I had never had a fish taco and my Dad has been telling me about the ones here ever since we arrived.

 Since we ate lunch late we decided that we should have Baskin and Robbins for dinner.  It seemed only fitting for our last dinner together.

 Stefanie and Megan eating their ice cream.

Stefanie and I with our single scoops while everyone else either had doubles or sundaes.  They took full advantage of our tasty dinner.
We have had the best vacation and are so sad to be going home.  We are excited to get to spend the day with Gimi and Tami tomorrow but not happy about having to leave everyone afterwards.  Tami and I somehow overlapped our trips by one day so that has worked out great for tomorrow.

Mission Beach

We spent the day at Mission Beach today.  It was another fun time and there was lots to do!!!!

Maleah was watching the dryer before we left so that she could get her towel.

 Megan and Cameron walking around the boardwalk.

 Rena and Alex.

 Alex, Me, and Megan at the beach.

 Rena, Cameron, Stefanie, Maleah, and Alex at the beach.

 Megan getting a henna tattoo. 

 Watching the bumper cars to decide if we want to do it.

 Alex, Cameron and Rena decided to give it a try.

 Stefanie and Megan watching the kids bump into each other.

 We went to a fun outdoor grill to get some lunch before hitting the beach.

 Tasty treats!!!!!

 We made it down to the beach.  It was packed.

 The girls wanted to get buried in the sand.

 Megan and Stefanie catching some sun rays.

 Rena, Cameron and Alex were the only crazy ones brave enough to get in the water.

 Before we headed home the girls wanted to get henna tattoos also.  Rena got a cool dolphin on her ankle.

 Maleah got a really cute dove on her shoulder.

 Today was also mine and Mike's 19th Anniversary so to celebrate we all went out to dinner, without Mike.  This place was really good.  We need one of these in Washington!!!!!

After dinner it was a fun filled trip to Big Lots.  Isn't that what everyone dreams of doing on their anniversary? :)
We had another great day filled with so many fun things.  I see why everyone in this state seems so much happier.  Even when it is colder out the sun is still shining and you can spend your entire day outside.  It is great!!!!  Unfortunately, we are quickly running out of days and we still have so many things to do.  Stay tuned for more.....

Balboa Park

Today we went to Balboa Park.  Everyone but me has been there before but it looked so neat in all of the pictures that they brought home that I wanted to check it out.

 Maleah wasn't feeling good and the boys are just lazy so Stefanie stayed home with all of them while my Dad, Megan, Rena and I went.

 The Botanical garden was really pretty

 I liked all of the plants with red in them. :)

 I have a picture at home of all 5 kids on this same tree last year.

 Megan and Rena in the Rose garden.

 Cool water fountain in the middle of the park.

 Rena took a break on this water fountain while we waited for Megan.

 We had to take a break for a cool refreshing beverage.

 We went to Coronado after the park so that Dad could show us this cool hotel.  It was huge and looked like a castle.

 Megan was slightly creeped out when a nice woman offered to take a picture of all of us and then proceeded to tell us what a nice family Christmas card it would make.  :)

 We walked down to the beach from the swimming pool.

Rena posing for me so that I could get the building behind.  I really liked it but I only like people pictures so I picked the cutest one with us to be in it!! I hope Megan doesn't read this. :)
We had another fun day and are getting ready for our full day tomorrow at Mission Beach.  Everyone but me has been there also but I hear it is great fun.  I will let you know tomorrow night.