Day 3: Newport Beach

The beach is a perfect playground for kids. We stayed for several hours - and they would've happily stayed several more.

Evy was not a big fan of the water. Or the wind. Or the sand. Or the sun, for that matter. Maybe next time?

Sand angels!

Day 4: Disneyland, a Farewell (for now...)

 Here Julia is ready for the day with her
Tinkerbell nightie as a cape.

 

The gift store near our hotel served us well. They love their Mickey and Minnie. 

 

"Wooh-dy!" as Gabe pronounces it.

The Playhouse Disney show was totally perfect for the kids.

Jonny and I took turns on California Screamin'. I do love a good roller coaster.

Evy was a sweet girl but was fussy when overtired. At one point I swaddled and held her while she slept so soundly for a few hours. Jonny and the kids went off while I found a bench in a quiet, shady spot with a nice breeze by the rapids ride in CA Adventure. It was actually a highlight of my trip, holding my angel baby and people watching. I even treated myself to a chocolate-covered frozen banana. (And I didn't have to share!) I eventually put her down in the stroller where she slept a little longer. What is sweeter to see than a sleeping baby?

I have a picture of me as a kid by this little door.
Gabe was a little bummed that it wouldn't open!

Check out the pink mouse ears behind us. And Gabe, try not to look too excited to be at "The Happiest Place on Earth!"

 

Loungin' at Goofy's House

We ended our last day watching "Mickey's Soundsational Parade." The Disney parades are incredible, and so so so fun for the kids. It was a perfect way to cap off our Disney week. 

Overall the trip was just perfect. The kids had minimal tantrums and were troopers on the road. (Evy was the only one who didn't especially love the long rides in the car. We've trained her to sleep so well in her crib she doesn't much like to sleep anywhere else! I expected that.) Disneyland was everything we dreamed it would be for Julia and Gabe. (And the crowd level was low. We walked onto some rides even without a fastpass.) The beach was incredible. The hotel suite was just right for us and we really enjoyed how close it was to the park. I packed very carefully for this trip and was rewarded in my efforts - we had everything we could need or want and then some!  

Goodbye for now, Disneyland. We hope to see you again much sooner than later. 

Take a Hike

Posting about camping got me in the mood to post about our summer hikes. We didn't hike as much this summer as usual, but we did fit in a few classics. When we are out in the mountains together, I really can't think where else I'd rather be. Jonny and I truly hope our kids grow up loving being active and enjoying the outdoors. I think we are off to a pretty good start. Will their enthusiasm for an early Saturday morning hike last into the teenage years? Here's hoping.

 Battle Creek Falls 

We hike this one two or three times a year. It is so perfect for the kids and the water fall is awesome. Jonny took the kids alone one May morning to give me and brand-new-baby-Evy some alone time.

Battle Creek Falls...again!

Evy's first hike! On July 4th we met some of my family and started the holiday off right. I believe this was Gabe's first hike as a newborn as well. Like I said, it's a classic.

  He may look it, but Jonny is not too cool for the Moby wrap. Evy, on the other hand...

  Donut Falls 

This is another short one we try to do every year. I usually bring mini donuts to eat at the falls but forgot this time. Hot chocolate with donuts would have been appreciated on this chilly morning. There was even a mist on the trail.
Pretty cool.  

  Sometimes I call them Hansel and Gretel
while we are hiking.

 

 

  Stewart Falls

This over-3-mile hike is not an easy one for kids but they were total troopers. They did fuss a little toward the end, but we were able to distract them. (A promise of an ice cream cone on the way home kept us going strong.) Gabe was hilarious. He talked almost non-stop the entire hike. Wait, he was not Gabe on this hike, he was a tiger. And he wouldn't let us, or any other fellow-hikes on the trail,
forget it!

Oh, how I hate to see the summer go. Luckily all of these trails will be waiting for us next year. And hopefully we will branch out and find some new kid-friendly hikes. If not, Battle Creek Falls, here we come!