Newport Beach

The whole gang

Awe... Baby Jase

Uncle Steve and Vance

Emma, Brooke, Me

Aunt Suz showing Vance his 1st sand crab

On Monday, Brooke and I took the kids and headed down to Newport Beach where two sets of our aunts and uncles have rented a beach house for the week. You would have thought we were moving there for all the stuff we brought, but at least we were prepared! The kids had a great time. They loved the sand and water, and it was nice having other family members around to help out with them. Uncle Steve was especially great - taking Vance out into the water, and filling up his pails for sand castle building. And Aunt Suz gave Vance his first experience with sand crabs which was fun too. I managed to keep everyone from getting sunburned except for myself. In true "mom" form I tried to put lotion on my own back; thereby missing the entire middle section, and scorching myself! Will I ever learn?

Packing up to leave was an experience all in itself. Loading 3 sandy, exhausted and crabby kids, along with our truck-load of sandy stuff back up into what I thought was my decent sized car was anything but easy. Once again I was very thankful to have lots of helpful family members around! I once again learned how under-appreciated my own mom was when it came to trips like that! Thanks Mom!