Meyer Blog: Summer Vacation to Southern California

Ahhh what a summer we had! It was awesome and I can appreciate it that much more, seeing that it is now the end of September and we are in the midst of school, packing lunches, soccer games, birthday parties etc... There hasn't been a dull moment since school started, but we had plenty of down time and great trips this summer! In fact, I'd say one of our best, most relaxing vacations yet and that is even including all 3 kids and a 10 hour drive. Since we weren't able to make it to Champions Club this year (we decided to have a baby instead), Jim's company was gracious enough to give him $$ instead and we were able to take a family vacation instead and rent a beach house in Mission Beach. Jim took two weeks off from work, 2 WHOLE weeks! He has never taken that much time off in a row ever and it was so nice for all of us. We started the trip down south with a stop in Orange County to visit his family. The kids had some good quality time with their family and we spent a lot of time in their pool. The weather was perfect, very hot for Southern California, and we pretty much just hung out and relaxed! One day we went to Newport Beach and rented a "duffy boat," and cruised around Balboa island. The kids had a lot of fun and we enjoyed looking at all of the beautiful houses! Millie and Tony also watched the kids for us one night so that Jim and I could enjoy a visit with Eric, Michelle and our cute little nephew, Blake. He and Bella are about 2 months apart.

Olivia and her Nanna playing in the jacuzzi

Bella meeting Aunty Miriam. She was all smiles!

The kids spent ALOT of time in this jacuzzi

Cole and Aunty Lisa on the duffy boat in Newport Beach.

Wow, we are all actually looking at the camera!

Kathleen and Millie

Blake (2 1/2 months) and Bella (4 1/2 months) just chillin

More jacuzzi time

So after spending 4 fun filled days in Orange County with Jim's family, we headed up to the mountain to spend some time with my mom and Mike and Lake Arrowhead. We drove up on Wednesday and my sister had been up there with her kids for a couple of days, so we were able to cross paths for a few hours and let the kids hang out before she left and drove back to San Diego. We met them in the village and took the boat over to the island so they could go for a dip and play in the sand. We spent the next several days enjoying lots of time out on the lake and in the sun water skiing. Cole tried out the EZ trainer a few times, Jim wake boarded and I got to water ski side by side with my mom. Izzy did great on the boat and was a real trooper wearing her life jacket. We had such a relaxing couple of days up there, we weren't ready to leave. It always feels good to be back "home." Thanks Mom and Mike for your wonderful hospitality. For all of yummy meals and for being such a patient boat captain Mike!!

Cole and Alec, taken seconds before they both fell in.

Cole on the EZ trainer for the first time.

"Izzy going"

It took awhile for Olivia to get in the lake,
but once she did, she loved it!

Grandma and Izzy

Mom and I waterskiing......together!

Olivia and Grandpa Mike

Feeding the ducks

Such a beautiful day

Ring Pops! I loved these as a kid.

Our car on the inside. There was honestly no space left and this picture
doesn't show the trailer hitch attached to the back of the car.

We packed up the car (AGAIN) and left Lake Arrowhead on Saturday to make our trip down to San Diego. After a long and very painful stop at the grocery store and Target with 3 cranky kids and trying to load up on food for an entire week, we were on our way! The beach house did not disappoint. It was great and was exactly what Jim and I were hoping for. It was right on the water with a huge patio for the kids to play on. Our 5 days spent here were filled with family, food and fun, exactly what we were hoping for! The kids had such a great time, as you can tell from these pictures, and are already asking when we can go back down again. They literally spent pretty much all day, every day at the beach, playing in the water, in the sand, flying kites, paddle boarding, learning to surf and playing games on the beach. It was a perfect family vacation!

The Beach house...we only had the bottom floor, but it was still amazing!

View from the water

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Tony, Michelle, Eric and Aunty Lisa (with Blake)

The happy new parents!

The kids enjoying our first night at the beach.

xoxo

Aunty Kathleen

My dad's birthday cake. It was awesome!

Jenny was out visiting from Utah and got to meet Miss. Izzy

Bella chillin at the beach

Jim and Cole looking through all of their new shells they found

Steve and Angie met the treck down from LA for a visit!

Anna and John

Scott and Jenny

My boys!

Cole's first attempt at boogie boarding. He loved it!

The Ward/Lewis Family

Daddy and Izzy

My dad, his wife, Carolyn and my sibilings with our spouses and kids!
The first time ALL the cousins have been together.
(Liam-2, Alec- 4 1/2, Blake-2 months, Olivia-4, Cole-6 and Izzy-4 months)