California Trip - Weeks 2 and 3

Well, my lack of blogging is evidence that weeks two and three in California were a whirlwind.  It was a good whirlwind - packed full of fun, for sure - but left us with almost no time to catch our breath!

After our first long and relaxing week up by Malibu, we headed down to El Segundo.  Five days was not nearly enough time to hang out with all of our dear friends there!  We had full days with dentist and doctor appointments, then the kids had a great time spending their evenings at Vacation Bible School at OCF.  My mom came for a few days to get some more time with the kids and we squeezed in a couple of extra visits with friends.  Then we were off to Palm Springs!

Palm Springs has become an annual tradition, and we didn't want to miss it this year!  I felt like a rechargeable battery soaking up the sun! 

Then we headed back to Malibu (via the outlets!) to hang out with Mary Beth, Roy and Jaclyn and make our annual visit to Disneyland!  We headed out early to get in line for the latest ride at Carsland and it was worth the wait!  We drove back after dark for our last night in California.

On Thursday, we loaded up and, after a last visit with the cousins for dinner, got on the red-eye back to the UK.  As we walked in the door, I can honestly say that it felt good to be home. 

And now, we're starting to get back into the swing of things...  The laundry has been going for three days.  This afternoon, we made a fun trip to the Littlewick Fair.  Tonight, we're hoping everyone will (finally) sleep through the night.  Tomorrow, John is back to work.  Next week, the kids are back in school.  Good-bye summer, hello fall!  (Ahem.... "autumn"!)

Lanie & Bella

Ryan & AJ

Lanie & Sarah at VBS

The Girls in Palm Springs

The Kids in Palm Springs

 

Ryan's 1st time on Splash Mountain!

Malibu Sunset

California Vacation - Week 1

When I started this blog, it was meant to be a way to keep family & friends updated on our adventures and life across the pond.  However, it has now grown into my personal scrapbook, too - a way to remember this season of our lives.  That said, I've decided to include updates on our time back in California here.

Our summer vacation has been off to a fantastic start...  We've spent Week One in Malibu and Santa Barbara - visiting with family, hosting our annual bible study BBQ at the Ludwigs' house, making time for an Ojai overnight for John and I, and working through our "to do" list.

Oh the "to do" list... a unique feature of this vacation is that there is much to do... There are fun things - like spending time with friends, boogie-boarding at the beach and going to Disneyland.  And there are just things that need to be taken care of while we are back in town - appointments with dentists and doctors, repairs to be made to the car, groceries to buy that we can't get in the UK!  

In planning this trip, I have been very deliberate with the kids to say we are "going to California" this summer, not "going home."  The truth is, two to three years is a long time in their young lives, and I am committed to helping them to feel safe and settled in our home in Holyport.   Now that we are here, I know that it will be a little bit hard to head back to England.  Mostly, because this really is a vacation and not "real life" in California.  Hotels, parties, American Girl Cafe, multiple sleepovers, beaches, bounce houses and Disneyland did not round out a typical week for us when we lived here, but this is what we've come back to!  That said, we are soaking up every minute of it!

First Stop

Carly's Wedding

Ludwigs, Worths & Ratnathicams

American Girl

Zuma Beach

Time with Nana

Ojai Valley Inn

Cousins