We have just returned from a trip to Newport Beach with all of our kids (Aug 1-12). It’s the first time we have all been together at the same time in several years. We had such a great time. The photos below are a few of the highlights and here are a few random observations:
Caleb twirls his hair with his little finger just like Claire.
Aaron knows where Abbey is at all times.
Lenna Lew’s toes on both feet are still wonky.
Graham has webbed toes and had webbed fingers when he was born.
The kids are quick to offer to drive for John (they think he drives too slow).
Clark finds windows of time to escape and go read.
Reese’s Puffs are the cereal of choice in Adam’s family.
Adam likes to put ice cubes in the milk in the bottom of his cereal bowl.
Caleb’s potty training is going well. He’s in “commando” mode this month (no underwear under his pants. We took a little porta-potty to the beach.
The big kids still pee in the ocean.
Adam and I both had the beginnings of cold sores. He provided drugs.
John stayed up late most nights to watch tennis highlights.
I stayed up late most nights to do German lessons.
The kids mock me for studying German. They think I am wasting my time.
I brought books, puzzles and games for the kids. They were left untouched.
The big kids worked out every morning at the gym (besides tennis).
Donut favorites: pink frosting with sprinkles for the little girls, apple fritter for John, cronuts for many of the big kids, maple bar for me, Clark loved his first maple bar too. Glazed are always a winner.
Margot hid a quesadilla in the sofa crack so she could have dessert. We found it later.
The kids turn down the A/C. I turn it up.
Vivy is very confident in the swimming pools. Margot is becoming more confident.
Lenna and Caleb float around without fear.
The 12 water squirters I ordered were a big hit.
Beach games: Kubb (knock down wooden posts), Spike ball. Water/sand drizzlers.
Sand castles never get old.
Beach snacks: string cheese, bananas, cheese balls, apple slices, goldfish crackers, kettle corn, peanut M&Ms, and, of course, donuts.
I do not feel comfortable in a swim suit. The girlies ask me if I’m pregnant.
Claire and Heidi ARE pregnant, very.
Root beer floats (RBFs) are always a favorite late night snack. (I do not like them.)
The Magnolia trees are blooming. Reminds me of my childhood.
Costco gas here costs $5.19/gallon.
Our kids all get along with each other.
This has been a good vacation.
We are getting old.
Claire, living in Irvine, helped us stock up with food before we got there. We stayed at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas.
We went to the beach every day. We swam in the pools almost every evening. We had great food and time with visiting cousins.
I took my box of books and had plenty of time to read. Gilead was my favorite read this time.
Time with Ben and Mike Camp’s boys, cousins.
A movie night while the parents went out to dinner:
Yay for babies coming!!
Donuts are always a part of our vacation plan.
Lenna’s wonky toes:
Our traditional salsa sorta, melon, and Abbeys browned butter Rice Krispie Treats. YUM.
