California Fall Break 2008

Southern California for Fall Break 2008

Now that it is an easy trip to California, we've been there several times since we moved to Arizona. Since my mom lives in Orange County, we always have a place to stay. Here are a few things we did while on vacation there.

Newport Beach

We hadn't been to Newport Beach for a couple years, so we decided it would be fun to go there for a change. We usually go to Laguna Beach or San Clemente. It was a beautiful day and no one was there!! It was so nice since we went on a week day. We had the beach to ourselves.

A cute family picture. Notice I'm not in the picture. There is no way a picture of me in a swimming suit is going on the blog! There was a guy in a canoe in the background.


Matt and Brayden waiting for the perfect wave.

The twins were afraid of the water and were content with their sand toys on the beach.

This was Riley's model pose!

Tanner pulled the boogie board around and around for the longest time. It was cracking me up. It was Brayden's board and Tanner wouldn't let him use it.

Since we were in Newport, we had to go on the Balboa Ferry to Balboa Island. This brought me back to the good old days when I was growing up.

Knott's Berry Farm

After having been to Disneyland and Sea World in the last year, we decided to try out Knott's Berry Farm while in California. I don't think I had been there since high school. We had a lot of fun. They've added quite a few roller coasters since I graduated from high school in 1990. It was dead there. We walked on all the rides and were able to ride roller coasters over and over again. The one bummer was that Mia was about an inch too short for almost all the roller coasters. She was so sad that Daddy had to appease her by buying her a big stuffed animal. We had a great time. I hadn't ridden roller coasters like those for the longest time. I was feeling great all day long, but after lunch, my stomach didn't do so well on them. I felt pretty nauseous by the afternoon. I finally got over it while Matt and the boys kept riding those roller coasters. By the time the park closed, Matt, Brayden and Chase all looked like they were going to puke!!! But, they didn't...Riley managed to do that at the restaurant where we ate dinner. Why does someone always throw up?

This was the famous shot where we always posed for pictures when we went to Knott's Berry Farm as kids. That's the log ride behind us.

Tanner and Mia with my mom.

Matt with Mia and Brayden after getting soaked on the rapids.


The whole family with Snoopy. Riley was petrified of him!


Newport Beach Temple

For all the times we've been to California in the last couple years, this was the first time the kids saw the Newport Beach Temple. It was really pretty and built in a really nice area.

Going to Grandpa's House

My dad lives about 15 minutes from my mom. We went over to his house to BBQ and celebrate Mia's b-day a few days early. It's so nice that I can see my parents much more often than when I lived in Kentucky.

Mia and my Dad

Mia, Brayden and Chase with my Dad and my stepsister, Megan.

San Clemente

San Clemente is our favorite beach for the family. It was a super warm day, but for some reason the clouds were hanging just over the coast and no where else, making it a little dreary looking. The kids love riding their boogie boards at San Clemente and watching the surfers on the other side of the pier.

Another great day at the beach and a fun trip. Why don't we live in Southern California???? It doesn't get much better than California! I still say I'm from Southern California even though I left for college over 18 years ago. I just can't quite give it up. It will forever feel like home.