Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Family Beach days

Mom, Dad, Rachel and her two kids, and Gramma Mimi drove across the country(!)...from Wisconsin, through the Black Hills, with a stop in Colorado at Olsen's Handlebar Ranch, through Moab and Las Vegas to finally end up on the Pacific Ocean camping for 6 nights on the San Onofre beach.  It was a perfect set up...their beautiful fifth wheel, a fire pit, a picnic table, quiet neighbors, and the sound of the waves. 




We went back and forth often, thankful to live just 10 minutes away, for naptimes and bedtime. 

Mario and I surfed three days in a row...together even!!  Although it sometimes is hard to get out on the water (detaching myself from my adorable apendage), we were thankful for the arms that took over so we could have some rare play time together. 



Xavi was such a trooper and loved playing with Owen (climbing up his legs, grabbing his face, sucking his nose).  They rode in the backseat together as we drove down to San Diego to tour the USS Midway, pick up Roger from the airport, and eat in Old Town San Diego.  Gaby wasn't so sure about Xavi...telling Rachel that she couldn't hold him, but she warmed up at the end, pinching his cheeks and helping him blow bubbles.





I took a few days off from work and enjoyed the time off to spend quality time with my family and Xavi.  Rachel and I got to go for a coffee, my favorite outing.  Mom and I had a nice long walk in the sand watching the sunset, talking and laughing.  Dad and I talked about his health, healthcare in general, and we also wondered what the sharks would do with his drivers license and credit cards that fell out of his pocket at Doheny...when the beach break knocked him over (ouch! poor Dad).  And of course, Dad made the perfect s'mores during the evening campfires. 




I totally caught the camping bug!  What a great way to get away from the noise and busyness of our lives than to spend a few days living, cooking, playing, and sleeping "outdoors" (well, not really if you have a nice rig like the Larsen's...but you get the idea! ;)).  It felt good to unplug and fill up.  Needless to say, when they drove off, I felt like something was missing.  I definitely miss my family and spending time with them regularly...


At least, I have a lot to hold onto at home. 

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