Newport Beach 2011

We had the opportunity to spend the 3rd week of August with all of Scott's family down in Newport Beach, California.  (I'm obviously a little behind with this post...)  Our unit was the 'late check-in' so we arrived a day later than the rest of the crew which worked out perfectly since I had been at girls camp all week and needed a day to do laundry and re-pack.  We left Salt Lake at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 14th and arrived at the Villas about 11 hours later.  Bridger was a champ and only got out of his car seat once for some food and a quick diaper change.  This may have been bordering on child abuse but the child was happy as can be so we powered through.

Most of the week was spent enjoying the rays and the waves at the beach.  Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday we could be found jumping waves, body surfing, boogie boarding, building sand castles and convincing the babies not to eat sand. :)

Scott & I love Disneyland and so of course we had to spend a day there.  We arrived to the park about 10:30 and played for a solid 12 hours before taking the shuttle back to the car.  We were amazed that Bridger made it for that long with only 1 nap in the stroller around midday.  In fact, all of the cousins did amazingly well.  Who would have thought we could take 6 kids under the age of 6 to Disneyland for 12 hours without any major meltdowns?  Bridger definitely earned his own set of Mickey ears for a fantastic first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth!  (P.S. Thanks to my friend Crystal who gave us all of her Disneyland tips--they were so awesome!)

Scott was pulled from the crowd to dance with the Mad Hatter

                                      

Other highlights of our trip were--

-The giving and taking of Nana Nickels & Visits to the Papa Shop to buy prizes.

-Dinner activities

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-Family Pictures

The whole crew

Ella, Marsha, Carter & Cole

Henry, Chelsea, Jack & Tyler

Porter, Emry, Logan, Megan & Dave

Cinco, Hailey, Ava & Ashley

Us!--Hydee, Scott & Bridger

Nana & Papa

Scott's siblings

The little girls in their French dresses

-Movie nights
-Swimming in the pool
-Playing with cousins

Because our unit checked in a day later than everyone else, we also checked out a day later.  We left about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 21st to head back home.  We arrived a few minutes before 4:00 p.m.--just under 11 hours--again, only having to get Bridger out once.  Though we were definitely not ready for our vacation to end, we are grateful to have made it back safely.  It was sad to say goodbye to the Steinbachs & Houghtons as we don't get to see them very often.  Here's to hoping we get to see them again soon--like Christmas. ;)