"CALIFORNIA DREAMING" - Days 9 & 10

-FRIDAY, October 3, 2008-

~SAYING GOODBYE~

I really hate saying goodbye, especially when I know that I won't see them for a while. Aubrey was already at school that morning, but we said our goodbyes and of course... I cried... It was such a wonderful trip! Jared drove all of us to LAX for our flight back into Minneapolis. We all got out of the car, hugged him goodbye and headed toward the terminal. We miss you all!!!

This is a picture of LA. Look at all that smog! I couldn't handle it... I just couldn't!

LAX... I'll definitely miss those gorgeous palm trees!

Jaren peeking over Daddy's seat. I think he's trying to make new friends!

We got back to MN late and were waiting for the shuttle to pick us up and take us back to the hotel.

~HEADING BACK HOME~

I think this picture of Jaren sums it up for all of us! We were exhausted AND we were rushing home so Ed could get to work at his second job on time!

***SWEET VACATION MEMORIES***

"CALIFORNIA DREAMING" - Day 8

-THURSDAY, October 2, 2008-

~RELAXING~

She's even cute when she drools!

Jare Jare

Natalie

Jaren, Crazy Eddie, Addison

Addy and Jare

Jaren giving Addy kisses... too cute!

~THE BEACH~

Dana Point

I loved these trees, they remind me of Dr. Seuss trees!

View from the parking lot.

Oliver, Eden and Aubrey... blowing a bubble.

The kids on the run...

Jaren and Cousin Addy. This was Jaren's FIRST time at the beach!

Eden getting sprayed down with sunscreen.

Surfers! When we first got there, I saw a surfer coming down off a wave STANDING
ON HIS HEAD on the surfboard!

I love this picture of the girls practically tip toeing to the water.

Some natural goodies I found on the beach.

The guys with babes in arms...

Oliver doing what he loves best... throwing rocks into water!

Jaren in his OVERSIZED Gilligan hat!

Ed scaring the seagulls away from our little beach setup.

"THE BIRDS"

Oliver showing me a teeny tiny hermit crab!

Ollie showing Aubrey the crab.

Me and Ed at the beach.

The girls playing in the sand.

Oliver looking for crabs or any other sea creature.

Crabs amongst the seaweed.

I love this pic of Eden and Natalie!

Ollie and Natalie racing to the volleyball net.

Jaren
Happy boy!

Around 4 or 5 that afternoon the fog started rolling in really quickly and before we knew it, the water and the sky disappeared! Emily said that it is called the "June Gloom".

Emily and Addison

Jaren... notice the fog behind him.

You can see the kids a little bit through the thick fog!

~THE LAST NIGHT THERE~

Pajama Party

Playing charades.

Jaren eating his Mickey Mouse sucker.

After we put the kiddos to bed, we adults had pumpkin brownies and got out the WII. It was my first time EVER playing it! Emily and I played the bowling game for practice while the guys were out and about getting some ice cream. We all played and had so many laughs! I thought it was fun to create WII people that looked like us! What a fun night!

"CALIFORNIA DREAMING" - Day 7

-WEDNESDAY, October 1st, 2008-

~A DAY OF RELAXATION~

Aubrey, Natalie, Jaren, Oliver and Eden

Oliver giving Jaren a ride around the room in the laundry basket!

Jare Bear

Eden and her puppy pal, Nat
Me and Ed

I love all the looks on this little man's face!

Addy and Uncle Ed
There's a smile!

Jaren just hanging out!

I think I'm obsessed with these flowers. They are gorgeous!