California 2015 part 1 (Friday- Sunday)

Last year when I went to California with the kids and left Daniel at home he felt rather left out of things, so he came with us this year!  We found an awesome deal on plane tickets so we decided to fly instead of drive- it was the best decision!

Jane was excited to go on her first airplane ride and Seth was excited to go on an airplane ride now that he is old enough to remember it (he was 18 months old on his last flight).  

So Friday June 5th my parents drove us to the airport and we were on our way for another California Adventure!

 Our first stop was to see Grandpa and Grandma Taylor and then we all went to see Ben, Mieren and Alys.  We drove down to the beach that is a few minutes away from Ben's apartment.  Even though it was chilly and windy, the kids played in the water a bit.  Janet and I stayed up at the top and visited.  I was able to see a pod of whales blowing water out in the distance.  Super cool!

 Saturday we went to visit Janet's brother Steve and sister-in-law Pam at Pam's workplace.  She works at a preserve called McClellan Ranch Preserve in Cupertino California.  It was a lot of fun to visit with them and to see the animals and creatures that she works with.

Pam showing Jane a silk worm

Jane feeding a lizard

Jane using magnifying glass to view silk worms

Les and Seth holding a snake

Pam Daniel Paul Steve Seth Jane Mark

Seth feeding lizard  

That afternoon we went to a beach the girls call Horse Beach.

It was really quite cold but it didn't keep the kids out of the water at all.  Ben had a few wet suits for the older boys to wear, but Seth went into the water to use the boogie board with no reservations.  He is one tough kid! 

Sunday we took things easy- I wasn't feeling great.  Sunday afternoon Ben and the girls came over for lunch.  After lunch we went to the park to play Frisbee.

Me and Jane returning from the park

Just for fun- a picture of me and Jane returning from the park last year

Ben lifted Seth over some bushes to retrieve a Frisbee

Daniel, Jane and I went to Sunset Beach that evening.  Mark, Paul, and Seth went with Ben to spend the night with him.

Our plan was to spend time at the beach every day because it is something that we just can't do in Utah.  Even though it wasn't sunny it was delightful to experience time at the beach!