Beach Trip

We love this time of year. My kids have been in school for 6 weeks now, and there are 4 more weeks until October break. So what better time to take a break from this heat and head to California. We do this every year. My parents rent a 2 bedroom condo on the sand in Oceanside for the whole month of September, and each of us 5 daughters get to take our families and stay with them for a few days. We got the advantage of the Monday holiday this year, and stayed for 4 nights. We had a blast. We elected not to "go anywhere" this year, and there weren't any complaints. Waking up each morning to go looking for sand dollars and watching the fishermen, flying kites and playing in the water or sand ALL DAY was vacation enough. My girls LOVE the water. You would have never known that they hadn't been to the beach since last year. They took their new boogie boards (thank you OC Swap Meet) and stayed in the waves all day, each day. Kruz was more content in the sand, but I did get him in action once.

Notice the empty beach...school is back in session.The fisherman caught a Leopard Shark. Each found their own Sand Dollars.
Waiting for the perfect time to go. Kylee's a pro.
Kobi got really good on her own.

Kruz did it because he had to. (yes Josh)

I love sitting under the pop up tent just talking with my mom and dad. We have great conversations, and I just love that one on one time. We could spend many days there. 5 never seems like enough.

My mom and I.

Each year we have visitors. One of my great friends from growing up lives not too far away. Her family always makes time to come spend a day with us. It is only on occasion that we actually talk during the rest of the year, but we have such a super time at the beach each year, and it seems as though no time has been wasted. We enjoy talking, just as much as the kids enjoy playing together. Her husband was kind enough to bring Josh a surf board and to give him lessons. Not much success, but a lot of fun.

Shauna and I.Our kids...yes, she has 5.

I was also able to visit with another friends that I played ball in college with. I rarely talk to her also, but we will certainly be friends forever. I am grateful for these 2 friends in my life.

We also spend one morning with my grandparents. They are getting older. We don't get to see them often, but I know my kids know them and remember them. I am faithful in taking pictures with them on each visit, I never want them to forget. I decided this year to take individual pictures with them. Usually it is a group photo. But I am happy to have individual pictures with each of them. I won't post them all, but I am just glad to have them. My grandma also let me take ALL of her photo albums, scrapbooks, and genealogy books. I need to make copies, scan and organize all of these things. HAS ANYONE EVER DONE THIS BEFORE? I have 7 books that I need to organize. Please, I NEED HELP, SUGGESTIONS.

My kids with Grandpa Great Kreipl.

My kids with Grandma Great Kreipl.

Anyways, our trip was amazing we are sad to be back, and already looking forward to next year.

Thanks mom and dad for letting us share this vacation with you. We love you.