1st Family Vacation...Laguna Beach, CA!

We've been to Omaha with the kids to visit family, but this was the first time we actually went somewhere on a vacation to a real destination.

Let me start by saying, overall, it was an awesome vacation!!  The weather was perfect, the company was great and the food was delicious!  We really had a good time...and now for the craziness...Just kidding...well kind of!  haha!

We left our house at 3am on Saturday---we thought it would be easier to leave in the middle of the night so they would all sleep in the car, because 6+ hours with 3 kids = no bueno!  When we left the boys were awake for about 45 minutes...they woke up sometime around 6am and were up for about 45 minutes until we got to Coco's to eat breakfast...let's just say those 45 minutes were a little rough!  They fought for about 30 minutes straight, all 3 of them!  Kaila would touch Lincoln's car seat, which pissed him off and then Lincoln would take Tyson's blanket and cup which then pissed Tyson off and they'd just go back and forth! 

Good times.

Since we got there before everyone else, we decided to head to the beach and let them get their first experience out of the way...that way we'd be "prepared" for the rest week :o)

There was a playground at Main Beach which was great for the boys to run off some built up energy they had...

And then it was beach time...

The boys were definitely not too sure of the ocean and after getting water on them, it was over...they did not go back in for days without crying!!  We tried over and over again, but something about the waves and probably because it was so cold, just wasn't working for them...

Kaila on the other hand couldn't wait to get in!!  She was like a little fish all week!!

So the boys decided to play in the sand the majority of the time...

Let's just say...sand + sunscreen + tired toddlers/pre-teen = Exhausting-Insanity!!  By the afternoon, Daddy & Mommy were spent and learned to hate sand after they all learned to throw all over!

We had to sport the new "Cars" towels!!  I must say, they are pretty cool!

Just look at that face!

Kaila made a sand bed for herself...

There were 11 of us total (including the boys) and we stayed at this place called Sunset Cove in Laguna Beach. It was beyond gorgeous!

Those are real, if you were wondering!

Had a toast to officially start the vacation!!

The bath tub was beyond HUGE in the master bedroom!!!

Just a cool picture of the water & rocks...

I'm ready!

I'm good with sitting right here...sorry Nana!

The rocks were a safety zone :o)

Taking in some waves...

The "Carey" Girls looking good :o)

Some sea life...the thing in the first picture suctions you when you touch it...very strange feeling!! And the living creature in the 2nd picture is some type of Sea Cucumber--at least that's what we believe!  All I know is that it was disgusting!! 

Body surfing was a hit!

We decided to venture off and do something fun, so we decided to try kayaking!  None of us have ever gone so we were sure it was going to be hilarious and it was!!  After almost tipping over in the ocean multiple times trying to swap with Rob (should have had it on video!!) we made it back and then had some margarita's (only the adults!!)  and ate some chips & salsa before heading back. 

The guys racing...

Saw a seal just chilling on the rocks...

Every night there were beautiful sunsets!

Apparently the boys love corn-on-the-cob!

Fireworks over the water is so cool!

We played "Just Dance"...which is now my favorite game ev-er and I am planning on buying it asap!!

Something about the ocean waves are so peaceful! I love it!

Spent time with my girl looking for sea shells

We caught a crab!

This picture came out perfect!

Thanks to the people who run this beach house/villa, we had Casey's Cupcakes and they were great!

The boys have a new found love for BBQ chips---just like their Daddy!

We attempted to take picture before Daddy took Mommy into the water!

I survived...no worries!

And we finally got a great picture of us!

And a perfect family picture!!

We celebrated Nana's 50th Birthday!

Had a dance party...

Took a trolley...apparently you have to stand up or yell when you want to get off, which we didn't know until after we missed our stop more than once!! It was still fun though!

I goofed around while hanging out with my brothers, sister & Michelle!  We ate yummy ice cream at Chantilly by the Sea & Michelle met a super yummy cashier :o)...haha!

We went to Fisherman's Cove...

Where the boys finally enjoyed the water, sand & waves!

And the only time they were not thrilled was when the water came up, but no crying or whining!! Yay Boys!

The boys caught a crab...

We took a walk to check out the area...

And thanks to Uncle Zach & Kaila we found Starfish!!  It was the first time we've ever seen them in the "wild"!  Some were hard, some were soft and the guys attempted to remove them but they were holding on for dear life and were not letting go! 

We almost got taken away by the water...

But survived to play one last time in the water & sand...

Make a shell call to some friends :o)

And then it was time to go :o(

We had such a great time and then my parents offered to keep all the kids with them until they returned on Saturday---I was shocked because they could see how rough it was at the beginning, but they insisted so, we said they could stay and off we went back to the good old 115+ degree AZ!!

Thanks Mom & Dad for the great vacation!  We had an awesome time!!