Santa Maria, California

Brian had a case that was going to trial.  Because the week before trial is often more intense than trial itself, I decided to skip town and let him spend the time that he needed at work.  My mom joined me and the kids - and we drove to Santa Maria, California to visit my sister and her family.  We had a great time!  And Brian, by the way, did a great job at trial. 

During the days before our trip, I did about a zillion loads of laundry. Branson and Irelynn played with trains and Annika joined them - napping on the floor.

Or she napped in her crib.  (I love Annika's little ruffle bottom. This is her preferred sleeping position.)

We left for Santa Maria at 3:00am Saturday, March 26th. We hoped the kids would sleep for the first few hours. They didn't. They were waaay too excited for sleep. So we made a 7 hour car ride in just about 10 hours. I guess I can't expect too much from 4 little kids. All things considered, they did a great job on the drive there.

Once we got there, my sister spoiled our kids. She got out all their old toys and games.  The girls loved playing with Polly Pockets.  They were in heaven!

Big cousin Tanner holding little Annika.  He couldn't get enough of her.

Our kids were fascinated with their dog, Buster.

Uncle Dave played with the kids.

Annika slept. She gained so much weight during the five days we were there! I love those chubby cheeks.

Grandma slept, too.   :)

The kids all played with blocks.

Everyone played Twister. Yes, even Grandma!

This is my sister Sharon playing Twister with Branson while Irelynn spun the spinner.


During our stay we took the kids to Santa Maria's discovery museum. It was a hit! They could have spent all day there.

Back at the house...

Grandma and Annika did a lot of relaxing.


The one thing I wanted to do while in California was take the kids to the beach.  I am so glad we did!  The weather was beautiful and we had a wonderful time.

Grandma taught them to use seaweed as jump rope.  Living on the beach as a child, she said that she used to do that all the time.

They found tons of beautiful shells.  We even brought a few favorites home with us.

They wrote their names in the sand.

We all enjoyed the swings that were right on the beach.  Yep- even Grandma. 

We finished with a picnic lunch.

Our last big activity while visiting my sister was going to my nephew's volleyball game.  Devon is the starting setter on the varsity volleyball team for his high school.  It was so fun to watch him play!  He's 6'3" and so talented.  The kids even enjoyed watching.

We had a rotten drive home. Haha! But it was worth it.

Home at last. Oh yeah, she got chubby while on the trip. She's looking less like a newborn and more like a baby. :)


What a fun excursion! Thank you, Sharon, for a fantastic little vacation.