Mid-September marked our 4th annual trip to Faria Beach in Ventura – the very same beach that Grant and I grew up staying at each summer, and that our mom grew up staying at with her family. It’s a great tradition for the us, one that brings back fond memories for me, and which hopefully instills in our kids as much love for the ocean as we have. Lucky for me DJ is just as crazy about the ocean and beach as I am. This is a good thing, as I never could have married someone who wasn’t!
Our flight out was pretty good as far as travelling with 2 kids goes. Besides Addison having a dramatic meltdown as we stepped onto the first plane going out of Minneapolis (“I no like airplanes! Whaaaa!” all the way through First Class), both kids were awesome on the flight. Thank God for portable DVD players. Addison watched Finding Nemo about 23 times total on this trip. She’s detoxing now, but surprisingly isn’t requesting to watch it. I love how people feel the need to comment when you’re traveling with kids. “You two are doing a great job, keep up the good work”, “Wow, they are doing so well” or “I can’t believe you’re traveling with 2 kids – brave!” were among some of the things our fellow passengers spouted off. I’m sure it looked like a total 3-ring circus to any outside observer – the baby in the Bjorn, a toddler running around yelling “my snack, my snack!”, 2 car-seats, a breast pump, 3 carry-on’s, coffee balanced in the hands of the exhausted looking parents…..I probably would have commented too! Anyway, we arrived safe and sound and on time to my favorite airport ever, the little gem known as SBA in Santa Barbara. Grandpa Allan was right there waiting to scoop us up in the mini-van (loved that thing!) and we headed back to his house for the night.
The next morning after breakfast at our favorite spot, Max’s, we headed down to the beach house where Grandma Pam was waiting. Addison was so excited, talking about how she will go “underwater” and about throwing rocks into the ocean so we immediately hit the sand. Needless to say she loved it. Although the weather during the week was much cooler than usual, it was still gorgeous, the tidepools were lovely, and the atmosphere was just as special. Aunite Kaili came for a visit, Auntie Shana came up for several days, Uncle Grant and Aunt Stacy and their friends Will and Breanne were around, we had a Santa Paula neighbor reunion one day, and family friends were in and out most other days. It was so great to visit and see everyone, and reminded us of how many special people we have in California. DJ enoyed some golf time, some surfing, I had a spa day, Addison rode a miniature horse and the week went by in a blur. Before we knew it, it was Friday and we were headed back up to Santa Barbara for the 2nd to last night.
On Saturday night, the Grandpas hosted a “sip and see” in honor of baby Isla. Family and friends stopped by for some wine and cheese and to meet the new little one. Again, so great to see everyone, and once again we were reminded of all the people we have back home – my home that is. ;) We flew out Sunday morning and were in for a nasty surprise when we reached LAX – a delayed flight caused us to miss our connection to Minneapolis and the airline messed up in not being able to get us on the next earliest flight. We ended up being stuck at the airport for 8 hours, yes I said 8 hours, with 2 little ones. Holy Jesus, was that painful and tiring. All we could do was laugh about it. Addison was delirious, and by this time kind of over the whole Nemo thing, overtired so wouldn’t sleep and so cracked up on snacks (not sure she even ate a real meal that day) she was hyperactive. Isla just slept and ate, but the thought of how many germs were on her and me from sitting on the gross terminal chairs was too much for me to bear. At long last we were on our way home and collapsed into bed around 1:30am Monday. Luckily both DJ and I had taken the following day off work, so by 10am we were still in bed! I cannot even remember the last time I was in bed at that time! And as for the kids, never in their lives unless they are napping.
All in all another fun trip. Isla is getting chubbier by the day, seems to be teething and is finding her voice more and more. She even grabbed her toes the other day! Addison started gymnastics this week, as well as her music class with her Nana. All is well, more to come. Enjoy the pictures and videos below.
Our flight out was pretty good as far as travelling with 2 kids goes. Besides Addison having a dramatic meltdown as we stepped onto the first plane going out of Minneapolis (“I no like airplanes! Whaaaa!” all the way through First Class), both kids were awesome on the flight. Thank God for portable DVD players. Addison watched Finding Nemo about 23 times total on this trip. She’s detoxing now, but surprisingly isn’t requesting to watch it. I love how people feel the need to comment when you’re traveling with kids. “You two are doing a great job, keep up the good work”, “Wow, they are doing so well” or “I can’t believe you’re traveling with 2 kids – brave!” were among some of the things our fellow passengers spouted off. I’m sure it looked like a total 3-ring circus to any outside observer – the baby in the Bjorn, a toddler running around yelling “my snack, my snack!”, 2 car-seats, a breast pump, 3 carry-on’s, coffee balanced in the hands of the exhausted looking parents…..I probably would have commented too! Anyway, we arrived safe and sound and on time to my favorite airport ever, the little gem known as SBA in Santa Barbara. Grandpa Allan was right there waiting to scoop us up in the mini-van (loved that thing!) and we headed back to his house for the night.
The next morning after breakfast at our favorite spot, Max’s, we headed down to the beach house where Grandma Pam was waiting. Addison was so excited, talking about how she will go “underwater” and about throwing rocks into the ocean so we immediately hit the sand. Needless to say she loved it. Although the weather during the week was much cooler than usual, it was still gorgeous, the tidepools were lovely, and the atmosphere was just as special. Aunite Kaili came for a visit, Auntie Shana came up for several days, Uncle Grant and Aunt Stacy and their friends Will and Breanne were around, we had a Santa Paula neighbor reunion one day, and family friends were in and out most other days. It was so great to visit and see everyone, and reminded us of how many special people we have in California. DJ enoyed some golf time, some surfing, I had a spa day, Addison rode a miniature horse and the week went by in a blur. Before we knew it, it was Friday and we were headed back up to Santa Barbara for the 2nd to last night.
On Saturday night, the Grandpas hosted a “sip and see” in honor of baby Isla. Family and friends stopped by for some wine and cheese and to meet the new little one. Again, so great to see everyone, and once again we were reminded of all the people we have back home – my home that is. ;) We flew out Sunday morning and were in for a nasty surprise when we reached LAX – a delayed flight caused us to miss our connection to Minneapolis and the airline messed up in not being able to get us on the next earliest flight. We ended up being stuck at the airport for 8 hours, yes I said 8 hours, with 2 little ones. Holy Jesus, was that painful and tiring. All we could do was laugh about it. Addison was delirious, and by this time kind of over the whole Nemo thing, overtired so wouldn’t sleep and so cracked up on snacks (not sure she even ate a real meal that day) she was hyperactive. Isla just slept and ate, but the thought of how many germs were on her and me from sitting on the gross terminal chairs was too much for me to bear. At long last we were on our way home and collapsed into bed around 1:30am Monday. Luckily both DJ and I had taken the following day off work, so by 10am we were still in bed! I cannot even remember the last time I was in bed at that time! And as for the kids, never in their lives unless they are napping.
All in all another fun trip. Isla is getting chubbier by the day, seems to be teething and is finding her voice more and more. She even grabbed her toes the other day! Addison started gymnastics this week, as well as her music class with her Nana. All is well, more to come. Enjoy the pictures and videos below.
On our flight out to CA
Yes, that is a total stranger, a woman traveling from Korea to San Diego that Addison befriended. She was chatting the woman's ear off and giving her many hugs. We were there too, don't worry...
Our little fighter pilot - check out the cap!
Pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse at Max's
Eyeing all the rocks she's about to throw
Glamour Shot!
Kaili and Addison
Sandcastle
Bocce Ball on the beach with Will
Dinner at Grandpas' Tuesday night
Gorgeous ginger plant!
The Shea's visit
Hmmm.....just make yourself comfortable Addison
Naptime on the beach
"I go surfing!" was a favorite line
watching Nemo for the 17th time
Isla and Uncle
Roasted marshmallows!
Mini time!
Look at that perfect posture!
Grandpa and Isla
Gina and Milana at the Sip and See
Addison talking to Kaili's dad, Michael - she sure liked him!On our way back to MN we had to take a shuttle bus when we landed in LAX from Santa Barbara. While waiting for the shuttle, two ladies working there took a liking to Addison and her antics. They egged her on, singing "Go, baby go" while she ran around showing off. They thought she was the greatest thing since sliced bread. My favorite line from one of them..."Little mama has star power I tell you! Just like them Olsen twins!" Oh dear God.
Isla can face forward in the Bjorn now - does this picture remind you of anything?
First day back to work...outside Brenda's house not really wanting to drop her off
as Addison discovered Cheetos puffs
Eating lunch at the pool - don't mind my weird face in the background
Our "fancy little doll"
and the doll with her boo-boo