Vacation?

Yes, I purposely put a question mark after the word "Vacation"! Can you really call it a vacay with 2 babies in tow? Anyone that has traveled with a 2 year old and an almost 2 month old knows exactly what I'm talking about. The endless amounts of luggage filled with clothes, headbands, hats, shoes and socks, diapers, wipes, burp rags, binkies, blankeys, toys, front carrier, bottles, my pump (too much info?!), a double stroller, etc...and that was only Ava's stuff! Needless to say, we did NOT travel lightly. Most importantly (joking), Jeff did manage to fit his surfboard in. In all seriousness, we had an amazing vacay! It was surreal to go back to the place where it all began for Jeff and I, but this time with 2 babies. Here are some highlights of our trip...

Jeff and I were nervous about the 5 hour drive over to Newport Beach but both kiddos did great. *Sidebar: This is the story of my life! I stress out over stuff and it ALWAYS works out just fine!* Noah was enamored with all of the stuff to look at...the fans (I loved seeing these when I was little too), the 2 larger than life dinosaurs, the billboards (his mom is in marketing after all!) and all the trucks. Ava on the other hand slept the entire time except when she woke up to eat twice. Once we checked into the hotel we hit the beach. Noah loved it as much, or more, than his daddy while his sister slept peacefully with the sounds of the waves crashing in the background. That night we had a fun dinner with Paul, Aracely and their 2 babies. P&A started dating the exact same time we did. Fast forward 6 years and we are now married with 2 babies each...around the same age to boot!

The next day we woke up early, grabbed Coffee Bean and hit the beach where Daddy was able to surf...with Noah too! Ava and Mommy stayed under the umbrella the entire time, yet later in the day I noticed a hint of red (that got progressively worse!) on her cheeks. Awful Mommy, I know! I totally learned my lesson...at my daughter's expense. :(

Then came Noah's favorite day...Papa & Mimi's arrival! He had so much fun with them...he especially loved playing with them on the beach. Precious memories to say the least! *Another sidebar: I am SO thankful for cameras to capture these moments!* I am so glad they made it down for a couple of days to spend time with their grand-babies!

That night Papa & Mimi babysat the babies so we could go out with friends. So.Much.Fun. We had more reminiscing and reflecting on where God has brought us all since we graduated from VUSC. Let me tell ya, I have amazingly talented and blessed friends! One of my gf's asked, "Are you living the life you imagined 6 years after graduation?" and I quickly replied, "No, it's better!" SO true! God has blessed us immensely...and I will be the first to say I am undeserving!! I would have never imagined marrying such an amazing man, having 2 healthy babies, careers we love with the flexibility for Jeff to work from home a couple of days and I'm at home full time...the list goes on and on! To God be the glory!

Back to the trip...my favorite parts (shockingly) were the late nights and early mornings in the hotel room with just the 4 of us. We were able to hang out with no distractions...the late nights were spent just enjoying each other...no tv going, no computer, no talking on the phones, etc. In the early mornings we would have coffee delivered and Noah and I would sit on the balcony and watch Daddy surf while Ava slept. One morning we sat and enjoyed the rain (and hail!) while he watched in anticipation for his Papa & Mimi to step out on their balcony. So cute! Overall, we had so much fun with family and friends...strolling down memory lane and reflecting on how far God has brought us! SO thankful for these beautiful times, beautiful memories!