California

Soooooo . . . this is how it went down . . . Sunday evening we were all just sitting around talking, and someone brought up that the next weekend would be Labor Day (meaning a three day weekend).  Someone suggested (I'm pretty sure it was Cami) that we should go somewhere . . . like California.  We looked how far away it was--12/13 hour drive, that's doable, and Josh was the only one in our family who had even been in California, so it was decided we would head out Friday after school, and head back home on Monday.  So, yes, it was a very quick trip (definitely not long enough), but a very fun adventure for our family.  

Here are some of the things we were able to accomplish while there:  

We took a drive through the Hollywood Hills.

Downtown Los Angeles!

We ate at Mel's Diner (as seen in the move, American Graffiti).

The beach in Santa Monica!!  We loved being in the water again--we missed the beach a little more than we realized.  The weather was warm, and the water was cold (perfect cold).  :)

I think these might be real seagulls, not laughing gulls (as we know them in Corpus).

We did some shopping on Rodeo Drive (well, maybe just window shopping).  

 This was the view from the top of our hotel--beautiful.

Josh and I went running, and then brought the kids back to the beach in Santa Monica and Venice Beach.  We rented a surfboard and boogie board and a bike . . .  :)

We brought the long boards and Karston's penny board to enjoy the boardwalk.

We got home Monday night around 10:30 . . . made the next day hard to wake up for school, but very worth this adventure for our family.  Next time though . . . we need more TIME!  :)