Our California Coast Vacation

{Warning- there are a lot of pictures on this post}

Day 1... Wednesday... We were supposed to get up and leave by 6 am in the morning, but the night before we got a phone call that someone wanted to buy our Expedition and was coming to get it... so we didn't leave till about 10:30am... and then we drove and drove and drove... and we finally arrived at Brian & Michelle's house in San Pedro at about 1a.m. in the morning. The kids were pretty good considering the lengthy drive.

Day 2... Thursday... The kids woke up bright and early {as usual} even though we hoped they would sleep in a little. Michelle had to go to work for a couple hours so we waited until she got back before we did too much. While we were waiting we took the kids to breakfast at Ihop and stopped at the pet store to see what critters they had and then when we got back to Brian and Michelle's house we went for a walk toward the park. They have a wonderful view from their back yard of a small canyon, very green, with walking trails and just beyond that is the park. As soon as Michelle got home we put our swimming suites and headed to the beach. First we went to Cabrillo Beach... we played in the water, found lots of critters, and Willy and Brian went body boarding. Wyatt tried a few times but didn't enjoy it quite as much as the big guys. When everyone got tired to ate lunch and then went into the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium which was right next to the beach. The Aquarium was great... the kids loved it because there were so many things to see and there were signs everywhere that said "please touch"... it was fun. After the aquarium we went to another beach... Royal Palms State Beach which was right next to cliffs and had lots of rocks where we found tons and tons of hermit crabs, some other crabs, starfish and lots of other sea creatures. I don't think the kids have had so much fun in one day. 

Day 3... Friday... We thought that the kids would surely sleep in because of all the exciting fun they had the day before, but they didn't... they were up early again ready for more fun. Michell had to go to work again for a couple hours. So we played around in the backyard till she got back. There are so many beaches up the coast of California you can pick from any of them. This time we decided to go to Redondo Beach. It had more people but Willy thought the waves were better for body boarding and we got to see some pelicans and a baby sea lion. Wyatt and Clayton both tried body boarding... Wyatt did really good... Clayton wrecked when his board turned sideways and he tipped over. When we got done at the beach... we walked around the pier where there were lots of fishermen and more pelicans trying to steal their fish off the lines. We stopped at a shop where we let the boys pick a clam out of a bowl filled with clams... the store salesman opened it and took out a beautiful pearl. Willy told me I could get it put on a necklace so I did. I picked a flower necklace and that was my valentines gift. It is beautiful and I love it!! We stopped and ate a snack of pretzels and churros on the pier before going home. When we got back to the house, we had just enough time to get ready and drive down to the docks... Berth 55 is a seafood restaurant where we ate some of the best seafood I have ever tasted... even the kids loved it! We ate outside as the sun was setting... it was beautiful and so much fun.

Day 4... Saturday... The kids didn't sleep in at all. I was the lucky winner who got to get up and entertain them until breakfast. It had rained during the night so everything was wet outside but we went out anyway. We played lots of games in the backyard then ate breakfast on the deck. When everyone was ready we went back to the Royal Palms State Beach and collected more hermit crabs. The kids found a patch of bamboo on the hillside behind the palm trees... so they climbed up to pick some... they were like little wild panda bears. Once the kids got their fill of hermit crab collecting we decided to back to Redonda Beach again to get pearls and necklaces for all the other girls. Sadie chose a turtle necklace, Michelle chose a jewel necklace for her pearl, and we got a basket necklace for Darby's pearl. When we were done getting the necklaces we walked down another row of shops where we stopped and bought the boys shark tooth necklaces, Willy got a bag of shells and we all got sugar crystal suckers to enjoy on the walk back to the car. There was another beautiful sunset as we were walking back. It was such a fun vacation... filled with lots of new adventures. We hope to go back and visit again.

Day 5... Sunday... We headed out early and had another full day of driving. It was hot and sunny until we reached southern Utah where it was raining and farther North lots and lots of snow. Good old Utah... back home in the snow and cold. We made it safely to Lindon where we stopped to see Grandpa Hansen, Morgan and Jodi. Then headed homeward... arriving safely home at last.

 Clayton is such a joker. There are cactus growing everywhere... the kids liked pointing them out.

 Cabrillo Beach

 

 Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

 Royal Palms State Beach

 What a great backyard!

 Redondo Beach

 Here is Wyatt body boarding... he did wonderful.

 This is Clayton trying out the body board... engulfed in wave...  but he didn't like it as much as Wyatt.

 Willy loved the body boarding... he had so much fun.

 This is my beautiful pearl necklace... fresh from the clam.

 Back at Royal Palms State Beach

 And then back at Redondo Beach

 Brian and Michelle's cute house.

 Prim, Nevada

 Las Vegas, Nevada

 Good ol' Utah

{2.8.12 - 2.12.12}