I Left My Heart in San Clemente (PART II)

Back at it for day two! This time, we got to meet Minnie!

Day 5 (Monday June 13, 2016):

BACK TO DISNEYLAND!! We navigated the park much better the second time around. We knew exactly which rides to hit and when to do it and for that we were grateful because it was a lot more crowded this time around. However, the best part of this entire day wasn't so much the rides as the character breakfast!! Oh my goodness, this was our absolute favorite part of Disneyland! It was complete magic for our little ones! Austin was in a trance of awe and excitement the entire time! Every time a character came around the corner he would squeal with delight. But it was Winnie the Pooh that had him jumping up and down and clapping his hands in pure joy! Watching him was such a fun, beautiful moment. :)

We LOVE Pooh Bear!

 

Although Pooh bear was exciting, there were two characters who were by far Austin's favorites :). The first was Chip, or was he Dale? Not sure... But anyway, Austin went up to that crazy chipmunk to hug him and would not let go! They sat there in a tight embrace for-EVER!! The chipmunk kept trying to get away but Austin just would not let go! And the look on his face was priceless. It was like nobody had ever given him a hug before (which I can assure you is totally not the case). Finally, after a good 10 minutes we pried the two apart and said a sad goodbye to Chip (Dale?). But the mood changed quickly once Rafiki showed up. That big baboon had a long tail that was an instant attraction to the A-man. Austin started pulling Rafikis tail, only to have that big crazy monkey retaliate by rubbing his big blue bum in Austin's face! Hahaha! Oh my gosh we were laughing so hard! It quickly became a game that had Rafiki chasing Austin around the room while he ran away laughing hysterically :).

Meeting Chip (or Dale?)

 

Giving loves!

 

Austin's magical moment with his favorite chipmunk ;).

 

Pulling Rafiki's tail!

These two made quite the pair hahaha!

I loved seeing that mischievous grin! Having the time of his life here!

 

We didn't even really eat our yummy buffet breakfast because we were so busy with all the characters. That's how fun it was!

Evie pulling on Minni's skirt, trying to get her attention! It's hard being the littlest one sometimes....

 

Max from A Goofy Movie! One of my favorite movies as a kid!

 

Eve looking disturbed as Captain Hook came sneaking up behind her hahaha!

 

Crazy Tigger!

Meeting Eeyore!

Loving on Eeyore...

 

Little Miss Eve getting a proposal from the Captain himself! Lucky girl! ;)

We spent the rest of the day riding rides, eating churros, and loving every minute of it! We spent a lot more time with our extended family on this day which was awesome because they helped out with babysitting so Josh and I could get in a couple "big kid rides!" We also watched the most adorable little Star Wars show where all the cousins got to be little Jedis in training (except Austin who was too young). Austin still had fun though watching his cousins fight off evil with their light sabers.... until Darth Vader came out of the smoke and scared the living daylights out of him. He was so tall and life-like, you couldn't blame the little guy.... 

Loving the carousel.

Oh her chubbiness kills me! So stinking cute!

The tea cups were a big hit as well!

 

Getting a little crazy on the tea cups!

 

Austin was a crazy driver on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!

Churro Break! YESSSS!!

I didn't think anything could top our first day at Disney but this second day was by far the greatest!

We rewarded Austin for being such a good boy on our last day at Disneyland with a big bunch of Mickey suckers! They were gone before we got home... Either they were really that good, or the cousins helped out a little ;).

Day 6 (Tuesday June 14th):

We woke up this morning to another joyous, relaxing day on the beach! 

Heading down to the beach. Having girl cousins is such a huge help! They always want to be holding the baby and I wasn't about to complain!

Heading down to the water



That water was COLD!!!

 

Evie girl and Mommy loving the water!

Cousin Ryland was the queen of sandcastle making.

Throwing and eating sand.... oh joy!

 

Love these two cheeseballs!

Eve wanted so badly to be like us big girls, lounging around in the chairs. So as soon as I stood up, she stole my seat! Doesn't she look comfy?!

 

Austin, Whitley, and Evelyne: the three youngest cousins!

Filling up the watering can for our sandcastles...

 

Taking a little siesta with Aunt Jenn. There is nothing more relaxing than lounging by the ocean with a sleeping baby!

 

Eve helping the girls build a moat

 

As the sun set, we built a fire on the beach and roasted hot dogs for dinner along with some amazing peanut butter cup Smores! It was our first time ever tasting this creative invention and I don't think we will ever go back to the original! Sorry Hershey's bar.... 

Getting the fire going with our little fire starter helpers!

Busting out the hot dogs and marshmallows!

 

Daddy showing Austin how to roast hot dogs!

 

Forcing him to stop playing for two seconds! This boy was go go go, THE ENTIRE TIME! 

Eve running around as the sun went down.

Doing a little pose for the camera.

This shot..... wow!

Sunset Magic

As the sun set over the ocean it became so magical! I was in heaven watching the kids all running around together. Watching Josh teach Austin how to roast a hot dog. Watching Eve attempt to run in the sand as her wild hair blew in the gentle breeze while the tide got higher and the sound of the waves crashing became more distinct. I wished I could push pause and live in that moment forever.

Day 7 (Wednesday June 15, 2016):

Nick and his family left early on this morning so it was just us and Tony's gang to keep the party going! Since it was another overcast morning, and slightly chilly, we spent the morning relaxing in the beach house, eating and watching movies. Then, around noon as the sun came out, we headed out for our final beach day :(. The kids built their sandcastles for the last time and later everyone played some beach baseball while I sat and held a sleeping Evie-girl. It was so peaceful cuddling up with my sleeping babe while basking in the sun's warmth and listening to the waves crash down on the shore. The thought that we had to go home the next day was nothing short of depressing. 

Last beautiful day at the beach :(

Death by kisses!

That little gap toothed grin!

Hanging out with Daddy

 

Oh how I love this man of mine and the life we've built together!

Mom even got in a little beach yoga! Our vacation was officially complete!

At around dinner time we headed back to the house to get cleaned up and then went out to eat at a cute little restaurant called Ruby's Diner. They had yummy burgers, a toy train on a track up in the air that circled around us, and these awesome build it yourself cardboard cars for each of the kids! It was great! Austin was so tired but he tried hard to continue keeping up with his older cousins even though he could barely keep his eyes open. 

 

Waiting for our burgers. Yumm!

Oh my goodness, these two and their ice cream cones! Soooo Cute!

Austin trying not to fall asleep while he drove his cool new car around haha.

Day 8 (Thursday June 16, 2016):

 

Sleeping Beauty in a deep slumber....

 

Of course, on the day when we needed to get up, get packed, and make the sad treck home, both kids slept in! They didn't even wake up as we got ready and packed up all our stuff around them! We woke them up to say goodbye to everyone and load up into the car, and then they slept most of the drive home! Now that's how you know your vacation was a success!! Josh and I spent the quiet car ride home talking about all the fun we had and how depressed we were to have to go back to reality :(. For an entire week we were completely happy... tired, but happy. We didn't answer our phones, we didn't have to deal with any family drama. We just played hard, laughed harder, and loved every minute of it! Now the countdown begins until next year's trip!