Oceanside

I wonder if my parents really understand just how much we love this trip. Our kids talk about it all year. They want the countdown to when we're going again the day after we get home. 

Mom sent this text out on the drive over! Yep. Exactly how we feel too, Mom!!

We all left on Friday morning, except the Goodmans who left in the afternoon.

Tanner is one year and four months and still rear facing. That's four more months of spinal cord safety than any of our other kids got. He lasted until Yuma. Just look at those orange-y Cheeto fingers! Yep, we tried everything to keep him from crying.

But after Yuma our ears could take no more and we flipped him around. The smile says it all.

But he still needed Cheetos. :)

He did alright but the last hour was pretty painful.

Still on Pacific St. but a different beach house! It had five levels but the top was the roof and the bottom as more of a lounge level on the beach. We spent most of our time right here on the street level that had the kitchen. It had two, big tables and a wide, open view!

Johnny Mananas for the maiden dinner! Tanner helped himself to the salsa. Why aren't babies bothered by spicy? 

Christopher came on the grocery shopping trip! It's crazy that we buy this much food and yet still go out to eat every day! 

It was conference weekend which was a first for us! I really liked being able to watch it altogether. Rumors were swirling that church was going to be changed to 2 hours. 

AND IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED!!!!!

Here's the very moment. So crazy. I couldn't even believe my ears. People have joked about shorter church for years, but it honestly never crossed my mind as a real possibility. I love it. So much better for Primary teachers and nursery workers. I'm excited to focus on the new curriculum in our homes!

Conference time... nap time... who can really tell.

The boys weren't pining for the ocean at all.

In between sessions, you better believe we snuck in some beach time!

Us girls sequestered ourselves in Craig's room downstairs because it was the only bedroom with a TV, and watched the women's session together. It was so nice! Pres. Nelson challenged us to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, take a 10 day social media fast, increase temple attendance and participate fully in Relief Society.

We went out to eat afterward at LTH (Local Tap House) and oh. my. YUMMY!!! We ordered about half the list of appetizers and still got some entrees and it was all super delicious. 

Sunday morning, I made two big pans of shortbread cinnamon rolls! My favorite kind!

I also brought conference study guides and Bingo sheets for the kids to earn treats by listening to conference. It was a bit of a sugar overload.

Shelley made Monte Cristo sandwiches for lunch and they were buttery bites of heaven!

The real party begins after all the kids are put down to bed!!! I cracked up when Austin came down wielding all manner of treats. This game night is brought to you by peanut M&M's and Red Vines. ;)

We played a game where everyone writes down story about themselves and puts it in a bowl. Then three people have to pretend that the same story is theirs and tell it in their own words, trying to convince the rest of the group to vote for them. It was really fun. But the best part was when it was David's turn to tell his "story". He starts with lots of detail, is ramping up to make it funny, pauses and then in that very pause, Dad does a loud snore. It totally sounded like someone heckling that it was a boring story by pretending to snore, but we looked around to locate the heckler and it was Dad! Legitimately asleep and snoring!! We all cracked up laughing so hard!! Even worse than a heckler.... someone was actually put to sleep by the story. Hahahahaha! Of course, we all knew it had nothing to do with David or his story and everything to do with the fact that it was past 10pm. Poor Dad, he really tried to keep up with us at night!

Bright and early Monday morning, you better believe the kids had their eyes on the water, just waiting for it to recede far enough away from the rocks that there was beach to play on! Unfortunately, it generally wasn't until 11am that you could go on the beach and more like noon or 1pm when there was finally a decent amount of sand to camp out on without fear of a wave taking you out!

Well, the big, scary thing happened Monday afternoon.

Everyone was doing their thing. Some were in the water, some laying out, others inside and a few in between getting snacks or drinks. I happened to be going inside for a snack. Hopefully, I get the details right.... most of the boys were boogie boarding in the water, but unbeknownst to us there was a serious rip tide right where everyone was swimming. Collin fought his way in, but somehow Lane was taken farther out. Jefferson noticed he was in trouble and was trying to keep him above water without drowning himself. He tried to wave his arms to get our attention, but could barely do it without losing Lane. Shelley noticed and stood up to watch, but they were so far out, she couldn't tell if they were in trouble or not. Austin had just fought to get back to shore himself, when he turned around and saw Jefferson and Lane. He knew they were in real trouble so he went back to help even though he was completely exhausted. As he approached them he tried to take his boogie board leash off his wrist and give it to Jefferson to put on Lane, but right as he did it, a big wave came and swept the board away! They tried yelling to David, Christopher and Craig for help (but they were also tired and trying to fight the rip tide) and I believe they were finally able to get a board from Craig. I think the other ones were just body surfing. Jefferson said he was totally spent, but he managed to get the leash on Lane. Told him to not let go of the board and pushed him to shore with his last bit of strength. I hope I'm not making up details, but if I remember correctly, Jefferson admitted that after he pushed Lane off, he went under and wondered if he'd even be able to make it back himself. When I started walking down the rocks back to the beach, I saw Shelley and Casey standing at the water, looking out, concerned. Shelley said she wasn't sure, but maybe something was wrong. This was as Lane was finally coming in. A few minutes later, all the guys got their feet onto sand and were slowly making their way up the beach, back to us. They looked like they had just been to war. Hunched over, methodically walking like zombies, slowly inching closer until they all fell onto the sand. Christopher didn't move from his spot for an hour. Jefferson started to explain what had just happened. Somberly, he said to Shelley, "It was bad. It was really bad." I think the impact of what could have been started to hit everyone. 

They were lucky to be alive.

 Jefferson literally saved Lane's life! Lane is tall and a strong swimmer, but that rip tide was no joke. And it all happened so fast and without anyone on the beach even realizing what was happening! Everyone was really shaken up. Shelley was teary and traumatized. She couldn't even talk about it. I really believe angels were around them out there. 

It was nearing the end of the afternoon and we all needed to go in a bit earlier than normal to get ready for family pictures. Marcie had found a lady online, and Mom had paid for her to come to the beach to take some professional pictures of us. You know how it is before family pictures. Crazy town. I was curling Olive's hair in the kitchen when I thought I heard a shout come from outside. I walked to the balcony and looked around, but didn't see anything. I went back to curling Olive's hair when I heard it again. Back out to the balcony, but still couldn't figure out where it was coming from. The third time though, I was determined to figure it out, but right as I started looking, I saw my dad frantically trying to unzip his surf board on the beach. I looked out to the ocean and I saw three people deep in the water, where the rip tide was. I instantly panicked, realizing my dad was heading out into the ocean to try and save them! I bolted down the stairs yelling, "Dad is going out into the ocean to save someone!!" and "Travis?!!! TRAVIS?!!!" I made it down to the backyard beach where Casey was standing, talking to 911 on the phone, describing where we were and what was happening. Pretty soon, we could hear sirens coming as the Fire Truck parked in front of the beach house. The lifeguard trucks started coming from off in the distance. I kept looking around wondering where in the heck Travis was! Casey turned to me confused, and pointed to the people in the water. "He's out there!" 

WHAT?!! 

I thought three people were drowning, but I guess it was just one guy. Travis and my dad heard him shouting from the beach house and ran down to help. Travis strapped on two boogie boards and got out to the guy drowning, while my dad ran for his surf board in the garage. Another guy had heard the shouting too and swam out but he didn't bring anything to help save the guy with. Travis gave the drowning man a boogie board and stuck next to him as they made their way back to the beach. The lifeguards got there while they were swimming in. They wouldn't have needed to get in the water at all, except right then there was more shouting and we all looked out to see MORE people stuck in the rip tide! I tell you what. So the life guards got in after all to help them. It felt like a circus! The drowning guy (I feel like I should give him a name or something!) collapsed onto a rock while we all swarmed Travis. How did this all happen again?! And by now Christy Odom, the photographer, would be showing up in a few minutes! 

It was hard to be mad at your husband for not helping with the kids when he's off being a hero, haha. The chaos continued inside, trying to get all the kids ready, but it paid off big time. These pictures are THE BEST. Seriously, I couldn't believe how perfect they turned out! And so many people have genuinely gushed to us about how much they love them. I want to do a separate post with all of them, but here's a small sample. 

My favorite meal of the year was the big reward for getting four kids gussied up on the beach and a tasty reward it is!

A lick for a lick! 

Germs, shmerms! 

Aaannnddddd it's game night again!!! Christopher was the waiter this time!

The view looking up at the beach house. Ain't she pretty? ;)

I could swallow him whole!

He did some swallowing himself.... there was sand in his dirty diapers the entire week after we got home!

Olive and her splits! She practices them wherever she goes!

Marcie's sister in law and Austin's cousin joined us one afternoon. They live in Oceanside and their cute kids fit right in! How adorable is this group cheer they were doing?!

In the words of Jimmy Fallon.

Ew.

There was a hot tub on the roof! The kids loved it. I couldn't bring myself to get in. That water.... can I get another ew? ;) 

I think it was Thursday morning the guys all went golfing or surfing, so us girls took the kids on a walk to Carlsbad for some nummy breakfast!

The Mona Lisa got nothin' on this piece of art! Acai bowl HEAVEN. 

I consider whoever Swami is, a dear friend.

Suchhhh a bad age for being in a restaurant. Sigh. I walked around outside with him while we waited for our food, then barely got a bite in before he was terrorizing again.

Thursday night we met up with some old, dental school friends, Josh and Marianne Twiss! Their daughter, Harper, is Olive's age and they are so similar! We knew they would be instant friends and we were right! Sweet Finley, slept the entire time. Our family watched the rest of the kids for us and I guess Tanner was hysterical most of the time. I felt so bad for them and him, but this was such a nice escape. Even though we had Olive with us, it felt like a date and we haven't been on one of those in soooo long. Ever since we knew we were going to buy our house, we have been cutting back on extras like babysitters and date nights. It's depressing! 

I don't remember what this was called or even what it is, but I remember my taste buds were happy. Very happy.

Just kidding, I had to look it up in case I ever go back. I think they are Cyclops Farms Strawberry Fritters filled with whipped goat cheese. Doesn't sound good, but it was amazing.

Della and her purses! She is so cute!! This girl was busy, busy! The running joke started to be about Della somehow being everywhere, all the time. People waking up in their bedrooms to see Della's face in front of theirs. Getting out of the shower... oh hi, Della! She made it into our room once while Tanner was napping and woke him up so we had to start locking him in there and go through Mom and Dad's room, through the balcony to get him, haha. I think my favorite quote of the entire week was from Christopher on this very topic. We were talking about the near drowning on Monday (it must have been the end of the week since Christopher was ready to joke about it). The guys were talking about what they were thinking out in the ocean during it all and Christopher piped up, talking seriously, like he was really relaying his feelings and said, "Well, all I know is we were out there trying to keep our heads above water, and I felt something behind me and I turned around and was like, 'Della! How did YOU get out here?!!" Bahahahahaha! We all died laughing. 

Marianne was going to Legoland Friday morning with her girls while Josh was in a dental conference and she was begging me to go with her. I didn't want to ditch out on the family though so we compromised with me coming out for a couple of hours to the Legoland aquarium with Olive. That was the cheapest option, anyway! But after $20 to park, $60 for us both to get in, and $12 for "lunch" *cough a gogurt and muffin for Olive*, I don't know if the word cheap could really be used at all! It was fun to see them, though and Olive and Harper played like they'd known each other their whole lives! 

♫ If you like pina coladas.... ♫

After that foot rinse water sits in the sun all day, it's a lot better than cold ocean water! 

But also... gross.

I can just hear his little voice saying, "ooooo. oooo! oooooooo!!!"

What is sweeter than a widdle, nakey boy on the beach?!!

Christopher and Jael went to play in the ocean, but baby Christopher was quite distraught about it. Travis is one of the few who can talk to him in a language he half understands so he was really sweet to stick with him and try to comfort him until his parents got back. 

Da crew.

Last night tradition continues! But since there was no beach left, we had pizza on the roof. 

I could not get over the beautiful sunset!!! It was breathtaking in a "this can't be real life" sort of way.

And there was no drama with those fire pits and half a dozen toddlers running around at all. ;)

For our last game night it HAD to be Ripple with Consequences. See how I capitalized consequences like it was a legit game? Haha. The pressure was on! I'm pretty sure I was the biggest loser that night. Craig ate a spoonful of mustard. I had to have a mustache and goatee drawn on me. Shelley had to post a gaggy selfie on Instagram with all the nauseating hashtags... #blessed #nofilter, hahaha. I think that one was my favorite, but it wasn't for long enough! She got to delete it after a minute. Abbey had to kiss David's toe, which seemed to kill David more than Abbey! Shelley mooned the ocean and had absolutely no qualms about it!! HAHA! I think I had to eat a spoonful of mayo too. Craig had to do something I've never heard of before and forgot what it's called but you have to shake a can of soda then puncture it and drink it all at once or something??! He seemed to handle that one fine! It was a really fun night! I know I'm on broken record status here, but I love my family! We know how to have a good time!

Saturday morning I just HAD to get one more acai bowl for the road!! Would you just look at this?!! This was $10!!! I swear there is more that $10 worth of just fresh fruit on top. What I wouldn't give to have this every day!!

One other random event.... Travis's hygenist, Stacy, was in California at the same time we were, but they were going to be in a totally different place, doing different things than us. Well, one day, Travis took Tanner for a walk up the beach (the only time he went that far from our own beach) and lo and behold, there was Stacy and her family! They had only come to the beach for a minute that one day and it just so happened to be when Travis was there. Sooo ironic! Well, then on the drive home, one of the kids suddenly had to go to the bathroom, so we had to take some random exit, in the middle of nowhere and find a gas station. Well, guess who was also finding the exact same gas station?! Yep, Stacy. What are the odds?? Too weird. 

This was another incredible week that I can't thank my parents enough for!! They paid for the beach house AND Disneyland for all of us, plus provided Sunday dinner and dessert, all the boogie boards and beach chairs and paper goods! My mom packs dozens of big tubs full of food and games and toys and every year I'm blown away at how much work they both put into this. I'm so so grateful. It's honestly the best gift. We cherish these memories and I really feel like it creates such close bonds for us all. Usually when families get together there is drama and I totally understand that, but how can anyone be mad or sad when they're at the beach?! Super pampered and spoiled. I think we all recognize how fortunate and lucky we are! Thank you, Mom and Dad!!!