Oops- a few more pictures!

I forgot to post these with Vegas.
Splash Park #1!
Good times as a family

Southern California 2011

After swimming lessons on July 1st, the kids and I left for Las Vegas. I was surprised at how well they traveled. Alyssa slept for a few hours and the other kids played fairly quietly. I focused on staying awake since I was so tired from Girl's Camp on Tues-Thurs and had to give a devotional and was in charge of the leaders' skit.

When we arrived in Vegas, we went swimming with Brandon, Charlotte and my cute nieces, Sydney and Sadie. The pools in Vegas aren't heated so I was pretty cold and Austin stayed under the pool shower with the warm water. Afterward, we headed to bed early and took off for Temecula, California the next day.

We had a fabulous time with the Johnstons. The kids played like siblings (sometimes best friends, sometimes worst enemies), we got lots of beach time, ate yummy food, made time to work out and even got out on a much-needed date night with Jen and Steve.

Alyssa LOVED riding on Ella's 3-wheeler. Here she is waving for a picture for her daddy.

On Sunday, we went on a walk around the lake in the community where Steve and Jen live. The kids loved looking at the ducks, turtles and watching the paddle boats.

I love this lake! I enjoyed 3 different runs around it while visiting there.

Alyssa and Ella shared a table for lunch!

Jaxson and Riley

Dave and Steve pretty much every opportunity to hang out and chat. Best buddies

Ahhhhh, baby's got eyes!

July 4th, 2011

We spent the 4th of July swimming in the community pool, working out, and BBQing with the kids. It was a laid-back day yet so nice. In the evening, we walked a few blocks and got a small view of a city firework show. Here we are in the middle of the street:

Almost 12 years! And it just keeps getting better!

A Day at Oceanside
We loved the beach! The kids couldn't get enough of the waves, water and sand. Here are some of my favorite pictures of our family and the Johnstons over two different days at Oceanside:

Taylor and Riley riding the waves

Jaxson loved the feel of the wet sand

I love Taylor's pure excitement here!

Jen buried Austin in the sand
(Notice how great our set-up is! Great umbrellas, beach chairs, coolers with food and drinks and toys for the kids)

Austin loved being buried!

One of the few times we could keep Alyssa out of the ocean....

Jaxson on the boogie board!

Alyssa and her daddy

Taylor makes friends everywhere she goes

Alyssa curled up to me and fell asleep. She crashed for about 2 hours on our first day there.

Smash Ball- Johnston style!

Mr Baywatch himself, running after Austin. HOT, HOT, HOT!!!

Steve tossing Ella in the air
(I wish I could take credit for this picture, but Jen grabbed my camera and shot so many great photos.)

The brothers from different mothers

Hang on to your swimming suit, Jen!

Serious waves on Day 2

Best friends!

Ms. Tween California!

And the lady behind the lens of great times.....

Reenactment of the Smash Ball scene we saw in St. Maarten four months ago.....except that the game there was played in the nude.....

TIME FOR A DATE!

On our date afternoon/evening, we went out to dinner at Pachangas with Steve and Jen for lunch (after the boys' golf game and the girls' pedicures).

The 7th sin: Gluttony

After our meal, we went on a drive to see the wineries in the valley. It was a beautiful drive and we loved the experience to explore around one of them.









On our final day there, Jen and I went to a farmer's market in Old Town. We sampled some of the tastiest pestos, olive oils, peaches and varieties of hummus. It was fast but impressive.

My sister wife, Jen, and her hat! :)

A HUGE thanks to the Johnston family for hosting 6 loud people in their home and for the countless hours of entertainment for 7 days. We loved the vacation; we love our friends even more.