Last month, we spent 7 glorious days at the Ritz-carlton in Dana Point, CA. Dane had two conferences, and the boys and I decided to tag along. Liam went with us two years ago and toddled around the beach. Last year, my mom stayed with the boys and Dane and I snuck away for a few days. This year, we packed up the house and headed to the beach. Since the trip was a week, we figured it was a great chance to make a little vacation of it.
Liam was so excited to fly. He was convinced that we were flying when just taxing on the runway. Then when we actually took off and turned to get onto course, he announced that it felt like we were falling and hoped we didn't crash. Everyone around us was laughing at him. Gavin was quite restless on the plane. I tried to (safely) drug him with Benedryl, but I think he was one of the handful of people who have that paradoxical reaction to it and all he wanted to do was run up and down the aisle of the plane. Somehow, we made it and had an absolutely wonderful week! The pictures say it all.
A rare Family Picture
Liam at the beach
A breathtaking view
Breakfast...these kids have it rough
Out on the balcony at dinner
Gotta wear shades
One day, we thought the kids deserved a break from the fancy food and we dined on In N Out Burger!
Gavin fell asleep after his water binge
Eating jellybeans on the beach
Anyone else see the resemblance?
checking out a local snail
The hotel
The hotel is up on a cliff with picture perfect views
One of my favorites from the entire trip. We were walking back from breaskfast one morning and the boys just climbed up in these chairs to see the waves. Even at their young ages, I am pretty sure they appreciate the beauty.
My surfer boy. Liam and I were walking to dinner one night and he said, "mommy, I like your beautiful necklace. I don't have any necklaces, or earrings, or bracelets, or even glasses and that makes me sad." I had to laugh at him even though he was being so serious. Of course, the next day I took him into the town and we went to a surf shop where he picked out this cool hemp and wooden turtle necklace!
Another necklace that was loved that week: the candy necklace!
I think that I could take pictures of my 3 boys all day. They love their daddy.
Looking for living things in the tide pools
Liam loved the high thread count Egyptian cotton linens.
Can't go to the beach without the sandy feet picture
The view of the Ritz Carlton from the beach
Washing the sand off in the marble tub!
It was such a great time to get away. It was a fabulously relaxing trip. I even got to steal a couple of hours at the hotel spa compliments of my in-laws as a congratulatory present for passing boards. What a way to celebrate! This was a very memorable week for all four of us.
