Capistrano Beach

My parents have a condo at Capistrano Beach/Dana Point, California. They go several times a year and I join them AT LEAST once a year--this year twice (so far). Grayson was the only one able to come with me since Hillary, Garrett and Hailey couldn't miss school and John had a couple of bids he had to be in town for. I always say... "I'm going no matter what. Whoever wants to join me, is welcome!" I was born and raised here and I love, love So. Cal!!!

We stay at Capistrano Surfside Inn (center) and just walk across the bridge and we're on the beach.

One of my good friends JoAnn from high school was so nice to get all of us into Disneyland & California Adventures for the day... (it's a bonus when your husband is one of the senior Disney electricians!)

We also went to Legoland's new Sea Life Adventure park...

San Diego (Seaport Village) and Coronado Island (Navy Base)...

We spent HOURS on the beach and at the pool...

Went bike riding every day...

I was SO happy to spend the week in sunny, 80-degree weather with my pal Grayson! I hope he feels like this is his 2nd home...

So long until April...

Spring Break -- First Installment

Every year our family goes to Capistrano Beach. Since I grew up in Southern California I feel this is a pretty small favor to ask of John since I spend about 8 months of winter weather in Utah for him. My parent have a place right on the beach and it's one of our favorite annual vacations that we share with them...

The kids have the best time together when they're playing in the surf and sand...

Never too afraid of the waves... just the COLD water in April!

Garrett's favorite beach activity is playing in the sand. He is so creative that he always comes up with the best sand village with working moat, roads, tunnels, etc. He can do that for hours...

I love to watch Hailey on the beach. She is usually dancing, cheering or tumbling in the sand and has no inhibitions whatsoever. What I'd give to have that much energy and self-confidence...

Grayson enjoys laying out on the warm sand after he's gotten wet in the ocean...

He also gets the darkest tan out of all of us too...

Hailey buries Garrett in the sand EVERY YEAR! He is such a good sport. You can tell he doesn't really want to do it but she can always talk him in to it...

Monday was THE perfect beach day with three of the kids (John and Hillary didn't fly in until Tuesday night since Hillary was on a school choir trip...)