Newport Beach fun!

For a last little get away before summer ended we headed down to Newport Beach for some fun in the sun!  And for Scott's birthday!  {Be prepared for lots of pics!}

 The view from the hotel!

 We visited with friends and went on their boat around the lake.

Brynn got to hang out with one of her besties, Hannah!

 Taking the ferry over to Balboa Island.

 Ferry ride

 Scott and Brynn riding the ferris wheel...Brynn loved it!

 Me and Evan riding...he didn't like it.  

Wanted to get off almost as soon as it started!

 Brynn got to jump on the giant trampoline.

Here she is with her harness on waiting for her turn!

 Shaved ice

Yummy!

Beautiful day and lots of people out enjoying it!

Me and my boy!

Checking out the sand

She loved playing in the sand!

Didn't so much like when the water came up and got her feet all wet.

The Birthday boy enjoying dinner at Duke's!

The kids helping blow out the candle.

Playing in the sand after dinner.

The kiddos enjoying some pool time at the hotel!

Evan being goofy.

Taking a nap after all the swimming and before dinner.

It was a nice getaway and we all enjoy some time away to rest and recharge.  Our last little trip as a family of four!

At the boardwalk...

The little ones and I hit up Santa Monica Beach yesterday with some of my family.  We had a great day playing at the beach, went up to the boardwalk, and dinner on 3rd Street afterward.  It was a long day, but I think everyone enjoyed themselves!!

Aunt Stace and Brynn burying their feet in the sand.

My little beach babe!

My handsome little dude!

{Is he giving me the evil eye or what?}

 She got brave enough to actually get in!

{Maybe with a little coaxing from Stace and Devin}

Brynn with my cousin Devin...I guess it was just a little cold!

Then we went up on the boardwalk to explore.  Brynn had been eying the ferris wheel all afternoon so we knew a ride would be a must!  She declared that she wanted to ride in a red one and the attendant complied!  :)

She also wanted to sit all by herself and when the ride started she was so excited!  She kept saying "Wahoo!"  over and over!

Brynn, me, and Aunt Bobbie!

Evan was passed out and missed the ferris wheel ride and Brynn promptly passed out after her ride.  Smart girl, she has her priorities straight!!

A day at the beach!

Saturday morning we headed down to Huntington Beach to enjoy some fun in the sun, sand and surf!  It was a tad bit windy so we really didn't go in the water, but we still had a good time.  The kids loved playing in the sand and Evan was funny to watch crawling around the uneven terrain. 

 Evan's little fingers and toes!  His first time at the beach.

The little diva didn't want to walk or sit in the sand,
but playing with it was just fine.

She later got over the walking or sitting in it thing.

Nana and Evan checkin' out the waves!

Daddy and Brynn with their shades.

The four of us! 

 Evan playing

Mommy and Brynn watching the water.

{Brynn didn't want anywhere near the cold water!}

Uncle Colin teaching Evan all about sand castles.

Saturday night was when Evan really started to go downhill!  He had a runny nose, a cough and just didn't feel well and there really wasn't anything we could do to console him.  It's so hard when you know something is off but he just can't tell you what is hurting.  This morning he still wasn't feeling well and was just all around miserable so we brought him to the doctor's office.

The pediatrician thought it might possibly be a reaction to one of the vaccines he had last week OR it could be just be a cold.  Outside of being cranky, tired, snotty, running a fever, not sleeping or eating well, and having a cough he was otherwise healthy.  His breathing was fine, his lungs were clear and most importantly his ears were not infected.  I totally thought it was his ears!  So we are just dosing him with Tylenol and Motrin trying to keep his fever at bay and get him to eat.  I hate when they're sick...it's not fun for anyone!

A drive up the coast

Thursday we headed out on a drive up the beautiful coast with a final destination of San Francisco.  I know it seems ambitious to take a drive that long with an almost 4 month old and an almost 2 year old...it was!!  We did have my sister with us to help with the kiddos.  Thanks Kiki!!  Luckily we planned to stop in Monterey Bay to visit the aquarium.  Brynn loved all the fish at the aquarium; and the penguins and turtles were pretty exciting as well.

Brynn taking over driving...

 Trying to get the fishies and turtle.

Flamingos and penguins.

The kids are looking at each other..kinda cute!

Friday morning we started the drive toward San Francisco.  The kids did pretty well for the drive on Thursday and Friday...sleeping a majority of the way; which always makes things a bit easier!  We lucked out with great weather despite it being the middle of November!!

At the Golden Gate Bridge.  Yes, Evan was sleeping in the picture with Scott.  Brynn was sleeping in the car and missed the whole thing!  {In the family shot we were standing right next to the car}

Smiley guy!

 After the bridge we headed for Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.  {Driving down the street and looking up}

Brynn finally woke up from her nap!

 Saturday morning we headed over to Alcatraz.  The kids decided that they didn't want to have anything to do with it though, so we didn't get to see as much as we would have liked.  I guess that is what happens when you travel with two little ones.  Oh well, there's always next time!

 On the boat ride over.  Evan must have been bored and Brynn wasn't interested in taking pictures.

Evan and Scott exploring The Rock!

Brynn really enjoyed walking around the island.

 After a good nap for Brynn we went to Pier 39.  I seem to remember there being a lot more sea lions, but Brynn liked the few that were there.  She liked when they would make noises! 

Checking out the seagulls!

 Little guy keeping warm

We rode the carousel and she really enjoyed waving to Scott every time we went around.

Since my sister was there, Scott and I got to enjoy a birthday dinner date night!

On Sunday we started the drive home...it seemed SOOOO long!  But we made it!  The get away was nice but it is always so nice to be home!  The little ones were glad to be out of the car!