Road Trip...Destination: California

We decided to make a road-trip to California to see my dad and step-mom. It had been two years since either of them had seen the kids, so we decided that if we wanted to visit them before the roads turn bad for winter then we'd better go soon! So, we took about two weeks to plan our trip, and we headed out! Here we are loading up the car to leave...excitement all over their faces! :)
It was about 9 hours to Reno where we were all relieved to get out of the car and enjoy a nice night of sleep at our hotel. We were right by the airport so the kids were enthralled with watching the airplanes take off and land. We stayed at the Hyatt...it was so nice...comfy, clean, lots of space with an added little office area with a fold out couch, not crowed at all so we had the pool/hot tub to ourselves...and a delicious breakfast in the morning...not a single slot machine or any smoking anywhere in the building...so rare for Reno!...the only down-side was that it was a little pricey...around $150 a night. On the way home, we made the mistake of booking at a Casino Resort which was about half the price...they had non-smoking rooms/floors so I thought it would be okay, but Connor is allergic to tobacco so we felt trapped in our room...the room was also much smaller...we had to walk through a HUGE smokey casino just to reach the elevators to our room, they charged a $12 fee for using their pool and there was no breakfast included...so really by the time we paid the extra charge for using the pool and found a place to take the kids to eat breakfast we might have saved $20...so not worth it...so now we know :)
Our handsome chauffeur...he drove the whole way (both there and back). I would offer to drive, but he kept saying he was fine...he likes to drive, I don't, so who was I to argue...
The nice scenic part of the drive...going north in California...absolutely beautiful!
The excitement had started to wan at this point! After the 9 hour drive to Reno the day before, it was another 7 hours to reach Eureka, California...
The night after we got to Grandpa's house, we went to a community barn dance with square-dancing...it was really fun.


Jason didn't want to dance...
Grandpa was busy showing off his latest grandchild...
So Gavin and I had a go at it...
Gavin danced with Grandma too...For a little boy who insisted that he didn't want to dance when we first got there, he sure got into it once he got started! I think he danced the whole time we were there!
Things got a little crazy out there!
Of course we visited the beach a couple of times...Grandma and Grandpa's house is within walking distance of the beach. It's always a little bit chilly, but really fun.
I love it when I catch my kids loving each other :)
Making tracks...
Ahhhh...it just wouldn't be a trip to the beach if the kids didn't get good and DIRTY!
One of the few moments Laurie had to sit down and enjoy the kids...she has to get up at 4:30 am to go to work and works 12 hour days lately so she was really busy....
My brother, Aaron, with his wife, Lyndsi...Jason and me...my sister, Sherri, with her husband, Pat.
Uncle Aaron and Aunt Lyndsi bought remote control cars for Gavin and Connor, a cute "Alfie" robot for Aidan and some clothes for Owen...so nice!
Leave it to Auntie Sherri to bring some cool stuff for the kids to play with and to actually play with them...My kids can't get enough of Auntie Sherri...
We love to have campfires when we visit my dad. Aidan was loving his time with Grandpa Ray...Aidan's middle name is Ray, so my dad kept calling Aidan "Little Ray" and he loved it.
Snuggle time by the fire...
Sherri and Pat.
The boys getting ready to make their s'mores...

Did I mention Grandma bought the jumbo size marshmallows! A little sticky, but definitely delicious...
Our whole family...I love all my boys...
Owen's first trip to the beach.
Can you just see the pure joy on this little boy's face :D
Grandma and Grandpa took the big boys for a walk at the pier.
Then we all took a boat ride.

GG and Owen.
Papa and Owen.
Having a nice family dinner.
Grandpa took the three big boys for a walk to pick blackberries on our last day there to give Jason and me some time to do laundry and pack for our trip home...
The kids had so much fun searching for those berries.



We were sad to have to say good-bye, but we were so glad we could visit for a few days.