Summer Vacation: Day 3

Day 3 began with dolphin-watching and walking around the Cove. Leaving our wonderful balcony in Pismo behind was difficult but it was time to head to Santa Barbara and San Diego. This time we were on the move to visit the Hudson Clan, who had just left Oregon only a few days before us. This was the most we had seen them in years and it was wonderful!

Good Morning!

Dolphin-watching

Pups enjoying the balcony

Pismo was incredible!

Lunch in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Courthouse

We stayed at the Old Town Inn near historic downtown San Diego. The hotel was cute with bungalow style rooms and free breakfast! We had a super chill evening hanging with our friends before leaving for Arizona the next morning.

Trudy can sleep anywhere...

Summer Vacation: Day 1 & 2

Hubs and I needed a vacation, we have been working too hard and for too many hours, it was time for a break! We packed a bag, threw the kids in the [new] car and headed out. No planning, no schedule and no hotels lined up -- just us and the open road! First stop was Pismo Beach, CA where my sister lives. We arrived around 9:00 pm on Day 1 and crashed at her place because every hotel was booked. Whoops. Day 2 began with eating breakfast in San Luis Obispo and visiting the Elephant Seals in San Simeon.

San Simeon

Most of the day was spent relaxing and walking around Pismo Beach. Much eating took place and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Ember, a highly recommended restaurant in Arroyo Grande.

Lily @ Pismo Beach

We were finally able to track down a resort which was pet-friendly and had a vacancy. Inn at the Cove was an absolutely outstanding resort with unparalleled views of the ocean. Each pet-friendly room included a gift basket full of blankets, bowls, treats and toys for the pups to enjoy. They also offered complimentary binoculars for whale watching. I couldn't get over the whales, so much so that the balcony became my favorite place.

Inn @ the Cove

Pretty ocean sunset

Early Thanksgiving

My sister and Morgan were finally able to swing a trip out to Oregon for an early Thanksgiving! I took a few days off of work and went and saw the sights, despite some terrible weather. Thanks to my sis for emailing a bunch of super cool photos taken with her iPhone!

Day One: Thanksgiving dinner in front of the fireplace

Day Two: Evergreen Museum

Day Two: Evergreen Museum

Day Two: Evergreen Museum

Day Two: Evergreen Museum (my favorite pic of Morgan!)

Day Three: Downtown Portland

Day Three: Lan Su Chinese Garden

Day Three: Lan Su Chinese Garden

Day Three: Lan Su Chinese Garden

Day Four: Goonies Day!!

The Goonies House in Astoria, OR

Tree and Morgan

Matt, Yoda and I

The Goonies Rocks @ Cannon Beach

Mulder and Scully Garden Gnomes

My sister surprised me during our California vacation with an additional belated present for my birthday. Mulder and Scully gnomes for my garden!!!!  She purchased the plain, white gnomes off of the internet and hand-painted them to look just like my favorite FBI agents. Her attention to detail is unbelievable, she even got their eye color correct! My sis is seriously talented and I think she should open an Etsy store right now! Next on her list: Daenerys Targaryen and her 3 dragons

I don't have the desire to put Mulder and Scully outside yet, so I am proudly displaying them on our mantle so I can enjoy them.

I Want to Believe

The Truth is Out There

California Vacation: Day 5 & 6

We started off Day 5 just like before, got some breakfast and coffee but had to leave the dogs behind. Ocean Beach doesn't allow dogs on the pier, which was our next stop. One interesting side note, we have never walked this much on a vacation, ever, not even in Vegas. In Vegas there is the ample parking, the monorail or cabs. In OB, you have only your legs to get you around because parking is a nightmare!

One legged seagull

Later in the afternoon we did take the dogs to Sunset Cliffs

Once the dogs were sufficiently tuckered out for the day, we had dinner with the Hudson Family at their house. The kids were a riot and really fun to be around. Liam enjoyed fighting with Uncle Matt and Magnus liked to jump off the table into our laps. Such a great family! Thanks B and C!

Magnus in his baptismal outfit, such a cutie!

Day 6 started and ended in the car. We left San Diego around 7:30 am and arrived back home at 1:30 am. 18 hours in the car y'all! Dogs did so much better than we did, we humans were just exhausted. Now we need to spend several days in bed and catch up on our sleep. :-)

California Vacation: Day 4

First thing in the morning we walked down to Ocean Beach and got some coffee and enjoyed the view!

Trudy got around in her stroller mostly, we have been trying to prevent another back problem

But we did let her out every once in awhile to sniff stuff

Later in the afternoon, we met up with the Hudson Clan at the beach. The husbands went in the ocean while CH and I played with the kids.

Liam is 4 already and so talkative!!

Alex (Magnus) is almost 2 and absolutely precious!

B and Matt in the ocean

 Yoda was a hit with the kids :-)