California

Cruz and I flew out to California last Tuesday March 24th with Grandma Raddon. I didn't take any pictures so this blog entry will be boring for most of you, but I wanted to document our trip for Cruz. Grandma R took some pictures so when she gets back into town I will borrow them from her.

Tuesday-Got into Orange County about 12:30 in the afternoon. Cruz did farely well on the plane, lucky the flight wasn't full so we had the seat between me and my mom for Cruz. He is an extremely busy child but I seemed to entertain him for most of the flight. Naomi picked us up and we ran some errands with her. We went to Fashion Island mall which is this beautiful mall in Newport Beach. We walked around with Cruz visiting the fountains and the pet store while Naomi did some last minute shopping for her trip! We picked the girls up from school and headed to Ryan and Naomi's house in San Clemente. Their home is beautiful, they just moved in about 4 months ago. The kids had fun playing outside with the bikes, scooters, balls, etc. We went to Chronic Taco for dinner. I do miss the amazing taco places they have in California. You can get the best shrimp and fish tacos EVER!!!

Wednesday- Ryan and Naomi left extremely early Wed. morning to catch their flight to Miami for the DJ convention that was taking place there. On Wednesday after my mom took the girls to school we went to visit Lindsey, Chloe, and Ella. Lindsey is an old college roommate and a very close friend. She and her husband have moved around alot, but about 3 months ago they were transferred to Ladera Ranch, which is about 15 minutes away from Ryan and Naomi. Cruz had a blast playing with Chloe who is 3. Little Ella is only about 8 months so she had fun watching! We played at their home and then took a walk to a little lunch and yogurt place close to their home. I had a blast being able to spend some time with Lindsey! After we picked the girls up from school we decided to try the pool that is in Ryan and Naomi's neighborhood. It was about 73 degrees and sunny and the pool was heated. Cruz was a crazy kid. He has no fear! I am a little worried about this summer. He was just swan diving off the side, he was giggling the whole time we were in the pool!

Thursday - Grandma R, Cruz, and I went to the Crowne Valley mall after we dropped the girls off at school. This is a beautiful mall with lots better shopping than SLC. Cruz did surprisingly well, and we bought him the cutest Easter outfit!! After the girls got home from school we went to the park. Again, Cruz is a crazy man! I don't know if it was being around Mia (5) and Sasha (3) that he thought he could do anything on the playground or what? He was daring before but now he is a little too daring. It scared me!!! :) It was so nice to play outside in the 70 degree sunny weather...Cruz and I were eating every second up!! That night we met up with my friends Jon and Maggie Hirt and their 2 kids Sayler and Owen. My other friend Emily was able to meet up with us at In & Out burger as well. It was kind of chaotic but it was so fun to hang out with everyone!

Friday- We took the girls to school and then headed to Huntington Beach. HB is about 40 minutes from Ryan and Naomi. I lived there for almost 4 years so I had a great time being back in my old stomping grounds. We drove by my old house I lived in, walked on the Pier, got a shake at Ruby's at the end of the pier, went to the farmers market that is right on the beach, played in the sand, walked on Main Street, Grandma bought Cruz a Huntington Surf and Sport t-shrit, ate lunch at Wahoos, and relished in the memories. Cruz didn't love this day, but I seriously still LOVE HB! We picked the girls up from school and right next to their school is a playground that overlooks the ocean. We played there for an hour and then crossed Pacific Coast Highway and went to the beach for a bit. There were dolphins jumping in the waves close to the beach. I was trying to point them out to Cruz, but I don't think he saw them. We were all exhausted by the end of Friday!

Saturday- We took it easy most of the morning. Rich, Katie, Nicholas (5), and Clara (almost 3) drove down from LA (a little over an hour) and spent the afternoon with us. We packed the car up and went down to the beach at San Clemente. I didn't know this but at San Clemente they have a playground on the beach. It was awesome for the kids. They played a little in the water, but the ocean water is still really cold in California. So most of the time we were on the swings and slides. It was a gorgeous day, close to 80 degrees! We packed up around dinner time and stopped at Chronic Taco to get some yummy tacos. The kids finished the day bathing together in Ryan and Naomi's large tub. Cruz just wanted to be like the big kids. He had to try everything they were doing.

Sunday - We went to church and then Cruz and I headed home. Unfortunately, the plane was full and I was flying by myself with Cruz. Lets just say I was happy to be in SLC and have the flight over with! :) Cruz and I both had a blast in California and it was so nice to have amazingly warm sunny weather. We returned to a snow storm and 30 degree weather. I know that isn't that bad, but we had a blast in the warmth! There will always be a place in my heart for California....and I think I made a little place in Cruz's heart with all the fun he had there!!!

Firsts for Cruz this trip-climbing out of the pack-n-play which made bedtime very interesting!!!! Cruz just got up from his nap so I gotta run....great trip, fun memories!!!