We split up for spring break this year. We weren't going to go anywhere because Covid is still an issue (getting less) but then our plans changed. Shawn ended up purchasing a Porshe in Gurnee, Illinois. So, Shawn and Cruz flew out to Chicago on Friday morning April 2nd, to pick up the car, spend a day in Chicago, and then see Grandma Frye and the Wilkens for a few days before heading back home with the car.
My sister Rebecca turns 40 on April 17th. She was kind of thinking about staying 1 night at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay. The 17th was busy for us and I thought the girls would be helpful with her kids so we decided to go out for our spring break while the boys were gone. Rebecca and David were able to spend 1 night away (a little earlier than her 40th birthday day) and then we hung out with them. We had so much fun!
Friday April 2nd - The boys and us had an 8 am flight to our destinations. Grammy took us to the new airport. We flew in to San Francisco. Rebecca and the kids picked us up. She knew of a park that was close by the airport that had this huge slide. Rebecca dropped the kids and I off and she ran to the grocery store. After the store, we went to their house so Vaughn could nap. When he got up from his nap we packed up and took David and Rebecca to the Ritz. We went in 2 cars. They had an indoor pool and Rebecca thought it would be fun for the kids to swim for a bit. They swam and then I took all the kids back to their house. Rebecca and David were able to play tennis, eat a nice dinner, etc. We picked up Thai food on the way back. We ate, bathed the kids, and got them ready for bed. Alegra and Lexi were SOOOOO helpful with the kids.
Saturday April 3rd - The kids all slept well and were up early, ready to play :). After breakfast we walked to this tree fort that is just right next to their house. We then piled in the car and took them to the park that is just down the street. We played in the back yard some more and then ate lunch and put Vaughn down for a nap. Rebecca and David came back home are 2. After Vaughn got up Alegra REALLY wanted to try surfing. So we packed up and went down to the jetty, a spot pretty close to their home. It wasn't warm but it was kinda sunny and Alegra managed to squeeze herself into Farrah's wet suit. I was so proud of Alegra. The water was so cold but she was very determined. She got up 4 times and fell lots, but she was trying so hard. We came home and made burgers for dinner and then got the kids down.
While Dave was out helping Alegra the kids had fun on at the beach.
I'm so proud of this girl-wearing puffy to the beach and still getting in the water. And not giving up....she surfed!
Sunset from their home
After dinner a little Easter off dying!
Sunday April 4th - The Easter bunny came. He left baskets and hid eggs in the backyard. After Easter festivities we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then watched General Conference. In the break time we went to these really cool tide pools to see all the animal life at low tide. We came back to watch afternoon conference, then some more excursions to see the stick forest and the tire swing and then a yummy dinner of sausage and vegetables. Bath and bed time. Conference was so good!
Fun on the pull out bed!!
Monday April 5th - Farrah went to her first day of in person school. She only goes for a few hours so we picked her up at 10:30. We went to this cool forest area called Purisima Creek Redwoodds, that had a ton of banana slugs and huge redwood trees. It was misty and cool but we hiked around with the kids and then ate the lunch we packed. We timed it so after lunch we would do our hour drive down to Santa Cruz so Vaughn could nap at that time. He followed the plan :). We went to the pier/boardwalk part of Santa Cruz because we had never been there. It was sunny but windy. We got donuts for the kids from Ferrell's donuts and the had a fun time. When we made the beautiful drive home we picked up pizza for dinner.
The lizard that caused a bit of fighting between these two :)
Tuesday April 6th - After Farrah got done with school we headed to Palo Alto. Alegra had never been to an American Girl doll before and I knew there was one at the Palo Alto mall. Farrah and Alegra were in heaven. Lexi and Pierce weren't as thrilled, but they were good sports. We walked around the store for a bit and then we got lunch at Shake Shack that was next to the mall. It was Vaughns nap time so we drove a bit to a park and let the kids play while he napped in the car. It was warmer and sunny in Palo Alto so we stayed for a while to let the kids play. We came home and Rebecca made some yummy chicken burritos for dinner. After dinner we went and did this beautiful bluff hike that made me think we were in Ireland.
Alegra and Lexi were so good at playing with the kids. Sometimes they would get bugged but I tried to remind them, we were only staying a short time and to have patience. They were really so cute with the kids.
Wednesday April 7th - Our last full day and we packed it in. Farrah didn't have school this day so we were on the road by 9:15. Rebecca had made reservations at the zoo first. We went to the zoo and walked around and packed a lunch to eat there. Then we drove through the city and across the golden gate bridge to Saslito (so Vaughn could nap). We ended at Ghiradelli square to get a sundae and then hustled to Golden Gate park to go the a museum there that Rebecca had tickets for at 3:00. This museum was like an aquarium and planetarium in one. After the museum we drove through the city some more to go back to the fishermans warf area. I wanted to walk out to the pier to see the seals but the kids had had it. The girls wanted to buy some San Francisco trinkets so Rebecca was able to find a trinket store. We then headed home and luckily David had started dinner because we were all tired!
Thursday April 8th - Farrah had school and we were up packing up and trying to pick up our area. We went and did a short hike before we left for the airport. I believe it was called Grey Whale hike and we were able to overlook Montero beach (where dad had surfed with Dave a long time ago and they actually saw a fin in the water so quickly got out).
Loved these purple flowers. This was from yesterday, I thought it was a cool picture of the city.
On our hike Thursday morning.
When we got home Alegra got her American girl doll all dressed up in the outfit she got to pick out at the American Girl doll store.
We had such a fun time. So happy to be able to spend time with my sister and her family.
