A Short Visit to Long Beach

Sheri had called me early in the summer and told me that we should just go on a trip. Just go. Make it quick and easy and simple. I decided she was right and we should just go for it. I let her plan the details because she likes doing that stuff and it stresses me out. We did have a bit of a surprise when we arrived in Long Beach - normally we would have stayed with her grandparents who live there, but her grandma is having health issues, which is really sad. They've been really close to Sheri and her family. So we just couldn't stay there this time. Instead, Sheri found us a little hotel that we thought would be ok. When we pulled up we were in for a shock - it was under some serious construction. We wondered if it was even open and it seemed pretty scary. However, Sheri went in to check it out and check us in and it was all fine. It was a little cozy - There was a queen bed where Sheri slept with all four of her kids and I was in a hide-a-bed with my two girls. Amazingly it was pretty comfy. There was a great breakfast and we stayed pretty comfortably.

On the docket for the weekend was first, attending church and visiting with Sheri's super sweet grandparents. We hit a local park on the way to the church - it was heavenly to get away from the sweltering Utah heat and into some cooler humid weather.

Later that Sunday afternoon we had scheduled a whale-watching trip along Newport Beach. That sounded really fun but we hadn't really considered how the crowds pile up there on Sunday afternoons. We couldn't find a parking spot to save our lives. We ended up parking like two miles away from the dock, and I have to give a cheer for the kids who totally walked, as fast as they could, that whole two miles. It got kind of miserable, but the kids kept really good attitudes and didn't fall apart. It was a miracle, if you ask me. Luckily we had a wagon for our crap and towels and food and even some space for the two little kids. I pretty much sweated through my shorts it was so hot - that was a good look. As Cara pointed out. But despite all that craziness, we made it to the dock on time, got checked in and had time to relax a little before heading out on an amazing venture, just for an hour or so, to see no whales at all but thousands of dolphins. It was so cool! Emma was in tears over the beauty of seeing them, and Iva was in tears because she was terrified. She climbed right up me like she was a monkey and I was a banana tree, and then she wrapped herself around me and didn't let go, occasionally asking me if we were "going to be killed." Poor thing! Her little brother Sam, on the other hand, was so delighted and excited we thought he might throw himself into the ocean. He literally just screamed with joy for about 20 minutes straight. What an experience. Iva eventually released her death-grip on me and looked at the dolphins a time or two. I was a little nervous that Romney would dig in her heels and not get on the boat because she generally isn't a fan of boats, but she didn't put up a fight at all and really loved it too. Miracle!

When we returned to the dock we got piles and piles of fried food from this little shop on the corner then took it across the way to the open beach where we ate and the kids promptly soaked themselves in the crashing waves. Luckily we had brought suits and towels with us for just such a situation.

Getting back to our car was almost as big an adventure as leaving it, even though we caught a shuttle. It was just that perfect time of evening when every single person on the beach was ready to head home and so it took about an hour to drive those two miles back to the car. We were sandy and uncomfortable but so happy to not be walking. Sheri miraculously remembered about where the car was and how to find it. If I had been in charge we would probably still be there looking for the car. Boy were we happy to get back to the motel and get showered. Despite the struggles of the day it had been really fun and the adventures made it all worth it.

The next day was Monday and Sheri took us to Huntington Beach. What a different experience! There was a parking lot RIGHT THERE and we were early enough in the day, still chilly really, that we didn't have much competition for a good spot. We did find ourselves playing in the waves near hundreds of kids who seemed to be in lifeguard camp. I was very entertained watching them play their training games and go jogging around. What a different setting than the place I grew up.

 
Eventually the sun came out so naturally I got totally roasted. Sigh.

When we started to get all beached out we dried off, used the magic of baby powder to de-sand ourselves, and walked over the the pier where we got to observe a surfing competition and eat some seriously delicious ice cream.

Romney's beach hair is worth noting:

Five for Six asleep on the drive back to the motel:

That night Sheri's sweet grandpa took us all out to dinner for Cara's birthday. What a nice treat. No pictures. I was in charge of a toddler. That was all I could manage.

Tuesday we were slated to head back to St. George but decided we needed one more fun outing to top off the trip. We decided on the Aquarium....I can't remember exactly which one but it was big. Lots of fun exhibits to see.

As you can tell by Romney's face in this last picture we were all getting a little worn out. I was so grateful Sheri convinced me to take a quick trip and add some really lovely memories to our summer. We're so blessed in cousins and I am always thrilled when I get a chance to visit the ocean. I think I'll always remember how the kids got along so beautifully and kept really good cheerful attitudes even when the rigors of the trip became a little extreme. It made all the difference. Hope to travel again soon. We just need a few more seats in the car so the big boys can come too.