A week ago today we returned from a week long vacation in Palm Springs, CA. We had so much fun! My parents rented an awesome 4 bedroom condo that housed my sister and her husband, Grandma and Grandpa K, as well as our family. Our favorite part was that it had its own, heated pool! We spent so many hours swimming despite the cooler CA temps the week we were there. One particular morning it was 39 degrees, and we swam anyway! It was absolutely gorgeous with the desert plants and gorgeous mountains only a few miles from us. My mom is great about taking pictures everywhere and nice enough to share them with me (Thanks mom!)!! Here are some pictures of our trip...
We arrived at the airport around 5:20am on Sunday!
Paul with three carseats and various other luggage ;)
Beautiful
When we arrived we got settled, took naps, and went swimming!
My three blondies!
On Monday, we got delicious burgers and shakes before heading off to our first tourist site.
We chose an indoor museum, as it was extremely windy (wind advisories) and quite chilly.
Colton was in heaven with all the airplanes!
Summer is curious to learn about everything and was a little sponge, soaking up learning all about the soldiers and the wars that took place surrounding the planes we saw.
Colton with an old car at the museum
cockpit
Pilot Colton
They had even more planes outside the hangers
Summer will find a book to read anywhere....in this case, the museum's library :)
Uncle Eric landed a simulated airplane with the help of the museum staff
On Monday afternoon, we played games at the condo.
My favorite memory of this game of chutes and ladders was Larkyn's exhuberant "NaNa" (what she calls herself) every few seconds asking if it was her turn. She actually did a really great job - she knew after Colton came "Larkyn's turn", and loved to spin the spinner, and then hand it to Grandpa for "Grandpa's turn".
On Tuesday we headed up the mountain on a tram. It was sooo cool! Inside the tram turned 360 degrees twice as we rode up the mountain.
Selfie at the top - brrr - 23 degrees!
We had lunch at a restaurant at the top and learned a bit about the tram before heading back down.
The tram
The view down
At the bottom of the mountain
Here is a shot of us in the van we all rode around in! Grandma and Grandpa K were in the front. Paul had the two littles in the second seat. The rest of us were in the back two rows.
On Wednesday, we headed to LA for the day.
Our first stop was Santa Monica Peir
We walked down to the beach to get a view of the ocean
My girl and i :)
Auntie Kristin and Uncle Eric with their baby due in April
It was cold, but we touched the ocean!
We met up with my cousin Laura for lunch who is working as a nurse in LA for 3 months.
It was fun to catch up with her and hear about her wedding planning, job, life in Europe the past year, etc!
Then some of us (including Laura) went on a SO INTERESTING tour of Paramount studios and got to learn some of their tricks when they make movies/sitcoms/commercials and see stages/props/sets etc.
It was so fun!
Grandma and Grandpa kept the littles and took them to ride the rides on the Pier.
I love this pic of Colton!
Bumper cars
Sweet Summer!
This day was Summer's half birthday, so they got icecream!
Grandpa and Larkyn
On Thursday, we went hiking at the Coachella Valley Canyon
Amazing huge Palm trees that made a sort of "cave" to climb in
Even though Larkyn was quite fussy on this hike (her sleep schedule was completely off all week, beginning with the early flight + 2 hour time change, along with her waking up a lot at night), I love this picture of her eyes!
Finally asleep! :)
The views were surreal
I felt like I was in another country viewing these natural springs in the desert
My boys :)
Family!
On Friday we went to the "Living Desert", a zoo. Here is Summer with a dinosaur at one of the shows at the zoo.
Colton and the dinosaur
The older two kids fed a giraffe! See below for an awesome video!
S and C rode a camel!
Colton loved the train display at the zoo
I could not believe it - Larkyn walked the entire time! Her little legs have so much energy!
Combing the goats
This little girl had SO much personality this trip...oh my goodness!
The two big kids traveled SO well! Traveling with them is becoming so much more fun as they can roll with the punches, including less sleep. Each morning they would wake up, jump into each others' bed, and read together until others were awake. I just love them!
Before we headed to the airport on Saturday, the older kids got in a round of mini golf (I attempted a nap for Larkyn before the flight home!)
We also went swimming again for the last time!
The Family! The shirts say St. Maartin as that was the original planned trip, but two weeks before departure we switched due to the Zika outbreak that is so harmful for unborn babies (and my sister is pregnant). Despite the last minute changes, it was a wonderful trip!
How fun that they had a park at the airport to get out some wiggles before the late night flight home!
Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa K!! We loved the amazing family time, new sights and experiences, and had so much fun!! We love you all!
2 comments:
Such a special blessed week! Love you all!
Looks like a great time!!! Can't wait to hear more about it. ❤️
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