Saturday morning we headed to the beach first thing which still wasn't soon enough for the kids. When we got there, Lucas saw his friend, Tyler (Doug), and they both ran across the sand with there arms open wide and met with a big bear hug! They played all morning. Nathan was able to rent a surf board so he and Colten caught a few waves. Eventually, the rest of the clan showed up and we had a lovely day sitting in the sun, snorkeling and generally doing as little as possible. For dinner we grilled up hot dogs & shared some good laughs. Kit, Laura, Lucas and I walked up the beach a bit and saw some sea turtles making their way up the beach (Randy and I also saw one snorkeling). Very cool.

On Sunday we woke up to pouring rain. Thankfully it stopped long enough for us to get to John's for Breaking of Bread with out getting too drenched. Afterwards, we all went out for some delicious fresh fish. Colten had to leave for the airport after dinner, so we all went our separate ways. When we got home, realized the kids were not inclined to take their naps and saw a little sun poking out, we headed for the beach again. Lucas worked up the courage to go snorkeling and surprised his Mother at how well he did. He saw "hundreds" of fish but didn't get to see a turtle. Maybe tomorrow...

Showering off - a highlight for Jill.

We made it!

We, by the grace of God, made it to the airport with 2 hours to spare even though it was pouring rain on the 405 during the beginning of rush hour, only to learn that our flight left at 8:45 instead of 9:45 (it is going to be a good long while before someone lives that down). Amazingly enough we still got on the plane in time and all was well, except we didn't get our morning cup of coffee. The rest of our trip was uneventfully and we arrived to beautiful warm weather with just a touch of lovely Hawaii humidity. I could tell Jill was reaching the end of her travelling tolerance when she asked, as we were travelling down the highway, if she could drive the car and then burst out crying when we said no.

Our condo is decidedly not the lap of luxury but nice enough and the sound of the waves makes up for any shortcomings. As soon as we arrived Nathan took two very excited kids down to the beach. Lucas is all jazzed because he met a new friend whom (who?) he called Doug but his Grandma called him a diffrent name that I can't remember now so we will have to figure that one out today. We had dinner at John and Laura's with Randy and Kit, Colt O'Brien, and Steve (Miller). They have a really cute little house just a couple of blocks from us. We are looking forward to spending more time with them today!

One last note...when I woke Lucas yesterday, I whispered in his ear "time to go to Hawaii!" and almost before his eye opened he raised both hands above his head and said with a big smile, "Yes!". =)

To Tehachapi and back

Here are a few pictures from our weekend trip to Tehachapi for Desiree's baby shower. It was refreshing to be with "old" friends and family again.

Jill and Lucas "helped" A. Carmen make dessert. Carmen's special-needs-preschool-teacher- patience skills came in handy.

Big cousin monitoring/instructing little cousins in RC teranchula operation.

Little Cousins getting along just fine on their own.

Sunday Morning..These could have been so cute. We finally have a few extra minutes on a Sunday morning to take pictures and Lucas turns into Mr. funny guy.

This picture makes me laugh...it is just so typical. You think I would learn that this is what happens the moment I suggest to Lucas to put his arm around his sister. Poor little Jilly! Thankfully after she was returned to her upright position she thought it was funny.