California Living- First Installment

Brian has family out in California and has visited them a few times. I have always wanted to go to California and we kept talked about going but never did! We decided this would be a good time to go. We didn't have to buy Jackson a plane ticket and Brian's parents were going to join us out there. This would mean we could leave Jackson with them while we went on our own little getaway for our 5th anniversary!

So, last Wednesday we boarded a plane at 6 in the morning and headed for Orange County. When we checked in they upgraded us to first class seating and gave us complimentary TV on our flight. They also never charged us for our luggage, triple score!!
We had a brief layover in Denver. It was so brief we barely had time to grab a latte and some muffins. Jackson was well behaved on the plane, but flying with a 16 month old is chaotic and tiring. You worked so hard entertaining him and keeping him happy that you can't just sit back and relax.

We arrived in Orange County with no problems. Brian's dad and Uncle Gus picked us up from the airport and we went back to his house in Norco (sidenote- Katrina it did not smell here). The first two nights we stayed with Brian's cousin's family right across the street from his uncle's house where Mel and Sharon stayed. Jackson crashed on the way home from the airport so we laid him down and went and picked up some lunch.

Most of our time in California was the same no matter where we were: swimming in the pool, playing at the beach, shopping, or eating!
Jackson loved the pool at Matt and Laurie's because it had a big area where he could walk around and play.

Floating with Grandma

Brian was showing off for Jackson and Jackson would laugh and laugh

My sweet family (the wind caught my hair at the perfect time)

That evening Matt grilled tri tips, sweet corn, and zucchini for dinner. The sweet corn was some of the best I ever had. Laurie also cut up fresh watermelon, pinneapple, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries. It was all some of the best I ever had. I was in fruit heaven!!

The next morning Brian went golfing with the guys at 6 am and I was going to sleep in. Well, at least that is what I thought, Jackson was up by 6:15! He could have golfed with the guys. I ventured out on my own with Jackson to take a walk. I'm sure I entertained anyone who was watching on this walk. First off, there are no sidewalks in Norco only horse trails. Second, their house is built into the side of a rather large hill, none of the streets I walked on were flat. Thirdly, I was pushing a stroller with a 30 pound child in it. At one point I was sprinting down a hill pretty sure we were both going to wipe out! I guess at least I got a good work out:)

After Jackson's nap it was back in to the pool.

He loved walking behind the waterfall.

Grandpa and Luke are pretty fun too!

While Grandpa is playing we relaxed on one of the most comfortable swings ever! My only complaint about California is that it was never really warm enough for me to swim in the pool or lay out at the beach.

That evening we went over to an outdoor shopping center with everyone from Norco and met Brian's other relatives for dinner.

We went early so we could shop before dinner. It was a really nice place, I wish we had more outdoor shopping centers with good stores around here.

Jackson and Brian played around while the ladies shopped!

We ate dinner at PF Changs and they sat us in the kitchen. When Laurie called to make reservations they asked her if the Chef's table was ok. She said sure not knowing it was literally right in the kitchen. It was a extremely loud and a little wierd sitting in the kitchen. We had never been to a PF Changs before, I would go back as long as we don't have to sit in the kitchen again!

Next Up: Laguna Beach and San Clemente