Last Minute Trip

Two of my nephews received their mission calls and decided to go through the LA temple together. Steven - (Nancy and John's youngest) got his call to Mexico and Dan - (Mike and Michelle's youngest son) is heading to Salt Lake City!!! It meant a road trip without Jeremy as he was days away from completing his Master's project (YAHOO). I decided that as long as I made it to the temple, I could survive whatever else a three day road trip with 4 children could dish out. So worth it!!!
Ethan and Owen had lots of fun on the way to California. Poor Ethan was squeezed between Owen and Ansley but was a good sport....mostly:) We were in such a hurry until after the temple that I really got no pics of the morning. We spent Friday night at Amy and Jason's house and got up super early to make it to LA by 8am. My AWESOME niece Jenny offered to watch my kids while I went to the temple. (That was quite a feat with a 4 month old and the oft naughty 2 year old).

After the temple, we drove out to Ventura and spent the afternoon playing at the beach and eating yummy food!!
If you are picturing a warm soft breeze, paint a different picture....a cold brisk wind. My mom was freezing and we did everything we could to get her warm. We were laughing at her get-up, she looked like the unabomber.
Owen spent the afternoon putting sand in his root beer and drinking it. (I realized after about 25 minutes of trying to stop him, that I should just let him do it - he is the third child after all).
This shot was taken right before a big (size is a relative thing) wave came and knocked him face first into the water...I promise I was right there, just didn't think a wave that was 3 inches tall would knock him down:)
Ansley was there too, she is just soo chill that I sometimes forget to take her picture. I left her in her car seat because that was where she was the warmest. She is SUCH a good baby!!!



All in all, a great time was had on our road trip, even without daddy. My kids discovered the joy of the chicken dance. It is now the one song that without fail makes Owen stop what he's doing and groove. The video of Owen at the beach made me laugh because he thinks he is chasing a bunny....love that kid...