spring break

The thing that gets me through January, February and March is knowing that in April I will be spending a few days at the beach with a few of my favorite people. 

these three littles love the beach.  

 Usually Dave stays home but this year we attended the funeral of one of his favorite scout leaders in Southern Cal so he stayed down there with us.  Dad is much more fun at the beach then Mom.

 The girls are DYING to surf.  I have looked into lessons but they want you to be 7 so maybe next year.  For now we stick with boogie boarding or...

 this kind of "surfing".  They even tell me about the waves they catch.

 I love to watch my kids play at the beach.  Their imaginations run wild.  They work together on their little "projects".  They catch sand crabs and laugh and laugh and laugh.

 Posing for this kind of picture is their LEAST favorite part of the beach.

 I'm a lucky girl...

 On Sunday we went to church and then visited this beautiful place.

 We went exploring the tide pools and met this guy.

 and these beauties.

 this girl is always up for any adventure.  The other day she asked me if she could jump out of a plane with a parachute.  The answer "NO"

 This is an octopus starfish and behind that hair is Lauryn.

 We took one day and went to legoland and contrary to the Lego movie song everything is not awesome at Legoland.  I did learn that it was southern California's spring break so maybe we should try it again when it isn't so crowded.

 So...back to the beach we went.  Much better...

 You don't have to wait in a single line to make something like this

 This is Lauryn's happy place...

 We got home in time for annual neighborhood egg hunt.

all of these kids live on our cul-de-sac.  There are even a couple missing.  We feel so blessed to have neighbors that we love and trust.  I cannot imagine raising my kids without these friends.  When you don't have any family nearby, great neighbors make awesome substitutes.