More sunshine & friend time

We decided it was time for Noah and Emily to embrace the plus of Mark's job and go on a last minute vacation. We had such a fun time in our 24 hours in California with Matthew, Kristin and their family we decided Emily and Noah would head out there for part of memorial weekend than head to Dallas to see Mark on his break between training sessions at work.
Thursday May 23 after work my wonderful friends Melissa & Becky loaded us up and drove us to the airport. Through lots of prayers and luck Noah and I made it on the flight. Noah did extremely well. He drove his car & trains and enjoyed playing games on the kindle or phone.

3/4 of the way through the flight Noah kept asking to go home. My heart dropped, was a vacation a mistake. After getting off the plane he was much better, we wandered through the airport slowly. I was amazed he stayed right by me the entired time. We got our luggage and headed to the curb to wait for Kristin. The curb scene was crazy; people on cell phones trying to figure where there ride was, lots of hotel shuttles in and out of traffic, people waving shuttles down and lots of people crammed into a small area. A cop finally showed up and started directing people, I think cars would be easier to direct the people didn't seem to listen to him. I told Noah to watch for Aunt Kristins black "jeep" he thinks all SUV's are jeeps, I figured give him a task to help pass the time. What I didn't realize is that EVERYONE okay maybe 75% of the people at LAX that night were driving black "jeeps". Kristin is amazing for driving through the made house to come get us, she really does love us! We met up and jumped in the car and off we went. After arriving at the house and a quick hello to Matthew it was off to bed, Noah was way to tired and I was getting there.
Friday morning I got to play with Noah, Jayli and Brevin while Kristin took Axton to school. I was amazed at how quickly Noah and Jayli became friends, they really did amazing the entire trip with only a few toddler arguments. Kristin and I loaded up the kids and headed to the park for Noah and Jayli to play while we waitied for Axton to finish school.

 

 This little girl is so darling! I just had to snap this picture to share

The 2 of them had a blast playing on the dry splash pad, the water wasn't on yet. I was okay with that, I didn't have extra clothes for Noah and it just wasn't warm enough that morning for getting wet and having to air dry.  

After nap and lunch time we headed to another park, they have amazing parks in their area, for all 3 kiddos to play. One of Kristins friends from church also joined us and the kids had a blast playing. 1/2 the park is over a giant sand box, I think this is an amazing idea. No splinters when you fall and what kid doesn't love playing in the sand box.

After the park Axton attended a movie and pizza night, not sure when he got old enough for this I have a hard time that he isn't the toddler who moved away from us a few years ago. While he was off playing with friends we had dinner and took the kiddos out for frozen yogurt. Jayli and Noah liked the ice cream but LOVED running around the fountain. It was hard to explain to them they couldn't touch it because it was super gross. Thank goodness for hand sanitizer!

 

 Saturday was my birthday, I was asked what I wanted to do.....BEACH DAY! I love the beach I always have and always will. We waded a bit, Noah was all good with it till he got salt water in his face. Matthew spent most the time building sand castles for kids to smash or burying the kids. Axton and Noah enjoyed being buried, Jayli tried to be brave but really didn't enjoy it. Brevin was such a trooper and slept the day away in the warm sunshine.

 Kristin and Jayli

 

 Noah and I enjoying the waves

Before hitting the beach we stopped at Target for snacks. I spotted a $1 kite, it was a great addition to our beach day. 

 Cousins!

 Noah remarked later that he built sand castles at the beach with uncle Matthew and that uncle Matthew is his best friend. It was adorable.

 

 Chasing seaguls

 The boys found a rather large hole and spent a good chunk of time jumping over it.

 This is one of my favorite pictures of the entire trip, I wonder what they were talking about.

 The sun makes a person tired

 Don't you just want to spend the day with these 2 adorable toddlers!

 All these years and I wouldn't trade this friend for anything!

After the beach the boys ended up matching, not on purpose. We went to Red Robin for a birthday dinner. They even sang to me, it was super good food and great company!

 

Following dinner it was church softball night. I volunteered to watch the kids. Love technology for babysitting 3 moving kids and a baby.

 Stay tuned for the rest of our trip!