November 30, 2025

Woke up thinking what a blessing to have a home. And my Christmas cactus is bloom-ming! Plus the church released their Christmas video short and as always I loved it.

November 29, 2025

We finally made it to Bunnyhenge.  :)  We also went to a mall with a food court and enough stores to pass the time before our flight (which had a sunset and cool clouds from above - I think flying is miraculous.) We all made it home safe and sound with another California trip to remember.

November 28, 2025

This morning we all walked to Banzai Bowls for a yummy breakfast.  Plus Sadie got some Seaside Donuts.  It was confirmed by Darren this trip that Seaside Donuts does in fact have the best apple fritters. We spent most of the day just hanging at the beach - some reading, some eating a burrito (even though its just dehydration), some chasing waves, and some just relaxing.  We saw more dolphins (with some water spray). Then it was a gelato run where Kenzie assured us that this is the best gelato she's ever had.  Dinner was Sadie's famous alfredo. 

November 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving.  We started out the day at Crystal Cove State Park.  Low tide was a bit inconvenient this trip but we hit a somewhat low tide this morning at 8am (which most of the kids voluntarily woke up for).

I took one for the team and did an oven shuffle for our TG meal while most were at the beach.  Costco came through with yummy food.

Back to the beach for a gorgeous sunset.  Our evening beach time was so much fun! We snapped some photos, played the hand push game, and had so many laughs.  Oh, and we saw a dolphin swimming with the sunset going strong behind it.  Sigh.

Evening had us playing games while watching Sky High (classic) and eating pie. This was a really good Thanksgiving!

November 26, 2025

Wednesday started off with a run (why does it feel good? Oh yeah - sea level) and then some Seaside Donuts. (Cam does not like filling in her donut.  How could I forget?)

Tanner and Darren took one for the team and went to Costco to secure our Thanksgiving dinner.  Then we all went to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  Sea cucumber, octopus, and archer fish feeding were pretty cool.

Dinner was the tradition of Red Robin when in Cali.  It was one of our best visits with a balloon hat and Tanner getting the birthday dessert meant for Darren.

November 25, 2025

Thanksgiving in Newport Beach begins! Today was a travel day.  We met up at the beach after stopping at the Nature Preserve (where the girls had round two dancing after round one in the parking garage) and The Sandwich Spot.  Playing Bocce on the beach was way fun.  The girls did other things like take naps and put shells on people taking naps.  We went to Von's Grocery Store and shopped very slowly until check-in time.  The evening was playing games and relaxing.  You know I love Dr Mario and Hearts and we played both tonight.

November 22, 2025

Darren's birthday celebration included yesterday's birthday eve comedy show at Dry Bar, an 11 mile hike with Baylie, a movie, and dinner at Olive Garden (with a delicious complimentary dessert).