to the sun and back

...vacation...
  

it frees your mind, and gives you the permission to do nothing, and eat all the donuts you want, at least that's the way i see it!  and that's what i did.  

these are the things i forgot: my camera, underwear for blossom, and a wedding ring that doesn't quite fit. 


~SEAL BEACH~ 

these are the things i once again, have realized about california: it's so hot, and the sun soaks in my bones and i need it.  hugs and kisses are always the best from the people you love the most. 


cousins win in the category of "the best family members"

 and the freeways are still horrendous, no one lets you change lanes.  even when your blinker is on, and 70 mph is really not that fast....what??


~THE POOL~

  

a few highlights:  granma was the whole purpose of the trip.  to celebrate 75 years of life, the best part about this birthday, was her actual birthday list for my granpa.  which had two items on it: a new dress for a beloved cousin that is about to be married, and a jump rope, i. love. her.  !!!  
we stayed in a way cool hotel with a super rockin' pool!  


and i fixed my ring dilemma! 

there were no sunburns. and my girls read books with my aunt almost every night.  be still my heart! 

  a part of me will always be a california girl, it feels like home every time i walk off the plane, breathe in the air, swim in that ocean, eat at yogurt land, kiss the cheeks of the ones i love, cry when i have to leave the ones i love, walk into granma's kitchen, munch on her licorice in this cylinder glass canister, do my hair at her vanity with three large mirrors, and devour her yummy brownies complete with frosting. (which i also ate too many of!)

i am looking forward to not having any big plans for awhile, and just enjoy, us five.  i love summer, and the way it looks on my girls, i know that is so vain.  i love how summer looks on WA, this glorious state. and all her beauty that shines thru with the sun sparkling through the pointy evergreens. i so often forget that when the winter and spring drag on with gray.

 the girls and i and jay are going to laugh and love, and i am sure of some crying, our way through yet another season of life.

oh, yeah....and we are in love with pipi over here!