Grant Had Pink Eye, So We All Go Camping

A thought while watching the waves

The Crab Cooker
Newport Beach Pier
Bolboa Bars

Just A Little Wind-blown

Mother/son love

Super Glam
The Bird Man

Huntington Beach Pier
Huntington Beach
Surf's Up
Flying His Kite

The Pink Eye
Where's Grant?
Skippidee Doo Da

Awe!!! Father/son love

Grant woke up with pink eye the second Wednesday in August...his eyes were swollen and yucky looking. He ended up when I was getting up for my conference in Palos Verdes (a very nice beach area). We felt so bad for Grant and realized that we couldn't do any of the plans that we had planned for that weekend (per doctor's orders), so we decided to go CAMPING.

My conference ended at noon on Friday, so I met Scott and Grant (and our circa 1970s RV that we LOVE) at a RV place in Huntington Beach (but really close to Newport Beach). We ended up staying for a long weekend and not coming back until Monday. Who went? Just the three of us and it was delightful!!! Don't get me wrong, we like to travel with others, but we found being with ourselves fun, too (plus, doctor said we shouldn't be around others). :)

Okay, what did we do? Well, the first day we got there and set up everything. We then cooked played some games and cooked dinner. We walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. It was beautiful. Then, back to the camper for some more games (after a shower). Grant loves to play Chutes & Ladders (Sesame Street-themed), puzzles, Hugry Hippo, Ants in Your Pants, Cootie, FlashCards, Thomas Memory Game (Numbers and Letters), Backyardigans Memory game, OMG...I almost forgot Hi-Ho Cherrio!

Anyway, Saturday we went to the Huntington Beach pier and shopped. We watched surfers and bodyboarders, we ate at a cool restaurant called The Longboard, Grant literally ran around with another little girl he met, and rode our bikes. We had a great time and went back to the camper place and went swimming. We then ate dinner and head for the beach to fly our kite. Now, the great thing about the flying of the kite is that Scott and I could not for the life of us get it to stay up, but Grant could fly it for half an hour without the possible threat that it would come crashing down. He would keep repeating what we kept saying, "Onwee (only) tree-year olds can fwhy (fly) a kite." That was cracking Scott and I up.

The next day, we did kind of the same, except went to Newport Beach and pier. We rode our bikes to a park on the way and then ate a wonderful Balboa Bar ice cream and at the Crab Cooker (which was yummy). Grant met the "bird man" for a second time. Once again we shopped around and watched the bodyboarders. Grant insisted that we play in the water, so we were totally game. We couldn't get him to not be afraid of the ocean, so we were excited when he wanted to go. He had a blast because the pier at Newport Beach had less intimidating waves coming in and way more kids running around. He had a good time. We ended up flying a kite again and only the three-year-old could do it (no joke...and we actually really tried). Grant loved the fact that he could do it and we could not. We were glad to have had the extra day.

Lastly, on Monday we took advantage of the whole time we were there and didn't roll out of the RV park until we had to check out. We spent the morning at the beach and Scott bodysurfed. That was cool until he got a pretty big raspberry on his arm. Grant DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE!! We convinced him by reminding him that the kitties wouldn't like it if we spent another day away from them.

Our Friends Came to Visit!!!!

Grant was so excited (as we all were) to have our company coming in from Arkansas!!!!! Our friends, Christi, Scott, Tyler and Madeline came to visit. They went to a wedding in San Francisco earlier in the week and came to see us the last couple of days!!

We were so excited to see them!!! Before they arrived, Grant and I went to California Adventure (a theme park of Disneyland). We have not had the chance to go to California Adventure and enjoy their water section of the park. There is a water play area where kids can run around (with shirts and shoes...so, I learned very quickly) and get super wet. I have always not remembered to bring swimming gear or we've been too busy on rides and stuff. So, this was the perfect opportunity and GRANT LOVED IT (as you can see in the above photos).

Next, we went to the Disneyland side when Christi and Scott called. When they walked through the gates, we couldn't wait to hug each other and the kids felt the same way. Madeline and Tyler made a Grant sandwich...it was too cute. We headed off for two days of fun at Disneyland, but I am afraid Christi, Scott, Tyler and Madeline were tired out by the end of the second day...LOL

We had a great time and I wished that we could make that a yearly thing. In fact, I wished more people would come visit us. We do have a lot to offer...I mean Disneyland, Universal Studios, Kids Zone, LA Zoo, Sea World (in San Diego), beach, Matthew Mcconaughey...and did I mention Matthew Macconaughey!! Seriously, I am trying to get to meet him. I have read that he stays in a RV (Airstreamer) at Malibu....anyone that comes to visit, we can certainly go and try to meet him. :)

Okay, I forgot for half of a second that we were talking about our fun time at Disneyland with our friends! Oh, and thanks for the jibbitz!! Go Hogs!

Campland on the Bay, Sea World & Grantzilla

Sea World

Shamu Rocks!

Grant and Mr. Walrus

Aunt Kris & G by starfish
Rainbow

Kids in the Pool

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!
Father/Son Love

Camden, Mason & Grant
Chris Rockin'
Jerms Chillin'
Jennifer Havin' Fun
Scott the Hippie

This is the third year that we have gone camping with our friends and their family at Campland on the Bay in San Diego. Grant loves Campland and he really loves Camden and Mason (which are his two buddies that are always at our camping adventures).

This year, we had our cousins, Chris and Jennifer that came. Our other friends that are always there are Jerms (short for Jeremy) and his kids (Ashley, Andie, Camden & Mason...plus his niece Laura). Then, there is Chuck & Laurie with their daughter April. Also, an old buddy of Jerms and Scott. It was fun to hang with everyone.

Campland is so much fun. They are the largest RV place in the USA. It has several swimming pools, a beach, a jungle gym for kids, a park with more to play on, an open grassy lawn with a stage in front for live music (every night in the summer months), and lots more that I am forgetting (oh, an ice cream parlor...oh, yummy). Anyway, there is so much to do and see that we are constantly busy. Our favorite thing is to bicycle around and go to the beach or pool.

The second day we were there, Aunt Kris came by and picked us up to go to Sea World. It just so happened that she was going to San Diego to visit Tracy and we had passes to go to Sea World. We had a great time seeing all of the night shows at Sea World. Grant had to go to the Polar Bear and Arctic section. So, we headed over there around 10ish. Okay, let me give some advice...for anyone wanting to see Polar Bears move go at night. They are nocturnal at Sea World. Also, Grant found a tank with a couple of Walrus. Well, one Walrus came right up to the glass and scared Grant a little too...and the Walrus followed him where he walked. It was so crazy!

Lastly, we enjoyed the beach as much as possible. I will admit, I had to live a little and go tubing with a Sea-Doo in the ocean. OMG, I don't think I will do that again anytime soon, but it was fun while it lasted. Grant's favorite activity at the beach is to build a sand castle. What does this mean? This means that he would like for you to start a sand castle, so that he can stomp on it. Then, he says, "No more castle....let's do it again." Scott named him Grantzilla for constantly stomping on the sand castles he made for him. :)