California by Way of Las Vegas

On Thursday, July 26th our time in Salt Lake was up. Bob took us to breakfast at Johanna's Kitchen and then we packed up and hit the road. We did swing by Grandma Grandma's house for goodbye hugs and then we were off. We had planned to stay in Cedar City, UT with Seth's brother on Thursday night but decided to keep driving to Las Vegas so we would have a shorter drive the next day. We could have just kept going but we hadn't been to Vegas in 9 years so we thought it would be fun. At first my kids were freaking out at how cool the hotels were until they realized that none of the games were for kids. They have definitley stepped up the sleeze factor on the strip so after a brief walk we opted to just eat dinner and call it a night. We hoped to take the kids to the arcade in the morning but it didn't open until 10:00 so we just had breakfast and got back on the road instead.

Our one pic in Vegas.

We arrived in Downey Friday afternoon and stayed the night at my mom's house. Jeff and Kelly had flown in from UT that morning and Kristen and Steven were there as well so we enjoyed dinner at Pepe's and then watched the Olympics opening ceremonies. We were not that impressed. What did you think?

Saturday was beach house day! I grew up on summers on Balboa Island and we have not done the beach house thing since Alyssa's first birthday. Way too long! My mom, stepdad, all 6 kids, 2 husbands, and the 5 grandkids all squished together for a whole week. Awesome!

Before we went to Balboa we stopped in Seal Beach to spend a few hours with Grandma King. We met up with Valerie and her kiddos there and had a nice visit. GK was turning 92 the next Saturday so we took some pictures of her so we could frame them and bring them back later in the week. She hated it and made us laugh with her protests but we stood our ground. I don't think any of us Kings like to be photgraphed. In fact, this shot of me with GK is the one and ONLY picture of me on my camera from the entire week in CA. My mom did have a photographer come to the beach one day though so the pics she took will serve as proof that I was actually there.

My beautiful niece Audrey fancied herself up with markers for our arrival.




My great grandma had one of these chairs that goes up and down so that she could stand up more easily and we spent hours playing on it and Grammy loved it. She willingly sat somewhere else when we came even though that seat was so much easier to get out of so it was fun to see that my kids great grandma also gives up her comfy seat so that she can see the kiddos smile.

We arrived in Balboa on Saturday evening and immediately started our week of beach fun. We had dinner on the main street on the island and of course got treats. We also got in our first late night sisters bike ride and as we rode we were talking about how quickly the week was going to be over and my dramatic sister Valerie answered with, "It's already over!" We all laughed but when we looked back on the week it felt like it was over exactly that quickly, but it was awesome. We spent our days riding bikes, playing at the bay, playing at the big beach, playing at the island park, walking the island, watching the Olympics, playing games, eating, and so much more. I only have one picture from the first day, but lots more are coming from the rest of the week.

Alyssa is a bit older than the rest of the kids but her and Grandma Susie both love to read and play with the dog so they buddy up. I had to get a shot of them with their Kindles and the dog. They took those Kindles and that dog everywhere they went.  That dog belongs to my brother Steven and he is the most laid back dog ever. He cured Chloe of her dog phobia, so that is one less thing I have to worry about when doggy man comes home.


We are SO close to being home now...less than an hour!!! I am excited to shower and sleep in my bed but it is also bittersweet to come down from this high. The last 25 days have been some of the best of my whole life.  Thanks to everyone who shared their time with us. I am taking home so many memories, and don't worry lots of more of them are still heading to Blogland soon.