This will definitely be known as the summer of California! This was my third trip there in as many months, but the only trip to Southern California, which is basically a different state! I was so sad in July when it seemed like everyone was going to the beach except us (we were stuck at home due to my last graduate classes). So I was SOO excited to head to California for a week long vacation with Ben’s side of the family.

We started out the trip in San Diego for a mini family reunion. All of Ben’s aunts, uncles, and cousins were there, in addition to Judi, Char and Becca. We had a great time swimming in the pool, relaxing on the beach, eating delicious Mexican food, and just hanging out.

Aunt Sarah singing lullabies to Campbell. She was asleep in minutes!

Ben and me in La Jolla. It looks like we are standing in front of a fake backdrop!

Sam and Campbell had a blast digging in the sand.

 

 

Could this be any more SoCal?

 

Then we headed to Claremont to stay with Ben’s parents for the week, where we did a lot more eating, relaxing, and playing.  We even got to take some fun day trips to Pasadena and Santa Monica (to visit Auntie Becca).

Lots of fun in Grandma and Grandpa’s backyard.

Fun with the hose

Never too early to learn how to play the piano.

 

We went to my friend Linda’s bakery, Bittersweet, in Pasadena, but she wasn’t there! But the treats were delicious!

After a delicious brunch at Huckleberry, we went to check out Auntie Becca’s cool Santa Monica apartment. And Campbell got to try on her first fascinator! She’s ready for a royal wedding!

And of course, we went to Disney Land!! It was sooo fun! Sam and Campbell were both totally star struck by all the characters and had a good time on the rides. We can’t wait to go back!

Waiting for the parade to start.

The Dumbo ride was a blast!

Sam was completely dumbstruck when he met these fairies! He literally couldn’t answer their questions coherently!

 

Sam got some lassoing lessons!

The Jungle Cruise was just as campy as I remembered! But lots of fun!

Amazingly there was no line for “It’s a Small World.” As you can see, Campbell couldn’t get enough!

Campbell worked up quite a little sandal tan. If that’s not the sign of a good summer vacation, I don’t know what is!