Family Photo 2016

California

What an AMAZING trip! We were fortunate to be able to hop on a plane just days after Christmas this year and take our kids to Southern California. While there we were so excited to be able to visit Mason's birth family. They were amazing tour guides and packed so much into our time there. We were able to have so many awesome experiences!

Day 1, we had dinner on the pier and watched the sunset. It was magical. The kids were so excited.  After the sun went down we hopped on the ferry and went over to Balboa Island and got Balboa ice cream bars. It was so fun! It was a long day and by the time we got in the car to make our way back to the hotel the kids were already out!

Day 2, we took the kids to DISNEYLAND!  It was so neat to watch the kids experience that atmosphere! They had so much fun and ran from one thing to another. Shay's only request was to meet a princess so after a few hours we sought out a princess line. Little did we know it was to meet 3 princesses! It's so silly but I literally got teary eyed watching her cautiously walking up to each one as if she couldn't believe it. She was almost speechless. It was magical to watch. It was probably my favorite part of the day. The boys got to meet their favorite Darth Vader as well. It was hilarious to watch their faces at how huge he was! We rode some of the rides, the kids did NOT love splash mountain. I should have been more sympathetic, I didn't know the ride was going to be so intense but Seth and I couldn't help but to chuckle after the ride. We grabbed some dinner at in California Adventure and rode some rides there. It was late so that park was nearly empty so the kids got to run from ride to ride in the bugs life section. It was awesome. Then we ended the night with the fireworks. It was such a great day.

Day 3, was my favorite day. We went to lunch at an awesome place near the beach and got fresh fish. Then we walked down to a beautiful spot on New Beach. Ah! I could not soak in all the beauty. The palm tree's, the beautiful plants, the ocean! My soul was at peace. We started at the Tide Pools and the kids loved that. We then walked over at let the kids play by the water. In true McVea kid fashion even though it was winter the boys were soon down to the skevies and swimming in the ocean. They did this on the Oregon Coast in winter as well. They just can't stay out of the ocean when it's close. Watching them in pure joy & free was the very best moment in the entire vacation.  I soaked it all in. I truly love my family. 

Day 4, was our last day, it was also New Years Eve. We all went to a movie and then met up at the Bowling Ally. They turn down the lights and past light glow sticks and turned up the music. The kids all danced the night away.

Minnie & her parents were incredible hosts. The kids had so much fun with Minnie's kids as well as her sister's kids.  The whole trip was something we won't forget!