Santa Cruz.

The best way we like to do things is to hang out in low key ways and just be together. You know, a little quality time. So my parents rented a beach house right on a small beach of the Monterey Bay, in Santa Cruz. 

We were filled with joy and laughter as we watched the kids play and imagine all week long. 

We also took some time to teach the kids how to surf. 

Got our boogie on, while boogie boarding. 

DJ

Mike

Sam

Tia

And Saw a lot of wild life. Pelicans, Otters, Sealions, And even Dolphins. 

On our last day, we headed a few minutes away to another beach by the boardwalk. It was an incredibly unique setting. Where a river runs into the Ocean (bay). A big rocky plateau, and a cave. 

As the river nears the ocean, the pull of the tide get very strong. 

Here is Sam showing Eli just how strong the tide is. 

The entrance of the river into the Ocean the tide gets even strong. Good this Sam is strong enough to hold on to two kids against the pull.

We saw people riding the tide on down into the ocean. So I asked Tia to come try it with me. It wasn't until I saw these pictures that I knew that Tia just walked along side me. She missed out! It was fun!

The next time, we went belly down. Tia joined me, and it worked much better. But once we hit the ocean, the waves fought against the tide of the river and we felt like we were going to be swept out to sea. We had to swim parallel to the waves in order to get away from this force. Lucky us. We survived with only slight giggle disease.

Meanwhile the kids played hard in the Sand.

Tanner learned the art of swimming in it. 

And decided it was worth a taste. 

Asa got a taste full too. But at least they were smiling about it. 

Annica and Annabelle got buried to stay warm against the wind. The boys helped keep them covered.

This is one of my favorite pics from the whole trip. I love that the kids reconnect so easily as if time and distance had never been between them. (Kai is missing because he was asleep)

Thanks For such a great idea, and for making this possible Grandma Shauna and Papa Zeke. And thanks to everyone for a great trip. We love you!