End Of Summer Fun!

For our last fun weekend of the summer my Mom and Tom had a beach house in Newport and we went down there for the weekend with them. It was down at the very end of the peninsula so it was a different experience for us since we are used to being up towards 35th street. We had perfect weather all weekend.

We had lots of fun at the beach. 

The waves were really different down there and it made me really nervous. The waves would crash down on the shore and James had to stay right by our side. Craig had to give a James a little lesson about the waves...

When I was with him I held onto his hand so tightly, the waves were so strong. One time James fell down and I tripped over him and fell too! The waves kick up so much sand we had sand ALL over us! I had so much in my bathing suit I felt like a little kid. 

Craig and James running away from the wave

There were SO many dolphins! They seemed like they were feeding on something because they kept coming back to the same spot. There was a pod of about 10. They were so close to shore people were swimming out to them. You can hardly see them in this picture but if you click on it I am sure you can see better. 

Nonni and Jake playing in the sand

 Craig decided to take James out on the jetty. The one that comes out of the harbor. I guess it is a mile long and it is all rocks. For some reason Craig remembered from when he was a kid that when you get further out there was cement down the middle of it so it would be easier to walk. Well he didn't remember correctly, there was no cement. It was hot and James was walking in flip flops and they had nothing to drink and the rocks got pointier and harder to walk on the further they got out!

 Along the way they saw sea stars and sea anemones. 

 

They also saw a pelican that James wanted to touch! It was obviously not afraid of people!

About half way out Craig was getting tired and thirsty and told James that they should go back. James says, "Dad come on we are almost there, you can make it." Haha! So Craig kept on. 

And they made it!!!

See in the background how far out they were!

Craig ended up carrying James back because James was tired and didn't want to walk. He didn't want him to fall so he carried him, thinking it would be safer. 

It was nice for me because while they were out there Jake took a nap I had some alone beach time to sit, relax, and read a magazine. I think the last time I did that was about 4 years ago! 

The house also had bikes for us to use so we went and rented a trailer for the boys. We were a little nervous  James wouldn't want to get in it because of his accident in one last time. We did have to coax him in and promise Daddy would go slow. They loved it and had so much fun! 

We rode to the Balboa Pier and got a shake!

And then later we rode all the way to visit Nonna and Granpy! We would definitely like to ride bikes more often! 

We had such a great time that weekend. James didn't want to go home and Craig and I both said we really felt like we were on a vacation! 

Last week we were finally able to use our Disneyland passes. They had been blacked-out since the middle of June. We were all so excited and because school has already started for some kids Disneyland was empty! We were SO thankful, the park felt like it was the middle of winter! The longest ride line we waited in was 15 minutes! 

It was so empty that we were able to sit on the porch on Main Street! We have always wanted to sit there but have never had the opportunity!

James went on another new ride! Last time he wanted to go on Goofy's roller-coaster but it was closed. This time he didn't want to go on but I talked him into it. Craig and him went on. 

 

Craig couldn't believe they were going on this, it was a pretty good roller-coaster. James was a little nervous and after the first drop he said that he didn't like it. 

After they kept going he LOVED it!

He loved it so much that he wanted to go on again! So I got to go with him as well! And I was really surprised he liked it. There was one dip that made me lose my stomach a bit! 

I love that each time we go he tries another new ride! It is so funny though because he will only try one!

Jake on the other hand, who we thought was our dare devil is now maybe getting a little older and coming to realize that these rides are a little scary. He wouldn't go on anything! He only went on Autopia the whole day! 

They were both really excited when they were able to get a couple new Cars!

We had a great long day! The longest we have ever spent there! We can't wait to be going so frequently again!
I am a little sad summer is over, but also SO ready for James to start school!