Summer Travel Marathon - The End

Welcome back... You have finally made it to the end of our summer marathon, at least as  far as travels go.  Our final adventure took us to beautiful Santa Barabara.  Grandpa B. and Nonnie live there and we hadn't seen thier new home yet, so we decided to visit for the Fourth of July.  Unfortunately Shae felt like he had run a marathon.  The night we arrived he came down with a nasty virus.  He lost his voice and spent much of the long weekend in bed.  At least we were in a beautiful spot and he could still enjoy the ocean views and great weather. 

My dad and Brenda bought a new home a couple years ago and completely remodeled it.  There wasn't enough room for us to really stay at the house until it was finished, but it was so worth the wait.  They did such and good job and the home as well as the view are amazing.  I didn't get too many pictures of the house but here is the view from the deck.  We could sit out there all day,enjoy the view, and actually relax (Grandpa and Nonnie do a great job entertaining the kids too).

 We were able to get some play time in.  We visited two fabulous parks.  The kids loved climbing around and going down the slides.  Grandpa's garage also doubled as a great playroom for the kids, especially since Nonnie had saved all a lot of our toys from when we were kids.  Aiden was in Lego and train heaven. 

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit the beach.  We were able to play in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans all within a week.  The Pacific was much colder, but it didn't stop the kids from enjoying the sand and water. 

Our kids are not huge dog lovers.  Okay let's be honest they fear most of them.  However, Aiden has been able to bond with my parents dog, Hobbes, the last couple of times we have seen him.  Brooklyn was quite a bit more timid around him.  Now, however, whenever we see a dog she says, "Hobbes is nice, Hobbes is nice."  I think he is growing on her too. 

Besides visiting with family and celebrating the Fourth of July, my dad also planned a surprise 60th birthday party for Brenda.  Little did she know starting months before we had something up our sleeves.  The party was on Sunday the fourth and our cover was a party she had planned for a few friends and family to have dinner and watch the fireworks from their deck.  It was very funny trying to hide the real surprise as she basically cleaned the house and got lots of things ready for "her party." 

Our biggest worry was getting Brenda out of the house because she was getting ready for her party.  Literally an hour before, we weren't sure how we would pull it off.   However, her dear friend Kathy bailed us out and called her in hysterics telling her she really needed her to come across town.  You know it is true friendship when Brenda said I have to go right now and left everything in our hands.  I think the picture speaks for itself as to how surprised she really was.  It was wonderful and one of the best surprises I have ever seen pulled off. 

The best part was we were able to have the whole family together.  My brother and his girlfriend, Sandi, flew in just hours before the party and were a bonus surprise for Brenda. 

It was also wonderful to have Ron and Nancy visit from Rhode Island.  We spend a week every summer with them in New Hampshire.  Unfortunately, because it was too late in my pregnancy, we were unable to make it this year.   We were very glad they were able to come to California so we could see them before next year. 

The party and the fireworks were fabulous.  We had a spectacular view from the deck and the best part was that we were able to enjoy the awesome fireworks, but didn't have to battle any firework traffic.

                                

It was a great party and Fourth of July.  Aside from the illness that struck our family, we had a great time and can't wait to go back again. 

Thus ends our summer travels. Don't worry though, the summer isn't over yet and we had lots of fun at home too.  So stay tuned for more summer fun!