Newport Beach

Warning long post ahead... ha ha. We just got back from two heavenly vacations. First we went to Newport Beach with my family then to Lake Powell with the DeMill's and friends. I probably have too many pictures and stories for one post but here we go...

It has become a tradition in my family to go to Newport together in the summer. We rent two beach houses and spend the week playing as hard as we can... biking, rollerblading, boogie-boarding, surfing, running on the beach, eating yummy seaside donuts (the best in the world), going to movies, a visit to Disneyland, playing games and just spending quality time with together. It was so fun being with my family. I could seriously be entertained all day by watching my little nieces and nephews playing on the beach! It was such a heavenly week we didn't want to leave, but at least this year when we left we weren't going home we were headed straight to Lake Powell. To make the drive to Newport more entertaining we stopped in Vegas for a day on the way down and the way back with my parents to see some shows. We saw Mamma Mia and Spamalot and we loved them both! I couldn't stop laughing during Spamalot and even Dave was singing "Dancing Queen" all week after seeing Mamma Mia. Thanks Mom and Dad for an amazing week!
At the condo before heading to Spamalot. We stayed at the Meridian Suites, they are the best!
One morning Dave and I decided to go on a bike ride. We headed over into Laguna and just couldn't stop! When Dave saw a road leading to the top of Pelican Hill he couldn't resist. I won't lie I was a little hesitant, it was no little hill, but we made it to the top and I am so glad we did. The view was incredible and the houses were the prettiest I've ever seen! Our little bike ride ended up being almost a 4 hour excursion, it was well worth it! This is a stop about halfway up the hill. Dave was sneaky and took this pic of me when we stopped to look at some houses at the top. I won't lie... I was tired.

One day Dave was taking a nap and I asked the kids who wanted to wake him up for dinner. Before I could even finish my sentence they all ran back into our room, grabbed pillows and started smacking him. Dave was surprised to say the least.

Newport Beach Temple. Since we don't have kids of our own yet we borrowed some of my sisters kids for pictures.

My sisters Alli and Lisa decided that they wanted to take their kids to Disneyland. Neither of us had been for years so we decided at the last minute to tag along. (Yes we were sleeping and they woke us up to see if we wanted to come so we hurried and got dressed and hopped in the car) I am so glad we decided to go! It was such a fun day. A few of the kids had never been so it was so fun seeing their first Disneyland experience.
Watching fireworks in front of the Magic Castle
Riding the Madder horn. Little Corey insisted that he got to ride with his Uncle "Davit"
Here is Dave with Ellie in the morning...
.... then Ellie at the end of a very busy day. We were eating lunch and all of a sudden we saw our friends the Owens walking by. They were visiting from Michigan and I completely forgot that they were even in Cali that week. I can't believe that of all the people there we would run into them. Like the song says "It's a small world" (sorry couldn't resist) It was fun to see them for a minute.

Miller Family (minus C.J. who is on a mission, love you Sneeg)

Aren't my nieces and nephews the cutest things you have ever seen? I get a new niece in the next month too, can't wait!
Playing with Noah. Doesn't he kinda look like he could be mine? I am contemplating stealing him from Lisa lol

The last morning Dave was out surfing and had a bad collision with a surf board. His hand was so swollen. He was bummed because this meant no water skiing or wake boarding in Powell.
Mamma Mia'. Gotta love it!!!