Los Angeles and HMB

So I got this hairbrained idea to go meet up with Mindy and Rob down at Venice beach before our HMB trip to see Anastasia. I didn't get to have Garrett on the first leg of this one, so I dragged Emily along and we had a great time staying up in the loft of the beach condo. We also had Rob's brother Casey and Vanessa and Cassie with us and we just had a lighthearted good time.

We spent a lot of time just riding up and down the beach on our bikes and wandering up and down Santa Monica Pier. We spent a day at Universal Studios as well. That place was way larger than I remember, and we barely got in everything we wanted to see before closing time. The kids held up well too.

The Harry Potter area is always my favorite.

I really just wanted to surf really bad on this trip, and one morning when Philip and May were feverish and sleepy with Roseola (I didn't know it yet though) I was able to sneak out for a long time and hit the waves. I pushed myself to go out with the swells and try to catch a "real" wave instead of bubble riding.. I actually think I was successful a total of 1 time. I was and still am very proud of that moment. I feel like a longstanding dream was fulfilled.

May and Philip loved the simple sand time despite the Roseola. After we drove up to HMB and met up with dad for some fun time with cousins again. I dream about this bike trail, and it's always a healing ride when we get the right weather and some free time from the kids.

We went to the Sacramento temple for Kyle's first trip, and had a beautiful garden party  in Chelsea's neighbors backyard.