Christmas Vacation

We had so many fun things we wanted to do with the kids this week. So many! They woke up the day after Christmas thrilled that we would be going to the Museum of Man and the Natural History Museum (two of their favorites), only to find that... Mom had been up all night sick and was recently returned from the 24 hour Urgent Care after receiving IV fluids and a pack of prescriptions.

So, Melinda pretty much slept for 72 hours and Matt took over, though he didn't feel so great either. Good thing the kids got all those toys to play with!

When Mommy is sick, Eleanor has a plan.

Label her with an "I Love You" sign

and give her lots of cuddles.

On day two of Melinda being off her feet, Matt took the kids to the museums down town and for a special kid's meal lunch.





Exploring the monster exhibit at the Museum of Man.



Everyone got Jack n' the Box except Eleanor,

who evidently only eats Chick-fil-A. So, they took their

food to Chick-fil-A and had a party.

Finally, when Melinda was upright again, we took a quick trip to the aquarium at Legoland. Now we were back in the vacation groove. 

 Steven watching the sharks.

 Ah! Skeleton!

 Be one with the fishies.

 Or, poke them. Your choice.

Building a "sand" castle.

On Saturday we got to visit with the wider family. Doug and Angela let us steal Olivia for the morning. The girls had so much fun playing and showing off their room and toys to their cousin. After a morning at home, we joined the rest of the group at the beach for hole digging, sunset watching, and smores!

Digging holes.

 Exploring Tide Pools

  



 Hugging Greta

 Greta always wins tug of war.

Even if it's three on one.

Jefferson got a sand shower when

Greta decided to dig a hole next to him.

So he found a safer spot, sharing a blanket

with Grandpa Thomas.





 Uncle David was brought the s'mores fixings for everyone.

 Roak, Granny, and Papa!

  

 Eleanor was so excited to go a roasting!

 Yep, David's marshmallow just caught on fire.

Look at Jefferson's face. He's really concerned.

Showing the youngsters how it's done.

New Year's day was quiet. The kids got to play with Olivia again and took a group cuddle shot before leaving. Everyone was in bed at a normal time, because we figured 2018 would still be waiting for us in the morning.



 

 Group shot!

We took the kiddos to the San Elijo Lagoon to run off their energy on New Year's Day. After watching them for most of the week, Matt was pretty beat. And, Melinda still wasn't quite as spry as normal. But, the kids enjoyed running up and down the trails and completing the ranger's scavenger hunt.

 Matt's pretty pooped.

 Out on the trail.

 Hanging in the Ewaa... it took some convincing

to get the boys not to treat the fire ring rocks and soccer balls.

Tomorrow it's back to school for the boys. The girls still have one more day home and are having a movie date and nail painting party with Mom. Then, it's back to reality for everyone. Hello 2018! We're ready for you.