The day after Christmas we packed up the car and headed out on our first big road trip as a family of four. We were going down to Southern California to meet up with family and friends. Liam and Elsa were very good in the car.
Happy to be heading south!
Playing with Christmas dolls
Our first stop was Harris Ranch for a yummy lunch.
We continued south and ended up at our hotel in the Valley. Elsa had a great time making a cool mask and Liam loved dressing up in underwear.
Look at me - a ring pop star!
Liam loved dressing up in Daddy's underwear.
The kids got up early and we enjoying the morning light before heading over to Sarah's house to meet up with the Vaill sisters and their little ones.
It was wonderful for me to see Susan and Sarah.
I was very excited to meet the new baby Leandro.
Elsa LOVED climbing the lemon tree and we came home with 10 lemons she picked.
We then drove down to Newport Beach. Elsa loved our hotel because it had a pool with a slide. Liam also had a lot of fun with water play.
We then met up with my friend Tracy, who showed us a great local beach park, just across from the hotel.
Her daughter Sage showed Elsa and Liam around.
That night we explored the hotel and the kids enjoyed playing with the giant chess set.
The next morning we went over to Balboa Island to meet up with Arne's Aunt Kate and Cousin Ryan's family.
Ryan and Erin have two girls that are the perfect age to play with Elsa - they just went upstairs and played together. Then we all went to the beach at the end of the block and had fun in the sand.
Look at my ball!
Race time with Christine!
Sand Angels
We went on a little boat ride around the island. Liam drove the boat.
Actually, Ryan drove us, but only with the help of three girls.
It was wonderful to see how much the girls enjoyed each other.
The next morning after some water and park play we headed north and stopped at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Elsa and Liam were fascinated by all the fish and sharks.
We then went for a walk up to an old lighthouse.
Arne played a favorite game called jump and swing with the kids.
The next morning we headed over to the Getty Museum for some good art exploration.
Then we met up with Arne's Aunt Miriam for lunch.
It was a long drive home through snow flurries and rain.
