Beach vacation

We spent two wonderful weeks in California. One week at Tyler's parents home and then a week at the beach in Monterey for Tyler's family reunion. My mother-in-law has always been a fantastic party thrower, and she went all out for us. Five cars drove down completely stuffed with food, movies, toys, inflatable swimming pools, balloons, party favors, craft projects, etc.

The kids had such a wonderful time being together, and thanks to all Grandma's entertainment, even the adults got to relax. Tyler's family has someone in every time zone of the United States, so we don't get together often enough.

Some favorite memories:

• Watching "What about Bob?" and realizing that Ben's wife, Mandi, and I have basically married Bob. WAY too many lines from that movie are part of our husbands' daily conversation.
• The family scavenger hunt in downtown Pacific Grove. How far can you make $10 go in 30 minutes? Not as far as Caroline!
• Family DVD night. Every family had to create a DVD slideshow of their family's life, so we could "tour" the homes and lives of those who live far away. The kids loved seeing themselves and their cousins on TV.
• Birthday party surprises. Surprise "Vickifest 2008" T-shirts for my mother-in-law's birthday party, and a surprise pirate party for one of the cousins, complete with costumes, props, and funny accents.
• Grandma taking the kids to see "Kung Fu Panda."
• Emergency run to Target to buy sweatshirts and long pants. We had one beautiful day at the beach, and the rest of the week was overcast and cold.
• That one beautiful day at the beach in very un-Pacific Grove-type weather. One bottle of sunblock gone in one day! Hurray for the canopy that shaded us all.
• Everyone taking a turn to make dinner--a great recipe parade of yummy food, and endless loaves of sourdough bread and chocolate malted crunch ice cream.
• Family FHE, hearing some great counsel from my wonderful second parents.
• Tucking the boys in bed every night and asking them, "what was the best part of today?" Their answer was always "EVERYTHING!"