California Adventure!

I don't think I'll ever be able to drive to California again. After looking down at all the little ant-sized cars on I-15 from 30,000 feet, it looks like a boring way to travel. Not to mention long. And slow. Even at 80 miles per hour.

I prefer traveling to the Golden State at 275 miles per hour. In a private plane.

For Memorial Day Sharla invited us to her and Jeremy's house in Santa Monica. We flew down there on their airplane, and spent the next three days in the sun, sand, and surf! The house is pretty much right on top of the beach. You can see the sand and water from every window in the house, and the only thing between the two is a road and a parking lot.

It was prime real estate for a quick weekend getaway. We enjoyed hanging out at the beach, getting sunburns and sand in our toes. We spent a little time shopping, saw the movie, "Night at the Museum 2", and went to Pacific Park, a cool little theme park built right on top of the Santa Monica Pier.

Max loved playing in the sand at the beach. The water, he wasn't too crazy about. Everything was fine until a small wave came and knocked him over. After that he didn't really want much to do with it. I guess I can't blame him, the water was pretty cold. Every once in a while I could get him to run down to the waters edge, and then we would run away, up the beach, as the waves came rolling in toward us.

We had a blast at Pacific Park! We walked the half mile or so from the house to the pier, and on the way Max fell asleep in my arms. When we got there, he didn't wake up 'till we got in line for the first ride. When he opened his eyes and saw all the rides around him, you never would have guessed he was ever asleep! His eyes popped open so wide and he immediately said, "I want to go on that one!"

Isla was such a great little girl during the whole trip. She put up with all of our walking around, the sand and wind blowing in her face, and even the loud sounds in the movie theater! We couldn't ask for a better baby!

We had a lot of fun on our trip, and have to thank Sharla for making it all happen! Shayla uploaded a bunch of pictures, so keep scrolling for a little visual sightseeing!

Me, Allie, and Max at the beach. This was before he was tackled by a wave.

And this is after the wave. He didn't like me going down by the water without him, and he didn't want to walk down there by himself.

Inside the plane! Sharla's friend Robin and her kids came with us.

Playing at the beach!

Max and Shayla, swinging in the sea.

Max's sandy feet.

Of course, Max found the only two green shovels, and carried them everywhere!

Playin' in the water.

Here's Max, asleep at Pacific Park. Luckily the little guy on my shirt had a stick of dynamite. That thing helped wake him up!

On the airplane ride at Pacific Park.

Max liked the ferris wheel. He loved pointing out all the rides he wanted to go on every time we got to the top!

Robin, her kids, and her sister on the ferris wheel.

Santa Monica, California

Max, driving the Jeep at Pacific Park.

This was Max's favorite ride, a little boat that went back and forth and spun around!

Family pic at the beach.

Isla, modeling her new swimsuit.

She's really excited to be here.

This is the house we stayed in while in Santa Monica. Directly behind me, is the beach.

Getting ready to board the airplane for home!

Max, Bob the co-pilot, Shayla & Isla. If anyone needs a co-pilot in the future, let me know. I have mad co-pilot skills.

Max, watching Kung-Fu Panda on the way home.

And last but not least... a little video of us trying to wake up Max at Pacific Park. Enjoy.