The Munhollands: Fall Break 2012

Another long, anticipated wait to go back to CA...Does it ever get old stating "It wasn't long enough?" Never. We were as sad as always to leave.

Leading up to the trip Kellan called me at work and told me he was on his way to get his hair cut. Like any good mom, I said "no!" I love(d) it long and wanted him to keep it long until our return - my little, CA "surfer" boy. I was also worried after not cutting his hair for a year it could turn out horribly wrong. He loved taunting me he was going to cut it. I bribed him with a Lego or a video game for him to keep it long until we returned from CA. He settled. (more to come on the hair in a future post). Kellan is very proud of being born in Newport Beach. He likes to say how he's "going home" each trip back.

We were excited to celebrate Phoebe's 8th birthday with her. Jim was not so pumped to see snakes at the reptile themed party, but it allowed him to talk about the trouser snake on multiple occasions. Phoebe is unbelievable when it comes to hanging with reptiles; absolutely no fear, it was like she was handling kittens or puppies. I can't believe her parents didn't actually get her a reptile for her birthday :)

We got to spend a couple days at D-land with the Weavers. Dexter couldn't stop talking about his best friends - TK and Devin. Zoe likes to say it's her they love. We missed not seeing Helenmarie for more than a night & I missed my three generation picture of the grandmas, the moms and the kids. Next time! G-ma Chloe decided she "only lives once" and went on every ride she could at D-Land, even after she would get off one saying "that was awful" she would get right back on and go again. She was the only one, along with Jim to go on California Scream'n - there was a lot of "Oh my God, oh my God's."

As usual there were folks we didn't get to see and others we didn't see long enough. Thanks as always to everyone for hanging with us: providing accommodations, transportation, meals, and great company. We miss everyone already. Now if we can just get you all to move to CO....

The Tradition. First meal at In-N-Out

Lounging at Cam and Tiff''s

more lounging

Dexter, like the others, had a long, happy day in the pool

Phoebe's party with G-ma Sue.

Zoe was out of the pool long enough to see a couple reptiles, then right back in the pool she went.

Who's kid is this? Definitely related to Phoebe.

Cousin Cole was even brave...

Monica and Kellan with the same expression

Trying to get D, who I was holding, to touch something...

This was pretty much my reaction as well the entire time...Jim was no where to be seen.

Surfing with Cousin Tiffany, away from the reptile excitement

Waiting for the grand finale.

Second best picture of the trip, winner is below a few pictures...

She is a NUT.

Click to see more of the snake...

Ummm, Cousin Erin tastes so good.

Lyla is once again the winner of the best picture on the trip. Rock'n the fire wetsuit.

Hours on the trampoline (for D). He has to incorporate baseball into everything.

D-Land Hotel, day 1 of 3.

I asked G-ma Chloe to take a family picture...unfortunately she forgot to include D in the stroller.

If only it were me...

D and his "best friend" TK.

Watching the Broncos beat the Chargers on Monday Night Football. Ok, the girls didn't really care, but they were very happy to see each other.

First time at Cars Land.

This trip, Zoe decided she was scared of every ride. It even made for a long monorail ride.

As the ride started, D jumped out of the seat with me to sit with G-ma because he knew she would sing It's A Small World with him the whole time

Pretty Girls.

The picture Auntie and I asked Kellan to take of us.

The coaster G-ma Chloe conquered.

TK was sad because he knew exactly what not being tall enough meant. D on the other hand had no clue and could care less. My D-land deprived child.

3 long days a D-Land, we wish there had been 3 more (well, probably not TK :) )

If she only had blue eyes...

With D's favorite.

Irvine Park with G-ma Sue. Our only child to ever ride a horse.

Mining for gold. Their only question - "how much can we sell it for?'

Make your own cookies...with lots of frosting.

Our last day - at Huntington Beach.

Kellan and Jim body surfing.

The 2nd time in my life I remember seeing G-ma in a bathing suit. She was sad we only made it to the beach one day, so was I.

The kids can be so annoying (like Dexter sitting on my lap right now as I am trying for the 4th time to do this post). Anyhow, they were in their prime after a long trip, as we ate lunch at Fred's...I'd like to say it was total exhaustion, but they are typically like this. So I decided to film them, to play back someday in front of their significant others (I am sure there will be many more opportunities - we can only hope there will be significant others to take care of them someday, we worry). Kellan likes to take on another persona - Key-ran. Zoe's into fake laughing. Dexter is at their total influence. We love them regardless.

Click here for annoying kids video