Newport Beach

We will take any excuse we can to get out of AZ in the summer.  We've had a great time going to Cali just to play on the beach the last couple of years.  This year we went to Newport beach with Travis' family for a couple days.  We really enjoyed the nice weather and waves.  Great time to be at the beach!

Kenna 10 months old

Livi's version of Boogie Boarding.  She pulled the boogie board all around on the sand.

The girls did a great job boogie boarding! They really enjoyed it!

Whew.... we had quite the scare with Hallie this trip.  The older 3 cousins were inseparable as always.  Travis was out boogie boarding with them and Hallie decided to come back to the shore by herself.  While she had been out boogie boarding another family had come and set up their beach umbrella in front of our canopy.  So when she came in from the ocean.... she couldn't see us.  She just started wandering around.  In the mean time, Travis thought she was safe with me and I thought she was safe with him.  So, when they finished boogie boarding and came back up to the beach he asked, "where is Hallie?"  Shocked, I said, "She was supposed to be with you!"  My heart immediately dropped.  The beach was packed that day.  Hundreds and hundreds of people were there.  We said silent prayers and looked around a bit.  I went to the closest Life Guard station and told the Life Guard that My daughter was missing.  I wasn't sure what he could do... but I just felt like I should tell him.  I came back to Travis and we were getting ready to take off in different directions looking for her and the Life Guard ran down to us and said that they had found Hallie.  She was down at the next Life Guard tower.  Travis and I both took off running to the next tower.  There was Hallie up on the life guard stand.  She hopped down and I fell to my knees and held her in my arms and cried.  From the time we realized she was gone until we found her was probably not even 5 min.... but it felt like an eternity.  Hallie was 6 years old.  She wasn't the one I was worried about loosing.  The 3 year old or almost 1 year old I was watching like a hawk.  The Life guard said that a nice lady noticed Hallie wandering around and took her to the Lifeguard station.    I will forever be grateful to that woman.  We actually got to meet her and thank her later.  We were packing up to go home and she noticed Hallie and our family and came over to us and introduced herself.   Those moments while she was gone and after, I felt the worst feelings I've ever felt in my life.  The  Horrific fear that you might never see your daughter again and all of those possible scenarios.... and then after when the shock wears off.  I think I just sat there shaking and crying.   I am SO incredibly grateful to that woman who found Hallie and so grateful to have Hallie here safe with us.  

- In addition to getting lost... Later on that day, Hallie got stung by a Jelly Fish.  Poor girl.  Not her best day at the Beach. 

Travis and Livi..... trying to show her how its really done.

MiMi and Kenna 

Sand = hours and hours of entertainment!

Maddy, Hallie and their Cousin Ellie striking a pose.

We made a stop at the Newport Temple.  It is absolutely gorgeous, with an amazing view.  It would be amazing to have a home up by this temple... Kobe Bryant thinks so too ;).  We were told that he has a home up there by the temple.  

5 smiles, 4 sets of eyes... I'll take it. 

Fun Photosession at the temple.  BTW, Livi may have left her mark on one of the side walks at the temple.  I swear that girl is never going to be fully Potty Trained!!!!! Arg...