Moe Family Beach Reunion

Looking back at these pictures makes me want to go back to the beach! Grandpa and Grandma Moe rented a beach house in Capistrano for a family reunion in August. It was an AMAZING 5 days! Not only were we all able to be together (Justin included) the view was awesome, the sound of the ocean was soothing, and we had a lot of fun! It was the perfect vacation!

Saturday we got in too late to go swimming, it was too cold. First thing the next morning the kids were begging to get in the ocean. We held them off until 8:30 or so and then Justin took the kids in. It was way too cold and windy for me to want to go in so I told Justin I needed to keep an eye on Jaxon, who was ready for a nap. I took these pictures from the balcony of the house:

The kids lasted for quite a while before wanting to come in. And in all honesty I think Justin was the one that wanted to come in.

This was our back yard, I mean seriously, does it get any better?

Of course we could be in the ocean all the time so this is an idea of things we did in our down time:

Played games

Put together puzzles

Lily enjoyed playing with Addy (Justin's cousin's daughter)

One night, after we had put the kids down for bed, I went into the room and saw this:

Kobe had set up a bed for his bear, Kudo. It was really sweet, that boy loves his teddy bear!

Lily made a new friend. Uncle Jeff's girlfriend was so sweet to Lily, she painted her fingernails and toenails and braided her hair.

Lily was in heaven, of course!

One night after dinner we all just sat around listening to Grandpa and Josh play the guitar.

In this picture everyone was watching/listening to Josh.

Jaxon was entranced!

Grandpa showed Kobe how to strum the Ukelele.

Everyone else just hanging out.

Grandma and Grandpa Hooker brought these chairs for Kobe and Lily. The LOVED having their own chairs and sat in them whenever possible.

Most days we would wake up hang out until lunch and then get ready to swim.

Grandpa Hooker with Lily. Lily was CRAZY in the water. The waves were really strong so we always made the kids hold someone's hand so they wouldn't get washed away. Whenever a wave would come Lily would just pull her legs out from under her and hang on to whoever's hand she was holding. Sometimes it was hard to stay standing up with her extra weight pulling against you.

Waiting for a wave.

Kobe loved to ride the waves on the boogie board.

 

Sometimes the waves gave Justin a run for his money!

Lily practiced her surfing stance.

Playing in the waves with Dad and his cousin Jim

Jaxon hanging out (literally) with Grandma.

Jaxon being a true beach bum!

Grandpa Great and Jaxon

Grandpa Great found some rocks from the beach then let all the kids pick a rock to help them remember their vacation to the beach.

They took great care in picking the best rock and they all still have their rocks!

On the last day we had to take a family picture with this beautiful view in the background before heading to the airport. 

And a picture with Grandma and Grandpa Moe. We really had such a wonderful time and are so grateful to them (and Mom and Dad Hooker) for making it possible for us to be with everyone and enjoy such wonderful reunion.

I miss this view! I need these pictures to help me make it through the long winter!