From Muddy Puddles to Streams of Living Water: Mommy and Me Mini Vacation: Part 2

I want to apologize up front for those of you who are not my mom and dad. This post contains a ton of pictures and its not even all 400 that were taken on our mini vacation to So Cal. :) Yeah a little camera happy I say. But my sweet little Janessa is a doll and I just couldn't chose, that and my parents want to see all the pictures I have of my kiddos.

So there, don't say I didn't warn you!

In my first post, which you can check out here, Janessa and I made it safe and sound to my parents house for a little 5 day vacation to see my grandparents. We arrived Thursday early morning, like 1 am early and headed home and straight to bed! Thursday my mom and I ran some errands and packed up the car and as soon as my dad got off work we headed to the Time Share in Oceanside.

Playing at Papa and Grandma's house.

Looking out the window, so pretty and bright out there.

Introducing: The Look.

Everyone received this warm welcome from Janessa...

Even Grandma. It's her 'who are you?!' look. Pretty, I know.

'Oh, you're Grandma... okay I guess I can be happy now!'

All packed and ready for our drive to California!

Unknown to my Dad and I, we were about to have a great little, well BIG blessing down the road. We stopped for dinner in Barstow and my mom got behind the wheel to drive the next stretch of the drive. The plan was to stop in Corona (where all my mom's family lives) for gas and then my parents would switch drivers again and we'd make the last hour down to Oceanside. Well my mom pulled off the freeway in Corona but passed right by the gas station and started heading towards my Uncle Danny's house... As soon as we pulled up she announced that the family was having a birthday party for him and she told me and my dad to go inside (she stayed in the car with Janessa who was sleeping at the time.) At this point it was already 9 pm and my mom didn't think much of our family would still be there. So my dad and I walked up to the house and my dad knocked on the door. Someone opened it and he stepped in and I followed. Mind you, non of my family had any clue that I was here or even considering coming and it had been over a year and a half since I'd seen them. It was a huge surprise for everyone, myself included since I had no idea there was a party that a lot of my family was at! This little stop turned out to be such a huge blessing for me because it gave me the chance to see a lot of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins who I wouldn't have seen on this trip otherwise. And boy oh boy did I make my Grandma's night (I think :) Had we been 15 minutes later we probably would have missed a lot of my family who were getting ready to leave but after we arrived everyone hung around for a while. It was such a wonderful evening seeing everyone and introducing Janessa to them. I LOVE my family!! We spent a few hours until it was time to head down to Oceanside and we finally left my Uncles house after 11 pm and arrived and checked into our room well into the early morning, but wow, what a great night it was! Janessa was such a trooper even though it was so late for her and she eventually showed everyone her sweet smile.

Of course I didn't even think about my camera or to take a picture. Thankfully my cousin pulled out his phone and got a few!

Janessa playing with her second cousin Taylor!

Cousins! Carol, Kaylee and me

We made it to the Time Share and amazingly Janessa had a smile on her face even thought it was after midnight!

Getting everything to our room.

That happiness didn't last long and she was really ready for some sleep! Enjoying the beautiful night with Grandma while I got her bed all set up.

The plan was for my Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom to come down on Saturday morning, and for Nathan's family to come up from San Diego for the afternoon/ evening. So Friday was a day to rest and relax and hang out with Grandma and Papa. We enjoyed, ~~multiple times~~, In-n-Out and spent some time on the beach and getting our toes wet in the ocean, a first for Janessa. Our weather was a-ma-zing! Absolutely perfect and beautifully sunny, we couldn't have ordered it to be any prettier. So we enjoyed a wonderful Friday together as a family. Well a half a family anyways.

I mean, who can complain when this is the sight you wake up to in the morning. Hello beautiful ocean!

Janessa getting her first look at the ocean!

And a mandatory lunch at In-n-Out

Someone feed me In-n-Out or I'll have to resort to eating their table!

I want food. I want food!

Don't make me eat your finger Papa!

Finally!

Hmmm, not quite what I was expecting.

Awww, much better!

Yeah, I'm super cute!

Janessa's first time at the beach!

There's nothing like the feel of the sand on your feet.

sweet curls

Playing in the sand with Papa.

She was lovin it!

So excited about it all!

Me and my sweet baby.

Going to get out toes wet and see what she thinks about the ocean...

She loved squishing her toes into the wet sand!

burrr!

I know the photo is blurry but this was her reaction... she loved it!

Having fun!

Play time with Papa!

Beach Bum

What a view for dinner! At our Time Share.

Saturday morning, having fun looking in the mirror.

The Look

Happy girl!

Sweet baby hand! ~love~

Taking a walk on the pier with Papa and Grandma

She was so chill, and totally lounged in her stroller while we walked the pier. She absolutely loved it all.

Beautiful day, great waves and the surfers were out to enjoy it too.

hello pelican!

I was so glad that my Grandma was feeling up to the trip down to Oceanside to spend some extra time with us! Every moment is so special and cherished with her. We're all here. We're together. And I love it. We enjoyed a walk down the beach with my Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle and my Dad while Janessa slept and then some time hanging out on the deck talking and enjoying the beautiful view and weather. Thank you Lord for these precious moments!

Four generations!

Snuggling with Great Grandma!

playing

Sitting with Great Aunt Linda

My Grandpa and my Dad!

But Janessa was still happiest when she was in Mommy's lap. haha!

~cherished moments~

As my Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt and Uncle were getting ready to leave Nathan's family arrived. We called them pretty last minute to let them know that Janessa and I were down there and I was so glad when everyone was available to come up and see us. Nate's dad was sick but his mom, two brothers and their wives and his sister and her husband all made it up. The best part, Janessa's 2 new cousins! That's right. Our kids' first cousins! Amos, Misty and Sean's son and Zane, Monty and Jen's son. We got to meet them for the first time! It was so special and fun to spend the evening together. We played and walked along the beach and had dinner together. It made for a great last night down in Oceanside.

Janessa meeting Oma, Aunt Jen and Zane for the first time.

Showing Oma the best toy ever, the coaster!

Giving Uncle Monty the look.

Playing with Oma and Uncle Monty

Cousins!

'Who are all these new people.'

Playing with Aunt Misty while cousin Amos shows off his toddling skill in the background, at only 10 months old I might add.

Amos

Saying hi to each other.. they are too cute and just one month apart.

I might add, he was fine unless Janessa tried to touch him. Then he ran to his Daddy. And Janessa was like, 'finally someone to play with me who's my own size... why is he running away?!'

Little Zane man.

Zane with his Daddy

Oma and Erin and my parents getting dinner ready for everyone.

We woke Janessa up at the end of the night to get some cousin pictures. Thankfully she woke up happy to say good-bye to everyone. (and yes, I am totally burned from all the time I had spent in the sun that day.)

Totally love this, just missing Zeke and Kenzie.

Attacking her already!

Aunt Jen with Zane, Me and Janessa, Oma and Aunt Misty with Amos

Both Grandma and Oma

'hey, give my back my blankie!'

cousin love!

Sunday morning we took our time packing up and then we headed back up to Corona to spend the afternoon with my Grandma and Grandpa at their house before heading back to Las Vegas. It was so nice to spend a few more hours talking and spending time together and I got to see a couple of my cousins who I hadn't had the chance to see yet. Once again, blessed!

with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa

Always the 'face'

But a lot more smiles and happy faces by the end!

My Dad and my cousin, Steven

my cousin Kaylee with Janessa

Playing with Papa

Getting some play time in before our long drive home.

Last snuggle time with Great Grandma before we have to leave.

Even some snuggles for Great Grandpa!

saying good-bye

All in all I was so blessed and glad that I made the trip. The Lord truly worked a little miracle to make it all come together in such a short time and for us to see so many family members as well. I am truly grateful to everyone who helped us and helped make the trip possible and for the chance to spend time with family. Especially my Grandma and Grandpa.