so much fun

Audrey and Ellie and Jr and his friend, Danielle, and I left at 6:30 on Friday night and drove for 12 hours, to California.  We all took turns staying awake and driving/riding.  And we only got lost once during the very last 20 minutes or so.  Thank heavens for Danielle's awesome phone with that woman voice that gives directions.  I need one of those women in my phone.  

A few hours later, we headed to the beach with the surprised Californians.  This picture-heavy post is mostly for Audrey's and Ellie's parents:

 Ellie spent most of the time digging in the sand and avoiding eye contact with the camera.  She is a doing amazingly well on this trip, especially considering she's only three and off on a major adventure sans parents.

 Jessie made sure they were all sunscreened and nobody, except Jessie, showed any sign of sunburn...

 Jr and Danielle had a blast.  So much fun, in fact, that they're back there today.  Hopefully collecting more of the sand dollars and seashells the girls carefully collected yesterday that were left behind.

 I seriously thought those were Jr's feet.  He's certain they're his hands.  Feet is funnier.

 This is how Audrey spent most of the time at the beach.  Running.  Here.  There.  Everywhere.

 This is the first time she's ever been in the ocean.  It was cold.  She was brave.  She loved it.

 Looking so much like her mom in this one...

 She was astounded when her feet became buried in the sand and waves.  But she loved it.

 This face may capture best the emotion of kids, sand, and ocean.

 This face.  Aaahhh.  This face.

 She wanted a donut.  Showed me her hands were clean enough.  Obviously.

 There was a heap of bird chasing.  Serious attempts to pet the birds.  No success.

 This one is growing up so fast. 

 Can still pull a pretty funny face.

 This one did not want her sleeves or leggins to get wet.  Tiptoed to the edge of the water.

 Made a special birthday cake for her mom.  She's very interested in making sure mom has a good birthday.

All in all, it was a great day.  Like every day at the beach, I think.  Especially great with these people.  And then we came home, ate, the girls all had a bath in the big tub upstairs, lotion all around, and bed.  Which was very much welcome.