Visiting Great Grandpa and Grandma

We were able to spend a weekend visiting my Grandparents. After stopping off at our hotel and getting a bite to eat we met them at their house then headed to the beach.

It was a little chilly, but the kids didn't care. We had such a wonderful time!

Luke loved the water. It was fun to just sit and relax at the beach and to watch the kids enjoy it. (I love this picture!)

Violatte was so happy to be at the beach again! She just loves it there!

Annalee loved playing in the water.

Grandpa watching his great-grandson play on the beach.

After playing at the beach we headed back to my Gradparents' house for Thanksgiving dinner. We also played games and the girls helped decorate their Christmas tree.

The next morning we met at Balboa island to ride the ferry across. The kids absolutely loved it, especially Luke! He wanted to ride it many more times.

I absolutely love this picture of Violatte and her Great-Grandpa looking out across the water.

Annalee loved watching the water and the other boats.

I took this picture just after we got off the ferry.

I took the girls on a ferris ride. Annalee was scared, but Violatte was so excited to be riding it. Annalee gripped the bar in front of her the whole time, and leaned her head on her hands. She also had her eyes squeezed shut almost the whole time. Violatte kept laughing and shouting, "Wheee!!!!!" We had such a wonderful time. (We're in the blue seats.)

After the ferry ride and the ferris wheel we all went to the Santa Ana zoo. We had a wonderful time. There were lots of monkeys and fun animals to see!

Next, we went to the Rainforest Cafe. That is one of our favorite restuarants to go to when we visit Grandpa and Grandma.

While we were waiting for our dinner, Annalee started to get sleepy. It had been a long, fun day!

Luke loved coloring on the papers while we waited for our dinner.

My handsome husband. He's so wonderful!

Throughout the meal there were "lightning storms" and animals that moved and made noise. Violatte especially loved the gorillas that were standing right behind Jim.

Luke wasn't quite sure what he thought of the lightning storms and the animals all around.

The very last thing we did was take a ride on the carousel. Violatte knew what it was all about and was so excited to ride. (In this picture she is wearing the balloon princess crown that a girl at the restaurant made for her.)

Annalee loved the Carousel.

Luke really seemed to enjoy it. He was especially fascinated with the lights.

We had such a wonderful time visiting! Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!