And then there were six...: CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!!

I was anxious to go on a trip. It was winter, I was pregnant, and I was helping my brother plan his wonderful honeymoon in Hawaii. I needed to plan a trip for me! I started talking to the fam and my parents agreed, a Curtis Family trip was in order. All of my siblings and their families were quickly on board and it was a go. YAY!
I found a home that would fit all 20 of us right in Bressi Ranch (Carlsbad), which is where we used to live and loved. It was perfect! I cannot believe I didn't get a picture of the house-it was beautiful with even prettier grounds, waterfall and all.
But we weren't there to stay at the house all day. We went to California so we could go to the beach and that we did!
MOONLIGHT BEACH
Moonlight is our favorite beach. I was so happy to be back. We spent most of the week here playing in the waves, finding sand crabs (ew!), building sand castles, burying each other in the sand, and hanging out as a family. I couldn't have asked for more. My kids are so happy and entertained at the beach and could spend hours and hours there. This is my heaven...
Running and splashing in the ocean with Daddy:

Tucker put the girls on the boogie board and I am pretty sure they were having fun...

Roman plays a game of beat the wave to the shore...

It was so great having cousins to play with 24/7. Here they are showing off our sand village...

Capri had just lost her tooth-it makes for a pretty cute smile!

Clara was a dream baby on this trip! She loved being at the beach under the canopy. She took naps in her bassinet with ease.

These boys are getting buried...

And we're done!

London and Karoline had their moments of having a lot of fun with one another...making progress!

Me and my babe of a husband:

Capri became obsessed with finding these nasty little creatures. I owe that to her dad...

And even Karoline got in on the crab craze!

They are sure lucky to have a daddy that will do that for them...

I often call Roman, Jon and Jon, Roman. Can you see why? I swear, Roman will be just like his Uncle Jon!

This girl was covered in sand from head to toe...literally. It took several dunks in the tub to clean her up!

Some more running along the seashore...

We love you Moonlight! Until next time...

LA JOLLA

We always make a stop in La Jolla while in San Diego. It's fun to see the seals, as stinky as they may be, get a treat from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and walk along the shops or boardwalk...

Don't know what Karoline is doing here...

...and I don't know what Roman is doing here!

mmm...chocolate covered marshmallows!

DISNEYLAND

No trip to California is complete without a day in Disneyland! Jon and Robert and Jesse's family had never been to California Adventure so it was a definite must. Unfortunately, one of the boys got sick, quickly followed by London. We (us, Jon, Richard and Elizabeth) were already on our way so we decided to go on ahead and then the Fords and Curtis' could go the next day. My parents, Jon, and Elizabeth were all happy to go both days so it totally worked out. Elizabeth and Richard are season pass holders and were amazing to have along. They got us on all the rides at the right times and they, along with my parents, were always willing to take Clara and the littles so Tucker and I could go on some rides. Crazy enough, we had the best weather of 80 degrees and overcast. Even crazier, the lines were never too long. I couldn't get over how lucky we were! It was a fabulous day at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Roman was so brave. He went in the single riders line which was only 10 minutes long, but it meant he didn't have his dad beside him. I think he was ok with that...

Luigi's tires in Cars Land...

I love my Dad...and my brothers...and my mom...and my new sister...all making this day even more fun for my kiddos...

Karoline was absolutely star struck when she saw Winnie the Pooh. She gave him the biggest hug and was smiling from ear to ear. Funny thing is, she has never even mentioned him before or watched the show! Both girls were thrilled to get their picture taken with the cuddly old bear...

All of my kids are big parade and show fans. Karoline was loving the princesses but said the monkeys from Lion King were her favorite-that's my Koko!

It's all so MAGICAL!

FAMILY PICTURES

Elizabeth is an awesome photographer and since she has so much wedding experience, she takes plenty of big family photos. We figured that since we were all there together, we might as well take a family picture on the beach. We didn't have outfits planned or anything, we really just wore what we had. Surprisingly, it turned out lovely. So glad we have these...

The girls...