California Livin.

Every summer I look forward to my sister Kelly and her kids coming to CA for a week long summer trip. 

This years visit was a bit different because I got to do the visiting as well. 

I was pretty excited to actually make the drive with Kelly. She probably could see my excitement as she  pulled up to my house at 7:30 am and I was already sitting on the sidewalk waiting for her. 

We had a really great drive and then a great trip. 

I love those little kiddies and love spending time with them. 

We kept really busy and were able to hit lots of fun outings and of course lots of pool time. 

Magic Mountain. 

I instantly regretted not going to Hurricane Harbor. It was so hot. 

And being the youngest of the adults, I feel like I got roped into going on all of the big rides with the big kids. 

Which got me feeling sick. And fretting over my cell phone as I did not leave it when we went on X2. Bad decision. That and flip flops. 

Beach Time. 

Theres nothing much better than the beach in the summer. We got really lucky this year with a great beach day. Since I swear every year past it is cloudy and so cold when we go with Kelly. 

The little kids had so much fun. 

I love silly Mia at the beach. Screaming and jumping into the water. 

I buried all the kids and helped dig a really awesome hole. 

I cant lie though. There was a really big favorite part of this trip. 

Lyla. 

I am pretty sure she is suppose to be my child. Heavenly Father just mixed her up a bit. 

She has blonde hair and blue eyes and just melts my heart. 

I miss her every day (disclaimer: I miss them all, but Lyla....oh Lyla)

the weekend.

this weekend was a pretty good. 

no outlandish traveling

or big outings planned

but a weekend with great California weather 

with family and friends 

and perhaps even the beach.

Doesnt get much better than that. 

On Friday, we celebrated my sweet nephew Chase's 5th birthday.

He is adorable, funny and my little buddy.

he cracks me up. look at my most recent fb status for proof.

gives me great hugs and lots of kisses. 

seems like yesterday Kelly and I flew home to surprise Laura in meeting Chase for the first time as a brand new babe. 

Apparently it was already 5 years ago. But I feel like it just happened. 

Beach was on Saturday. 

I took Shylettera to Venice Beach for her first time. 

As always, the crazy homeless and hippies were out in full force

allowing Shy to enjoy the Venice strand in all of its glory

which is exactly why I love it so much. As well as all of the vendors too.

Shy touched the {freezing} water. I refused. 

But we still sat on the sand and enjoyed the perfect 75 degree temps 

hopefully this summer weather is here to stay. 

Enjoyed some more 80+ weather on Sunday for a bit. 

And enjoyed these cute kinds even more. 

hope you had a great weekend too!!

Surfin in the USA.

On Saturday Linden, Lindsy and I went down to Huntington Beach for the U.S Open of Surfing. 

I mainly went down to meet up with my some Provo friends Josh and Craig. 

The Surf Open is a huge surfing competition for both men and women that happens once a year in HB.

sooooo many people. 

It literally attracts thousands of people on the beach as there is some awesome surfing to watch and lots of venues  to check out. And free concerts most nights including Weezer and MGMT. 

The Surf Open was awesome, however I think the highlight of the day...

The celeb sighting of RYAN from The Bachelorette. 

I may or may not have screamed his name from the pier as I wasnt entirely sure it was him

And then we may or may not have ran down the pier in a failed attempt for a photo opp. 

next time...bring sunscreen.

A few weeks ago my friend Christina celebrated her 24th birthday.

One of the many things I love about Christina is that we have been friends since the 7th grade!

We immediately bonded once we discovered we were both members of the LDS Church.

We stayed friends through the years, even took a class together at BYU and thought she didnt like me very much. But our friendship then turned to really only facebook stalking. 

Christina moved back into the ward around January and almost immediately I feel in love with her and became the closest of friends. 

Some things I love about Christina:

She is the most thoughtful and sincere person ever.

She has a legit job! Career woman!!

She is nice to everyone. Ive never heard her say a negative comment ever. 

She is hot!

Has amazing dance moves.

Obsessed with The Bachelorette.

(thanks to me)

She meets me for lunch every Tuesday. 

To celebrate her birthday she invited me on a weekend trip to Catalina Island. 

She wanted to conquer her fears of the ocean with an underwater sea trek. 

But it got cancelled!

We were so bummed.

But still had a fun time. 

I havent been to Catalina since middle school and loved it so much! It is such a cute town and kept wondering why I never moved here to spend my summers! I would have loved that!!

Our activities included:

An early early morning boatride. 

Kayaking. 

A seagull snapping some nachos right out of my mouth.

(not pictured, but totalllly happened.)

Lunch. 

 I love me some fish and chips.

Not sea trekking. 

Beach time. 

With our afternoon activity cancelled, we decided to enjoy the warm weather and lay on the beach for just a bit. Due to some serious lack of sleep by both us (going to bed at 1AM and waking up around 4:40AM) our short jaunt to the beach turned into a three hour nap. with no sunscreen. We were passed out. Im pretty sure I snored. We didnt even have towels, just straight up laid on the sand, and I didnt even take my cover up off. The only times I woke up was to flip over and then eventually woke up because I could feel my skin begin to hurt. 

Needless to say I have had to endure a terrible sunburn, lots of advil to help the pain, and then shedding practically all of my skin. gross. 

Dinner at The Lobster Trap.

I tried clams and Christina enjoyed her lobster. 

Breakfast at Sally's Waffles.

Love you Christina! I am so grateful for your friendship. 

Thanks for an amazing birthday trip to Catalina.

Valley Ventures: Leo Carrillo Beach.

I know this really cute boy that took me out on a really cute date

to the beach. 

oh the joys of living in Southern California. 

Leo Carrillo Beach.

just a little scenic drive through Malibu Canyon, on PCH, past Zuma. 

We packed up some food to eat dinner at the beach. 

I think my favorite part was that we seriously had the whole beach to ourselves, no one else in sight and ate dinner on the lifeguard station. 

I felt like it was a scene right out of the O.C. 

Oh hey Marissa and Ryan!

The point of this post is not to just talk about my great date but that we ventured to the beach...

in April.

Chilled on the sand. 

Took photos of the sunset.

Almost lost my shoes...

And just enjoyed being at the beach. 

Although I hardly go in the ocean whenever I actually get to the beach. Its easily one of my favorite places. 

Who can resist the sounds of the waves, the hot sand and my personal fave of a good run along the water. 

I loved going to the beach at night and snapping photos of the amazing sunset.