Family Photos.

Every time we go to California, we try to line up photos with our favorite photographer, Melissa McClure. She took our wedding photos and she does such an an amazing job. Ill add a few of my favorites.

Coronado 2016

We navigated uncharted territory and took the whole family to Coronado last week. We had a great time, despite some flight and normal toddler issues. Believe it or not, we will do it again, like once a year, tops ;).

Our early flight out was cancelled due to the Denver airport being closed. It came as a mega surprise as we had everything at the ticketing counter, and by everything, I mean all three kids, three carseats, carry ons, a stroller, and two large suitcases. We felt like we were in a bubble. How did we not know ahead of time?! No notifications or anything. We had to reload the car and keep busy until our flight which had been rebooked for 3pm. The rest of travel connections were rather uneventful. Piper had a great first flight but melted down in my arms for the entire three hours of the following flight. By the time we had landed, she had puked all over both of us, fortunate for her, I had a change of her clothes, unfortunate for me, I was left to let the vomit dry and smell of it for nearly four hours. I did have a couple of tearful breakdowns wishing she would just sleep. We survived.

California was great fun. Our only decisions were beach, pool, ice cream, and where to get take out for dinner. Our only commitments were daily naps for Greta and Piper and a photo shoot with our wedding photographer (photos to come soon). We did get out to the aquarium one day and to story time at the Coronado library, which the kids enjoyed. The kids had a blast. Sully loved the beach and was so happy to just be jumping over the waves. Greta was more fond of the baby pool and loved to jump in and splash to her heart's content. Piper went with the flow and was just happy to watch the other two. Dave and I completely enjoyed watching them explore and gain confidence in their new surroundings.

We did have a bit of drama, Piper had a fussy few nights and the culprit was her two front teeth with finally popped through about halfway through the trip. Greta was forced to sleep in a twin bed which I'm certain she loved, and especially loved to come in and find us in the middle of the night, followed by Sully, which ended with Dave taking them both back to their room and sleeping with them as Piper was up so often in the night that she would wake everyone up. Every night was a sleeping circus. Sullivan wiped out in the condo one evening and split his eyebrow on a table which landed him in the ER. Fortunately he only needed skin glue, but he will end up with a battle wound. He was so brave. We were so proud of how he handled everything.

We had such a great time, but we were happy to get home and get everyone back in their own beds, even if only for the first few hours of the night. We are already looking forward to next year.

Lots of photos!

Flight out, Dave relaxing ;).

Flowers for the week. 

Everybody say 'beach day!'.

Family photo (first of many). 

Sand castles with daddy. 

Beach nap.

Dave and the kids in the twin beds pushed together.

Big girl! 5.5 months.

Dog beach photo. 

Moo Time.

Heading to the pool. 

Baby pool fun. 

Coffee at The Del. 

Sweet and sassy.

Scripps Aquarium. 

Sam photo with the La Jolla cove behind us. 

Piper! 

Library fun. 

Daddy and Piper.

Mama and Piper on a beach walk. 

Sully being so brave. 

Greta, Dave did her hair :).

Finally, a photo of me and all three! 

Heading home, waiting for Dave to get a cart.
My instructions: everyone get in your seats! 

Three sleepers on the flight home. 

Hit the ground running.

Piper and I returned late last Sunday and were jerked into reality first thing on Monday morning as Dave was back to work. I loved waking up and going into Sully and Greta's room and seeing their little faces lite up when they realized I was home, and I brought Piper back with me (as if I wouldn't have;)). Greta was thrilled to see her baby sister, 'Pip.' Its so great to get away, but I definitely pay for the time away when I return home (like I know many moms do). We had loads and loads of laundry, no food in the house, and all of my house plants had died. Not to mention traveling exhaustion, trying to sneak in a 20 minute nap here and there was definitely a priority during quiet time. By the time the weekend rolled around, we were caught up.

I have to note a couple of items this week. Piper is 5.5 months old and is so close to getting her top two teeth. The poor thing is a drooling machine. But, the best part about being 5+ months old is that she voluntarily started lying her head on my shoulder. I wish I could freeze that feeling forever. If my life allows (Sully and Greta are not home), I sit there and soak it in. She is getting so big so fast.

Grocery store run with two kids.
Where are the groceries supposed to fit?

Clean up crew.

Photo session.
Sully, almost 4, Piper, almost 6 mos, Greta, almost 2.5

Twins.

She put her head there on purpose!

My dad makes it home! We celebrate with a bbq :)!
The other two Munce kids were crying somewhere. Oh well. 

Our turn.

Piper and I had our second adventure last week when we flew out to California to help my parents after my dad's unexpected surgery. She proved to be the ultimate travel partner as I lugged her around airports through delays and setbacks. We ultimately arrived in Coronado at 2am, and after settling and getting to bed, it was 3:30am (1:30am San Diego time). I was exhausted. Piper had one fussy spell and that was on the first flight after being delayed for three hours out of SIoux Falls. I don't blame her, I was fussy, too. Otherwise, she was an absolute trooper.

Waking up the following morning to the view and to my parents made the long trip worth it. My dad was in good spirits and had come a long way by the time I arrived. Its safe to say my mom, Alex and Maggie did the hard work which made for a relaxing trip for Piper and I. My one goal was to have a plan in place before I left to get everyone home, which I accomplished, so I felt pretty good about my trip. We went for walks and stroller rides in the morning with my dad and spent the afternoons exploring and running errands with my mom. It was a really nice few days.

The kids and Dave were busy and did great in Sioux Falls. They were with a sitter most of Thursday and then were at Maggie's on Thursday evening and all day on Friday. She definitely put her time in. Dave was in charge the rest of the time and they had plenty of fun. Two birthday parties, a trip to the library and their first library cards, and loads of daddy time. Dave even texted on Saturday that it had actually been almost easy. They are best friends, it is so sweet to see them play, Im so glad they have each other. Don't get me wrong, they fight like any siblings do, but when they aren't doing that, life is really good.

Curious George before Piper and I left. 

Right before the delay announcement.

Beach walk with Grandma. 

Shop until Piper drops, she is ready for a nap! 

Ice cream shop stop.

Happy hour. 

Big girl.

Group selfie before Piper and I departed. 

Back in Sioux Falls, Cherry Berry with Isaac on his 8th(!!) birthday. 

Library fun. 

Fun with daddy (and his crooked glasses ;)).