Freedom and the Smell of Gas

I think we all have a few special moments in life when we are completely content. The first I remember was riding just in front of my Uncle Greg on an atc. I was straddling the gas tank holding on to the inside of the handlebars while he powered up a steep hill.

Another time I couldn't keep from dumbsmiling was when I rode on the back of my father-in-law's Harley just a few years ago. It was just up the street and I wasn't even driving, but the moment he pulled into traffic from the driveway and opened up the throttle I was free and eight years old again.

So, I got this. And it's awesome. There's nothing like sitting on five and a half horses on an open road at twilight with your son on a jimmy-rigged bicycle seat in front of you.

bust a MOVE

What else can I say, this kid loves to dance.

Kellis Family Fun

View from our condo.

This past week we have spent with the Keillis family in Oceanside. Grant had a great time playing with his cousins.


We left Mesa on Saturday and drove to Oceanside. Alli (Mike's little sister) rode with us. It was great to have some entertainment for Grant.

Unfortunately I had to work on Sunday and ALL day Monday because of some tight deadlines at work. Mike was a great sport and let me work at the last minute. He was great and took Grant to the pool and the beach while I was working.

We went to Legoland, Sea World and spent some time at the beach. It was a great vacation. It was also good to spend time with Mike's family.

Thanks to Brent and Lucile for putting the reunion together. We loved every minute of the trip.

View of the beach from the Pier (our condo in the background on the far left)

Beach

Our condo was right on the beach. It was great to be so close to the beach. However, Grant got sand everywhere. Why do people love to take their kids to the beach? It was too much sand for me and it was freezing (yes, we have been in Arizona too long).



Grant loved it.... well until he got rocked by a few waves. Mike took him down to the beach on Monday while I was working and I guess he got knocked down by a few waves. When we went back to the beach on Friday morning Grant was hesitant to run all the way in the water. However, he still loved the sand and would only get his feet in the water. It was a little cold that morning so that maybe why he wasn't going full board too.

Our first night at the beach.

Grant playing at the playground by the beach.

(The beach was soooo busy as you can see from all the people)

Playing with the sand.

What more could a little boy ask for: sand & a stick?

Grant loving swimming at the beach. (We just couldn't keep him out!!!)

Sea World

Sea World was great for Grant. He loved looking at all the animals and the shows were great for little kids. The park had some great interactive spots that were great. Grant got to touch a Bat Ray and Starfish. What more could a kid ask for then a whole days being able to splash in puddles and touching animals.

Sea Turtles

Starfish

Sesame Street Land

Bat Ray

Grant even got to feed the sea lions. We even got attacked by a bird because it wanted our fish. Too bad we didn't get that on video.

Legoland

Our first outing in Oceanside was a trip to Legoland. Mike's siblings all had passes to Legoland so we thought we would try it out one day. Well since we have one child and he doesn't really care about lego we didn't really enjoy the park. Many of the rides had height restrictions and there wasn't much for little kids. We did find a few things that Grant did like.

It was pretty cool to see so many things made out of legos. I don't know how the designers do it but they are amazing the things that they can make.