Vacation's all I ever wanted. Vacation, had to get away.

So we both just got back from our week long vacation in sunny Ventura California. Our week of hanging out at the beach, laughing with the family, eating good food, and sleeping in has come to an abrupt stop. We're both back at work. Back to being adults..... Boooooo. I could tell you every move of our vacation... all the things we did, and the things we ate, etc., but since the majority of people who read this blog were with us, we'll just let the pictures (and small descriptions) do the story telling. If you want all 129 pictures you can click here. If you click any of the other pictures you will also be taken to the album.

We landed at LAX and since we had a few hours before we needed to be in Ventura we all decided we had time for one "LA" type thing.... so we all went to Hollywood Blvd.

That night we went out to a nice adult dinner since we were "kid free" for the next few hours. We had some delicious steaks with a view of the ocean. This was also the beginning of our week without ingesting any healthy at all.... hooray for vacation!

This was the view from the restaurant... with a view like this even McDonald's would taste amazing!

Of course we spent an entire day at the beach. It was a blast... there were nice enough waves for some excellent boogie boarding, Madelyn's fam bought some "beach gear" so we had an awesome canopy and beach chairs (thanks Fowleses!). We had a great time.... which was evident by all the kelp we pulled out of our suits when we got back to the hotel.

Madelyn, Jacob, Lacy and Elly hanging out under the canopy at the beach. Lilly playing with some kelp in the background.

A close up of Elly napping under the canopy at the beach.

Walking around Ventura Harbor. Doesn't this place just look horrible? (sarcasm)

Everyone loves the cut-outs.... always funny, always cheesy, always a "tourist" spotter.

You know how I know the Dallas Cowboys are going to have a good season? Because I was at training camp! Turns out the Dallas Cowboys were having training camp like 4 miles from our hotel! As soon as I found out I hopped in the car and watched them practice. It's a good thing I always have appropriate Cowboys gear with me. What would I have done if I left my t-shirt and hat?!? It was so bizarre.... I didn't know they would be there. I think it's an omen, especially since I was at training camp last year and they ended up having a great season. I could create a whole separate blog about this... but since nobody cares, here are two of a TON of pictures.

Here is Terrel Owens, Patrick Crayton, and Marion Barber....

And my favorite player Jason Witten... What am I? Like 12 years old?!? I really wanted him to sign something, but they were only letting kids get autographs...lame.

On Thursday we headed up to Santa Barbara to check things out. We took the kids to the aquarium, rented a six person bicycle which people kept uncomfortably calling a sexcycle...

Here is Madelyn on the pier in Santa Barbara.

Emma, Lily, Madelyn and Dan getting to pet the sharks at the Ty Warner aquarium... which is owned by the creator of Beanie Babies, Ty Warner (NOT Time Warner...)

Lily and Dan watching the octopus.

I think the best part of the aquarium for the kids was not the fish, or the cool displays.... I think they liked this little puppet theater the best.

That night Madelyn and I wanted to check out the Ventura County Fair and since going by ourselves seemed like a lame option we took Lily with us. When we mentioned we might be going Lily (who is 6) wanted to convince us to take her.... she stood up from her chair, put her hands on her hips and said "can I please come?..... I'm really energetic!" How could we resist?

I think the best part of the fair was Lily choosing to sit in cars that already had children instead of a car by herself. You'll notice that all the other cars are empty... she chose the car AND the row that already had two other kids in it. She is so awesome.

This ride was the biggest mistake of my life. I love a good roller coaster, but this little kid ride was a motion sickness machine. And since Lily could control the spinning I just shut my eyes and hoped it would be over soon. I was sick all night after this ride.... good thing it was the last one.

Madelyn got a great picture. Lily is "energetically" making the car spin. I am holding on like a baby with my eyes shut.

Here's another ride where Lily decided to choose the car that already had a kid sitting in it. This also showcases Lily's amazing ability to hit a "model pose" on que. Hilarious.

A gift to Madelyn's parents for providing food and hotel for this awesome vacation was a family picture. I took the opportunity to take my own pictures. All of these are connected to our Picasa album... so please take anything you want.

Brandon and Elly trying to keep warm and keep composure in between pictures. All the kids did super well considering that we were on the beach, it was cold, and they had to sit still for 30 seconds or more.

Madelyn looking like a hot babe.

Lacy actually took this picture of Elly, but it looked so good I had to post it.

Madelyn looking like an even hotter babe.

The beach was cold so the family all huddled up to keep warm..... well, everyone but me and Brandon.

Here is "hot babe" shot number 3. Is it possible for Madelyn to be any prettier?

Elly playing in the sand.

Tim and Jacob. I think this picture looks like the kind that is already in a frame when you buy it.

The back of all the grand-kids sitting on a log getting their picture taken by a professional. They are cute even from the back!

Madelyn and her dad trying to keep warm.... someone needs to frame this one.

Lacy and Elly.

We had an awesome vacation, and we wanted to thank Kathryn and Robert for making such a fun vacation possible, Lacy for arranging all the activities and the photographer, and Jessica for watching our dogs while we were gone. We had such a great time....