Lynn's Wedding

It was a lot of fun to be able to go back home for one of my friend's weddings.  I have known Lynn since we were about 5 years old and it was really nice to get to go back for his wedding all these years later.  It was a beautiful ceremony and fun reception!  It was nice catching up with some of my friends from California and just getting to be a part of this happy time!  Congratulations Lynn and Greggory!  I am so happy for you!

The ceremony was very nice!

Getting to spend time with my hubby and old friends was a lot of fun!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

While we were visiting my family in California we took my brother and sister, Erik and Maren, to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  They had never been before so it was fun to take them somewhere new.  We had a good time going on rides and walking around.  I was very grateful that it was not super crowded while we were there.  Alden liked seeing the ocean again (even though we didn't go close) and it was fun to let Alden go on his first ever ride by himself. I love my brother and sister and I am so glad that we got to spend time with them!

All ready to go explore and ride the rides!

Alden was very curious about everything around him.

This ride was fun for Erik, Maren and Me but we had some girls sitting across from us who had very high-pitched annoying screams.

Drew and Erik had fun going after each other in the bumper cars!

Pretty view of the beach and Drew got his Dolewhip.

Alden's first ride by himself.  He was a little concerned at first but by the end he loved it!

We made Erik and Maren go on the logger's ride.  They did get a little wet but not too much so. Drew also got to play his arcade game and try to shoot out the star on the paper.

Hearst Castle

We had a great time visiting Hearst Castle in California. It was great getting there in the morning when it was still cool out because it got warmer as the day went on.  It also was not too crowded while we visited which was nice.  We did the basic tour of the Grand Rooms and they were very impressive and fun to see.  However, I think my favorite part of Hearst Castle was the grounds because they were so beautiful and fun to walk through. It was also a lot easier letting Alden run around the grounds than keep him contained in the house (which wasn't really a surprise).  This was a beautiful stop and I am really glad that we got to take McKayla and McKenzie with us!

It was a beautiful day!

Alden loved watching this bird.

Alden loved being on the bus until we started moving.  Then he was really scared and just wanted Mommy to hold him.

I was really glad that it was sunny while we were there.

Alden was very happy to be walking around with Daddy.

The ceilings in the castle were beautiful!

These built in chairs look really uncomfortable but they are pretty.

Talk about a huge dining room table!

Alden wanted to run a little too much inside the castle so he had to ride on Daddy's shoulders.

They had so many pieces of historical value that were cool to see.

I love California and it was wonderful to walk around the outside of the castle and through the gardens.

Alden found this lizard and loved watching it until it disappeared into the bushes again.

Beautiful sisters!

Beautiful gardens!

There was a beautiful view of the ocean from the castle.

This pool is so beautiful and elegant!

I would love to swim in a pool like this!

Time for the bus ride back down the mountain.

Alden fell asleep on the way down the mountain. 

Such a cute boy who was very tired out after a long morning at Hearst Castle. We had a great time touring Hearst Castle and spending time together as a family and getting to spend more time with Drew's sisters.