Monday, January 7, 2008

Beach bumming in December

We made a trek out to California 2 days after Christmas for my BIL's wedding in L.A. & San Louis Obispo. My one request is that we visit the beach. I didn't care if it was overcast, raining, snowing, hailing, storming, tsunami (well, that one I would make an exception for). I was determined to go to the beach. Growing up, we would go to my Grandparents beach house on the Oregon coast in the summer. We learned to wear layers, my most common attire was a swimsuit with a sweatshirt over it. I have such great memories running down the beach, rolling around in the sand, then running back into the ocean to wash off. All the while we were pretending to be on motorcycles.

We went to Morro Beach, for anyone who is familiar with the area.



Since it was December, the local K-mart (the only store around) didn't have beach shovels and buckets. We got creative and bought the kids Tupperware containers for buckets and serving spoons for shovels, which worked great!


We were having a great time until Mason got a bit of sand on his foot. It was pretty devastating for him.



Then Reece decided to get his feet wet and was surprised by the pain caused by salt water in a fresh scrape. Boy, this trip to the beach wasn't turning out as dreamy as I had anticipated.




I decided I needed to show them what the beach was all about and got a sandcastle going. The kids began to shed their sweatshirts and jeans. Maya was the first to get down to just a swimsuit, that's my girl!!! Luckily, Michael is scared of my camera, so there are no pictures of me.



It wasn't long after that they got more adventurous, and started venturing into the water.



Mason wasn't quite as adventurous as Reece and Maya




Eventually all 3 of them were down to their bathing suits.


It ended up being everything I had hoped for that day at the beach!

19 comments:

Kathy said...

how fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it looks like a super fun time. . . except for the sand on the foot - too cute :) as always - gorgeous pictures! your kids are so cute and photogenic!

Syphus Family said...

What fun! We love the beach and love living an hour from the nc outer banks! I am always suprised that Taylor doesn't mind being caked in sand and having sand in his eyes. What great memories for your family. Your pictures are gorgeous!

Kevin Pratt said...

Those pictures are amazing! You know you can find a bigger house for cheaper down here...please tell Michael to look and then come and buy your mom's house.

Kevin Pratt said...

Plus, we have some amazing beaches ourselves. Have you ever heard of Galveston?

Amber said...

Your pictures are amazing! What a great talent.

Jake's family is from California, and he still has a lot of relatives living there. We usually go to visit about twice a year, and the beach is my favorite! Dallin loves the beach, and isn't afraid of the sand or salt. I'm glad you're kids warmed up to it!

Unknown said...

HA HA HA, Galveston, what a beauty of a beach it is!

k.m. said...

beautiful photos Marisa! you have such beautiful kids. I love that Maya is your fearless little trooper.

Brandi said...

JEALOUS! I love the beach! That beach you went to is gorgeous. How fun for your kids. How cold was the water? Not that it matters. I would be right there in the water with the kids.

I wonder why I live in Utah sometimes. Seriously!

Unknown said...

The water was pretty cold (not sure of the temp), but it was in the 60's that day.

I was wondering why we didn't try to move to California, then I saw the housing prices! Now I remember.

RightHahn said...

So fun!! Being close to beautiful beaches is part of the reason we love being in California...but you're right. Housing prices are enough to drive sanity out of any picture perfect postcard in a flash!

Glad you had fun. The pictures are beautiful! As are your subjects...of course:)

megan said...

Could you have asked for a better color surfboard in that last shot? I've wanted to have a BiG beach picture in my house for a while. I just might have to get that one from you. Awesome shots. I wish i would do this for my kids.

love it.

Unknown said...

Lindsay, I called Megan to see where in Cali you lived, I was going to come by and say Hi if you lived close to L.A.

Meghan, I would be glad to print one for you, I'm planning on printing a 16x20 for Reece's room since it is a surfer theme. I could print one for you too, or I can send you the file.

dishes and laundry said...

Beautiful pictures!!! We love the beach - happiest place ever!

Unknown said...

My last comment should be to Megan, not MegHan, sorry Megan!

stressedkris said...

These are wonderful! I am so glad that you had a great time. Your kids are so cute.

RightHahn said...

Marisa...it would be super fun to meet up sometime! We actually wouldn't mind driving to LA if ever the situation presents itself again (it's only about 5 hrs from where we are). We're actually closer to San Francisco - which in Texas terms means 'really cold water beaches' - all year long. This of course only seems to bother me though:) That's what sunbathing is for, right?

Cameron said...

Nice work sis... I have to get Betty a new camera and then maybe she'll jump on the train finally and take lots of pictures.

Jan said...

Marisa... would you mind getting me a copy of this picture to? I am going to redo my kids room... I LOVE IT>..so reminds me of my days in Cali... i would move back in a second if only i could talk jason into it... lol... yeah right

Dan and Dee said...

ARGH! We should have run into each other b/c we were in San Louis Obispo two days after Christmas! Can you believe that?! We went to see Hearst Castle and to see the Elephant sea lions up the beach from Hearst Castle!
We ate at Splash's (I think that is the name of the place) in San Louis Obispo! Way delicious!!!yumm, I am salivating just thinking of it! Went to Main Street Grill in Cambria-I had forgotten how wonderful a good hamburger tasted like! We went to Harmony as well-a town of a total of 18 people and they even have a small p.office!
Great couple of days that could've been even greater if we had run into y'all! It would have been wonderful to have seen you...boo hoo.

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