the great pellegrini road trip - part 2 of 2

a magical and memorable trip!  while we do love our tropical beach vacations, this ended up being a great family adventure and we look forward to our next road trip.  now i need to start brainstorming our next destination...maybe the pacific northwest...in an RV?!

balboa island ferry

first stop - the ferris wheel!

while i was excited at first, when they stopped us at the top
i started getting queasy!

i was scared of dropping the phone but managed a good selfie

we gave the kids a choice to do one other ride...
jacks knows his limits well and chose this swing

liv was so excited for this trampoline but freaked out
when she got all hooked up

thankfully, the guy was so kind and let her
choose the other ride instead

we took the boat back to the car

off to san clemente we go!

our vrbo had lots of activities for the kids

we were so close to the beach too!

fun in the sun

a shark, a shark!!

it doesn't get much better than this

the girls

while jacks and kaeden played soccer,
the girls (under livi's direction, of course) got crazy

sisters being sisters

the kiddie crew 

john moved lyla into our room each night since she often gets up early
(yes, we gave her a beach towel when she requested a blanketl)

hanging in the morning with nothing to do
(gotta love vacation)

ocean bluff hike...not too shabby of a view

the whole pelle gang

i was in charge of getting lyla to the beach while john
carried a backpack, beach towels, chairs, and sand toys
(seems like an even split, right?)

playing in the waves

i was laying on a towel when i saw this pic being taken...

so i had to run down and make sure i was in one!

running in the sunshine definitely tires out toddlers

she passed out on our 5 min walk home

while i headed out for an afternoon run, these headed out for a treat!

mommies and babies...so much fun to spend time with everyone!

even in a king sized bed, they slept this close to each other

while john and i were packing up,
ari provided entertainment

the kids asked if we could get a front porch like this one
(sorry, kids...ain't happening!)

these chairs inspired us when we recently
got something similar for our backyard

lunch stop on the way to vegas

we almost went somewhere else,
but why risk it?!?

we made a pit stop for some old-fashioned
snacks to make it through the end of our drive

after checking in, we immediately headed out on foot

the kids liked looking at the sites, but we had a specific destination in mind

yep, my favorite store (and now the kids' as well)

so many options!!!

we tend to share everything, so the kids got so
excited when they got their very OWN bag

we didn't get too far before the sun went down, and
we headed to the hotel to gamble and go dancing

it felt good to spend our last night of vacation all together in one room
(it didn't feel as good when lyla joined me and livi in bed at 2am)

jacks and livi asked why we couldn't stay in vegas
forever...oh kids, there are sooo many reasons

lyla and i headed back from the pool to shower
and get our bags packed (she was a huge help)

out of 12 days away, this poor girl took a nap every day...
and not a single one was in a bed!

back in sf!!!  

the longest stretch always seems to be on the car ride from the airport.
i broke out the fruit snacks to make sure we ended this trip on a happy note!

the great pellegrini road trip - part 1 of 2

john and i were looking to take an extended vacation but i don't think either of us had the capacity or the desire to plan something "big".  what better thing to do than go on a road trip!  we had such an amazing 12 days on the road together.  we got to see grandparents, friends, friends, and more friends, and introduce our children to the true happiest place on earth...las vegas!  and the best part of it all was that we got to do this all while driving a minivan.  =)

we picked up our minivan and headed down to santa barbara

after everyone finished their nap, we stopped for an early dinner

even as vegetarians, we still love a special trip to in-n-out!

we got to SB late, and lyla was up bright and early
to play with carter and uco

to say lyla is a "dog person" is an understatement

fresh squeezed oj

the crew heading back from the park
(john and i got to go for a run together!)

sun protection

it's amazing how much a couple of buckets and
some water can entertain the five of these creatures

a quick trip to view the santa barbara waves

it was a bit chilly but that doesn't stop these two

we left sb and headed to pasadena for the day

burning off some energy until....

ice cream!!!

and candy!!
(i mean, it IS vacation)

our little models

sweet and sassy

their little personalities shining through!

climbing trees

hanging in lacy park

just rolling around

off to LA we went...
and Lyla instantly had a not-so-secret admirer

lyla and madison quickly became buddies

sharing their toys

giving kisses

breakfast time!

we were so happy to get lyla to crack a smile here
(see stone cold expression in previous picture)

manhattan beach

getting some sun and watching the waves

 all smiles after an early ice cream cone!

after lots of time spent shopping or at the beach,
we headed to do something a little more "educational"

woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers galore!

of course they were fascinating by the attack scene

climbing trees...again

more play time back at miko and julia's home

i think they're in love

while john and lyla had a nap in the car,
we went in search of a few pieces for the warm weather

the concept of a dressing room and looking at
themselves in the mirror was just too much for them

off to a late lunch in venice

quite the hipster kids with their veggies and $10 avo toast

a great lunch is not complete without ice cream!

to the skate park we go!

future sports illustrated model?! ;-)

strolling down the venice beach boardwalk

our last morning with our gracious host Madison
(who is not allowed on the couch but wouldn't listen to our many pleas)

honestly, they were just so cute together

until next time