California Days 5 and 6 - Dance, Dance, Dance All Night Long

Days 5 and 6 just kind of run together because we didn't have a hotel or bed on Saturday night, more about that later. Saturday we were once again up pretty early and we hit Pismo Beach before many people were out. It was a beautiful day and much warmer that the last time I was there. This was Millie's chance to work on a sand castle which is what she has been most excited about since she found out we were going to California. We finally figured out that Reed was cool with the beach as long as he kept his shoes on and Millie finally got used to the feel of the sand so it was a pretty enjoyable beach morning for both of them.







After we soaked up the beach scene, we had to go back to the hotel to get ready for Diane's wedding which was the whole reason for this trip in the first place. The kids had a blast at the wedding and I am pretty sure Millie danced a total of about 4 or 5 hours. Reed didn't seem to have a favorite dance partner although he tried to show Lauren his moves but she didn't seem impressed. Millie tried several dance partners...Owen, Reed, Anna, Keri, Kenny and Daddy but Sam seemed to be her favorite. Their dancing ranged from crazy, slow to WWF take downs at different points throughout the evening.



















After the beautiful wedding we had to make the drive back to San Francisco because our flight left at 5:45 Sunday morning. Mom and Arnetta stayed an extra day so they were sound asleep in their hotel back in Arroyo Grande. Rick and I talked about it and decided it was kind of a waste to get a hotel Saturday night because we would only be in it about 3 hours. So we drove through the night and got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. We had thought we would be able to check in and then head to the gate and rest. Well, the check in counters were closed and we had to wait in that area. We finally found a little eating area we were able to get to and it was actually open so we had some subway and the kids ate pizza at 2am (it was like college all over again).

Reed did great on the trip and stayed dry in big boy underwear the whole time...except for the most inopportune time. On our drive back to San Francisco, we were going to put him in a pull up but forgot. When we got to the airport and he woke up from sleeping in the car for 5 hours, he was soaked. I decided to just throw his underwear away and we changed him in the van. We tried to soak up the pee from the car seat but it was no use, it was already in the cushioning. So, we got to travel 2 flights back to Tennessee with a car seat that smelled of pee in the worst way. That was really our only minor disaster so I guess I don't have much to complain about.

All said and done, it was a fantastic trip, with great weather, great family, priceless firsts for the kids and memories that will last forever. After this trip to California, I really don't know why so many people go to Florida for vacation in the summer. Florida can not hold a candle to California with their mild and somewhat cool temperatures at times it was a wonderful break from the heat and humidity of the Midwest summers.