that one perfect beach day

Kent's mom took us to the beach on Monday.

Beaches in Northern California are usually pretty chilly.

But that day, 

it was perfect and warm and beautiful.

As we put Nicholas's swimsuit on at the house before we left, 

he made up a song. Complete with wiggle-dancing.

"We're going to the beach, Oh Yeah!

We're going to the beach,

in my swimming pants,

Oh yeah!

We're going to the beach."

I think he was excited.

We started with a walk along the butterfly path.  
The Monarch butterflies migrate here for the winter.  There were thousands of them! All over, fluttering past us, almost landing on our heads.  This little butterfly was resting on the grass next to the path,
and I'm afraid our kids might have injured it....
a little too much enthusiasm.
Sorry little butterfly!

There were signs everywhere to "use your butterfly voices!"
and the kids were super good at remembering to be quiet.
Ellie had her finger to her nose telling us "Shhhh!" anytime we tried to even whisper. 
She's really good at trying to be in charge.

With this many little ones, this is as good a group shot as we could get.  
At least Nicholas was smiling.....

We ate a picnic down on the beach,
because what beach day is complete without eating sandy sandwiches?
And then the kids played and played.

She kept running back and forth from where we'd set up our towels down to the water's edge.
When she'd get to the water she'd shout
"BEACH!" and laugh wildly.

Sweet baby Cole. He was such a chill guy!  

And little Audrey braved the icy water and almost got swept out to sea at one point. We had to keep a close eye on this girl.

Grammer building castles with the babies.

Kent. Digging a hole.
(And he's wearing his swimsuit instead of jeans this time! Unlike our LA trip.)

Nicholas and I hiked over to the rocks where the tide pools were.  It was really cool, and then he got to try to pronounce "anemone" when we told everyone what we'd seen.

He also thought it was funny to throw grapes and tomatoes into the ocean.
"I got the ocean! I got it!" 
As if he could miss it??

Practicing writing his name. "Nick" with a backwards N.  

There were a few tears when it was time to leave,
but we stopped at Wendy's on the way home to get french fries.
That cheered everyone up.

I got to ride in my sister-in-law Heidi's car there and back, and it was so great to have those three hours to just girl-chat.  I don't get to see any of my sisters from Kent's family very often, but every time I do, it is very, very good.

Now that we've had a day or two to recover from The Drive,
I can safely say we are super excited to go back next month.