California Dreamin'

Jackson went on his first airplane ride a couple weeks ago. We decided to take a family vacation to Newport Coast, California and had a fantastic time. The weather was gorgeous and in the high 60s most days. Luckily the Santa Ana winds had stopped by the time we got there. Jackson did pretty good on the plane rides. I nursed on takeoff and landing to help with his ears. He didn't seem to have any problem with them. He babbled and cried some and was able to take about an hour nap each way. The rest of the time we spent playing with him and trying to keep him occupied. He just wanted to get down and move around so it was tough keeping him happy just sitting still.


 Jackson never really adjusted to the time change. He was ready to get up around 3 or 4 every morning and then was ready for bed around 4pm. It made for a tiring week but luckily when we got home he was pretty much right back on his old schedule.

Our view :)

We went to Laguna Beach a few times. Last time we were here we went to a Mexican place on PCH for lunch with Byron. It was so delicious and we drove around looking for it only to wind up at Asada, a different Mexican restaurant for lunch. It was quite tasty too though. We walked around the different shops and art galleries in Laguna and also walked downto the beach.

Luguna Beach

Across the street from the Marriott is Crystal Cove State Park. We walked over there and enjoyed a walk with beautiful views. Last time the weather was so awful (we came in June gloom) we couldn't even see Catalina. This time the weather was great and the skies were clear so we were able to see Catalina and even some of the oil platforms way off the coast further north.

 

Little Balboa Island. This is such a cute little place. The houses are cottage like (yet still in the $1+ million dollar range!) and they have private docks with their boats docked. The people were so friendly and there were some super cute little shops.

Jackson loved strolling around

There was a holiday decorations contest and some houses went all out!

Back at the Marriott we went walking to catch the sunset and saw some sort of mountain lion on the golf course. Its hard to see but I tried to zoom in on the next picture (although its pretty blurry). It was definitely not a stray kitty cat!

Sunset was around 4:40 every day. We had a great view to watch it every day and then would head out to an early dinner.

Jackson enjoyed the gorgeous views too!

More nice boats on Dana Point.

All decorated for the Christmas boat parade!

The view from Laguna Hills

Byron drove from LA to come have dinner with Jimmy. He is super busy writing a pilot for ABC so he couldn't stay the night. He did get to meet Jackson and Jackson loved him! We are headed back to California in April for Adam's wedding so we'll plan to see him more then.

Out on the Huntington Beach Pier

Lots of surfers out

Sunset dinner at The Beachcomber. Love this place!

A few iphone pics...

The first evening at the grocery store. Poor Jackson had had a very long day

Sitting with his daddy!

We had such a fun week! Jackson did very well and was pretty adaptable except for the waking in the middle of the night. But who am I kidding he does that at home sometimes! It was just consistently every night in California. I forgot to mention that I came down with a cold the first day and of course Jackson got it in the middle of the week. Luckily his cold wasn't too bad. I was overwhelmed at first with the thought of the long flight and being gone so long but it all turned out great! Good thing since we are headed back in just a few months :)