THE Newport Beach and Fashion Island

Part 3 - Boogey-boarding at Newport Beach, Eating on the Pier, Losing Morgan, and Shopping at Fashion Island 

Newport Beach was the official destination.  It WAS the reason we headed South. :)  We made getting there a top priority.  

After a quick stop to Trader Joe's for snacks, we were on our way.

With only a hop, skip, and a jump onto a ferry ride - we were there.  Balboa Island.

After coordinating to find parking, unloading all the necessary beach equipment, and a bit of walking we were on the beach.

Then came setting up shop with the intention to stay a LONG time, sunscreen, and some quick hydrating...

And we were ready to play!  Holy smokes, play we did!

After awhile we went looking for this yummy doughnut shop our friends like that is up by the Pier.  We never found it, but by the time we got there we were all pretty hungry so we grabbed a bite to eat.  It hit the spot quite nicely. :)

Then we headed back for more beach fun.  We stayed until the sunset.  Jake collected sea crabs.  It was breathtaking.

Since Newport Beach round 1 went so well, we decided to do another day there.  It went pretty much the same way. 

That is until something bad happened.  We LOST MORGAN.  We on our way to the showers after a long fun day in the sun.  We walked along the sand, and she wanted to walk along the boardwalk which ran parallel to our route.  I could see her so I told her to go for it.  Well, I forgot to keep looking, she couldn't see the showers from the boardwalk, and kept walking.  And walking.  And walking.

I kept waiting, and then my heart started pounding.  Then came crying, praying, and just about hyperventilating.  We searched but could not find her anywhere.  It is very scary the scenarios your mind starts contemplating in these moments.

We alerted the lifeguards, and just as I was about to alert the authorities I received a phone call.  A nice woman who lived along the boardwalk saw Morgan crying and helped her out.  She called my phone and I ran down to get her.  She was 6 blocks down the beach!  We both cried, Trev picked us up.  It was very scary and makes my heart race thinking about it.  How grateful I am for prayer, good samaritins, and a daughter who knows her mom's cell phone number.

After that little scare, I was ready for a little time away from the beach.  So M, Jess, and I went to Fashion Island. :)

The first store we hit was FOREVER 21.

Where we saw Tapanga from Boy Meets World...remember that show???!!!

I have to say, I must be sort of a cheapskate.  I love to look in stores like this, but am always just aghast at the prices people are willing to pay for the stuff!  Don't you agree??  Wow.  That's all I can say.

Next stop:  more beach...this time, fancy-schmancy, ritzy "Montage". 

Vacationing in Cali - Part 2

Welcome to my second installment...

Part 2 - Marriott Newport Beach Coast Villas, and Crystal Cove

Just a little background first.  Ever since we have lived in Utah some of our favorite neighbors, the Maughans, have taken their family down to Southern California for a week each summer.  They have been kind enough to invite us to join in the fun over the years, but it just didn't work out (babies, money, etc.).  However, last winter we decided we were going to do it this year!  So around December 2011 we booked a week-long stay at a condo with them.  Since that time, we have been dreaming, website stalking, and plain-old obsessing about where we would stay - The Marriott Newport Beach Coast Villas!  

(I am a HUGE Marriott fan, so that name alone got me excited.)

One of the biggest reasons we booked this place was because it looked so family-friendly.  Spacious condos, Full Kitchens, gorgeously landscaped grounds, pools, hot tubs, kids' activities, basketball courts, long stretches of grass with BBQ's, life-sized chess games by the pool, ping-pong tables...you name it, it had it!  Plus it was super close to the beach...which was sooo nice.  It really was a perfect for us.  By mid-week we adults were brainstorming how we could purchase a week there every year.  :)

When I look back at these pictures, my mind starts brainstorming all over again. :)

Here we are settling in...sort of. ;)

Then it was straight to the pool for the ladies and the kids, while the men-folk went grocery shopping for the entire week!  Let's just say thanks to Costco and Trader Joe's we were well fed.

Yes, I did get quite a few funny looks.  One man asked me if they were all mine...then told me I look like Mother Goose sitting there. :)

On Sunday night, we had a delicious BBQ and the Fergusons, who used to be in our ward and have since moved down So Cal, came and hung out with us at the resort.  So fun in so many ways!

Even though this place was incredible, we actually didn't spend too much time there.  The beach was calling our names.  But the time we did was so nice and relaxing.  Here are just a few random pictures to give a peek into condo-living.  (Did I mention there were 13 of us, in an 8 person condo??  Good thing kids don't mind sleeping on the floor.)

We LOVED this place!

On to the BEACH!

Throughout the week we did some serious beach-hopping.  The first beach we visited was Crystal Cove.  It was the one closest to our condo so we thought we should hit that one to start out the week.  It didn't disappoint. :)

The kids, big and small, were in absolute heaven...and I realized right away that I don't think my kids could get sick of the beach no matter how long they were there.  As long as there was waves and snacks they were set.  We spent many hours on the beach that day, and every day after that. :)

Can anyone sense what is about to happen here? ;)

This beach was not only fun, but picturesque as well.  Trev and I did a early morning run along this beach, and I even took my friends' family pictures here too.  

Needless to say, we really enjoyed Crystal Cove. :)

Stay tuned for more fun in the sun...