Closing Out Cali

This will be my final installment in documenting our fun family vacation 2012 - Cali Style...

Part 5 - A Vacation for Us All.

Over the last 8 years of our "Adventures in Parenthood" we have started to learn a few things.

When it comes to family vacations:

1. Kids and adults alike LOVE vacations.

2. Little kids can struggle on vacations because of lack in structure, schedules, and routines.

Items 1 & 2 led us to believe this:

3. When taking kids on vacation, you have to go into it with the mindset that this is a vacation for them...not necessarily what you would want to do.

Ultimately we realized if the kids are having fun...we would all have fun and enjoy ourselves.

For the longest time, we were good with this realization.  That is until we discovered something magical...we took a trip and brought a babysitter!  It changed our traveling lives!

My youngest sister, Jessica, is the ripe old age of 15.  She is uber-sweet, and seems to adore our family. :)  Plus she is down for fun travel whenever she can squeeze it in.  So when we started talking about our Cali-trip, immediately we thought..."HEY, let's bring Jess!  It would be fun for her, and fun for us.  WIN, WIN." :)

So we did. :)

This is my cute sister who doubles as Best Aunt Ever, and step-in nanny when us adults need some time out on vacation.  She truly has become crucial to our trips.  Because of this amazing girl...Cali became a vacation for us all.

This gorgeous young lady is truly amazing...in soo many ways.  We all adore her tremendously.  Our kids were lucky to have her in their lives.  

We are lucky to have her in ours.

Sure love you sister. ;)

Here is the result of her self-less service.

Good-bye Cali...hope to be back soon!