Time to return Home

I guess a good vacation is one where you wish you could stay longer.  This was definitely the case for us. We enjoyed the ocean so much.  It always feels so relaxing.  We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast on the beach before we left and Ella took lots of pictures.....lots of birds, seaweed, footprints, etc.

It was cold at home!  We went to an Ice Castle exhibit in Midway, UT with some of my family members. We couldn't get right in because The Piano Guys were doing a filming session.....turns out they were doing a song from "Frozen".  I think they should have done an impromptu concert for all those who were waiting....but no, we saw it on Youtube.

Newport Beach Day 3

We had the best weather today.  We started out the day with a time-share presentation....in order to get the great deal......and Ella got to attend a kids zone area. She enjoyed every minute of it.  

The main highlight of our day was a whale watching trip.  A friend of mine from work found some coupons for us and we had a wonderful time.

It took awhile to find the whales, but it was so fun.  We saw lots of birds and sea lions too. I was so busy watching the whales that I forgot to zoom in, but you can still see the proof.

We were told about a "must eat at" place....Ruby's....a hamburger place...from some friends at home.  It was right at the same pier where we went on our whale trip.  It also just happened to be their 31st year anniversary so their traditional combo meal was $3.10.  It was located right at the end of the pier and the view was beautiful.

I don't think I will ever tire of watching a sunset.

Byron got really good at taking selfies on this trip.  3 really is a magic number!!

I LOVE this picture so much!!!

We were running out of daylight and Ella still wanted to play at the beach.  One of the waves caught up to her and surprised her.  She was hoping to out run it......but got wet!

 Our Favorite Things Today

Byron--Whale Watching Trip

Lisa--Whale Watching Trip and the Sunset

Ella--Making 8 crafts at the Kid's Club, Whale Watching, and Watching TV from the bathtub in the hotel

Newport Beach Day 2

We really enjoyed our relaxing day today.  Our hotel had a shuttle that took us to the nearby State Park. We walked and walked along the beach and Ella loved it.  Our hotel had activities every day and they were all family oriented.  We enjoyed some Bingo, but didn't win any prizes.

The ward that we attended shares a parking lot with the Newport Beach Temple.

We spent the afternoon tidepooling and just enjoying every coastal minute.

Byron got really good at taking selfies of us. 

 Ella told us that she had found a new hobby...."shell collecting".  She also instructed us that we needed to be very careful with the shells because she spent 2 hours collecting them.  The shells did make it home and I still don't know what we are going to do with them.

Our Favorite Things Today

Byron:  Crystal Cove, Newport Beach Temple, Barbecuing

Lisa:  Crystal Cove, Relaxing with my family

Ella:  Seashell collecting

Newport Beach Day 1

Now that the Disney portion of our vacation was done, we were excited to go to Newport Beach.  We got a great deal at the Newport Coast Villas in Newport Beach.  Prior to checking into our hotel, we drove up and down the coast and figured out where we were and what we wanted to do.  We checked into our hotel and it was absolutely amazing. We have never stayed anywhere this nice and we don't expect to do it again. We had a 2 bedroom villa...complete with a beautiful master suite (with comfy beds), living room, full kitchen, dining room....3 TV's, washer/dryer, etc.  As Ella put it...."now this place has amenities".  There were 3 different swimming pool areas, life size checkers and chess game, a kids play area, walking paths throughout, playground, putting green and the list could go on and on.

We ate lunch overlooking the harbor.  It was another beautiful day!

The hotel had a fountain and fish pond. 

I never quite figured out what this golf cartish car was doing by the fountain.  I can't imagine it is just for pictures.....but Ella liked it. 

Ella loved setting up her room.  She unpacked EVERYTHING and put her items in the drawers  It was funny because she doesn't do any organizing at home.

We enjoyed the sunset over the ocean.

Our Favorite Things Today

Byron:  The Accomodations, The Ocean

Lisa:  No Schedule, Sunset over the Ocean

Ella:  Swimming at the hotel