Tuesday, September 22, 2009

California Trip for Grandma Diana's 60th's Birthday

It was a weekend of surprises and a weekend of firsts for the girls in the Dowland family. For Grandma Diana's 60th birthday Auntie's Jen and Shannon and Grandpa Martin flew the three of us to California to surprise her.
We drove down to Salt Lake and spent the night at Auntie Sarah and Uncle Ryan's house the night before we were to fly out. Both flights were around 7:ooam, so we all had to wake up very early to be there on time. The girls enjoyed seeing the airplane and being able to wear earphones to watch their own personal TV, while cuddling their favorite things, Lorelei with her bear "Teddy", and Meredith with her blanket, "Belly".


The day we arrived was cousin Leah's birthday, so at the family get-together we surprised Grandma Diana as she walked through the door. She said she was surprised, but we have a suspicion she figured it out all beforehand.
Here are all the cousins eating dinner. They always have a lot of fun when they are together.

The next day we went to the Long Beach Aquarium for the first time.

Here is Auntie Shannon coaxing Meredith to touch the sting-ray...

Here is Lorelei feeding the birds some nectar...




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That night we went to the beach to eat pizza and roast marshmallows for s'mores over the firepits. It was very windy and it got chilly as the night went on, but the girls had so much fun.

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Jeremy wasn't able to come, so we missed him terribly...

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Here are Lorelei and Grandpa Martin collecting seashells... she came home with a pretty big collection.
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The next night was the big party and almost all of the family was there. We dined on delicious italian food and a lemon bundt cake made by Auntie Jen.




All the cousins:
Leah, Lorelei, Meredith, Noah, Ezra, Travis, Heidi, Gwen, Jack, James, and Kate.

Three generations...
Grandma Diana, Great Grandma Rogers, and Auntie Deborah.


4 comments:

Lisa P. said...

It looks like you had an amazing time! love the pics at the beach. It looks so peaceful:) So sad I didnt get to see you but such is life. At least we got to hang with Jer for a bit and feel of your essence;)

Sarah said...

You are getting SO creative and really good at taking pictures:) I love them all! It was SO fun seeing you guys even though it was for a short time. I really enjoyed having you guys stay over that first night. I miss you all so much already! Darling Meredith with her frizzy curls and sweet belly laugh:) And then there's my favorite peanut with her big sweet smile and the best hugs and kisses anyone can ask for! I really can't wait to come up and see you guys in October! I love you guys!

Ryan W said...

It looks like a good time. Thanks for stopping by, feel free to leave the girls and take the man child with you next time though :)

Kate the Great said...

Beautiful pictures! If I call you Mommy will you take me next time?