Spring Break in Newport Beach!

We were so excited when the McCarthy's invited us to visit their time share condo in Newport Beach for Spring Break with them.  We were even more excited when we saw the Beautiful Marriot Pelican Beach Resort.  What an amazing place.  Not only was it beautiful, with a gorgeous view of the ocean, but there was also so much to do there.  We really didn't even need to leave the resort.  The kids went on a treasure hunt, played ping pong and chess.  There was an arcade, Wii room for kids, basketball court, putting green, and board game room.  Not to mention the beautiful pool that we ended up spending many hours playing and relaxing at.

A view of the resort from the pool . . .

These kids had so much fun together.

Max, Lucy Brendan, Sam and Colin

The older boys thought this HUGE chess board was so cool.

The pool table got a lot of use too!

I love the intent looks on their faces.

We had to walk up and down a few stairs to get to the beach!

The Fulton kids heading out to the pool.

The biggest question that I have gotten from people is  . . . "Did you get a lot of rain?"

We did get a few torrential rainstorms that blew through, but they would only last about an hour and then we would be back out to the pool!  In fact all of the kids ended up getting a little sunburned, even with sunscreen on.  Their poor little white bodies hadn't seen sun for a long time!

Pancho is always so good about getting into the pool and playing with the kids. 

What a good Daddy!

Amy and I were good at sitting by the side of the pool and ordering fruity drinks!

Ahhh, it was so relaxing!

Good Buddies!

Hanging out by the pool, I can't believe these two will be in middle school next year!

So nice to slow down and spend some time as  a family.

This was the view as we walked down to the pool and the beach everyday.

Walking to the beach!

This hill was good exercise. 

Maybe it helped balance out all of the yummy food we ate while we were there.

Playing on the beach.  I love the Oregon Coast, but there is something to be said for the warm California beaches as well!

Playing in the water!

Lucy is always such a good sport with all of the boys in her life!

Disneyland!

Lucy and I were so excited to go to Disneyland and take in everything Princess!

Max and Sam were not one bit interested in Disneyland this time (tear!).  All they wanted to do was visit USC.  So our family split up for a day.  The McCarthy's chose Disneyland too!  We had such a fun day!

The McCarthys at the Disneyland entrance.

Christmas Card?

We all  headed straight to Buzz Lightyear for our first ride!

Then Lucy and I went over to the Princess area.  We saw a show, met some princesses and shopped for cool princess stuff!

Later we met back up with the McCarthys for the Jungle Cruise.

Lucy and Brendan on  the Jungle Cruise.

We also went on Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted House, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pinocchio, Soaring over California, Toy Story and more!

The last ride of the night was "Small World".

Lucy and I both LOVE that ride!

We sang together through the whole ride :).

Amy and the boys were right behind us in our boat.

 On our last day in California, we went to the
 Science Center

It was a lot like OMSI, but much bigger.

Pancho had come down here with the boys on the day that they visited USC.  They had so much fun, they wanted to come back.  Pancho took another camera on his USC boys day.  I am going to do another post of that day with his pictures.  Sam could not stop talking about how it was "The best day of his life . . . "

They got to play on the USC football practice field.  Meet the football coach, go to a USC baseball game, meet most of the players, hit the USC bookstore and more.

The Science Center is right next to Memorial Coliseum!

There was a very cool question and answer type show in this huge aquarium.  The kids could actually talk to the scuba diver and ask him questions.

This whole room was dedicated to the Poles!

They even had part of a real glacier in there.

This was where the kids could make their own news cast.  They read from a teleprompter and taped a show.

Brendan and Sam

Future newscasters?

Those are the kids shadows, and if they moved, that mountain lion shadow to the right would attack and kill their shadows.

Trying not to move and get eaten by the mountain lion, I mean trying TO move and get eaten.  Its so much more fun to watch!

Playing outside the museum. 

 They are actually working together to pick up a real car with a pulley in this picture!

Lucy with her stuffed shark and Happy Meal box.

Happiness!

One last picture of Max and Lu under the sign for our resort.

Thank you McCarthys, for letting us share in your vacation.  We had a BLAST!