A couple weeks ago my mom and dad came out for a visit. We were excited to see them and spend some time with them. One of the days they were here we arranged to have a get together with my aunt Karen and uncle Ken. They are here serving an LDS mission.
I loved watching my dad with my aunt. They kept calling each other my brother/my sister. I loved it.
It was great to see them again. It's been just over 5 years since I saw them last. We had fun grilling chicken and then we essentially just sat around the table a talked and talked and talked. I loved every minute of it. It was so fun to hear how everyone in the family was doing. I'm so glad that we got to visit with them. I love them so much!
Mom and dad really wanted to go see the ocean while they were here. I didn't have any problems with that request, I love the ocean. We took them to Half Moon Bay. It's actually one of my favorite beaches. The fall and winter are perfect times to go because it is less crowded. But it is still just as beautiful. It was a very clear day. The color of the water was just brilliant. It was a bit windy though and Jaden did not like that one bit. He cried and cried when I got him out of the car and he felt the wind. He was upset for quite a while.
Eventually he calmed down and saw the sand toys and decided to play. He still wouldn't smile but he played.
Grandma was trying to play with Jaden. He was still having issues with the wind and had a hard time deciding whether he still wanted to play or not. We didn't bring the tent with us this time like we did last time. I think we will now always bring the tent when we go to the beach just in case we find ourselves caught off guard by the wind again. Jaden probably would have enjoyed it more if he could have seeked refuge in the tent away from the wind.
I love this photo. It makes me so happy to know that my kids will have memories with their grandparents. That's always been so important to me to make sure they have these memories especially since we live two states away. I grew up living only a 30-40 minute drive to my grandparents on both sides. I remember many sunday afternoons going up to visit Grandma and Grandpa. That was one of the hardest things (and still is sometimes) for me when I had my kids and we lived multiple states away, knowing that my kids wouldn't have the weekly visits with Grandma and Grandpa and all the cousins. I really miss that and so photos like these are real treasures.
Ron decided to take Jaden down to the ocean. He was still having a hard time with the wind and we thought maybe walking in the water might distract him. It did seem to help. At least for a little while. Walking along the water is one of our favorite things to do. The kids especially love to race the waves. Kaeryn and Tristan could stay in or by the water all day long. It's their happy place.
Jaxen loves to be by the ocean. He loves to walk along the shore, chase the waves and search for shells and cool rocks. But his most favorite part of the beach is the sand. Digging, scooping, patting, dumping. that's his happy place. I love watching him play.
This is one of my favorite angles of Jaxen playing. There was a slight slope as you got closer to the water. Jaxen played right at the top of that slope. It was the best spot to have easy access to wet sand and still have dry sand. I love my little dirt boy.
I love having fun with my photography. It is an art that you can be real creative with. I decided to have some with my photos. I changed the settings on my camera so that the images would be a bit over exposed. Then I added a tiny bit of shadowing to make my family pop out a bit. I actually thought it turned out pretty neat looking.
Kaeryn really didn't want to sit around. She wanted to walk along the shoreline and explore with Grandma and Grandpa. They pretty much did walk the entire shore line where we were at one side at a time. Here she is waiting patiently for Grandma and Grandpa to finish their rest. Tristan went also and he and Grandpa ended up searching the beach for shells and rocks. Tristan was very proud to have found an entire crab shell.
This photo makes me happy. I love these memories. This was when Kaeryn and Grandma began their second leg of their long walk.
This was a nice surprise. I was actually trying to focus in on a sea bird that kept diving into the water. Right as I was getting ready to take a photo of the bird this whale popped up. I love whales. They are amazing and beautiful creatures. There actually was two of them. I'm guessing some type of dolphin or porpoise. I was fun watching them as they went on their way.
Most people get annoyed by the sea birds but I actually like them. I think they can be very entertaining. I find that their prints in the sand are just as beautiful as ours.
This is Grandma and the kids on the way back from their long walk. My dad was still looking for shells, Tristan was ready for a rest. His legs were getting really tired. Kaeryn and Grandma were enjoying themselves so much that they just kept walking slowly and taking in the moment.
There were some awesome waves that day. I keep mentioning how much I love the ocean but I really do. I love the waves. I love the sound of the waves, the power of the waves, the beauty of the waves. In these photos I love how the sun shining bright behind them gave them their translucent look.
I love being able to see all the different colors and hues.
Kaeryn and Grandma are still taking their time. Walking in and along the water. While my dad finally caught up just rising above the slope of the beach. He's still looking for shells.
More of the awesome and beautiful waves. I will never tire of the ocean, or standing in the water or watching and chasing the beautiful waves.
poor little bee. He got all wet and seemed disoriented and confused at what just happened.
I'm so happy I was able to share this time with my mom and dad. It really was a perfect and beautiful day.
This was right before they left. We loved having them here. It was a lot of fun. Hopefully soon we'll be able to have another visit soon. It was wonderful to have some fun with our family!
