feet in the sand.

Every year we try to start the year with our feet in the sand, literally. The beach has always been a favorite place of ours. There is seriously nothing better than the smell of sunscreen and the ocean breeze. And the sounds of the waves brings a calmness that is unmatched. The boys love the beach for different reasons of course. They enjoy collecting seashells and rocks, playing in the sand, bonfires with s'mores and running wild in and out of the water all day long. We don't do it as often as we used to- but aaron and I used to love to bring our bikes (with the kids bike trailer attached) to Huntington on random Sunday mornings. We would just cruise to a little mom and pop breakfast diner and watch the sunrise together. Let's not forget about banzai acas bowls. Near the beach you can find a place that sells them at any corner, while there is no place in corona. Anyways these are just a few reason why we feel like our new year is best started out in a place that brings us peace and happiness.

This year we booked a few months ahead at Doheny state beach where a friend recommended. Aaron's mom had just bought an rv and was nice enough to say we could use it whenever we wanted. Naturally as with every trip, we had our challenges. The water stopped working on day one, the burner in the oven wouldn't lite and we didn't really realize that there was absolutely no hook ups at this particular spot until a few days before. Seriously, we didn't care. Ok we cared about the water haha but we were actually excited to hitch a spot with no distractions. To finally get to spend that one on one time that we had been craving with the kids during the busy holiday season. No internet meant aaron couldn't work and that was beyond awesome news since he is always so busy. Here's a little peek at our first camping trip of the year in no particular order...

our camping story. 

pancake love = camp life fashion;) 

the nights were freezing outside but it was so fun to cuddle up with the boys with the million blankets we brought along.

glow sticks are kinda a necessity for night time;) 

the chaires boys. 

taking dylans training wheels off his bike. 

the boys loved riding their bikes around the campground and we spent the majority of the time doing so. we only wish we had thought ahead to purchase a bike rack for ours.  

drawing and coloring in the sand. 

ayden trying to take his training wheels off to be like his brother haha. 

so excited to leave. they giggled no stop and dylan was showering ayden was kisses. 

a bit hesitant to drive an rv for the first time but drove it like a champ even while the kids and I blared the Sing soundtrack the entire time haha. 

while we weren't riding bikes we were playing board games. christmas brought a bunch fun new ones like this one- yeti in my spaghetti. 

a bit too cold for bare feet. 

our little artist. his new obsession is watching bob ross on netflix haha. 

chocolate ice cream with a scoop of peanut butter and frozen strawberries for aaron and I. This was our guilty pleasure this trip. 

breaking down camp so sad to leave but happy to get a shower haha. 

its not a trip without a few rocks to add to their collection at home. 

our little set up. 

no oven but we wanted those cinnamon rolls. stove top it was.  it worked out pretty well as you can tell haha. 

reading and journaling while the kids played. my favorite. 

trying to race dylan every lap around the camp ground even when dylan didn't realize they were racing. this kid is so competitive haha. 

the boys fashion choices. They insisted on staying pjs (and who was i to argue) while I insisting on layering robes, jackets and beanies for warmth.

aaron modeling his favorite shirt from jarrod that he pretty much never took off the entire trip (insert gross face emoji).