Newport Dunes *CAUTION* Many Photos Ahead!

This past week we had the pleasure of camping with my parents at Newport Dunes.  It was an awesome week.  There was lots of playing, lots of bonding and lots of memories made.  The kids had Grama and Grampa available 24/7.  Jack played all of his favorite board games a million times and lay in the dirt while he played with his other toys.  They helped Grama cook and got her to feed them at least four meals a day (we're pretty sure Jack is going through a huge growth spurt, he ate SO much) and they didn't miss a single dessert!  Jack got to ride bikes with Daddy and Papa and I stole my dad away for a long ride one day.  I think that was my favorite part - I got to run or ride everyday while the kids hung out with Grama and Papa.  The surrounding area is so beautiful, I could have explored those paths for weeks without getting bored. This is the first vacation where I didn't gain weight!  There was a playground, beach, craft room/ arcade and pool. 

The pool at the campground is great and we used it just about every day we were there.  Jack has been steadily improving his swimming skills and he got a lot of practice this week.  Grace also loves the pool, but she has no sense of danger around it and really has no problem jumping to you when you're just a little too far or pushing away from you when she isn't wearing a floaty.  She's crazy.

Jack fell in love with jumping in. Over.and.over.and.over.  We didn't have the heart to tell him that the sign said no jumping.  The lifeguard didn't tell him either, so we just let him.  UNTIL, the last day.  There was this snotty rule following kid that kept telling him that he couldn't jump in (even when he wasn't jumping in). UGH!
At least it was just last day.

Jack made friends with another kid and they jumped and jumped and jumped together.  It was funny to see him so excited about playing with another kid.  I think he missed seeing all of his friends during our regular weekly activities.

The last time we saw him, the other kid was swimming in the "deep" end and Jack just couldn't quite keep up with him.  When we were leaving, Jack lamented that he "just can't wait to be six."  I can wait.  Slow down little buddy, I'm not even ready for you to turn five.  But in his life, all of the big kids that he admires are six...

We had lots of time for evening strolls, bike rides, games of horse shoes, uncle and auntie visits and attempted kite flying...

And during the days we got to choose between the pool and the beach...

Or we could do both. :)

And sometimes it was so much fun you just had to take a nap.

And there was plenty of time to be silly...

One day we took the ferry over to Balboa Island...

And we took a harbor cruise.  It was pretty cool, but the kids weren't really too interested in Nicholas Cage and Vana White's homes...

The playground was great too.  Right on the beach...

Lots and lots of silliness!

And after all was said and done, they were sure tuckered out...

What a blast! Thanks Grama and Papa for a wonderful and much needed vacation!