California Here We Come

Finally after months of anticipation our trip to California is here! Unfortunately, Darren wasn't able to join us on our adventures but the kids and I looked forward to this day ever since we moved from San Diego to Washington in Feb. 2010. The next two weeks were packed full with our must see & do list! In & Out, Ruby's @ H.B. Pier, Las Barcas & Teo Leo's to name a few food places. Also, the Beach, Disneyland, kayaking trip for the boys, visiting family & friends and sneak in some shopping here and there made the trip worth while. I am pleased to report that no one left disappointed. Our trip was a huge success and we now have memories to last a lifetime!

Aunt Janette took great care of us while we stayed in San Diego for a few days. The girls were pampered with pedicures and treated like royalty. Janette lived with us for a short time when we all moved to S.D. in 2007. Ever since then we have shared a special love and bond with her. Thanks Netty for being a awesome host and we miss you so much!!!

During our travels along the 5 FWY from H.B. to S.D. we stopped and visited Grandma & Grandpa Eastwood. It was a bittersweet visit since they will be moving next week. However, we are excited because they will now be 4 1/2 hours away living in Salem, OR. It's been such a blessing for my children to have a relationship with their great grandparents and I know we will always cherish this last photo taken at their Mission Viejo home.

The Kormylo Family

The highlight of visiting CA is seeing all our old friends!
Bryce & Caleb ~ Abby & Rose ~ Audrey & Sophie

Sisters & best Friends

Hanging Out

Beach Days

Live ~ Laugh ~ Love

That is what I do with my old friends from Riverside, CA. Sandi, Kristi and I all served in Cub Scouts together when our boys were younger. A special love and bond formed with these two awesome ladies and it's still as strong as ever. Abby also spent the day with her 1st Best friend! Sophie Jorgenson was Abby's best friend since the day she was born. It's always fun to see these girls play together!

Grandma & Grandpa Barker
We had another fun filled day! We spent the night with grandma & grandpa Barker and finally met our new cousins Charleigh & Wesley! They were so cute and so much fun! Abby loved holding & playing with her new cousins and Sophie loved playing with the dogs. We had a great BBQ with family and enjoyed catching up with everyone. Of course Chuck E. Cheese is a must when we are with grandpa. The girls look forward to it on every visit together. We also went to the movies with grandpa and watch Kung Fu Panda 2. It was so fun and wonderful to spend time together. Thank you so much Dad for a fabulous visit! We love you very much and are looking forward to seeing you soon.

Disneyland
We couldn't visit California without making a stop at the happiest place on earth. Grandma Helm joined us and we all had a fabulous day! We had a chance to ride and see everything we wanted. Of course we went on the Jungle Cruise and loved it! That ride always puts a smile on my face because I think of Darren. He worked at Disneyland when we first were married as a jungle cruise tour guide. He was the best!!!

A few highlights of the girls while on Vacation... painting, playing in the spa, taking pictures & Rain Forest Cafe.

San Diego

Cody was invited again this year to participate with his old scout troop and kayak down the Colorado River. Thanks to some wonderful friends who built Cody's kayak for him, he spent his 1st day in CA. painting with his buddies Ben & Zach. While Cody painted all day, Caleb & I joined friends at Del Mar Beach and then Caleb hung out with his old buddies and I went shopping. I also had a chance to enjoy the beautiful San Diego Temple grounds. The girls enjoyed a relaxing day with Grandma Helm without older brothers picking on them. It was a perfect day!

The Carmel Valley Ward High Adventures Trip
Caleb & Cody both had the opportunity to spend a week with old friends and leaders floating down the CO. River. They loaded up the kayaks, the gear, boats and took off for a week of adventures. Here are a few pictures I snapped when they arrived. Tired and stinky but they loved every minute of it! A special Thank You to wonderful leaders and friends who have given Cody & Caleb memories that will last a lifetime!

- Good Bye California -
We ended our trip down at the Huntington Beach Pier. We had lunch at Ruby's, watched the US Open Surf Contest, spent the day one last time having fun in the CA sun at the beach! Said goodbye to grandma and grandpa Helm & thanked them for a wonderful visit!