Santa Barbara

We were in SB last weekend. It was way too short and every second was awesome. So awesome that I need to use lots of CAPITAL LETTERS in the post so you know exactly how AWESOME it was.

Except, you know, the kids didn't sleep because they woke up at 6am every day and were tired and cranky and didn't like the ocean and didn't like each other most of the time and blah blah blabity blah.

But WHO CARES because, SANTA BARBARA! 

SUN! BEACH! SUN! TANK TOPS! BOATS! BEACH! MARGARITAS! FRIENDS! BEACH! SUN!

I have a lot of pictures. If you follow me on Instagram you probably got more than you wanted already and can skip this post. But for the rest of you (aka my brother who ought to be getting back from hiking Machu Pichu any second and I'm sure will immediately read this blog).

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Dan's pictures first, because they are better.

At the Santa Barbara Zoo

I am in love with these Pigtails - can I get an AMEN!? 

Also, even tired travel cranky kids are happy when you stick them in t-shirts and send them OUTSIDE to play.

At the sliding hill at the zoo.

Elliott needed to have one slide with mama fishy before taking off his own for the next few hundred times down the hill.

Love these boys and their grownups. We stayed with this family who was gracious and lovely and friendly and whose mama is one of my FAVORITE people. Nory has asked about Gavin every other second since being home.

Dan might post more real pictures later, he took a ton but he's swamped at work this week so check back after Thanksgiving :).

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From the phone.

At the airport. It was freezing and they would Not Wear Jackets. Also, this might be the last time they had shoes on.

Airplane change so we get off the plane in appropriate clothing.

Airport to Lunch to Beach in under an hour!

View from Casa de Rutland (where we stayed!)

First run. "Mostly Cloudy."

Sees Candy because, VACATION DIET if you know what I mean!

Butterfly!

In the Eucalyptus forrest. On a log.

Sandcastles with Ewan.

H.A.P.P.Y.

State Street violinist

Ice Cream (Remember VACATION DIET?). Also how come Elliott spills yogurt on his shirt every SINGLE time he eats it, but did not spill even one teeny tiny atom of ice cream?

Train Ride

Baby Nicolas XXXOOO

Harbor view

Harbor run

Great attitude for our Christmas Card photo attempt.