Visiting family in California

Abby and I had a blast on our vacation to CA. We had full flights both ways, so it was pretty interesting, but we made it! Luckily the woman sitting next to us on the way out was very gracious and didn't mind Abby touching her or pulling at her things. As soon as Abs fell asleep it was a pretty smooth flight. We did so much while we were there, now that we're home we are experiencing the vacation blues, missing everyone and all the fun. You know it's a rough life when the biggest decision you have to make is whether we should go to the pool or beach. Here are some pics to document all the fun!

Welcome to the Johnson's new home and neighborhood in California.

















It was very enticing to want to move in with them. However, after my mom and I went on a walk and we heard the coyotes howling at night I booked it back to the house and am thankful I won't have to encounter one in CT.

















Abby's first look at the Pacific! Malibu is beautiful.























































Face plant!




























































Abby is wiped after all that fun.






















Gorgeous views on the way home.

















Angels vs. Yankees game with Uncle Dave!























































Uncle Dave at Grandma's.

















One of Abby's highlights.

















J. Paul Getty museum. Really wealthy guy wanted a place to display all of his Italian art, so he built an Italian villa. I couldn't appreciate the art as much as my parents since I haven't been to Italy. Guess I'll just have to go there ;) It was still a good experience and I enjoyed trying to take creative photos of the art, until I was told to stop, oops.












































This guy was having a rough day...

















We went to the Ronald Reagan Museum/Library which was very fascinating. We could have spent a lot more time there.

















We went in Air Force One. It was actually not what we expected inside, not as nice. Still pretty cool though. Four presidents used this plane and Reagan passed the bill for a new plane, so this one is in his museum.



















































Taking Ashley for a swim.

































Ashley is such a good baby.






















Can we say attitude????






























Baby portraits, check my photo blog soon.






















The beach at Santa Barbara.












































Solvang, a wonderful Scandinavian town where my parents stayed a night while on their honeymoon. All the shops and buildings looked this way, at one point I asked if we were still in America.















It was so much fun to walk around in all the little shops. My mom and I went into this one kid's clothing/toy shop that we could have stayed in for hours. The clothes were so cute, I wished they made them in my size. They were irresistible! This is the girls dressing room. It looked like a college dorm room.






















We got a hat for Ashley.















...and it matched GG.





































Pretty sunset, with more time, I can edit out the stop lights.






























GG (Great Grandma) with the grandbabies.






















GG's house, where my mom grew up, Newport Beach.





































Frozen bananas on Balboa Island are always a must.

















Mom was telling me she used to walk to Balboa Island with her friends after school.






















Check out this Beamer. Great for little roads on the island.






































Abby's schedule was so off. She had to catch up on sleep while she could in the car.






















Taking the ferry across from Balboa Island.

















Was taking a picture and noticed a seal popped into it. He was huge.

















I thought this was funny. If I wanted NY pizza I would have stayed home.

















Why I love Cali.

















Newport Beach waves are the BEST and so clean.



































































Ashley at Zuma beach on the last day.

Philippians 4:8-9

"Whatever is TRUE,
whatever is NOBLE,
whatever is RIGHT,
whatever is PURE,
whatever is LOVELY,
whatever is ADMIRABLE -
if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY -
think about such things. Whatever you have learned from me, or seen in me -put it into practice. And the God of PEACE will be with you."

I have been writing scripture on our mirrors with a dry erase marker. Today I was reading in Philippians and wrote these verses on our bathroom mirror. It's great to have as a reminder while I brush my teeth or give Abby a bath. I was standing in front of the mirror reading God's words and when I looked past the words I saw my reflection. I saw God's word being spoken over my entire body. It was so humbling to know God speaks his promises into my life. Those beautiful attributes that are true of God are also true of me because I am a child of God and His Spirit dwells within me. Praise God!!! I encourage you to do the same. Write scripture on a mirror (preferably a full length one) and read it out loud while standing directly in front of it. Know that that is God's word being spoken to you.

The time has come.

This morning we said goodbye to Rob, Esther and Ashley as we watched them pull away and head to the airport. They are no longer Connecticut residents, headed to their new home out in California (LA area). A new chapter begins for all of us now that they will be living across the country. Oh, how we will miss them so much and pray the Lord will surround them with a new church family and friends very quickly. Tim and I decided to randomly spend the night last night at my parent's, so we could maximize our time with them. We stayed up pretty late reminiscing about growing up. We all realize this is part of life. My parents actually grew up in California and moved to CT in 1983. We went back to visit family just about every year to two years. Their move hasn't really hit me yet, because Abby and I will be headed out there in a week and a half. My mom left with Rob and Esther and my dad will be going with me. I have no idea what I would do flying 6 hours with a toddler by myself. It will be very interesting.