I can't really complain because, thinking back, it was actually a pretty great week. Normally, all I can think about is how soon the kids are going back to school because if they are out any longer they are probably going to kill each other. This year, the kids played pretty well together all week and spent a lot of time outdoors despite some rain and cooler temperatures.
Our one big adventure was a trip to Santa Cruz to visit my brother.
(This post will be really heavy on the pictures! Consider yourself warned.)
It's always exciting to visit Santa Cruz with a local. Dominic knows so many gorgeous beaches that are not common to tourists so they are far less crowded. After what some might consider to be a treacherous hike down a steep hill we found one of the most beautiful beaches welcoming us through the sandstone archway. 
Incidentally, after posting this picture on Instagram a friend commented that she knew exactly which beach we were visiting. She then informed me that it is a nude beach, a little piece of information that Dominic had failed to mention. Thankfully, despite our ignorance, we were spared any indecent exposure.
Speaking of exposure, Ashlyn found a cave in the cliff and created a dressing room to change into her bathing suit.
Unfortunately, the waves were far too strong for her to use her boogie board. Seriously, this picture really doesn't show the magnitude of these waves. They were enormous and each crash was deafening. 
We found plenty of other ways to have fun...
There were some charcoal drawings on the cliff face and this particular one reminded us of a Disney character...
I think I will just let the pictures speak for themselves...
If you ever wondered who I got my goofiness from here's your answer...
Isn't my mom beautiful?
Despite the crashing waves, Dominic impressed the kids with some cannon balls into the ocean.
You can't tell we are related, can you?
Is it just me or does Remy always look like he's smiling??
You can't tell we are related, can you?
Is it just me or does Remy always look like he's smiling??
No, seriously...
After a while the kids started to get tired and hungry...
so we packed up our gear, hiked back up the cliff and headed to the Surfrider Cafe for dinner. I don't know if it was just because I was starving but I had what may have been the best turkey burger I've ever had in my life.
This is Dominic's "I'm-not-going-to-look-at-you-and-am-going-to-pretend-I-don't-know-you-until-you-put-the-camera-away-and-stop-acting-like-a-tourist" face. Hey, what are big sisters for if they can't still embarrass you in public when you're thirty years old?! heeheehee
After a while the kids started to get tired and hungry...
so we packed up our gear, hiked back up the cliff and headed to the Surfrider Cafe for dinner. I don't know if it was just because I was starving but I had what may have been the best turkey burger I've ever had in my life.
This is Dominic's "I'm-not-going-to-look-at-you-and-am-going-to-pretend-I-don't-know-you-until-you-put-the-camera-away-and-stop-acting-like-a-tourist" face. Hey, what are big sisters for if they can't still embarrass you in public when you're thirty years old?! heeheehee
We had such an amazing day. It felt so good to spend time with Memejo and Dominic. We rarely get to see Dominic because our lives are always so busy but every time I do see him I reminded of what a great man he has grown up to be. He is smart, loving, caring and kind. Quite a change from the scrawny little "mold man" who used to rip the heads off of my Barbies when we were kids.
Thank you Memejo and Dominic for an awesome day we won't soon forget!
And if you're reading this Dominic, I'm so glad you're my little brother! You are an amazing guy and I've got an Orange Julius waiting for you to "yut to put goose" the next time I see you!
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