This is Maui. She lives with her humans in a beautiful beach house in
Surfside, California. Fortunately for us, Maui's humans are very good friends with my aunt Sheila so when they go out of town, Sheila stays at the house taking care of Maui. The homeowners don't mind if Sheila has guests, so Friday we loaded up the car and headed down there.
The drive went well until we hit Los Angeles. The traffic was brutal but as soon as we got to Surfside, the waves washed away all the stress and misery.
We were in the house in the middle.
Nana and the kids headed down for more evening beach time.
Tom in his happy place.
Ahhhh.
Friday night sunset from the balcony.
And from the beach.
Saturday started off with some sand castle making.
Here's a better shot of the house.
Sand castle makers.
Proud of the finished project.
Of course, Serafina had to bring her mermaid fin.
Not much to do with a mermaid fin at the beach, but she was happy anyway.
My cousin Ciara came with her kids. Here's Zoe in the pool with Serafina.
And Leo hanging out with little Dezi.
Dezi is so cute that Leo didn't care that he destroyed the sand castle.
Leo in his "Dude, Chill" rash guard.
Serafina buried in the sand.
Of course we turned her into a mermaid with racket hands.
Tom Mirrione, professional baby wrangler.
Cousin Dillon walking Darwin down to the water.
The whole crew flying the kite. Leo was the launch man.
I gave Zoe these heart glasses. She loved them but still wouldn't smile for me.
So we told her to give us a good pouty lip and this is what she did.
More ocean fun.
Serafina and my other cousin's son, Darwin.
Big brother Anthony was cracking up in the background.
This kid was adorable and so hard to photograph.
Sunday morning we finally ventured away from the beach house. First stop was the bakery in Seal Beach for awesome pastries.
After a few errands, it was back to the beach. My bestie Tracy came to visit.
Man, this girl loves the beach.
Serafina and Tracy's daughter, Maya, in the water.
Beach boy.
These three are buddies.
Some post-lunch crafting.
Tracy brought me a vegan birthday cake to celebrate my birthday a little early.
Later on Sunday we spent time with my cousin Nikita's little boy Jax. He's a hard one to get to smile as well, but he's a very sweet boy.
Our other special Sunday visitor? Aunt Maggie!
She attends college just 30 minutes away from the beach house and we were thrilled she was able to hang out with us.
Monday was a bit more mellow. We went to Seal Beach pier.
Someone was concerned that "Slick" the Seal statue was chilly.
The
restaurant at the end of the pier burnt down a year ago and it's still blocked off.
You can see Surfside over Tom's shoulder.
One last afternoon on the beach.
Leo got to use the big binoculars in the house.
Here's an obscured shot of our amazing hostess, Aunt Sheila.
I didn't do a very good job of taking pictures of the adults. It was an amazing trip and very difficult to leave yesterday. Nothing beats the beach. Nothing.
