Newport Beach Vacation

We rented a week at the Marriott Villas in Newport Beach.  I love this place because it's up on a bluff and everywhere you look you can see the ocean.  It is so beautiful!  It was just our family, and it was nice seeing the kids play together as friends.  We had an amazing week of  R & R!

Marriott Villas, Newport Beach Coast

Travis & Luke playing pool poolside.

Kamryn & Kennedy walking to the pool.

Every night we went out to the campfire for smores!
I love the ocean behind us...

Kamryn with her smore.

Brynn, a week away from turning 13yrs!

Laguna Beach, CA

We went to this little beach called Goff Island Beach.  It was more of a cove so the waves were really calm, making it a great place to let the kids try and snorkel.  They even saw a huge Monterey Stringray 20 feet from shore.

Luke & Kennedy snorkeling

Brynn & Kennedy exploring.

Luke & Drew

Pelican Rock

Salisbury Bunch

Kamryn burying her feet in the hot sand.

Luke & Travis playing ball.

Right when we were about to leave we were washing our feet off and I noticed a golf cart drive by and in it was Kobe Bryant from the L.A. Lakers with his daughter!  So we decided linger a little longer!

Brynn & Luke with Kobe Bryant in the back round.

Kobe & daughter in his Cabana.

Of course we took these pictures slyly, we didn't want to embarrass ourselves, but couldn't pass up the moment either!

So close to Kobe for an hour!  We said "Hi", but he kept kind of distant from everyone, so before we left Luke, Drew, and Kennedy went up to talk to him. They told him that they really love the Lakers. He was really friendly with them, and asked if they have had a fun day.  So with a wave goodbye our "miracle" day as my kids call it, was over!

One night we went up to Huntington Beach to the Ruby's Diner at the end of the Pier.  It was so yummy and fun!

While we were walking back on the Peir, a fisherman caught a baby shark! The kids thought this day couldn't get any better!

Sunset at the Huntington Pier............

Newport Beach, CA

We decided to go right to the heart of Newport this day.  The kids had a great time boogie boarding and playing football.  I had a fun time sitting on my towel watching!

Sisters 12yrs & 11yrs  just a year and a half apart!

These tide pools were amazing at Lauguna Beach, Trav an I escaped to check them out and had to get a shot of the rocks and blue water.....it was so pretty!

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.
-Mignon McLaughlin

Salt Creek Beach, CA

This beach is so pretty.  It has a huge grassy field you walk down to get to the sand.  The waves were big, so the kids were loving it!

Sand Castle time.  It was cute watching them all work together.

About 7 years ago I took this same picture in this same spot, but only had 3 kids.  So we decided to update the photo. 

Mom & 5 kids!

We had an amazing week as a family together.  We only have 5 more summers together as a complete family, we got to use them well!

Cousin's Rivalry

Luke and Brock are best buds and have played on the same team every year for sports.  This was the first year they were not allowed to be on the same team (have to split up because they are both strong players). So when we played against each other, I had to get a picture of them having to pitch against the other:) Too cute!
 

Brock pitching to Luke! 

Luke pitching to Brock!

 

Lake Mead with the Shipp's

We went for a visit to see our great friends the Shipp's who live in Las Vegas.  They treated us to a weekend on their boat.  It was such a great summer day!  

 Shipp's & Salisbury's loading in the water.

I love this picture of Luke jumping off the boat! This picture captures that SUMMER has arrived!

 All my kids got a chance to water ski for the first time!

 Kennedy 11yrs

 Brynn 12yrs. trying!

 Luke 9yrs.

 Way to go Drew 6yrs!

Travis got in to assist him, but he did it!

 Salisbury's at the Hoover Dam.

Kamryn was passed out sleeping.

 Sophie, Brynn, & Kennedy

The kids favorite part was tubing.

 Kennedy, Drew, Brynn, Lilly, Tyler, Sophie, & Luke

Hang on!

 Kamryn 4yrs. refreshed from her nap.

 We stopped to try some cliff jumping! Above is Ryan Shipp jumping, with Travis mid rock, and the 3 girls in the water watching! Crazy! Then the kids all took a turn from the lower section. Go Luke!

Julie & Meredith

We sat by each other 16 yrs ago on the first day of nursing school, and have been friends ever since!

 Next event was SURFING

 Way to go Luke, he did awesome!

 Drew caught a wave with Ryan

Travis surfing, notice the kids in the back round. 

 The water was so calm and no boats in sight, so we left the kids free playing on the tube while us adults went to play! The kids invented "Shippbury" Island and loved it!

 

 Surviving Shippbury Island while the parents were playing.

 

Travis slaloming!

The water was so calm I couldn't pass up water skiing. Haven't done that for years!

 Going down!

 Drew's smile says it all!

 Kamryn's waterproof cast held up well!

 This day was so refreshing. Riding back in the sunset was so beautiful and sereal.  It ended the day perfectly! I think this will have to be an annual tradition.  We love you Shipps!