California Babysitting

I traveled with Nate while he had a few days of scoping work in Southern California{July 19-21}. At the time of him making plans to travel by himself I didn't feel like he should and that's where the babysitting claim comes in. Nate says I am babysitting him. So, maybe technically it can sort of be categorized like that, but that's not my intention. By the time the trip came around Nate's energy level had increased a lot so I probably didn't HAVE to go, but I still did. :)

We brought Eliza along with us. Her first airplane ride. She was a peach on both flights. My mom watched the rest of the kids. {Thank you, Mom!}

Eliza did a lot of sleeping....

...while in this SAH-WEET ride!
Nate "upgraded" to a premium car because it was a smokin' deal.... ummmm, I see why. I have to admit the first half hour of driving around in it I was a bit embarrassed (no offense to those of you driving a Grand Marquis around), but then I realized it was quite funny and I really didn't care.

So we drove to about 20 different church buildings. The most retarded thing was the master key only unlocked one exterior door (which really isn't too uncommon) so we would have to go around and search for it. And when I say "we" I mostly mean Nate. :) Then we had to search for a closet with that same lock to find another set of keys to unlock the doors inside. It was sad to me that they had to lock EVERY single room in the churches. I think there was only one building that most of the doors were unlocked already. And talk about filthy. Yuck! Most were pretty icky, sadly. Nate also had to reupholster a couple small couches at an institute buildinig. Look at him go....

I had hopeful plans to be able to visit a friend while we were there, but in the end we still didn't end up close enough. But we were lucky enough to be able to meet up with Nate's brother, Eric, his wife, Kim, and their family for a quick lunch and jaunt to the beach before our flight home. It was really cloudy near the beach the whole time we were there. I had to go buy a jacket the first night! I was really confused. I could have sworn I was in "Sunny" California!!

It was really fun to visit with our nephews and niece- Bryce, Kensington, Charlie and Hudson. They are such cute kids. And a visit to the beach wouldn't be complete without getting a bit more wet than planned. A rogue wave nearly wiped us all out! ;)

I really shouldn't be allowed in front of cameras. I pull the stupidest faces and close my eyes half the time. Let's move on...

Awe, now that's a face that'll make you smile.... not grimace.
Eliza even had to borrow a jacket from her cousin, Hudson. I thought it was interesting that people were still at the beach in their swimming suits freezing their buns off. There were only a few smart ones who were there in their hoodies enjoying it for what it was worth.

Nate didn't want the rest of our kids to feel left out....
So in reality Nate didn't NEED me there, but we had a fun time just being together. And I promise I was more helpful than I have implied! :)