Highlights from last week’s fabulous Southern California vacation . . .

Attending Eva’s baptism and Logan’s baby blessing

Spending time with Gran, Uncle Matthew, Aunt Eva, Dilon and Logan

Sea World (Because Ariana is studying about the ocean at school).

Ariana and Bryan sitting in the SOAK ZONE. (They don’t call it the “soak zone” for nothing!)

Ariana riding her first (and maybe last?) roller coaster–Atlantis!

Mom chickening out of riding the roller coaster

The mother’s rooms–GREAT idea!

Mom and Eva getting SOAKED on the river raft ride and sitting in the SOAK ZONE at the Shamu Show.

The Beach

Searching for the perfect sea shells

Getting WET! (Next time, I’ll bring a change of clothes for everyone).

This was the first time I’ve been back to California since my family moved away, and it surprised me how melancholy I was.  But even though so much about my childhood home has changed, Southern California, with all of the wonderful memories it conjures up, will always be one of my favorite places to visit.

Where we love is home.
Home is where our feet may leave
but not our hearts.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes