Globe-trotting Grovers: Cali Time 2016, the Cali Flu, and Making the Most of It

Cali Trip 2016, our 3rd year staying at our Laguna cottage on Thalia Street, and 3rd time visiting Chloe, Teta, and Uncle B and staying at their new house in Trabuco Canyon. The boys and I flew in earlier than Daddy Brad so we could spend a few extra days and more quality time with Chloe, visit with friends Charisse (and her little boys) who we saw the last time on Oahu and have since moved back to CA (living in Dana Point.) We also snuck in some time visiting Laura and her girls Brooklyn and Blair, who are the boys' Disney partners-in-crime :-)

Laura's new house in Newport Beach

Once Daddy Brad flew in, we checked-in to our beloved cottage in Laguna Beach, spending our 3rd year at our home-away-from-home.... except we weren't prepared that the experience would be less than ideal. First, we were unlucky with the weather and it was cold and rainy the week we were in Laguna, and second, Brad came down with an awful flu that forced him to be bedridden almost the whole time. It was awful! It left us feeling not-so-great about the cottage, especially since it was also beginning to show its age and wear/tear as a rental over the years. The heating wasn't sufficient for the weather we had, we barely used the outdoor garden, and we just simply realized we outgrew it and decided next time we needed a more updated, newer, and larger digs. It was a sweet farewell to our 3- year in a row Cali tradition. While Daddy Brad concentrated on getting healthy, I kept the boys out of the flu-filled cottage by taking them on little beach outings around town, lunches and brunches, reunion play dates with old friends, playground at the Top of the World in Laguna, and checked out some new places (like the newly built The Ranch Laguna golf resort). We kept busy and had lots of mommy and son bonding time!

our favorite Thai Del Mar

Beach day and meditating with our friends Kata and Blake

last time showering at the cottage's outdoor shower

yummy Brunch at new golf resort The Ranch in Laguna Beach

Then just by the time Daddy Brad regained his health, it was time for us to check out of our cottage, and we spent the following week at my sister's house in Trabuco Canyon, with Chloe, Petra, Bryan, Bronco, Roxy, Tigger, and another foster doggy. It was a full house, SO full! In the midst of all of us together, Jax came down with the flu too, and then I became very very congested and had a partial flu as well. Lets just say that our Cali Trip was a wash..... the flu really kicked our butts during what was supposed to be our R & R time in California with family and friends. We also had to cancel our annual Disneyland day with friends, and beach day we planned. We learned that since we travel (and fly on airplanes) during the winter and flu season, it will be wise for us to get our yearly flu shots so we avoid this kind of a repeat! Nothing is worse than being sick on vacation, and being sick somewhere that is not the comfort of your own home. Truly a lesson learned, but of course still grateful to have had our friend get-togethers, reunions, and bonding time with Chloe and family.... and that very special one or two times we ventured out as a family (beach time prior to Brad getting sick and then directly after when were able to take our duffy boat out.) It was still a memorable trip (more in the negative sense, lol)

Easter egg hunt at Irvine Park....

Jax ended up getting a milder form of the flu Daddy Brad had (running fevers sporadically all week) and was still a little under the weather when we arranged this special celebration day with Chloe.

poor Jax looked a little sickie in this photo with his red snotty nose :-(

Once we were all finally feeling better ( I was still really congested...), we took our duffy boat out and about in Newport Harbor, visited the playground and even had a dinner at our old time 3Thirty3 restaurant! It was a lovely sunny day... we began with donuts at new place Sidecar in Newport, duffy boat ride cruise, playtime at the new playground on the peninsula, fun zone for some trampoline fun, a walk out on the pier, and back in the harbor, where enjoyed our favorite dishes (and Rombauer chardonnay).