Tis the season...

For quick weekend trips and visitors.
Summer is coming, and while we don’t have any big vacation planned, due to the fact that we took our 2011 vacation in January, we always manage to take quite a few quick 2 – 4 day weekend trips or have people that come and visit for a few days as well. I love that about the summer season.
This weekend was the first of said weekend trips. We headed up to the bay area in my parents minivan, with Rhett and Monica who have been out in CA visiting on a break between semesters at the University of Tennessee. The main event was to see Eli Joseph Shong receive his baby blessing. We got there around 10 pm on Friday night and left by 1 pm on Sunday afternoon, so it was indeed quick, but we managed to squeeze a lot in and make some great memories.

Julie and Aaron were gracious hosts and we loved staying in their comfortable home. Their four kids are just a blast, and they were all ready to re-enact Pirates of the Caribbean for our entertainment after a long dive on Friday.
Saturday, we drove down to Santa Cruz to spend the day in the sun, and so Adam could see his parents, which is why he is not in any of the pictures of us in Santa Cruz.
We went down to Capitola-by-the-sea, then headed over to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for the fried food, sunshine and carnival rides with an ocean view. I really do love that place, it brings back so many great memories of our trips there as kids and just has such a great summertime vibe that I crave, not to mention some of the best fried zucchini I’ve ever had. So good, but so bad.  The weather was perfect and the crowds definitely showed up, but it was still so much fun!  We managed to get home in time for my Mom and Monica to prepare a delicious family meal and just enjoyed being together.

Proud parents of 4 darling children!

Kai and Noah really are best friends, it is too cute

Getting ready to ride the Looff Carousel, which is now 100 years old!

Getting ready to toss the brass ring into the clown's mouth



Such a perfect day!

 Sunday was the main event. We all dressed in our Sunday best to head to church and see and listen to a beautiful blessing given to Eli by his Dad, Aaron. The blessing was followed up by a delicious brunch, then back into the car to head back to good old HB.

The happy Song family

Our Eternal Family!

Proud Grandparents

Eli so happy to receive his blessing!

Being an Auntie is the greatest!

We had such a great time and can’t wait for the next weekend trip!