Day 5 was a long day!
We started off the day playing on the USC campus.
For those of you who are not obsessed with this school like our A.J., USC stands for the University of Southern California.
It was in the heart of the city.
We parked the car, walked the beautiful campus rich with architecture, and shopped at the bookstore.
Annie was found "twirling" on steps of the bookstore. The students were in love with her skirt and her smile!
Tymber and Ellie sneaking in a book while we were finalizing our time in the bookstore.
After we left USC, we headed to Santa Barbara.
A.J. was supposed to be touring the campus early, so we were going to meet up later, however, this is where the day begins to be long!
We were on our way, armed with valuable Santa Barbara information compliments of Miller~Santa Barbara~vacationites!
The drive was gorgeous! Each curve of the highway brought a different look to the shoreline.
We let the IPhone lead us to the famous spot of, "The SPOT." Home of delicious hamburgers and lots of Miller memories. :)
The kids L-O-V-E-D the burgers and fries!
Then we drove down the tree-lined streets to the beach!
Shoes were off, and the kids met the ocean once again!
And Annie began to build!
I don't know exactly what this face was for!
Our "Little Mermaid" and her castle building sister, Madie Ann!
We decided to pack up after only 20 minutes or so in search of waves.
Bad idea.
Apparently, there are no waves in these parts.
At least, not on this day, during this season.
Even though this drive to find bigger and better waves never came to fruition, my obsession with California trees began!
This is what pine trees look like in Cali...UGLY!
After a very long drive, lots of gas, many turnarounds, and very patient children...we headed back to the part of Cali we knew!
The kids beat us out of the car and down to the beach. As John and I paid the meter, loaded up Tymber in the backpack and grabbed the camera, this is what we saw by the time we made it down to the sand!
Freezing cold children, begging to go back to the hotel, make food and watch a movie.
But Annie...was not one of those kids.
She played and played and played.
We watched her and took one picture after another of our precious Annie loving every single thing that the ocean had to offer as the sun set behind her.
She danced...
And glided...
And stared...
And stared...
She made her own footprints in the sand...
And beaconed the waves...
It had been a long day of wrong turns, no waves, disappointing beaches and lots of driving, but watching Annie taking it all in, was worth every single minute of misdirection that led us back to our "home" beach at the twilight of day. It was peaceful and calming. As I walked very slowly back to our car, I realized that life doesn't really get any better than this. I have so much to be grateful for. So much to make me happy. Just so much!
