delaMontaigne Reunion

Before we found out about our move to California we had already booked tickets to San Diego for the first week of August for a delaMontaigne family reunion! Everyone was able to make it and we had a great week together.  My parents recently moved into a new home in Escondido so we spent a lot of time hanging up there in their new pool which was so great.  

Sunday, the first day that we were all together, we had Salmon Sunday (my mom's favorite!) and then her and my dad surprised us with Christmas in July!  Since we won't all be together for Christmas they decided to surprise us all and celebrate now.  My mom has been buying us matching pajamas for at least the past 7 years (maybe longer?) and giving us to them on Christmas Eve to open.  Well, she didn't disappoint this year!  

The pictures make me laugh!  We promised that we wouldn't put them on Facebook but definitely had to include them for the blog book!  

 And, a funny one!

Attempt of the kids-not much selection for Christmas jammies in the middle of summer but Paw Patrol for the boys, and Elsa, Anna and Sophia for the girls were a hit!

The past few years she has also started a new tradition with a gift card game so everyone was excited for that.  

Everyone helping Poppa open his gift card

On Monday, we hung around Nani and Poppa's in the morning (and I was able to have breakfast with my friend, Jody, from Hawaii) and then our family headed to Mission Beach that afternoon to meet up with our good friends, the Alticks and the Martins.  We had such a fun afternoon/evening on the beach and visiting with everyone in the Altick's beach condo.  So thankful that our vacations coincdided with one another and we look forward to seeing everyone much more regularly now that we are in San Diego.

Julia is definitely going to be a CA beach baby-she loves the sand and loves the water even more! 

Great friends, gorgeous view!

On Tuesday we hung out at Nani and Poppa's pool in the morning and then went to Coronado to see the Ozeck's new home in the afternoon.  We walked to the bay and played at the beach for awhile and then went back to their home for dinner and to hang out.

Wednesday was Sydney's 4th birthday so our family, the Ozecks and Nani went to Legoland to celebrate with her.  We made definitely made the day out of it-we were there right after 9:00 a.m. and left right around 5:00.  There were no major meltdowns or issues-just a few minor ones fighting over whose turn it was to ride with me (I felt so loved) but that was pretty much it. Rich had some work issues in the afternoon so he missed out on the aquarium but it was a fun day. We did decide that we aren't ready to tackle Disneyland quite yet with our crowd though-that sounds quite daunting (and way too much work!) right now, but maybe in a few years!  

 Selfies with momma!

 

 I'm pretty sure Aunt Laura was having the most fun on this ride!

Love our double stroller!  

 The aquarium wasn't huge but it was nice enough and a good way to cool down for the afternoon.

On Thursday we hung out at Nani and Poppa's in the morning and then everyone came up here in the afternoon to swim some more and to have dinner together.  

The kids made themselves right at home at Nani and Poppa's.

Ella is the craziest sleeper ever!  This little bed was surrounded by a dresser and the big bed but she found a way off.  Every night we would find her in a  different location!

 
Crazy cousins in the bath.

We headed to Del Mar beach on Friday for a gorgeous beach day! 

Full of sand and smiles

On Saturday morning Poppa took all of the boys to the stadium for the Chargers kick off practice.  

Neither Poppa nor Joseph were sure as to where to look!

While the boys were having fun kicking off the football season, the girls were getting ready for an engagement party at my parent's home for Brian and Hollie. They will be married on April 15th of 2016 in Rancho Santa Fe and we look forward to celebrating with them this upcoming year.  The kids had fun playing and swimming and it was so nice to get to know Hollie's family and to spend our last day all together. 

Saturday was also my 36th birthday and I loved having everyone together to help celebrate!

Everyone spent the night at my parent's that night so it was a huge sleepover!  Linz and Paul welcomed Hollie into our crazy family and Paul passed down the Game Over shirt that began as a gift for Rich which he passed to Dave and then Dave to Paul.  As Laura said, Bri will have to save the shirt for Joseph :)

On Sunday morning, we had a great big breakfast with everyone and then started saying goodbye to everyone :(  Daddy flew back to Texas for the time being, Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Paul and Zoey headed back to NY and the local San Diegans drove back home.  Joseph and Sydney were hoping to hop into Aunt Lindsay's suitcase to go on the airplane with them.

We feel so fortunate for our healthy and happy family and that we all truly enjoy spending time with one another.  It was a great week and we look forward to April when we will all be together again.  Love you all!