Wedsenday.

One of our favorite thing to do each morning while we are at Newport Beach is to walk to only the BEST doughnut store ever.

We each get our top pick and carry our morning treats in the white sacks and hide to the ocean for a morning walk along the shoreline.

It is always fun to find the treasures that roll upon the shore during the night.

The kids hands are always over flowing with the shells they think are beautiful.

I just enjoy being together with our little family each morning; kinda like the clam before the crazy...

...Speaking of Crazy...
Spending the entire day on the beach is Crazy and what I call Perfection.
Our bums hit the sand about 11ish (or sooner when the burnoff is clears off) and you can find us there until dinner time.
Sand, Sun, Water, Family, and a Balboa Bar...Today was a little piece of Heaven.

Tuesday.

Silly burn off... another crummy morning at the beach, but that didn't stop us from having fun...

Next stop: Toy Story 3 with a big popcorn and an even bigger Diet Coke.

By the way, such a cute movie.

We all liked it and think we all (young and old) can relate to the movie when we had/have a favorite toy that we love(ed) so much.

One of my favorite toys was...

When we got back from the movie, the SUN was out, so we went out to the sand for a minute, just before dinner, but long enough for us to get a quick and easy family picture with one of my very favorite back drops...the pier of Newport Beach.

Picture Perfect!

The short time that we were out there, had to be one of my favorite moments of the trip so far! Look closely to my sis-in-laws hands... and the brown on her sweatshirt...
as we were smiling for our family picture, all of a sudden Karen screams....
A bird pooped on her as she sat there in her chair watching us.
Bad or good timing, either one, it was awesome and perfect all in one...for us watching, BUT gross and terrible for her.
Another reason to add to my list of why I hate birds.
On the addenda for tomorrow...burn off or not, we will be on the beach all day...this I promise you (and my excited kiddos.)

Monday.

*Newport Beach, Cal. 2010*

"A cold day on a sandy beach is better then a day at home doing laundry." - C. Springer

Though the weather was cold and a bit windy today, it sure didn't stop the kids from playing, and playing, and playing some more on the beach.

Sand Castle were built, holes were dug, sand was thrown and in every crack from fingers to toes. The kids boogie boarded, water was lugged from here to there in buckets, and most importantly, there were smiles from all.

One of my very favorite things about Newport Beach; not to forget to mention the doughnut store or the way the kids don't fight sleep due to the playing all day, BUT that is just it...it is the memories that are being made here.

...Things the kids and even myself with never forget and look forward to with each year as all the Springers get together.
(Oma and Opa with 26 of their grandkids after FHE on Monday night.)
There is 44 of us Springers, and I will be honest, yes, we do get on each other nerves at times, but, hey, Family is the most important thing in this world, so quirks and all, I am grateful to be a part of this awesome family.
So, with that said, here's to a week of fun, drama, sand, doughnut runs, family, and memories.

Sunday.

I Love my Family.

I Love the Gospel.

I Love Sunshine.

I Love Vacations.

I Love my Life.

I love Traditions.

Even more so when traditions include vacations...

It's that time again to pack up the car, the kids, and head down south to California for our annual Springer Newport Beach trip.

So, the fun begins with a mini family vacation with just us; kinda like the calm before the storm...

A swim in the pool.

A night in Mesquite.

Lunch in Las Vegas.

A night in Prim.

A nice relaxing break poolside.

A sparkle toe shot.

After a couple of days on the road, there are no complaining on going to sleep; maybe it was all the swimming, or maybe it was running around with cousins, or maybe it was knowing that in the morning, California is the next stop for a week full of beach.

I Love Traditions.

one year ago.

Michael Jackson died.

I still have a hard time with the fact that the King of Pop is dead.

Still today, one year ago from his death, Michael's death is still under investigation.

So sad that a talent of his stature had to die over fame, money, power; a early death.

I have to admit, I still want to believe that Michael is still alive, but that would be silly.

I think of how his music "touched" my life with memories.

His music made you happy, made you want to dance, made a difference in the world.

All ages enjoyed it, my kids would even sing along while we drove around town.

He WILL live forever in his music.

There will be no one as talented as Michael was.

We LOVE Dad.

Happy Daddy's Day

Today is Dan's Day and boy does he deserve it.

Dan is...

* a Great Dad.

* a Hard worker.

* a Loving Husband.

* an Example to others.

I took the kids out shopping and let them pick out gifts for their dad.

I had them really think about their dad and the man that they think he is.

Cassie said that her dad like candy and Cafe Rio, so that is what she picked.

Carson knows that Dan loves doing the Dew with a cold glass of ice and enjoys sports and the Cubs are his favorite team.

Dan is a clean freak and everyone who knows him, knows it; even more so his own daughter, so how did Delanie want to spoil Dan?

With his very own good smelling shampoo and conditioner.

Mackenzie wanted to get Dan the perfect gift, but just couldn't make up her mind, so she wanted to get him a gift card to Fanzz and the two of them go on a daddy-daughter date and pick something out together.

The kids and I just wanted Dan to feel special today, so the kids left no detail undone, they even brought Dan breakfast in bed which was a bowl of fruity pebbles.

We are lucky to have such a wonderful man in our lives.

We LOVE Dan!

Mark your calendars.

Today is one of the BEST days ever...

...Today is...

National Doughnut Day!

You better run out to Dunkin' Donuts OR Krispy Kreme and celebrate today's date with a fresh cake doughnut...

Maybe even have a second.

Enjoy!

Finally...

It's Summer Time.

This year Summer has taken it's own sweet time on getting here.

Well today, Summer has finally come.

Here's to hoping that the heat and sunshine stay around for awhile.

Happy and Gitty.

Today I am Happy.
I went out and bought my copy of David Archuleta's book.
I will be GITTY a week from today... I will be one of those "crazies" who are going to stand in line and wait to meet Daivd to have my book signed and get a picture with him.
Something I have wanted for a long time.
Crazy, I know.
But it will make me HAPPY & GITTY.
(wish me luck.)