Family Reunion

I have taken a short hiatus away from blogging because I have spent the last week with my family in Newport Beach. We are going on our second year of staying in the Newport Beach Marriot Villas for our annual family reunion. You see, each year one person in my family calls and gets the promotional deal to stay for 4 nights and three days in the 2 bedroom villa for 398 bucks under the condition that you sit through their 1 hour sales presentation. Great deal right? sounds luxurious, and it would be if you weren't trying to cram 9 adults and one baby into a single villa. Nevertheless, it is still a blast and soooooo cheap. You can barely stay at a motel 6 for that price anymore! My dad likes to say, "we're scammin' the scammers."



Upon request of my mom, we took some family pictures at the beach. I was so excited to do this seeing as how I LOVE any opportunity to improve at the art of photography....UNTIL I remembered that my family is the most uncooperative, unenthusiastic group of photo subjects known to man! My dad was lacing up his shoes after 3, yes 3, group shots were taken. Everyone was grumbling between each pose. My brother and his wife somehow missed the memo on the dress code. My mom was taking her own shots off to the side, not realizing the value of daylight. My other brother was listening to his iPod. and Jack...well, he was a timebomb waiting to erupt in protest of missing his bedtime for family photos.

In my opinion, none of the pics turned out. They are either too yellow, too shady, or out of focus. Oh well. Next year we will hire someone!






The better part of our stay was spent surfing at the beach. It was really a blast, but watching a baby for 3 days in the sand got kind of old toward the end. It was fun to see Troy and my brothers playing hard all day long. It was a much needed break for them all! We enjoyed morning walks, eating out, and staying up late watching old slide shows from our childhood. It was really fun. Thanks mom and dad!