Wrapping up the vacation...

...yep, the party was a huge success. No snags or problems and a lot of fun. My brother was surprised the most by our appearance and that of his little brother. That was pretty cool. I have to admit, I was sooooo excited when he said he could make it - he lives in Louisiana! That was awesome!

So, Sunday we just hung around the house and visited. Just what we needed for sure.

Monday we went to the beach! Us landlubbers really enjoyed that. I'm not really a beach lover but it sure was nice to be somewhere so foreign! 

We stopped at a little place on the San Clemente pier for a drink and a fishy snack :-)

It was another fantastic day!

Ok, I don't really care about seagulls but hey, I don't get to see them that often and this one didn't mind standing still for a picture.

And it's not everyday you see a flock of pelicans!

Then we drove up the coast a little and stopped to check out this beauty.

while we were there, this seahawk flew up to the top of the mast to eat it's lunch. 

I miss palm trees

 I tried to talk him into buying this hat. He wouldn't. BUT, he let me take the picture!

We even went bowling one night! Really, when was the last YOU bowled? Mom waxed us all! Seriously, decades since she's picked up a bowling ball and she beat everyone! Me? I TOTALLY sucked! But I was great at being bad at it!

It was wonderful. And I loved that the girls spent so much time with us. That was really wonderful. I didn't expect them to at all so it was an added family bonus. They were delightful to be around.

I love my brother and I can't wait to see him again!!