The Duck Nest: May 2016

For our third trip to California in the year of 2016.... :P

Mike and Michelle got a condo on the beach so they and all the Drake kids could have a family trip to San Clemente, California.

We drove down with Mike and Michelle on Sunday and then on Monday morning we all woke up early to go to California Adventure!

Cody, DeMarie, Lorien, Parker, Kelsey, Taylor, Michelle, and Mike.

I brought my hiking pole and it helped so much! I was definitely glad I brought it along even though I looked weird...

The Cars ride of course was the first ride we all did!

We got in a car with Lorien and Parker.

The Little Mermaid Ride! Ohhh my gosh! I rode this 9 times because not only is it AWESOME, but it's so relaxing. It also stopped in the middle of the ride a few times...Usually at great times like when everyone is singing Under the Sea...but once it stopped underneath the eels...and that was just creepy.

On the Ferris Wheel.

On Tuesday we all went to Disneyland together.

Taylor was very excited to ride Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Carribean.

But of course we had to go on my favorite...the Storybook boat ride!

On Wednesday we stayed nearby the condo and walked the San Clemente beach all the way down to the pier. Taylor tried to find sand crabs but to no avail.

You can see how rocky the San Clemente beach is in this picture. Our condo was only 500 feet from the beach!

The waves were really relaxing and the rocks made an interesting hissing noise as the waves receded.

Our beach walk. Luckily we have great sandals. It was nice that it wasn't very crowded too!

And Taylor found workout equipment...he couldn't resist.

On the San Clemente pier.

Later in the afternoon we went to the Dana Point Ocean Institute and tide-pooled with Mike and Michelle for a bit.

Taylor went here when he was a little boy, and my parents told me we also had been here when I was a little kid! Kind of funny.

There was a trail along the cliff that you could follow to get to different tide pools.

Checking out one of the many tide pools! There were TONS of hermit crabs!

Wednesday night we cooked dinner for the rest of the family.

Parker helped us out. Chicken stir fry!

Then we went to the beach and skipped some stones.

And yes, Taylor is dancing in the background.

Parker and I also threw stones into the waves for Taylor to go fetch. He had to bring back the stone we threw. In that moment, I didn't miss Tannin so much because I had a new pet. Tay became soaking wet, but luckily, still smelled better than a wet dog.

Here Fido! Come here, boy!

Kelsey, Taylor, Lorien, Parker

Walking on the beach together trying to find some good stones to skip.

Thursday started off with kayaking the La Jolla beach. We are 0 for 2 in getting to go into the La Jolla Caves unfortunately.

In the middle right area you can see a sea lion on the rock.

After we drove back to the condo, Taylor and I went to the San Clemente beach and swung on the swings and went down the slide before we started boogie boarding.

The beach is extremely rocky, and the water was chilly, but it was a lot of fun! Parker and Lorien joined us for the last bit.

Coolest swing ever!

Taylor in the water getting ready to catch a wave.

Mike, Michelle, Parker, Lorien, Taylor and I all went to the San Clemente pier to watch the sunset later that night.

Parker and Taylor with their mom.

Then everyone else drove back to the house while Taylor and I walked the mile beachwalk home. There were so many bunnies!!

Friday morning we went whale watching.

The whale breaching.

We saw a grey whale mom and baby. The mom whale even fluked (flipped her tail) for us at the very beginning!

We also saw a couple sea lions and a posse of bottle-nosed dolphins. Luckily, Taylor and I were on the very top of the boat when the dolphins came so we could see them swimming and playing under the water around our boat.

After whale watching, we all went to Corona Del Mar and had a picnic. There were also dolphins at that beach! They were playing in the waves while we ate.

After we finished eating, we walked around the tide pools of Corona Del Mar.