Manzanita

We realized recently that our family never goes on trips alone :) Meaning, our vacations are almost always with our families or friends. Which is awesome! Our kids have so much fun with other kids around, and the adults do too. But this year, Kyle had the thought that maybe we just get a little place near the beach and just CHILL with our own selves. Like, just the 6 of us (which I realize is a lot of people already, ha!) - Disneyland last year was AMAZING, so it sort of showed us how fun it could be.

I wondered... "will the kids have fun? will they just bicker? will they feel bored at the beach with just their siblings?"... Well, let me tell you about it. We rented this SUPER amazing little beach house. Tiny house with two bedrooms, living, kitchen... plus a huge wraparound deck with attached bunkhouse (sleeps 6-8) including two triple bunkbeds, it's own heating system plus their own bathroom!! Like triple high, each with a fun built-in book light on the wall next to each pillow So what I'm saying is the kids basically got their own dreamhouse. They thought this was like the best thing that every happened to them. The main problem was "how early can I get up in the morning?" with no alarm clocks in sight. So we had a system where Kyle would put a tissue box in the window facing the bunkhouse when it was 7am (it's summer!! sleep in, for the love...) We really had the best time, and never once ran out of things to do. We would play outside all day, then come back and start a fire inside to warm up, play board games, watch the Disney channel, eat Sour Patch kids while we made dinner. Usually one last trip back to the beach before bed (we were only a few steps away from the sand). Then Kyle and I got the little house to ourselves,  to stay up late and watch movies... It was truly glorious. I want to go back!!

My fave coffee shop on the way to the beach.
Espresso chocolate bean every time!