C*K*J: Summer Vacation 2012

Better late than never, right?

2012 is a big year for the C*K*Js. The mister celebrated a big birthday (40) this summer and we are just a few short weeks away from becoming a family of 4. Seeing how we had things to celebrate and it was likely one of the last times that Leah would travel free (and quite frankly that we would even travel period for a while), we took advantage and enjoyed one last glorious beach vacation with our little threesome.

We spent 5 days at the St Regis in Dana Point soaking up the sun, playing in the sand, swimming in the pool, splashing in the ocean, eating yummy food and spending oodles of quality time together. It was nearly perfect in every way.

Leah has turned into a great little traveller and loved all of the time at the beach and the pool with Daddy's undivided attention. The hotel was stunningly beautiful and very family friendly... we especially loved the 1.5ft toddler splash pool and the Saturday night monarch butterfly release topped off with story time and smores on the patio. We also didn't hate the otterpops that they brought around to the kids' pools every afternoon! (eating otterpops in the pool on a hot day doesn't suck)

CJ snuck in a round of golf for his birthday and then we treated him to an amazing fireworks show right literally right outside our balcony that we like to pretend was in his honor. (actually, one of the ketel one vodka heirs rented out the golf clubhouse for his 40th birthday bash and capped off the night with a $50,000 fireworks show on the 18th green. it was very cool!)

It was the perfect lazy vacation for a pregnant mama... other than a few evening trips down to the harbor for dinner, ice cream and a stroll.... we barely left the resort. We just hopped from the beach to the pool to someplace yummy to eat. It was heaven!

Loads of pictures from our fun adventure in no particular order...

Happy 40th Birthday CJ.
(and you're welcome for the fireworks)

It was a little surreal to think that the next time we do a vacation like this, we will be a family of 4!! Who would've ever thought?!?

It was just as surreal to look down and realize on the way home that my littlemiss is now a little girl!! It kind of kills me to see her so grown-up. Bittersweet, indeed. I'm so glad we had this fun one on one time with her and I'm so glad she's ours!!