Ventura - Work and Play

This past weekend was a three-day holiday here, and on Saturday, Stace headed up to Ventura bright and early to help Uncle Bill with a yard makeover.

See that line of fence posts behind them? That was the result of their day's labor.

The girls and I enjoyed a lazy Saturday morning at home after a late night out with friends Friday night. Then, we got packed up and went up to Ventura, too. Aunt Patty had some activities planned for the girls, including introducing them to the block-balancing game Jenga.

Later in the afternoon, we walked over to the beach.

Cora was eager to try out surf-fishing with Uncle Bill. She succeeded (if kelp counts).

That evening, after baths, we enjoyed fresh fish tacos with red snapper from a neighbor - the benefits of living near the ocean! Then, we had s'mores over the fire pit.

We spent the night, and in the morning while the girls were sleeping, Stace and I went out for an early walk along the beach. It felt like a mini vacation.
Then, Stace and Bill went back to work. The took out most of the plants you can see in the top photo, filling both the truck and a separate trailer.

After lunch, it was time for another quick walk to the beach.

Stace loves playing in the sand. He turned Cora into a mermaid, Violet into a speedboat and a created a sand castle, with encouragement from the girls.

Before returning home, Bill made an amazing pizza for our dinner. Yum. I can't leave their home after an overnight visit without having gained two pounds.