Santa Barbara

We spent an amazing week in Santa Barbara with the Nords. When we were searching on-line for the perfect home to rent for the week, our requirements focused on keeping the kids happy (and therefore...keeping us happy). We wanted a pool and a yard. We got soooo much more than that with this home. It was absolutely amazing. Pool, hot tub, in ground trampoline, ping pong table, pool table, bocce ball court, huge yard on a cul-de-sac with room for riding scooters around. Safe to say, the kids were very very happy.

We also brought a lot of crafts/projects to keep them busy in the house when they weren't outside running around.

 a little wii bowling

 brent face painting

 even cormac got in on the marker action :)

As adults, we loved the indoor/outdoor living - with absolutely gorgeous weather all week, we were able to slide open the wall/door in the morning and not close it until we went to bed at night. And once the kids were in bed, we were fixtures on these couches by the fire..talking, reading and playing cards and taboo.

We made it out of the house a few times...we went for a few family dinner/ice cream and then we had babysitters twice for two adult outings. We rented a limo and did some wine tasting in Solvange. Let's just say by the end of the night  I was really wishing those babysitters had stayed the night so we'd have relief in the morning :) 

Right before leaving on the last day!