The Montage ~ Laguna Beach

We're back from our vacation packed month. For some reason, all of our opportunities for fun trips came within a 4 week time period. To keep with tradition, everyone had to bring home some type of illness with each trip. From Lake Tahoe came the stomach flu, from Trinidad came the bronchial ickies which led into the colds that carried through to Laguna Beach and Disneyland, and while Joe took the kids to Santa Rosa to watch the Amgen Tour of California, I stayed home and slept off a massive head cold (I should probably go to see someone after 2 1/2 weeks of this, but it's such a hassle with kids, hopefully it will take care of itself)....Joe headed into Sacramento today to watch them ride around the capital, but I chose to watch the recap on Versus so we didn't have to take the kids out in the crowds again (he'll post more on this later).

When we arrived home from Trinidad I hurried to get everything ready for Super Nanny (my mom) and I loaded up on the Sudafed, Tussin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Exedrin (but not all at once). We had a really nice time, in spite of the sickness.

We flew down early Wednesday morning and started off with a little window shopping at the South Coast Plaza. We then joined all of the administrators for lunch at a mexican restaurant overlooking the ocean called Las Brisas. After lunch we headed to check into the Montage. I can't say enough nice things about that place. I love it!

The view of the ocean from our room made being sick a little easier.

The workout room overlooked the ocean and the lap pool with huge sliding doors they had open. I could watch dolphins pop up as I ran. It was a treat, and I was able to get to know some of the other spouses who also had the same idea.

The rest of my morning and afternoon was spent at the regular pool visiting while Joseph attended business meetings. I spent more time than I should have at the pool and paid for it. I may look tan, but I am really fried! That night we went to dinner at the Sorrento Grill with some of the other administrators and their spouses. That night we had a dance back at the hotel. It was fun, but I was feeling pretty sick...and tired by that point....I just felt....off. We stayed until the entertainment left, and then went to our room and crashed!

The next morning Joe went to a short business meeting while I enjoyed another great run overlooking the ocean. We enjoyed a yummy late breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, The Loft, and then we walked along the beach and took a stroll around the hotel.

Mmm! Mmm! Doesn't that look good.

We changed our flight so that we could enjoy the area a little more. When we arrived at the airport they told us they had overbooked the flight, and asked if we would volunteer our seats. We were anxious to get home because Aaron was feeling so sick, but we called Mom and without hesitation, she said "Go for it!" So we ended up with nearly $700 in flight vouchers! Wahoo! Thanks for being a trooper Mom!

It was fun to get back to the kids. My mom did an awesome job! I am always amazed at what she is able to accomplish. She comforted and took care of the two sick kids, got everyone to school, baked and decorated Valentine cookies with the kids, arranged a playdate with Brynn's friend at the park... and visited with the little girls aunt while the kids played. (The aunt later told me, "Your mom is REALLY nice!" ) she played new games with the kids, took the kids out for pizza, made a healthy new muffin recipe with them, took them to two days of dance, went grocery shopping, kept the house in order, and navigated herself around a new city and sister city, without any landmarks (mountains) to tell which direction she was going. Go Mom! I am always thinking I should have paid more attention to all of her qualities and skills while I still lived with her. She is great!

It was absolutely wonderful, but along with all of the blessings come challenges. I'll spare you the details of what Joe had to deal with today, but let's just say, this was a well-deserved trip!