The Summit in San Diego

After missing two years in a row, we were finally able to make it to the yearly Summit for the family company. It was conveniently located at the Rancho Bernanrdo Inn this year, so the three of us drove out on Thursday morning. Gavin spent 7 hours in his car seat and only melted down a few times. I'd call it a successful drive. Shortly after our arrival, we met up with the rest of the Millers and hit the welcome dinner.

Friday was Gavin's first day at camp with the other 2-year-olds (or almost-2-year-olds). Despite the fact that every child was screaming bloody murder at drop-off, it apparently was a great day. I think daycare providers must also be child psychology geniuses because they somehow managed to get five toddlers to nap together on a king size mattress. After our meetings, we gathered Gavin for the all-family carnival. Games, face painting, balloon animals, photo booth, bouncy castles, rock wall and of course...buffet dinner. Gavin had a blast and stayed up way past his bedtime. It was really awesome.

Had to use a crowbar to get Gavin in the car.

Telling Dad all about camp.

Wrestling in the sheets with his cousins!

Face painting fail with Aunt Tess

Woohoo! Bounce castle.

Loving his balloon "monkey"

Getting hangry

Running around and kicking balls

On Saturday it was off to camp again for G and down to business for us for a long but fulfilling day. We had a few hours with him in the afternoon before it was back to camp for G and off to a 1940's themed dinner for us. I'm not a big late-night person, but I did enjoy the dinner (of course) and got out on the dance floor for a few minutes. G was sacked out on his corner of the mattress when we went to retrieve him and stayed asleep during the transport to our room. Perfect!

Peek-a-boo I see you!

Multi-tasking

Getting up close and personal with the clown.

Learning how to fly an airplane with an older cousin.

Mmmm popcorn

Naptime!

Swimming with Uncle Cody and Z!

Playing at the park in Carlsbad with Kaha.

Sunday was not quite as jam-packed so we caught up with cousins and took it easy around the resort. After Gavin took a nap, we snatched him from camp and headed into Carlsbad to visit Dylan's grandparents, uncle, aunt, etc. We made it back in time for the farewell dinner, which lasted about 15 minutes for G and me. After a few fun-filled days, he was completely overtired and just not having it. Dylan FaceTimed me with the slideshow so I didn't have to really miss out, which I watched from our bathroom while Gavin found his way into dreamland.

Then, we loaded up my car, and Dylan and Tom headed north for a few hours so they'd be out of San Diego and LA for the morning traffic hour. The next day, G and I had breakfast with Tilly and Tess, moseyed around, and relaxed before our flight. Taking Gavin on an airplane is no walk in the park, but T & T were beyond helpful. After landing in Portland and then driving 2.5 hours to the coast, we were just about done with this day and exhausted since it was way past our bedtime. No more than three minutes after we pulled up to the house, Dylan and Tom showed up in the Venza. We couldn't have timed it more perfectly. We got ourselves relatively settled...and then Clyde the dog ran away. Which was further complicated by the fact that he's deaf and you cannot call for him. Dylan found him a couple streets over an hour later and then we could all finally sleep soundly. Whew!

Good-bye San Diego! Thanks to Aunt Tess for hauling Gavin and some of his cargo through the airport...she was a champ!

Lollipop at take-off...

It was a whirlwind, and four nights in a hotel room with Gavin is not super relaxing. BUT it was so fun to catch up with a lot of cool and interesting people/cousins. The full-time childcare was certainly a plus, and I'm not exaggerating when I say I gained about five pounds over the weekend. Every single meal was incredible and followed with dessert. I really hope we can swing it to go back every year from now on, mostly because it's such an awesome experience for the kids. We are thrilled to be on the Oregon coast for the rest of the month, where we spent this morning playing outside in 57 degree overcast weather. But more on that later!