My favorite time of year

Every single year my little family vacations for the Fourth in a little place called Gualala California. My favorite little retreat in the world. And the best part....you are disconnected from the world. well, mostly. I choose to be disconnected. And I love it. Its a break from stress, a break from social media, a break from my mind. Also, its a plus that I get to be surrounded by my huge 40 member family. Which is a party all the time. Every day is full of adventures, naps, swimming, ranger rides, sand castle building, eating and more eating, boating, fishing, hiking, scavenger hunting, card gaming, chit chatting, smore making, etc. My kids get to play with their cousins all day. non-stop. I seriously look forward to every single visit to this secluded place and crave it after I leave.

We hike and ride through the super pretty redwood forest the borders the pond, and you would not believe how pretty it is. It really was that green.

easily tuckered out from non-top play. Quite the perk.

Singing campfire smores scary storytelling = best night ever

Caught his first fish with his little batman fishing pole - don't worry - we let the little guy go.

Squeezing in a trip to the nearby beach - a must in California right?

Fourth of july decorations and eating, I have the sweetest nieces and nephews and the more I get to know them the more I love them. Yes, and that is Oli stuffing his face successfully with a Uncle Sam cupcake. And yes, I'm one of those mothers that find my child adorable even with frosting dangling off his face.