Santa Barbara

We have been wanting to go to Santa Barbara for a little while now. Jessica did a report on the Mission there in school and has wanted to go and see it. We were invited to go with a friend of ours last weekend. It was a last minute decision but we are so grateful she asked us. We had a great time. It was a beautiful day, not to hot or cold. Of course there was a breeze coming from the ocean, again it was a gorgeous day!

This first picture is from the Mission. This tree stands in the back and is surrounded by the cemetery. It was really amazing. Jess was excited because the girl from the book "Island of the Blue Dolphins" is buried here.

The fountain in the front was beautiful and I loved this shot of the water with the one waterlily.
The Mission.

After the mission we headed down to the beach. We rented a family "bike" and rode up and down the ocean for a while. It brought back memories for me.... almost 9 years ago Deric and I stopped there on our way down the coast and rented one of these. Jessica was the baby then, riding in the front basket!!
WOW, what can change in only 9 years!!!

After our ride we went back to the car and changed into swim suits. It is about 6pm in these pictures!!
Nelson says HI!
Ahh...the sand in your toes!
"I want to hold him too!"
Deric and Wally... and Sarah and Jess in the background.
Carrie, when driving along the coast looked out and said "It is a big Ocean Daddy!" Yes Carrie it is!

After swimming we went out on the pier. While we were out there we saw a few sea lions swimming in the water.
This picture isn't amazing, but this is one of the sea lions... they were a little too far away to get a good picture.
It was an amazing day and we are do glad we got to go. Spending time with family makes me so very happy, especially when everyone gets along and is happy.