SURPRISE!

We got home from the lake late Monday night and we had a big surprise for the 3 big girls the next day.  They thought we were getting up and heading to Nana's and Pops to get Caroline.  I woke them up super early and had them get ready then I told them we had a surprise!  They had all kind of guesses...The first guess was that we were headed to the airport to pick up the boys!  They went wild when I said we were going to Uncle Matt's! 

Claire kept pretending to faint. 

There was lots of dancing and screaming

Off on a big girl adventure! 

Of course we couldn't leave Chuck behind! 

We weren't there more than a few minutes and they were already in the pool! 

and doing Charlie's hair! 

Then we got to go to one of Adam's basketball games. 

The next morning we went out to breakfast and did some site seeing.

Unfortunately, that afternoon Claire had an accident when doing a back flip off the side of the pool!  It sent Uncle Matt, Mom, and Claire to the ER for the next few hours.  She was such a good sport.  They glued her nose in 3 spots, checked out a VERY nasty cut in her mouth, and made sure her jaw wasn't broken and then sent us home.  She was clam and sweet and more worried about if she was in trouble or if we were mad at her the whole time. 

When we got home there was a welcome party waiting on her! 

and a cozy fort for her to lay in. 

She insisted on keeping our dinner plans (at one of Uncle Matt and the boys favorite places) even though she couldn't open her mouth or move her jaw at all. 

The trip went on and she never complained! 

We went to Santa Monica Pier and beach. 

We even got to surprise Lucy and Charlotte with a visit! 

Uncle Matt surprised the girls when the Kona Ice truck just pulled into the driveway during a pool party! 

Chuck also got married during the pool party!  With a room full of very good sports. 

The boys love Benihana so they wanted to take us there. 

We celebrated Audrey's birthday a little early.

They had a great time! 

Then poor Adam got talked into them dressing him up. 

Claire even dressed up as Adam. 

One night after lots of swimming they decided to turn Uncle Matt's shower into a hot tub! 

Claire slept with her ice pack on every night.  

They had a family talent show. 

Even Lucky got to be in it. 

This 4 year old rocked the WHOLE trip.  3 hour time change, on the go the whole time, keeping up with the big kids, zero complaints.   

We got to watch Charlie play baseball too! 

The girls were excited to meet one of the actors from one of their favorite shows.  He is on Charlie's baseball team.

Proud of their biggest cousin. 

But then it was time to go home.  They were so sad!  We had such a great trip!  They had done some shopping with Erin so they had a heavy load to carry on the plane. 

Sad little ladies! 

It was a very quiet trip home.  Not much talking and lots of tears. 

They stuck me alone and thought that was pretty funny. 

Packing and repacking their treasures. 

In the end they were happy to be home with Caroline but made it clear they HAVE to go back SOON!