Day 12: Cousin Time

This morning we left Anaheim and drove to Redondo Beach where we met Zach’s brother Marc for a ride on his boat, the Desperado. Nana Kris came, as did Glenna and all the California cousins (Capeley, Emily, Joshua, and Maddie). The girls were so thrilled to spend time with their cousins that they just sat in awe of them for a while. Marc drove the boat way out to Malibu and we passed pods of dolphins, one of which must have numbered close to 100. We kept checking in with Diane because she looked sort of woozy, and I was worried that she’d be embarrassed to say she felt sick until it was too late, but then she fell asleep and we knew the Dramamine was working. Marc let Melina take the wheel and drive the boat for about an hour and she was in heaven. Kris was so thrilled to be on a boat full of her grandkids that she could barely speak. It was wonderful!

Sea lions!

By the end of the boat trip the cousins were all having a great time together and continued to do so through lunch at the Cheesecake Factory in the marina. After lunch we checked into our vrbo rental, a house in Redondo Beach. The place is spacious and gleamingly clean with everything we need. That said, the first thing I saw in the garden before I even unlocked the door to the unit was a dead rat. Then as the girls were exploring the place I heard Diane ask, “Mommy, what’s marl-bor-o?” She found a half full pack of cigarettes in the nightstand. Oops. We alerted the owners about both issues (we didn’t want to be blamed if they found cigarette butts elsewhere) and they were appropriately horrified and took care of the rat immediately. Now the place is perfect!

Dinner with the Zimets in Marc and Genna’s stunning Palos Verdes home was a blast and we worked out a way for Nana, Maddie, Joshua, and Emily all to come to Universal Studios with us tomorrow. We can’t wait!