California!

Matt and I were thrilled to have the chance to go to California together! Even the flight there was fun. We were amazed at how quickly and easily we were able to go through security, just the two of us! We enjoyed reading on the plane and playing some rounds of Cribbage ... so relaxing! We checked into our "ocean view" room in the Newport Beach Marriott on Wednesday night.

The next morning, after the sun came up, we could (just barely) view the ocean after we zoomed in the camera lens a little bit.  Nevertheless, it was beautiful ... especially since we got the chance to SLEEP IN first! (We almost forgot what that felt like!)

We asked the valet parking guys in the front of the hotel where they recommended that we get breakfast. One man suggested we walk 1-1.5 miles to Wilma's Patio on Balboa Island. Since Matt's conference didn't start until the afternoon, we had plenty of time to go for a little walk. We loved the scenery and wildflowers along the way ...

Though it was likely more of a 2 mile one-way walk, we were so happy they suggested to go to Balboa Island. What a quaint little place!

We enjoyed looking at the shops and were excited to come back on a different day to try a frozen banana (since they were advertised everywhere), but we never made it back.

Wilma's Patio was a very quaint local eatery that served great food. I loved my Balboa Belly Bomber (a  hollowed out piece of fresh French bread with eggs, ham, and cheese inside), and Matt thought his waffles were delicious.

We walked around on Balboa Island a little more after breakfast (and marveled at how expensive these itty-bitty houses right on the water were!).

Matt found some palm tree bark on the walk back to the hotel that looked like a suit of armor. Ha!

On Thursday afternoon, we were able to tour two Lutheran High Schools in Orange County -- Orange Lutheran and Crean Lutheran. They are beautiful campuses, and especially Orange Lutheran does things in a really interesting way. They're the biggest Lutheran high school in the country, partially because many of their students take on-line courses for part of their load. This way their campus can accommodate even more students (since not all students need to be in classrooms the entire day). Thursday night we had an opening worship service, heard a really inspiring speaker (the president of Grand Canyon University in Arizona), and attended a reception. It was fun to reconnect with and meet Lutheran administrators and wives from around the country.

On Friday, while Matt was in meetings, I spent time with some of the other administrators' wives. I met a really cool girl (whose husband is actually a principal of a Lutheran high school in the Houston area!). We hit it off and spent quite a bit of time together while our husbands were in meetings. A group of us went across the street to a beautiful open-air mall called Fashion Island and did some shopping.

The landscaping around the mall was simply beautiful! California is a gorgeous place (though, this Texan must admit, still a little chilly for my tastes in March!) :) We were glad we had sweatshirts and sweaters along!

One of the highlights of the trip was a Harbor Cruise on Friday evening! It was a perfect evening to be on the water.

We enjoyed seeing others out in their "duffy boats."

We enjoyed mingling, relaxing, and eating yummy food!

The sunset over the water was a special treat!

We already had to head to the airport on Saturday after Matt attended a few more meetings. What a treat to get away as a couple and enjoy beautiful California! (Thanks again for making this possible, Mom and Dad S.!)