We survived. We’re here and we’re in one piece. The flight was not as horrific as I’d convinced thyself it would be. There was no sleeping to be had, not by the small or big people but we still seemed to like one another when we landed so it wasn’t all bad.
What has been a little rather large hiccup in our plans was our arrival at that beautiful cottage. Every bit as stunning as expected, we were completely overwhelmed by the character, the decor and the umm stairs that were actually ladders on a slight angle. Three sets of them. And that second story that had practically no railing on it. Oh, and that two foot high ledge that Ivy fell off three times in a couple of hours? That bothered us a little bit too. We arrived and left the same day and lost an awful lot of money in the process but from where we’ve been, it just doesn’t matter..We’ve learnt the worst way that the strangest things do happen and when something is clearly dangerous we just couldn’t relax – not for a second.
So, I’m writing to you from a lovely little hotel right on Laguna Beach..the boys are down making sandcastles and Ivy is playing under the rain shower. It’s been reeeeally hard to secure somewhere new to stay at short notice but we’re getting there. In the mean time we’re absolutely loving this gorgeous part of the World and are amazed at how friendly and helpful the locals have been. The light here is incredible and I’ve found it hard to leave the room without my camera in tow.
I can’t wait to share some photos, almost as much as I can’t wait to have somewhere to live! There will be no complaining from me though, we’ve left behind an Australian Winter :)
I’ll be back with a prettier post asap.
S xx
ps Thankyou for all the model responses, I believe Fran has been or will be in touch very shortly!
Oh hon I am so glad you have arrived safe and sound. Eeeek at the cottage, fingers crossed the perfect place is close by.
Kiss the kids from me & enjoy!
~x~
Yay! I’m glad your flight went well. I’m sorry you were dissapointed by the cottage, but I’m glad that your enjoying the hotel for now. Can’t wait for your next update.
:)
Sheye, I’m glad the flight went well and also glad you got out of the cottage as soon as you could. No parent would be able to relax by the sounds of what you’ve just described. Enjoy your time off the beach and fingers crossed the perfect place pops up for you guys asap.
Lots of Love Ebz xoxo
Loved Laguna Beach. Stayed at the cutest boutique style hotel called the Inn At Laguna.
My sister doesn’t live too far away from that area. Roll with the punches eh? Enjoy your holiday.
~K
Safe & sound…good. Sorry the cottage didn’t work out, that stinks. But I bet someone around there can put all of you in a safe and beautiful place in no time flat. Have fun. I assume Krysta is coming to see you. She mentioned it on FB. So jealous it isn’t me. Enjoy the gorgeous countryside and soak it all in. Can’t wait to see pics.
Love, Denise xx
So glad you are here, Sheye- California weather is perfect right now. Have a wonderful trip!
xoox
I hope you enjoy the cooler than normal temps we are having. It’s supposed to start warming up a bit by the week-end. I’m enjoying the temps, because i know whats to come. Too bad we still have a week left of school. i’d offer to trade the cottage for my home. = )
Welcome to the US! California is beautiful. Just got back from a trip to Palo Alto/San Francisco to visit friends and family, and cannot wait to return to California again. Enjoy. Can’t wait to see some pics.
I’m sorry to hear about the cottage. It looks pretty[from the photos] but if I were you, I would not risk letting my children stay there nuder such nusafe circumstances, esp the storey with no railings!
Laguna Beach is beautiful! Can’t wait to hear more about it from you soon :)
Welcome to the USA
Welcome Rosemeyers! I know you’ll find a lovely home soon…have a wonderful vacation!
Have a great time!!!
Good for you for taking the hard (and expensive) road with the cottage. Doing the right thing is usually NOT fun and not easy! I’m sure you’ll enjoy your vacation so very much anyway.
Glad you survived the flight but sad your arrival wasn’t perfect. I wish I had some connections in CA to try to help. Hopefully you’ll find (even better if you’ve already found!) the perfect place so you can REALLY relax and enjoy it all!
So glad you made it safe and sound, I had wondered what day you would arrive. Hope you have such a fun vacation…. can’t wait to hear all about it.
Oh, Laguna, Laguna. It’s gorgeous there. And so sorry to hear of the misfortune of the cottage! I too have found it hard to look at lovely pictures and then try to mix it with my children…oh well though. You will still have a wonderful time there!
Oh — one more that I forgot. I’m sure it’s been suggested, but perhaps check out Balboa Island? I stayed there for a week in one of their houses so long ago and it was beautiful. And you never, know; someone may have had to cancel last minute and you could stay there.
as a fellow southern california photographer (www.rachelthurston.blogspot.com), let me welcome you (although I am a bit confused…are you visiting or have you moved here?) I live in LA but am in OC every weekend about. would love to help you and your beautiful family anyway I can. enjoy the light. xo.
Welcome to Cali! Glad to hear the flight went well.. Not so glad to hear about the cottage! That’s a bummer. I’m sure you’ll find a great place in no time. Laguna is gorgeous, isn’t it? Almost enough to make you want to stay for good? ;)
If only I lived closer to the beach! I would give up all the beds and couches in my apartment (that’s FOUR) and in my parent’s house if you needed too.. in a heartbeat! Too bad I live in dreary Fresno in the middle of the valley, in the middle of the state. I do hope you find someplace and enjoy your stay!
Hey Sheye,
Glad you all made it to the US safely. Better to be safe on leaving the cottage. I’m glad you’re out of there. Funny how places don’t look exactly as they did on the website. I’ve had that happen more than once. Have a great time! Can’t wait to see some pics.
Oooooh Sheye! I’m so sorry about the cottage. You made the right decision, however.
I’m hoping you found a place already but I have emailed you some info on available beach houses.
Christy
Thankyou everyone! We’re still having a wonderful time, Laguna is amazing. Christy I didn’t get your email? I’m only on webmail but I can’t seem to find it there..Can you resend for me? Thankyou!
Sheye xx
sheye~
so glad you all arrived safely! i love laguna! i spent many a easter there with my family, the first trip being when i was only ten days old! we stayed at the surf and sand hotel every year and it has become a very special place to me! i hope you are enjoying every minute and i can’t wait to see pics! give a little love to the area for me ;)
emily
Sheye,
Welcome to CA…I am humbled as this is the first time I’ve come across your blog. I was rendered breathless as I was reading your posts about your sweet Ava. I am a Mommy of my sweet Ava Drew who recently turned 4. I too, love her to “the moon and back.” I cannot imagine how much you miss your lil’ angel. I will forever be touched by Ava’s story and you as her Mother. Bless you!
enjoy your vacation! keep safe!
jbxo
Ugh. We had the same experience when J.T. was a toddler. We arrived at our vacation cottage in South Carolina and discovered that it had three levels and three short, but menacing sets of stairs. I distinctly remember stopping stock-still in the doorway and thinking, Uh oh. Hope you have a great time and quickly find your home base while you are here!
Welcome to America…. I do not blame you for changing locations..I would have also! I agree with you, the after effect of how you think differ’s for sure! I know…I always would cut up hot dogs into little chunks and then remove the skin…how retarted huh!…Oh, well we do the best we can…God Bless you as you travel and may He make your trip a Huge Fun Time! oxoxo Shi~
Hey Sheye,
We just got back from dinner and I read you didn’t get my email. I just resent it on your “contact” address. Let me know if you still haven’t received it. Drop me a message on my email (christyboots@comcast.net) if you haven’t. Maybe I don’t have your correct address.
Hope you’ve found something by now. xoxo C
Hi Sheye
I hope by the time you read this you are staying in a cottage of your dreams – one that has stairs that really are stairs. What a disappointment, but it just means that there is something bigger and way better waiting for you all.
Lots of love
Elise. (Wishing I was also escaping our winter)
Darn it that the cottage didn’t work out. And really terrible that they weren’t up front about it being unsafe for children. You certainly should get your money back since your children were in danger there. Wish I lived two states lower on the West Coast (I’m in Seattle, Washington) and you’d all be welcome at my house. Hope it all works out for the best and you have a wonderful time.
oh I would so love to see you. You are in my neck of the woods. I hope you get some rest and I am glad you are getting settled.
Have a great time Sheye and Family its freezing in Brissie. 8 degrees tomorrow morning. Brrrh.
Caro
Yay for arriving safely in the US of A! And another YAY for following your heart and not staying in a place that did not fit the needs of your family ~ enjoy your stay here…and welcome!!
I’m glad to hear that you’re loving it so far – although what a bummer about the first cottage.
I should be in touch with you about Disneyland soon. My BIL is checking the schedule and said he’ll call in the next day or two =) I’m sorry I’ve not e-mailed, I keep meaning to, but I’ll definitely do so when I find out!
Welcome to the U.S.! I’m so glad you arrived safe and sound.
SO sorry about the cottage. You totally did the right thing. I hope they didn’t burn you too bad on the deposit etc. I’m sure you’ll find somewhere lovely to stay before you know it! Can’t wait to see all the pics.
Isn’t Laguna Beach stunning?! I lived there all summer when I was 21. Stayed on Cliff Drive at my friend’s condo and worked at the Local Taco Bell:)
Hope you find a nice, SAFE place to stay! Welcome to California!
I’m not talking to you. it’s fr-fr-fr-fr-fr-freeeeeezzzzzzziiiiinnnnnngggggg here.
Oh my friggin God! what is the go with that? ladders for stairs – have they lost their mind! What a bummer.
Have fun Rosemeyers and return safe and sound to us.
Shayne x
Sheye I’m so glad you got there and are loving the light. The cottage is horrible news though, if they knew you were bringing children and didn’t disclose the lack of stairs or safety features they have been negligent and should be returning your money. My cousin has moved to a smaller apartment in San Diego so can’t put anyone up but we did find this http://lodging4vacations.com/laguna-beach-house-rental/ which is available from 6/11 and looks reasonably safe, if a bit modern. I’m thinking of you guys, hope you’re having a great holiday!
(ps, we’re suddenly moving to the US this summer actually, other side though…long story)
WELCOME TO THE U.S.A.!
Crayton-When I lived in Madrid, I would have my watch on New York time (I’m originally from N.Y.C.). You must be so happy. Enjoy!
Ivy and Boys- Discover,laugh,play,have FUN!!
Sheye-Please buy the kiddies disposable cameras! It will be a blast to see how they “see” Cali! Enjoy the light. Have some good wine. LiveLoveLaugh!
!Un abrazo!
Oh my doesn’t sound good. Like the sound of Laguna Beach though better than um here. Honey lucky you aren’t at home we had Frost over night and it got below 0c so enjoy the sun and warm sunshine. See you when you get back.
Mwah
xx
i adore your work! you’ve been such an inspiration for my own blog! i wish, oh i wish we lived anywhere near you. it would be an absolute honor to have you photograph my three daughters!
thank you for sharing all that is lovely!
i adore your work! you’ve been such an inspiration for my own blog! i wish, oh i wish we lived anywhere near you. it would be an absolute honor to have you photograph my three daughters!
thank you for sharing all that is lovely!
amelia
glad it all worked out, hope you have loads of fun and can’t wait to see the pics!
i tried to get onto the website yesterday but it didn’t work, luckily its all ok now and i get back to reading your blog :D
i really love photography, and i came across your blog last night. i ended up in front of the computer until after 3 am reading (and crying) about your family. i was just so touched by you and your sweet family. i know i’m a little late, but i would love making an ornament for ava.
today though, i looked through your eye candy actions and i love them. i was wondering, will you ever break up the actions set into mini action sets for those of us on budgets? please? (giving you my best puppy eyes…)
Have an amazing time Sheye…that place looked incredible…what a shame it was a danger zone….enjoy the photography opportunities and please share soon !