Lake Arrowhead 2.0

There are moments in life that warrant repeating over and over again.  Taking a quick weekend family vacation to Lake Arrowhead is one of them!  In the spring, we visited Lake Arrowhead for the first time on a couple’s only trip and fell in love with it (see original post here)!  Albert and I wanted the kids and now with our new pet puppy chihuahua Reece’s Pieces to experience this mountainous splendor!  Here’s to family adventures!

The reason why I love this mountain town is because it reminds me growing up in Utah and being surrounded by the mountains, crisp air, and beautiful pine trees.  Plus, it is a short drive away from Orange County to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. And, you all can agree with me that shorter car drives with kids and now a pet in tow is something any mother will eagerly embrace with glee!

I am a master planner and enjoy having a backup plan for my backup plan!  With this mini vacay I decided to take a different methodology, one where no planning is involved. It is kinda fun to not have anything planned because it forces you to be both spontaneous and creative! So, yes I didn’t have anything planned. What, nothing planned!?! This is so not me.  But, this is the new me (or at least for this occasion) as the former me had each hour accounted for and it wore out my family! LOL!

It was nice to slow our pace and enjoy each moment without a fixed schedule.  My youngest is still 5 and our new puppy is only 2 months old and teenagers/tweens get tired too!  We just played things by ear and leisurely took this needed family time, tenderly and mindfully soaking each experience without any fancy expectations.  Just what the doctor ordered!  For example, the kids wanted a snack so we took a little walk to Stater Bros. and I introduced them to my favorite childhood sweet treat the Choco Taco that I remember eating at Taco Time in Utah as a kid.

I hope you enjoyed viewing our family pics to this awe-inspiring place, Lake Arrowhead.  Thank goodness, there were plenty of super friendly people to ask to take family pictures.  It means so much to capture these moments in time. Our children are growing up so fast and I realize time is all we have.  Awww … not an easy thing to accept as a parent!

It is so beautiful here in Lake Arrowhead and if you get a chance to visit, do it.  Even if it a short day trip!  Some may wonder if short vacations are worth the trouble?  Yes, your heart and soul will thank you! Albert and I reminded ourselves that with this short trip: the endless messes, sibling squabbles, potty training a pup while on vacation, and dealing with embarrassing moments in public with three crazy kiddos makes parenthood all the sweeter, funnier, and more beautifully authentic all at the same time!