San Diego

I love summer, and I totally loving this summer break so far (ask me in 6 weeks if I still feel the same).  I could do expansive blogs about the daily activities we do and have done.  There is always room for fun, and so much to do!  There's never a dull moment, and if there is, it can easily be filled with a chore!  :-) I love being able to go to the beach whenever we want, go swimming nearly every day and at a different place each time.  I love the chance my kids have to just play together, to build on their friendship and nurture their relationship.  I love how they (and we) can play all day together and don't have the total need to have a friend over.  I love how we do have friends over often, and often they stay for dinner or sleep over.  I love not being booked with summer camps so we can go to a movie if the mood strikes (we saw "Kit" today - it was sooo good!), or accept another swimming invitation.  I love how I can stay home and enjoy all of this without having to send my kids off to summer camp.  This is my vacation, too!

I love taking these mini-vacations, especially when they are at such wonderful locations and luxurious hotels!  We stayed at the Hyatt Grand Manchester right at SeaPort Village.  

This is during breakfast on Thursday morning.  John had a conference call, so he had to step out into his 'office'.  I just had to snap a photo of this - it's a classic shot of modern business!   This is his work day . . . gotta love the flip flops!

The kids loved all the beautiful boats and yachts.  I loved going for a run both mornings along the harbor. 

There were many street vendors.  This guy was great!  He posed as a statue and would start entertaining if you put money in his bucket.  Freaked the kids out when he first moved!  It was hilarious!  Madison was the only one brave enough to play along. 

The pools were gorgeous and overlooked the harbor

Brooke tried to be brave and feed the birds.  

Madison loved all the beautiful birds

I took the kids on one of those cheezy SEAL tours where it goes on land, then drives into the water and turns into a boat.  It was actually fun and quite informative!  Did you know that San Diego has the largest number of military bases in the world?  Should we be afraid to be there?

Another street vendor at SeaPort Village.  I had the kids' portrait done.  

It turned out really cute, but Christian says he looks like a girl.

We ended our Anniversary (sans the groom) with a Cinderella style horse drawn carriage ride and fireworks off the USS MIDWAY, while sipping hot chocolate.

We got back to our hotel room after 10pm, just minutes before John got back, too.

It was a fun mini vacation . . . now home to throw my niece Renee a bridal shower, then go camping at Carpinteria next week!  Yay!!

I love summer!

Our Family's 15th Birthday!-

John had some business in San Diego so we decided to tag along. 

We left at 6:00 Wednesday morning and went straight to Sea World!

The weather was perfect and the kids were all excited to go again.  We were grateful that John was able to accompany us and considered it our anniversary celebration since our anniversary is the next day.  We do like to celebrate each year with the whole family since it is the birth of our family!

Christian got tired toward the end of the day.  It's hard going all day when you've been up since the crack of dawn!

The Atlantis  -  get ready to get wet!  I stayed out with Ashlyn and John took the kids.  Christian was so excited to go on his first big roller coaster (if it can be considered one). 

What's Sea World without the Shamu Show?

I should have taken the Atlantis turn . . . instead my turn was on Shipwreck Rapids . . . and man was it wet!  I was soaked to the bone and highly uncomfortable.  Of course by the time we did that ride it was later in the afternoon and starting to get chilly -- or just chilly if you're soaked!