San Diego Redux

 Jared and I spent our honeymoon in San Diego--we loved it and often talked about going back with the kids. . .and then Brandon and Brittiny moved out there.  Perfect!  Last week we took our first of what hope to be several visits to them, and it was even better than we remembered.

It had been long enough for us to forget the misery of road-tripping with kids, so we decided to drive out to San Diego instead of fly.  We drove to Las Vegas that first night, staying at the Gold Spike hotel.  I was stoked to get an online deal, only to learn that when you pay just $25 for a hotel room, you get what you pay for.  Even in Vegas, land of cheap accommodations.  Our room was clean enough, but run-down and NOISY.  No matter;  we were up and on the road again by 7:00.

 

We arrived in San Diego at lunchtime and went to Old Town.  When Jared and I came here on our honeymoon, we took pictures of ourselves sitting in front of a fountain.  We searched, but all we could find was this one.  Eh, close enough.   

Fun game:  Watch Ben's beloved Doggy grow dirtier as the trip continues!

After lunch, we drove to Brandon & Brittiny's house.  Brooklyn was so excited to see her cousins that she ran out and met the girls at the car:

Brittiny hooked us up with some sweet accommodations at the Navy lodge on Coronado, and we all drove over together that evening.  It was wonderful staying at a beachfront hotel--check out the view from our building:

Poppa and Jared took the kids for a stroll on the beach while the rest of us checked in.  The kids came back to the room about an hour later, completely soaked and covered in sand--they were so excited to get into the water that they didn't care about it being only 60 degrees and themselves fully clothes.  So we threw everyone into the tub to warm up and wash off.

Brandon and the kids stayed at the hotel for dinner.  We ordered pizza and the kids made Valentines for each other--they had so much fun sneaking back and forth between hotel rooms to deliver the cards!

The next morning, Jared and I went for a stroll along the beach with Ben while Anna stayed at the hotel with Hailey. . .

. . .and later we all headed to SeaWorld.  We couldn't have asked for a better day--sunny and warm, with minimal crowds. 

While watching the news that morning, we heard that one of the killer whales at SeaWorld had had a baby the day before.  To our surprise, after the "Shamu" show was over, the handlers opened the gates and let mom and baby into the pool to do a few laps.  Every time the baby surfaced, the crowd let out a collective "Awwww. . ."

At the first show, the girls had noticed the "splash zone" and were eager to seat themselves there for the dolphin show. "How bad can it be?" I thought.  "Those dolphins are tiny compared to the killer whales."  And so I sat with them.  Ha.

Hailey was not too happy about getting wet.  In her words, "I was just sitting there and the dolphins came up and SPLASHED me.  What did I ever do to a dolphin?!?"  Later, when a pilot whale doused us again, she exclaimed, "Oh, great.  Now I hate whales too!"

 

Fortunately, it was warm enough that we all dried off quickly. . .only to get wet again on the boat ride, and yet again at the splash pad.

The park closed at 5:00, which was perfect--we were all pretty "funned" out by then.  We had just enough energy to sit and enjoy some ice cream before the park closed:

On Saturday, our kids (who never DID adjust to local time) were up at 6:00, so after breakfast we drove out to the ferry landing, another place we remembered visiting on our honeymoon.  We had cupcakes and let the girls browse for souvenirs, then we rented a bike surrey and pedaled down to the bridge and back.  (It was a lot harder than we'd anticipated--the girls were too short to reach the pedals, so it was all Jared and me!)

 

We got back to the hotel just as Brandon and Brittiny arrived for an afternoon at the beach.  The kids were absolutely enraptured--Anna and Elizabeth jumped waves, while Ben staked out a place on the sand and commenced with some serious digging and dumping.

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The water was awfully chilly, but that didn't keep Jared from diving in and trying out the boogie boards Brandon had brought.  When he got out of the water, he was shivering so hard that I snuggled close to him to warm him up, and Brittiny remarked that that was the most public affection she'd ever seen from us.  Now we know what it takes for Jared to submit to PDA:  borderline hypothermia.

The day at the beach gave us the opportunity to recreate another photo opportunity from our last trip:

 

 

Originally we'd planned to leave the kids with Nonny and Poppa and head out on the town for a couples' night that evening. . .but we were all too beat and agreed to just finish out the beach day and call it good.  Elizabeth went to Brooklyn's for another sleepover, and we took Ben and Anna out for a grocery run and then sat around watching "Despicable Me" and eating ice cream. 

The next morning we went to church--I heard that Brandon did a good job giving the Sunday School lesson, but I was hanging out with Ben in the nursery (Seventeen kids, whew!  Bless those nursery leaders' hearts.)  After church we went to Brandon & Brittiny's, where they'd prepared an amazing spread of Brazilian food--feijoada, maioneza, collard greens, and pan-fried potato-ey things that I need to ask Brandon about because my kids loved them.  Anna gave the feijoada two big thumbs up--how exciting to discover a dish that combines her two favorite foods in the world:  bacon (fine, it was salt pork, but close) and black beans!

We "kidnapped" Brooklyn for the evening--we made a quick trip to the Mormon Battalion visitors' center, where the kids got to pan for gold, and then we went back to our hotel, where we made popcorn and watched "Tangled".  (Or, rather, Jared watched it.  The rest of us fell asleep almost immediately. . .)

 

Early Monday morning we went for a walk on the beach.  On Saturday we'd found a few pretty shells and broken sand dollars, but we were determined to find more.  Jared and I went out first, and we came back with almost a dozen intact sand dollars.  Later Nonny and the girls went out to hunt, and when they returned they said they hadn't had any luck.  I tried to share some of the ones I'd found, but they kept insisting that it was OK, I could keep them. . .they eventually 'fessed up and showed me that they'd collected several dozen of their own.

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We also found this on the beach--a marooned sailboat, still full of. . .junk.  Garbage, groceries, and a book entiled "Proper Boatkeeping".  Heh heh.  Apparently there's some law (naval law?  California law?  Pirate's code?) that says the boat has to sit there for two weeks before it can be removed.  Anyway, speaking of boats, after we checked out Jared dropped us off at the ferry landing--we thought the kids would get a kick out of riding across the harbor:

 

 

On the San Diego side, we met back up with Jared and strolled to Seaport Village, where we did some browsing, had lunch, and watched a juggler on the plaza until it was time to meet everyone else at the USS Midway museum.  

From the planes on the deck, to the "brig" below, the Midway museum was amazing.  We walked through the hangar, explored the planes on the flight deck, and wound our way through room after room below-deck.  We spent several hours exploring and still didn't get to see everything.  The pamphlet told us that when the ship was fully staffed, over 4,000 people lived and worked on board.  It was fascinating to see just how they did this--besides the obvious bunks, bathrooms, and kitchens, we also got to see the laundry room, dentist office, and even, um, this:

 
 

Exam room on the medical deck

We thought about pulling out Anna's loose tooth. . .

 

A teeny-tiny chapel, complete with stained glass

 
Anna tries out an officer's desk.

Brandon and his boys

Brooklyn, future Top Gun

The runway and catapult

Poppa & Brogan

 In a chopper on the flight deck

You see that cute Chinese gentleman sitting near Anna?  Right after I snapped this picture, he scooted over and smiled at Anna, trying to get her to smile for the picture his wife was taking.  She was utterly mortified by the attention her blonde hair and blue eyes attracted.  I guess we won't be visiting Asia anytime soon.  

After walking for miles back and forth through the Midway, we went to Little Italy for dinner.  When Jared and I went on our honeymoon, we had stayed in Little Italy, and as we drove I commented to Jared that the buildings were looking very familiar.  Just as we sighted our restaurant, I also spotted the hotel where we'd stayed, right across the street from us. 

 I told the girls to make a silly face.

 Eleven years later, back at La Pensione.

Looks like the hotel has held up about as well as us.

We enjoyed pizza and pastries, and then it was time to say our goodbyes to the Breppersons.  We drove to our hotel near Mission Bay, where we would stay just one more night so we could check out Point Loma the next morning. 

A winter storm was moving in, and it was downright chilly at Cabrillo Monument on Point Loma.  We borrowed binoculars from the visitors' center to take in the sights, watched ships and planes arrive and depart, and explored the old lighthouse.

 

Cabrillo Monument

Hey, there's our hotel!

"Gull!!!" (That's Ben-speak for squirrel)

 

 Lighthouse staircase

The old lantern.  (And perhaps you'll sleep better tonight knowing that the bulb currently lighting this lighthouse is a CFL.  No, seriously.)

After exploring the lighthouse, we headed to the tide pools.  The wind was blowing in some ominous-looking clouds, and just as we arrived at the tide pools, it began to rain.  

 What is it about marine life that makes it simultaneously so amazing and revolting? 

I'm hoping that our next visit to San Diego will bring a low tide on a warm, sunny day, because this would be such a fun place to spend more time.  The girls were good sports about the bad weather and they had so much fun scrambling around and exploring, but between the pelting rain, biting wind, and slippery rocks, we had to call it quits after just five or ten minutes.  We said goodbye to Nonny and Poppa and headed for home.  I was leery of making the drive home in one day, but it actually wasn't too bad (thanks in no small part to the DVD player, a stack of new books, and plenty of lollipops.) 

We came home to two feet of snow still sitting in our front yard, and I was tempted to turn the car right back around.  Spring still feels impossibly far away, but I think we soaked up enough California sunshine to last us till it arrives here in Utah.
 

Oh, Yeah. . .Christmas

The Christmas season is always a busy one--between work parties and church parties and multiple family parties, our calendar is pretty packed.  This year, though, we were forced to take it easy, thanks to some nasty little germs who invited themselves to stay for the holidays.  Just 2 days before Christmas, Ben brought home an awful influenza-like virus that had been making the rounds in the neighborhood.  Jared stayed home with him while I took the girls to church, and while we were sitting around that afternoon, we were surprised to hear a knock at the door and see just who it was:

  

That evening I stayed home with Ben while Jared took the girls to his parents' house for the family party. . .however, ours wasn't the only family laid low;  of the sixteen grandkids slated to be in this year's Nativity, only six were well enough to go to the party.  We decided to schedule a "make up" party for the following week.

For the first time in 10 years, we stayed home on Christmas Eve. . .with nowhere to go, we just hung out together, made some Christmas-tree-shaped pizzas, and had a very quiet evening.

The kids were up bright and early on Christmas morning.  Ben was puzzled by the presents under the tree, but after we handed him one and helped him open it, he made a beeline for the rest!  Once the opening frenzy was over, we all settled back to enjoy our new gifts.

Ben concentrating intently on his new remote-control car.  By this point his poor little cheeks were chapped and raw from the constant runny nose/wiping.  Anna had also started running a fever, so she and Ben stayed home with Jared while I took Elizabeth to visit Nonny & Poppa and Grandma & Grandpa.

 

 Duncan, chilling in Sarah's arms at Nonny & Poppa's house

The next night was the Torgersen party, but I woke up sick with the cold, so this was one party that our family had to skip entirely. 

 

This pic isn't actually from that day, but it pretty much sums up how we were all feeling by this point in the season!

 

A few nights later, Anna and I were well enough to go to the Epperson party. . .this time it was Elizabeth's turn to stay home sick. . .along with Ben, who still had a pretty nasty cough.  Anna enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with Hailey and Yvey, without having to share them with Elizabeth.

Finally, FINALLY, we were all well enough to go to the second Olson party.  We had a wonderful time, with another wonderful Nativity production.

The next night was New Year's Eve, and we planned our usual "Fondue-palooza".  This year I decided to extend the invitation to our families.  Unfortunately, Jared came home from work early that afternoon, sick as a dog.  I figured he'd finally succumbed to the cold the kids had, tucked him into bed, and called our invitees to warn them.  Kellie & Joe and Nonny & Poppa still decided to come, and we all enjoyed some fondue and good conversation.

Ahh, just look at this happy gathering of people, blissfully unaware of the fact that in their presence was millions of streptococcus bacteria, eagerly looking for a new home.  Yep, that "cold" of Jared's was in fact strep throat. . .and it turns out Ben had it too.

 Patient Zero

At first I brushed off Ben's irritability and nightwakings as an ear infection from the previous cold--given his history with ear infections (he always kicked them on his own without much trouble), I thought we could wait it out.  But when another day passed and Jared was still pretty miserable, I began to suspect strep throat in the both of them.  By the time I got Ben in to see the pediatrician, Anna and I were sick too.  Thankfully, Jared was feeling well enough by that point to take care of us all, and we started on antibiotics right away so as not to infect everyone who was to attend Elizabeth's baptism two days later.  I love you, amoxicillin.

So. . .yeah.  This year's holiday season was something of a blur.  Lots of Motrin and pajamas and movies.  You'd think after all of the illnesses we've had since Thanksgiving, I'd be more vigilant than ever with the Purell;  on the contrary, I feel ready to surrender.  After all, what's left to catch?

Tooth Fairies and Gandolf

 

After a week of waiting and worrying and wiggling, Anna lost her first tooth!  We were sitting at the kitchen table doing homework, when Anna leaned over to show her loose tooth to Ben.  He reached in to give it a wiggle himself, and pulled it right out!  

 By the time Anna had gone to bed and tucked her tooth safely under her pillow, winter storm Gandolf had arrived in full force.  We were woken early the next morning by a phone call announcing that school was closed for the day.   

  

The girls had a blast spending the day playing in the new snow.  It was too dry to build anything, but they hollowed out "houses", jumped off the patio into the powder, and helped Jared shovel the walk.  Ben was a little more lukewarm about the snow, but he loved breaking the icicles hanging from the eaves.

 

 
Now the skies are cloudless and the roads are clear--so it's back to school tomorrow.  What a fun weekend--this was definitely a snowstorm to remember!

Eight Is Great

Elizabeth turned eight years old last month, and last week she was baptized and confirmed.  I'm still in denial--how could she possibly be eight?!?--but I will admit that eight is looking like it's going to be just as wonderful as seven has been with this lovely girl.  Happy birthday and congratulations, Miss Elizabeth!

Elizabeth asked for books for her birthday. . .and books she got!

This about sums up the day. . .poor Anna was having a hard time not getting to share the spotlight.

Random 2012 Photos

January:  Ben and Yvey, just chillin'.  (Is Ben really that much bigger than Yvey, or is it just the camera angle?  I'm thinking it's a little of both. . .)

February:  These were the girls' Valentines to their classmates.  I love it when a project turns out even easier and cuter than planned.  (It's rockstar-parenting moments like this that make up for those weeks in which you only got to shower once, resorted to duct-taping a baby diaper to your kid at bedtime because you ran out of Pull Ups, and fed your family Spaghetti-Os for dinner three nights running.)

March:  Playing around in Memory Grove before Sarah & Christian's reception.  (One of these days I'll have to tell the full story of that day--including the part where I was stranded with the three tired and footsore kids downtown and Jared drove right past us.  A good story to remember for the next time we talk about whether we need a second cell phone. . .)

 April:  Oh, Anna.  

 May:  Fortunately, Anna was all smiles for her preschool graduation.

 June:  Ben chows down on a carrot from our garden. 

 July:  Making a silly face at the 4th of July barbecue

August:  When we got to the zoo this day, I realized I'd left my camera's memory card at home, and I bought a new one at the gift shop.  This shot alone makes me feel justified in paying the inflated price for it.

 September:  That boy needs a haircut!

 October:  Post-haircut.  The girls love to give him a "faux-hawk"

 November:  Sibling bonding through technology.  The kids love to play on our tablets--"Cut the Rope" and "Where's My Water?" are favorites. 

December:  Speaking of video games, Ben is also getting a good education in the classics.  Jared has an emulator on our DVR, and Ben likes to play along when he plays his old SNES games like Mario Kart and Battle Toads.