California Trip Part 2

We spent Monday morning walking around Balboa Park in San Diego. What gorgeous architecture! The San Diego Zoo is right there and I would have loved to go again (I went there 15 years ago) but we didn't have the full day to spend so it wouldn't have been worth the huge ticket price.

We rode a miniature train, the carousel, and then had a quick lunch at a little burger joint. Daron's parents were tired so they headed up to Escondido where the family reunion was to take place. We would join them later.

We went down to La Jolla to see the seals and sea lions lounging on the beach. I guess sometimes there are people rights activists who complain loudly about the seals taking over this particular beach. But we didn't see any. California is a little strange. Sorry, Tony and Debbie!



There were a ton of pretty roses growing outside of an assisted living home near where we parked.

We met the family at Old Town at the Mormon Battalion Museum. They have redone the visitor's center with all sorts of new videos and a very cool tour. It began with a sister missionary introducing certain persons who are pictured in frames on the wall who had significant roles in the story of the Mormon Battalion. Suddenly, one of them sneezed and we all jumped! They were actually video screens. I recognized a lot of familiar actors from other church and church related movies (like Lincoln Hoppe who played Deverl on The Singles Ward). I don't know why we didn't take any pictures there.

We had dinner at a great Mexican place. Again, it was crazy with all of the family there and Daron and I were sitting with our kids as well as four other little cousins so it was crazy. Jacob was starving and wolfed down an entire breakfast burrito as well as a glass of milk, most of my water, and a lot of my horchata!

We drove up to Escondido that night and checked in to the Hidden Valley Retreat up in the mountains. There were several guest houses, a pool, hot tub, pretty paths, flowers, pool table, books, movies, common rooms, etc. for us to enjoy. The kids got to bed and we sat out on the patio talking with the adults under the stars. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures there. Too busy relaxing or something!

Tuesday... beach day! La Jolla Shores beach was very nice. Jacob had a great day. He toddled around the sand, played in a kiddie pool, and splashed in the surf.

Even a face plant in the water didn't faze him. He was ready for more!



Let's go, Dad! What are you waiting for?

The teenagers learned to surf while the little ones dug in the sand and splashed in the surf.

We spent nearly the entire day at the beach and got to bed late that night. Esther was the only one who ended up with a bit of a sunburn as I didn't reapply sunscreen on her as many times as I should have. But it wasn't too bad. Jacob was a grump as he did not nap at all. It was a long day, but it was worth it.



California Trip Part 1

We left Texas two days after the Fourth of July. It feels like ages ago!

Arriving at our hotel in San Diego on Saturday afternoon, we met Daron's parents at the hotel and we went out to dinner in the Mission Valley area at Mama Testa's Taqueria. Yummy fish tacos, but not nearly as yummy as the ones I had at Disney's California Adventure Park later. I digress. I meant to take pictures of dinner but the kids were completely freaking out and so we ate and went back to the hotel for a swim.

Sunday morning we stopped at the San Diego temple to walk around the grounds. Jacob napped in the car with Mom Janis while Daron and I took the kids around to snap photos. These are my favorites.

After attending a ward in the afternoon, we took a walk on the beach at Coronado. Esther was very grumpy that we were wearing our church clothes on the beach. She thought people would think she was strange and then became very upset that her pretty dress had sand on it. 



Nathan, on the other hand, didn't care about getting his clothes dirty. He was enjoying himself. We even rolled up pants and skirts and dipped our toes in the water!

Jacob loved the sand between his toes! He kept toddling straight to the water! Look at that happy face.

Summer Happenings

This will be the first of several posts over the next couple of days! We have had a busy summer so far!

Esther finished her second season of softball just after school finished. She really enjoyed playing and getting to know the game a little better. It was pretty crazy having both Esther and Nathan play on different teams with different schedules so we'll see about next year. We may have to tell Esther no as she is already involved with dance and piano lessons and Nathan has no other activities as of yet.

Nathan missed his awards ceremony while we were in California so we'll be getting his trophy from his coach this week. I'll take a picture of him with his uniform and trophy and post later.

Esther participated in a Junior Players program at the library this year. There were several dozen groups in the Dallas area. At the end of two weeks, they had a "Festival of Plays" where the kids performed the short plays they'd prepared. Esther was disappointed theirs was about aliens instead of mermaids, but she had fun anyway.

Hamming it up, as usual. Our little actress in training...





A quick nod to the Fourth of July. We celebrated by attending our local parade. Jacob was tired as it was naptime and there was lots of noise and people, but he enjoyed it with a serious face. I love this picture of Nathan!

Our friend Julie gets to ride in the parade every year now since she was a former Ms. Mature Irving.

Then we had a ward BBQ at the church complete with a kids' bike parade!

Progression of a Mess

I tried a new recipe tonight - homemade chocolate pudding. Yummy! Jacob refused to be spoon fed so I gave him a bowl with his own spoon and let him have at it. Eventually I took the bowl away and he just spread it around. We were laughing so hard!

 Delicious stuff!

 I am pretty cute, aren't I?

Pudding fingerpainting. 

Are you laughing at me? 

I think I have something in my eye. 

Savoring the last of the pudding. 

Um... Can I have my bath now?

Bridal Shower

I have finally have the photos from the bridal shower I helped coordinate at the end of April. It was really a lot of fun to put together and Mary, the bride to be, was so thrilled. She just got married yesterday and is moving permanently to Idaho, so we chose a Texas themed shower.

Thank you to Candace from Allgood Smiles for the photography!

Here on the right is our friend Mary, the bride to be. Well, now the newlywed!