Vacation, Day 8, Home Again

We left at 12:30 to head home and didn't get there until 8:30 that night. I didn't take any pictures because everyone was a tad temperamental (me included, I just wanted to get home). Nothing exciting happened, we drove and stopped in every town to go to the bathroom. I swear my children have bladders the size of a pea! :) We finally made it home and I'm glad to be back!

Vacation, Day 7, A Museum and A Baseball Game

Day 7 brought lots of fun! First of all, it was my 31st birthday. I know I'm so old! Since it was my birthday, Kendal and I had a girls day out. Derek took Brandon to a Padres game and Kendal and I headed over to the New San Diego Children's Museum. I've heard the boys had a great time. Brandon ate everything in sight (2 corndogs, 2 drinks, dipping dots, and ice cream) and had fun yelling for the Padres (even though they lost). Kendal and I had fun at the museum. Our favorite part was the port-o-party. It was a port-o-potty but inside was a disco ball and an i-pod. So we climbed in and boogied down! Another of Kendal's favorites was the dress-up capes. She dressed up in her cape and pretended to be Snow White. After we picked up the boys from the baseball game we headed over to Macaroni Grill for my birthday dinner. Great, yummy food! With cake for dessert! Then home again...

Inside the Rain House.

Cape dress-up.

To work these, you walked on the top set of wheels and it moved it around. It was pretty neat!

Vacation, Day 6, Random Fun

We had decided earlier on in the week that on Saturday we would go to the beach. Well, because of Derek's bad sunburn we put the kabosh on that idea. Instead, we decided to do a little shopping and to head out and see the San Diego temple. First we went shopping. We headed over to Horton Plaza where there is a Steve & Barry's. It's the best store in the whole world because it has clothes and shoes for everyone and the best part is that everything in the store is $8.98. Yes! Everything. So, I got a few things for the kids for school and then we headed over to Seaport Village. It's a little village (hence the name) that has some shops and places to eat. We got something to eat at a little fish restaurant and then ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. After that we headed over to the temple. That was my favorite part of the whole trip. When we got out, the peace that flooded over me was in high contrast to the time spent running around. As soon as we got out of the car one of the missionaries said, "You must be a Utah family." I asked him how he knew and he said we just had a certain look about us. Hhmm... could be good or bad. We spent some time there walking around and then headed for home. But, on the way Derek saw a Whole Foods. I don't know how many of you watch "Top Chef", but that's where they go for their food for the challenges. We'd never been in one and Derek had been dying to see one. They really are pretty amazing. They have a full deli with wonderfully, delicious food. But, as a claustrophobic, there were too many people in there for me. I was going crazy and couldn't wait to leave. After we left the mob, it was back to the condo to eat the food and head for bed.

Seaport Village

The newest faces of Ben & Jerry's!

At the San Diego Temple.

Vacation, Day 5, Sea World

Today we decided to go to Sea World. When we went in Florida, we didn't spend a lot of time there so we decided to go while we were in San Diego. We spent most of our time watching the animal shows. We saw the Shamu "Believe" show, the Cirque de la mer show, the Sea Lion show, Elmo in 4-D (and I didn't see the difference between 3-D and 4-D), and the Dolphin Show. The Dolphin Show was the best though because Kendal got to be in the show. We had just walked in and sat down when they came up to us and asked if Kendal and Derek would want to be in the show. Of course we said yes. It was a really neat experience for her. Derek got to feed a killer whale and Kendal got to pet and tickle the dolphins. It was a great way to end the day!

Kendal holding a starfish.

Brandon holding a starfish.


Brandon and the sea lions.


Brandon and Dad high above San Diego. Brandon had been dying to ride in the Sky Riders at the Wild Animal Park but it was way too expensive ($3.00 each way). Sea World was quite a bit
more affordable ($3.00 both ways) so we couldn't resist.


Mom and Kendal high above San Diego.

Kendal and Derek in the dolphin show. It's easiest if you click on view all images and then you can see them all.

Vacation, Day 4, The Beach

Today we went to the beach.
I didn't bring my camera because I didn't want to get sand in it, so there are no pictures.
We got a good parking space right by the showers and bathrooms.
We boogie boarded.
Kendal, Brandon, Dad, and even Mom boogie boarded.
We ate lunch.
We were cold at times because the water and weather were a little chilly.
We had a run-in with a seagull who was pilfering through our bag to get our chips.
Kendal couldn't stop shivering.
After 3 hours we decided to come home.
Now we are using many medications to try and fix our sunburns.
You don't want to see pictures because you would cry for us.
Derek's skin hasn't seen the sun in five years.
You would really cry for him.

(I'm tired and can't really string together words to make sentences so this is what you get.)

Vacation, Day 3, Wild Animal Park

Wordless Wednesday
San Diego Wild Animal Park

Vacation, Day 2, Zoo Fun!

Today we decided to go the zoo. The night before we decided that since the zoo opened at 9:00 am and closed at 4:00 pm we'd get up early so that we could stay all day and see everything. Well, that didn't happen. So, we got to the zoo about 11:00 and stayed until about 3:30. We had a great time and saw lots of cool things. I think my favorite was the insect museum. All in all it was a great day with lots of fun.

Hitching a ride with momma gorilla.

Hanging out with the hippos. Kendal was extra goofy today!

Hippos may not be fast, but you'd get there eventually....unless they're made of metal,
then you wouldn't get there at all.

This was after the polar bear plunge.

They had a really cool petting zoo for the kids and the kids loved these little goats.

Do you know what's even slower than a metal hippo? A metal turtle!

This was the African Bird-Eating Spider. That's Derek's hand against the glass to give you
an idea of how big it is. If I was a bird, I'd be watching my back.

The buggies in the Bug Town Itty Bitty City.