San Diego

I haven't blogged very much at all lately. And thinking back over the highlights of the last month makes me want to post some pictures of our San Diego trip.

Greg and I wanted to go somewhere special for our tenth anniversary. My parents had graciously agreed to watch the kids, and we had enough frequent flyer miles for both of us to get free tickets. So we decided we wanted to go to a warm beach. We didn't want to use up two whole days traveling. We chose San Diego thinking that this would be our best bet for a warm beach within a short flight.

Well, little did we know that June in San Diego is notorious for "June gloom." Which is just what we encountered. The weather was gray and gloomy, actually a lot like it is here, maybe a few degrees warmer, but not warm enough to justify the shorts and tank tops that I had packed.

We made the best of it, and actually did get some good weather when we drove away from where we were staying. It was like there was a pocket of clouds that just stayed over Pacific Beach, whenever we left we got a little more sun. And we did some really fun things: we ate lots of good food, rented bikes, went sea kayaking (and saw dolphins), went boogie boarding, explored Balboa park, and did a lot of relaxing. It was great. Here are some of the pics:

The Botanical Building at Balboa Park

Eating a huge bacon cheeseburger at Hodad's (featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives)

Getting ready to go Boogie boarding - so much fun!

Sea kayaking

(we never capsized, though I was afraid we were going to when we came back in over the surf)

Summer

I love summer. Life just seems a little more carefree. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Greg has June and July off.

This picture kind of sums up some of the things I love about summer: impromptu grilling and eating outside, kids in swimsuits splashing in tiny blow-up pools, carefree afternoons and evenings. It was taken during a lovely family evening. The kids splashed outside and then started watering our "garden" with their tiny watering cans. They rode up and down the sidewalk on their trikes. Greg grilled and we ate these wonderful chicken garlic sausages, and hung out in our lawn chairs. It was one of those beautiful family times that you can't force, but sneaks up on you with its beauty and leaves you smiling for weeks afterwards whenever you remember it.

The Beach!

So we finally made it to the beach with both kids! Before today, Jonathan had never actually stepped foot onto the beach. And for Leesi, it's been about a year. We're with Greg's mom and Gramma (Grammy and Grams) and we've been having lots of fun. So far two trips to the hotel pool, a trip to the Tillamook cheese factory, and of course, our time on the beach.

This picture was taken on one of Elisa's first trips to the beach. Grams drew the heart and wrote her name.

Today, Grams once again drew hearts and wrote names...

Seaside Getaway

For Christmas Wanda gave us a Groupon for a night at a hotel in Seaside and dinner at the hotel restaurant. She also said she'd watch the kids while we went away.

Wow. It was like, the best Christmas present ever. We had such a great weekend away. The weather was perfect: sunny with beautiful blue sky. It had been awhile since we'd been to the beach, and let me tell you, when we got our first glimpse, it took my breath away.

We had so much fun on the beach: flying our kite, throwing the frisbee, walking, and getting our feet just a little bit wet (brrr). We also enjoyed the hotel pool, hot tub, and sauna; ate lots and lots of food; and went on a morning run (after sleeping in). One highlight of the weekend was when I beat Greg at air hockey! First time ever.

When we got back to Wanda's house Elisa shrieked with delight and then ran around like a wild woman. Jonathan saw Greg and RAN to him! Then he contentedly sat on his lap. He's such a Daddy's boy. When he finally did notice me he didn't really show any expression. Just like, "Oh, you're here too. That's nice." It was kind of funny. But I feel like it's about Greg's turn to have one of the kids like him more than me. So I don't begrudge him that.