Just to warn you, this is going to be a huge long post! We had a great time on our trip though, so it was hard to narrow down all the pictures. When Kevin came home one day and said he was headed to San Diego for work the following week, I thought, hey we could go too. It's where I served my mission and I haven't been back in 7 years, so if we could find some cheap tickets, it would be a great trip. Well we did and we got to go with him.
All the shoes lined up and ready to head to the airport
We left Saturday afternoon out of Melbourne, to Atlanta, and then to San Diego
Jane and Alice getting ready to take off
Kate having fun putting stickers all over Kevin
The flight was a long one and a late one, but luckily Kate took a little nap and Alice was zonked out.
Alice slept from the plane, to the rental car, to the hotel and didn't wake up until morning
Jane on the bus. She was so excited.
She conked out in the car, and Kate went quickly to sleep once we got to the hotel.
My plan was to go to the ward where I served for 7 1/2 months and see if there was still anyone I knew. Sadly I didn't take any pictures, but there were a few families that were in the ward and it was great to see them and talk with them again. Although thankfully they are bilingual, so I could speak English with them. It was sad trying to speak Spanish for any length in time.
After church we headed to the temple. So pretty.
San Diego temple
Another family was nice enough to take our picture
It was fun that the flowers coordinated with the girls' dresses. It was perfect. Kate loves her shoes and socks. I did pack cute sandals, but she insisted on the sneakers.
Alice so dramatic
Gotta pose
Well, now she's happy
When she wants to, she makes a perfect model
Alice grabbed my hand and pulled me right as Jane was taking the picture
Alice upset again. Classic unhappy face.
After the temple I took Kevin down the scenic Torrey Pines road to hopefully see the seals. We actually found a parking spot and got out and enjoyed the beautiful ocean, cliffs, and seals. We even walked out onto a cement boardwalk thing and got a closer look at them. It was pretty neat.
The seals all lying on the rock.
Love the colors
Kevin putting Alice's shoes on
People were actually swimming with the seals too
We stayed in 2 hotels while there, since our sightseeing was in downtown San Diego and Kevin's job was in Poway (northeast).
Our first hotel room on Hotel Circle Drive
Since we didn't plan well, dinner was out at a fun little, which was very similar to Panera
The next morning we headed off to Old Town
The Mormon Battalion was first on our list
Kevin dressed up like one of the soldiers
Alice and Jane panning for gold
Kate pumping the water
Washing clothes
The view from above
Ridin' in the wagon
Giddyup!
I was amazed at how much it has changed in the last 7 years. Such a fun tour now. The sister missionaries even dress up.
Our postcard picture. Kate fell off my lap.
Kate at the lunch table. I had a delicious tostada!
Fun pictures around Old Town (It's kind of like Old St. Augustine where there our museums and shops to give you a feel for how the town felt when it was settled).
Jane and I
Alice and I
Me and Kevin
The weather was gorgeous. A bit chilly in the shade and warm in the sun. Oh, and real grass. Loved it!
Some candid shots
Jane is all about posing now. No idea where she picked that up from. But it cracks me up.
On our way back to the hotel, Alice and Kate took a nap, so Kevin and Jane left me in the car with the sleeping kids and they went for a hike up a hill. Jane loved it.
Posing along the path
I got out for a little jaunt too. I love those hills. I never realized until I flew into California just how hilly it was. I figured it would be like Florida, but not at all.
The sun maybe out, but it was chilly. Still, Kevin and the girls enjoyed a dip in the pool.
And discovered a love for the hot tub!
Alice and Jane doing what they do best, playing and pretending
And Kate doing what she does best. Yummy food.
So sweet to help her eat. What great big sisters.
The next morning we checked out of our hotel and headed to the zoo. That place is huge. We didn't even come close to seeing all the animals, but we had a great day.
Alice cracks me up
Jane and Alice found a cave to be their home
They even welcomed a new baby to their family!
Don't they look like movie stars captured by the paparazzi?
Elephants! So Kevin was taking a picture of him and Kate, while I stood right next to them helping Alice see the elephants. Well, a nice lady came and offered to take the picture of Kate and Kevin. I didn't let her know I was with him, since I could have easily offered to take that myself. I thought it was funny.
They love the baby animals
Kevin pretending to be crushed
The polar bears became their favorite
Especially the baby
We spent a lot of time their playing in the caves
The sky ride. Kevin went with Jane and Alice and I had Kate.
I am an awesome photographer. That otter posed only for me!
We lost Kevin and Alice for a little bit, but eventually found them. Meanwhile, they discovered a petting zoo. So Jane and Kate had to see it too.
Jane and her spider fangs and Kate just making us laugh
Jane as the photographer insisted Kevin have the fangs too
He also told me that Kate would not move from that rock. She found it, sat on it, and didn't want any other seat. Too cute.
After hiking around most of the day, we decided to hop on the bus and take a tour. It was a very good break. And Kate slept the whole way.
After the bus we booked it over to the acrobat show
Kate sat that way the whole show. Only moving to clap at the appropriate times.
Truly amazing
They liked the girls the best
That is Kate's "take a picture of me because I am posing for you" face
The live gorilla is in the background
Alice is so sweet
They also enjoyed the hippo
The orangutans not so much. Alice was very nervous to turn her back on it.
Kate loves to hang
We finally left around 8pm. It was a fantastic trip to the zoo and the girls did a terrific job, even with all the walking.
Family picture
I remembered how my sister Beth used to take fun jumping pictures, so I thought we'd try it.
Alice and Kate need a little more practice. One day we'll get it!
Almost!
We drove to our new hotel and it was huge.
Look at all that space
A sister from the ward on Sunday invited us to the beach on Wed. It was in Pacific Beach, which is where I had lived as a missionary, so it was fun to drive through the old stomping grounds.
Jane saying, this is cold!!!!!
Alice loved it and Kate was just happy to be outside
Our back patio at the hotel
Really pretty area
A playground near Kevin's work
We even had bunnies in the yard at the hotel
Our last night there. I was not ready to come home. The weather was just too nice and I LOVE San Diego!
Our trip home started at 4am California time and ended at 11pm Florida time. It was a long day, but once again, the girls did fantastically.
We even got to spend some time with Grandma and Granpa Terry in the Salt Lake airport. Thanks for all the good food and for coming to see us.
Alice slept most of the way and Jane just watched movies
And then did some homework
And Gramma picked us up in Melbourne and brought us home
And we discovered that our plants had ripened.
Behind Kate is a Jalepeno pepper
Our tomato plant had three tomatoes
Three pineapples, with one ripe
Kevin holding our first ripe pineapple, which was super yummy
On the way home from Gramma's an evening or two later, we saw dolphin in the river, so we pulled over to watch them. The sunset was gorgeous. And despite the humidity, it was good to be home!
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