California Dreaming

We got back last night from our week long vacation to San Diego. It was great to come home and see Rob (he was only able to join us for half of the week due to work) but I definitely didn't like coming back to the heat (Still over 100+ here!). San Diego really is the perfect temperature!

FYI: This post contains lots of pictures since I don't feel like doing multiple posts!

We spent the week on Mission Beach in a little beach house with Rob's parents. Our place was about a block away from the beach. Rob's brother's family and a couple other families were sharing a beach house that was on the beach about a mile away. So that was fun to spend a few days with them. We ate tons of great food and I'm addicted to Yogurt-Land and really think they need to expand to Arizona!

On Sunday we went to church and then went to the beautiful San Diego temple to walk around and take some pictures.



Monday we spent the majority of the day at the beach. Ellie wasn't too sure about the water or the sand but we had fun boogie boarding and enjoying the crowded beach.

Fighting over the chair with cousin Kimmy
Ellie hanging out with dad and cousin Eden
Not sure what to think about the sand

On Tuesday we went to Sea World with Rob's parents. Rob was able to get in FREE because of his past service in the military. Thank you Anheuser-Busch! I think that's the only time I've been grateful to a beer company. :) I hadn't been to Sea World in years and it was actually really fun to see the shows and animals and do the few rides that they have there. And the best part is since we went after Labor Day - there was hardly anyone there. Ellie LOVED the little kid rides that they had and threw a tantrum when we left that area. She kept saying "wee, wee, wee".
You can tell by Ellie's face how much she loved the ride
I think I was a little obsessive about putting sunscreen on her face since she started copying me!
Dad, Ellie, and Grandma

Wednesday morning we went to breakfast at the Mission restaurant before Rob had to fly back and I think that is the best breakfast I have ever had! These cinnamon bread french toast pancakes with a berry puree and syrup and rosemary potatoes were divine. It's a good thing I was only on vacation for a week or I would be in trouble with all the eating we did! Rob flew back to Phoenix and we spent the afternoon at the beach. It was a very empty beach and Ellie wanted nothing to do with it since there was no kids to play with that day. She ended up taking an almost 3 hour nap in the condo while my father in law stayed up there and read and my mother in law and I enjoyed the beach.

Thursday we went to the San Diego Zoo with Rob's parents. This zoo is massive! My feet were hurting by the end with all the walking. We were able to see a leopard being fed and Ellie was able to pet some sheep and goats in the children's area of the zoo.




We also checked out Seal Beach. It was fun to see so many seals in one spot and lots of crabs too! I even got a little video of the baby seal trying to get up on the rock.



Friday we once again spent at the beach. Ellie loved the beach this day - even venturing into the water a little bit. She was completely covered in sand and didn't even care! She spent time following around all the kids but especially loved her cousin Eden all afternoon. She kept climbing onto her and following her everywhere and calling her "Edie". Playing with cousin Avery
Hiding underneath the lifeguard station
The kids told me they were playing house
Proof that I was at the beach
Climbing in holes with Eden
Playing with Ty
Lots of fun with Eden



Overall such a great trip! Thanks again Bob and Diane.