Family Vacation

So this was our first real family vacation since Eliana was born. I suppose you could say we have had vacations twice since Jayden's birth, but last year we went to Wyoming for Aunt Michelle's college graduation and because it was such a family thing, I am not sure it counts. Although, Wyoming was beautiful and I would love to go back there and see it again at my own pace.

Anyway, we took a trip down to SoCal. I drove down to Julie's house on Thursday 8/3 with just me and the kids. We made it there before the sun came up on Friday and all in one piece so it was a great drive! Poor Ellie got beside herself and cried hysterically for the last 1 1/2 hours of the trip, so we were a little frazzled when we got to Julie's house. But, despite the long drive, we had a great visit! We took the kids to Ontario for pictures. There are fantastic pics of each of the 3 individually and then of Jayden and Ellie together, Jayden and Rebecca together, and all three of them together. I am guessing of those that read this, you have already seen the pics so I won't post them redundently, but I have to say this. I got my free 16X20 today of Jayden and Eliana with the beach background and the pirate hat, and I am sooo proud! I love my beautiful kids and Jayden's love of all things pirate warms my little heart! :)

So, after a great visit with Julie, I drove to San Diego with the kids and checked into our hotel for the week. We got there just in time for dinner and the kids and I were HUNGRY! So, I scanned the local map for places to eat; chose the Olive Garden; and we set out. We got there pretty quick only to find that they (and all the other eateries) were shutting down (at 6 pm) because there was a report of water contamination in the main water facility. GRRRR!!! After some consultation with Dave and the locals I drove to a grocery store down the street and shopped for some frozen dinners, cereal and milk, and a couple of other things to put in our full-sized fridge at the hotel and set back for dinner. We dined on a lovely combination of Cheerios, milk and bananas. It was unfortunate though, because Jayden ended up with the green-apple trots! Not a result of bad water (which turned out to be fine) but too much milk and virus (I think) in his system.

We picked Dave up at the airport in San Diego on Sunday and spent the rest of the week as tourists. We visited the Maritime Museum (which was WAY SUPER COOL), the zoo, Sea World, and the USS Midway. All were good times. The best part of the trip to SD, though, was dinner Wednesday night. We went out with friends Lori, Garrett and the girls. It was good to see them and do some catching up and getting to see their great new house! The floors look AWESOME!

Anyway, I am off to my real life now with the two kids (all by myself because yet again, it is after 8 and Dave isn't home) both needing my attention. Still living at my parents' house means there is no place for them to be confined to play with toys and not get into trouble. I hope Dave gets it together soon and gets us home! It is long past time to move outta here.