When we arrived, Mike and his boys took us to a little beach they like to go to. It isn't very big and the water was so cold. That didn't stop the kids from having a blast! This was Jorja and Logan's first visit to the ocean. So fun!!
It was low tide so we had access to all these rock outcrops. At first the kids were a little unsure about getting in the water. Then our fearless Logan tackled the waves!
It was maybe 70 degrees outside and the water was around 40 degrees -- not warm. The kids sure wanted me to get in also. No thanks. I've done the cold ocean water before -- they can have their turn!
Logan with Quinn (far left) and Seth (far right). They are twins and only 5 months older than Logan. Logan had so. much. fun. with them!!
I finally had to take away Logan's glasses so that he could jump further in.
The rocks were covered with these little tide pools (some were big enough to swim in) and in the tide pools were some sea anemones. They were so cool. If you put your finger in them like what Logan is doing here, they will close up around it and try to hold you in. They are pretty strong and very soft.
After we went to the beach, Mike got us some fresh clam chowder from the Fish Market -- sooooo yummy -- and then took us to go see the temple lights. Someday I'd like to go inside this temple; I've only ever seen the outside. Absolutely beautiful.
On Saturday we did an activity extravaganza. We loaded up the bikes, scooters, skateboards, boogie boards, surfboards and other beach equipment and headed out to the island of Coronado after stopping at Mike's work. I really enjoyed seeing where he worked and what he did. He sells vertebral implants and trains doctors on how to perform the surgeries. It was really interesting!!
When we got to Coronado, we first went biking/scooting/skating around the local neighborhood. I so enjoyed looking at the different style of houses and landscaping. There are so many pretty plants in California. Then we rode down to the Hotel Del, a famous hotel in the area. With its red roof and white paint it is pretty prominent.
When we got to Coronado, we first went biking/scooting/skating around the local neighborhood. I so enjoyed looking at the different style of houses and landscaping. There are so many pretty plants in California. Then we rode down to the Hotel Del, a famous hotel in the area. With its red roof and white paint it is pretty prominent.
In front of the Hotel Del. Not sure what is up with Jorja's hair! Just behind is an outdoor ice skating rink. I don't know how they kept it cold because it was at least 75 degrees that day. When we went to see it the hotel employees were pushing off all the melted water.
Mike, Seth, Hayden, Quinn, and Bonnie
Dr. Seuss lived in La Jolla, a nearby town, and to commemorate him, the Hotel Del has a bunch of statues of his famous book characters. Here is the Grinch with his trusty dog.
Green Eggs and Ham, anyone?
We went inside to see their Christmas tree and take our picture with St. Nick.
Then we were off to the water after a quick Subway sandwich. You can see Logan riding the wave, Jillian getting wet, and Hayden looking out at the next waves.
Sweet Jorja. She was a bit intimidated by the waves. That's OK. But she still had fun. You can see Seth in the background. The waves were pretty big and there were even some surfers out there. Mike brought his board out but some fog rolled in soon after we got in the water and it got too cold so we left a while later.
Saturday night Mike and Bonnie invited some friends over for New Year's Eve. We had a great evening of eating chili, fresh bread and playing games.
On Sunday we went to church and then sight seeing again. It was a gorgeous day!!! First we went to Point Loma. I snagged this off of Wikipedia about Point Loma:" Point Loma is historically important as the landing place of the first
European expedition to come ashore in present-day California. The
peninsula has been described as "where California began". Today Point
Loma houses two major military bases (saw one), a national cemetery (saw it), a national
monument (went there), and a university, in addition to residential and commercial
areas (drove through them)." The national monument is located at the top of a big hill and includes the visitors' center and an old lighthouse that you can go inside. In this picture: Jorja, Seth, Quinn, Logan, Hayden
I asked Jorja to take a picture of me. Her aim was a bit off. Mike and I started laughing and he said he'd take another one of me. This is what he took:
Goooo Bulldogs! ha ha ha I love that my big brother still acts like ... a big brother.
Looking out to Coronado from Point Loma.
Looking north from the tip of the peninsula toward land. I loved watching the ships and sailboats in the blue water! What do my kids do when we go on vacation? They collect rocks of course. At least they were in good company.
Cousins getting ready to jump off the wall. L-R: Quinn, Hayden, Logan, Jorja, Jillian, and Seth
Looking at Coronado from Point Loma. This is where we were the day before. You can see the Hotel Del on the right.
There was a little demonstration inside the visitors' center about life on Point Loma back in the 15-1600s. We got to see what they ate (yucky dried fish and hard tack), their weapons, where they lived, and what they wore. They had kid-sized clothing to try on and both Jorja and Jillian got a turn! The lady pictured with the girls was one of the demonstrators.
The girls both agreed that the dress was funny -- especially the hip "bump" ("Why would anyone want their hips to be bigger?") -- and cumbersome!
Looking south, towards Mexico from Cabrillo National Monument.
Taken looking west out to the Pacific Ocean from the Lighthouse.
We got to go all the way to the top of the lighthouse! They had the house part all set up like it would have been when it was in use. I thought it was too narrow and claustrophobic.
Mike and Bonnie!
Logan and Seth. I wanted to take this picture because of the gorgeous palm tree in the background. California has the prettiest, big, full palm trees! This was taken outside of the Mormon Battalion Visitors' Center.
The boys were trying to be sneaky and not have their picture taken but I'm more experienced at sneakiness than they are!
After we went through the presentation the kids got to pan for fool's gold. They had a great time!! Mike had been teasing me about the pronunciation of the town I live in. I told him it was named after some guy in the military back in the 1800s so its pronunciation is not what you would think. The presentation made mention of this very same guy, totally validating my argument. Both Mike and I busted up laughing.
We left for Arizona again on Monday morning. We sure had a fun time. I loved that our kids were able to get to know each other better. One of my favorite memories is of our kids all singing together about chicken pie. Apparently, it is something that Hayden has been obsessed with for several years. To this day, nobody knows why but it sure was funny. My kids still sing it on occasion.
I hope we can go back someday and bring Brad with us. What fun!
We left for Arizona again on Monday morning. We sure had a fun time. I loved that our kids were able to get to know each other better. One of my favorite memories is of our kids all singing together about chicken pie. Apparently, it is something that Hayden has been obsessed with for several years. To this day, nobody knows why but it sure was funny. My kids still sing it on occasion.
I hope we can go back someday and bring Brad with us. What fun!
