I love....

Seeing this peeking at me over the counter while I am in the kitchen!

San Diego Again

Over President's day weekend ( Matt and the girls had a four day), we went on our annual trip to San Diego and Sea world. We knew it would be a stormy weekend, but we braved the bad weather and headed South anyway. We thought it would be good training for touring in Europe. The day started out beautiful and sunny. We caught the Shamu show and feed several of the sea life animals around.

By afternoon the skies opened and poured down on us. Luckily it wasn't a constant downpour. It would rain hard for 10 or 15 minutes and then slack off to a drizzle. Matt had convinced Anya to go on the Atlantis ride ( part roller coaster, part log ride), So they were both soaked. Not just a little bit, but completely wet. They didn't much care that it was raining, since they were already wet! Luckily it wasn't too cold, and we have an awesome rain cover for our stroller. The boys were warm and dry as can be tucked inside!

We had an awesome dolphin experience. In years past, it has been a mad free for all to feed the dolphins. This year it is much more organized, probably due to recent legislation being passed. It wasn't busy at all, so the girls got to go with their own trainer and spend time with a dolphin all on their own. The met the dolphin, fed the dolphin, each got to pet the dolphin many times, and do some basic tricks with the dolphin. Mean while the trainer was talking and answering questions about dolphins. It was amazing!

This is Hannah's new boyfriend. She met him in the salt water aquarium and they spent a good 20 minutes gazing into each other's eyes.

Cora, all tuckered out, gazing in the salt water aquarium.

The next day we went to the San Diego Zoo. The weather was better this day. There were more spurts of sun, and less spurts of rain.

Cora wanted so much to get a picture on this bird.

I love the Koala's.

This one was pretty active, he was moving around and eating.

Look at those ears!!!

Most of the Koala's were huddled up like this.

Don't you just want to squeeze them!

We had a good trip as a family, despite the weather. It was an adventure! We drove out to Coronado Island, and looked around. It was too cold and rainy to go to the beach this time, but we have vowed to get down to San Diego for one more weekend before we move.

We love it there so much!

I Love Getting Roses on Valentines Day...

These beauties were accompanied by a box of Godiva chocolates.

A very good day indeed.

Just want to say...

Sigh, the moving season is upon us again. This year will be a little bit different because we will be moving too, but before we do, several good friends will be moving first. I am sad to see them go. I always have lofty ideas of game nights and get togethers, but they never seem to make it out of my head and into action. So I am sad to see friends go, and missed opportunities go, and HOPE HOPE HOPE, that they all know how much they mean to me and my family. I know we could not have made it through this Fort Irwin experience without them! Hears to good friends!!

Mount Blackie

Since we know that we are moving this summer, we are starting to whittle away at our "California Bucket List". One of the things we have been wanting to do as a family is hike Mount Blackie. Mount Blackie is an extinct Volcano here where we live, so it has a black color from all the lava rock. It is not really a "mount" by Utah's standards, but it is bigger then a hill and gives one a good bit of a hike.

Starting out.

we really need to invest in some good toddler backpacks...
We made it to the top.

Dad showed off his prowess and hiked with two boys there at the end.

Even though it was a short hike, it still gives a nice view. We could see our neighborhood and Mount Tiefort in the background.

I was a nice way to spend a Saturday morning...the 65+ degree weather was nice too :)

Always Up to Something

Discovering where mom keeps the candy dish...

Where Jack likes to "perch"

Where Hunter likes to "perch"

San Diego in January

One thing that I do like about the Army as an employer, is that they are very generous with their Holidays. Whenever there is a three day weekend, most often then not the Army will tack on an extra day and make it a four day weekend. This year Civil Rights day was no exception. Matt had a four day, and the girls had a three day weekend. So Friday, Matt and I just hung out, did some shopping and errands, then when the girls got home from school we took off for sunny San Diego!

Last year we had bought season passes to the San Diego Zoo and Safari park (formally known as the Wildlife Park), so we decided to go back to the Safari park for another visit.

While there we got to see another newborn elephant. This is the second year in a row. Last year we got to see a newborn that was just hours old, this year the baby was a couple of weeks old...but still so small.
It's amazing how big they will get!

During our Safari tour we had a mishap with our tour vehicle. It was overtaken and we had to get out in a hurry. (wink, wink)

Hannah loves feeding the deer. This is one of her favorite things to do!

Anya's favorite animal is the Cheetah. You can't see it very well, but over the hill there is a tour on those Segeway scooter things. The Cheetah's did not like those at all! They would sit on the other side of the ridge, hunched down, tail flicking, like the wanted to pounce those people on the segway's!

Cora's absolute favorite animal is the Okapi. The Safari park has been the only place we have been able to see one. She even has a webkinz toy that is an Okapi. You can't see it very well in the picture, but it is kind of a mixture of Zebra, Giraffe and moose. It is in the giraffe family.

The Lorakeet exhibit is always a favorite. The birds were pretty cooperative this time, and ready for a tasty treat. All the girls were able to have one perch on their arm for a snack.


Some even perched on our heads! Poor Cora!

It was a fun day, and perfect weather. San Diego is a favorite for our family.