Spring Break Trip To San Diego, 3-6 April 2014

Thursday night (April 3rd), we found ourselves in San Diego ready for a retreat to cool weather, scenic beaches, and the color green. We stayed at a fun guest house we reserved through AirBnB, owned by a very friendly family (Regula, Ed, and their 3 children). We failed to take any photos of them, however, sorry. They liked us too, and invited us back, so hopefully we can stay with them again.

Friday morning we took Lucie to a dog park next to the Balboa Tennis Club. We had a double motive as we learned from previous experience that one can find lost tennis balls outside of tennis courts. We collected 6 of these abandoned balls for Lucie. She was most excited.

We then went to Balboa Park, looking for places to explore, and found a playground that entertained everyone for several hours. We ate a picnic lunch, played on purple plastic dinosaurs, took a nap, and met up with Emmy and kids.

 Nature Journal Moments:

Black Phoebe found nesting in the Women's Restroom

 

 My artsy photo attempt of a crow:

 Friday evening, half of the family ate some amazing Thai food and the other half ate pizza.

La Jolla Cove

Saturday morning, we watched the first session of our church's General Conference on our computer in the guest cottage, then we drove to La Jolla Cove for the afternoon.

Dallin was being a bit of a stinker and would not smile for photos.

The children always like to see the Children's Pool area with the seals.

This pup was nursing from its mother.

Another picnic lunch

Baby Sea Lion next to La Jolla Cove

Erin and Dallin were the only ones crazy enough to wear swimsuits and go into the freezing water.

  

 

 

Hermit Crab--note the cool blue stripes on the legs!

Pelican

La Jolla Shores Beach

We drove a little ways North to meet Grandpa Tsukamoto at La Jolla Shores Beach. 

Dad, Dallin (in Erin's coverup because he was cold), and Erin dug in the sand.

The rest of us still thought the water was too cold and went for a walk along the beach.

We almost crashed a wedding reception at the fancy hotel.

 

Yet another statue for silly photos!

Picturesque California Gulls

Sunday was the second day of General Conference, and we watched it at Emmy's and Brad's apartment. Several of the listeners were overwhelmed by so much spiritual insight that they just collapsed in a sleeplike trance.

 

Luke stayed busy "helping" his mom cook. She made some delicious sweet rolls that we didn't take any pictures of--they got eaten too fast. Emmy also fed us pulled pork sandwiches and bean salad. We did not go hungry. Thanks, Emmy!

Emmy and Brad had a Conference activity planned for everyone: Build a Lego Temple! Ian made the Mesa Temple, Emmy made the San Diego Temple, Brad made the Helsinki Temple, Dallin made the generic temple with the Darth Vader figure on top, April made the generic temples with the spires and Angel Moroni on top.

Our Spring Break had come to an end, and we grudgingly returned to Yuma to resume life. Megan is preparing for the ACT so she can apply to colleges in the fall. Kevin has a few weeks remaining for his job at AWC. Our homeschool co-op is starting back up.

Impromptu San Diego Trip

When learned we could have Saturday off from lizard work, we decided to take an overnight trip to San Diego to see Grandpa Tsukamoto and escape from the oppressive heat of August in Yuma. We arrived late around 9:00, but Grandpa came to visit us at our motel in Encinitas. He brought us fruit and cookies. Yum!

The next morning we found a great place for breakfast: Honey's Bistro and Bakery. 

We think that even Janell would approve of eating here. 

 

Side Note: Next to the Bistro is this beautiful "Pink Soul Boutique" which was so pink that it earned a photo and spot on our blog post. We were impressed with the dog's matching pink leash (the owners were eating at the Bistro).

 Back to breakfast: Erin made funny faces while waiting for the food.

 

 Dallin, our non-eating child, actually ate again!

He ate the muffins and the pancakes.

Look how happy he is!

 

 

 They served BIG portions. 

We got French toast, pancakes, and waffles and shared. 

Each plate came with a side of eggs and bacon or sausage.

No one left hungry.

After gorging ourselves, it was beach time!

We went to Moonlight Beach, which was close by.

Ian showed Dallin the sand crabs which were highly abundant.

Dallin was hesitant to go in the water, 

but he felt safe as long as Dad was holding his hand.

Erin and Grandpa

Playing in the waves

California Gull with Ian and Erin in background

Playing in the stream that flowed into the ocean.

Dallin liked having a sand slide, while

Erin was in charge of the mud salon.

Ian got some attention when we buried him in the sand. Right at that time, a group called Kids for Peace invaded our beach space for a short while. They were trying to accomplish 50 acts of random kindness as part of their annual kindness challenge. They asked if they could take a picture of Ian and posted one of their signs by him. Then they gave him a granola bar, we assume that was their act of kindness. They ran in and out of the water for a bit, then left.

Ian played hard for a long time in the water and decided to take a break.

Dallin joined him.

 

Then some familiar faces appeared! Gabe, Betsy, and Brad joined us and brought their boogie boards to share. We were trying to help Emmy go into labor by suggesting a day at the beach, but apparently our efforts didn't have immediate effects. She didn't go into labor during the time her family was away at the beach.

Betsy digging

 Erin riding a wave

 Ian after a ride in--I missed capturing the dramatic moment prior to this shot

 

Megan and Grandpa fell asleep in the sun and got sunburned. 

Note for future beach trip: We need to invest in a shade structure.

San Diego Temple and Beach Trip

The youth from our ward went on a temple trip to San Diego.

It was a beautiful day, as it usually is in San Diego.

Ian and his friend Emi

Kevin got to perform the baptisms with his two oldest children.

And if there hadn't been 13 additional youth in the group, 

who were also baptized for 10 individuals each, 

Kevin's arm wouldn't have been so tired by the end.

All in all, it was a lovely experience for everyone.

Younger siblings and mothers waited on the temple grounds until they were finished.

(The moms took turns swapping child care and doing initiatories.)

Then the Davis family and ours visited one of the beaches along Mission Bay area.

We discovered a head in the sand!!!

...and another one!!!

Others braved the cold water and went swimming.

Megan was tired out from waking up so early 

(it's a 3-hour drive from Yuma), so she chose to nap.

Davis Family Photo

These guys have been great friends the past year. Brian works with Kevin in YM, and Bethany works with April in Primary. Ian enjoys babysitting Benny and Baker, and we've been on several playdates with them too. Sadly, they will be moving to a new job in Ohio in a couple more months.