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.

Summer Vacation--Part II

Friday we drove up to Logan, got take-out from our favorite  

Tandoori Oven restaurant, and ate with Chris at Elk Ridge Park.

 

 We camped out on her futon and floors, and the next morning

we admired the killdeer nest in her back yard.

We spent the morning loading up our trailer with the remainder of items in 

our garage that we were unable to fit when we moved. Our tenants are taking good 

care of our Logan home, and they are glad to have a full garage now.

Saturday afternoon found us up in Cub River, Idaho, 

where we planned to spend a few days visiting the Wallis family.

The girls camped out together in a tent in the yard since Amelia

and Melody graciously gave us their bedroom for our stay.

Dallin caught a tiger swallowtail butterfly in the yard!

Monday, we all went back to Logan where we attended a summer music recital 

at the Tabernacle, went to see the summer movie "Hop," 

and visited with Aurora and baby Bridgette.

Ian finally got to give Bridgette the cap that he knit for her last winter.

It still fit, and she loved wearing it!

Back at the Wallis household, Megan painted the girls' faces.

Melody chose to be a tiger.

 

 Erin wanted a snake on her.

Megan painted her face like a character from Avatar, the Last Airbender.

We talked late into the nights, played lots of games together, ate delicious food, and had a great time.

Summer Vacation--Part I

This year, we planned a two-week vacation to visit family and friends in Utah and Idaho. We left Yuma relatively early (for us) and drove all day Monday, arriving at Grandma's and Grandpa's house in Salt Lake City very late. We decided it is just as easy to do one big all-day drive rather than break it up into two days.

Natural History Museum of Utah

On Wednesday, we visited the new Museum of Natural History with the Buchert Family. It was great to spend time with them again.

Al still greets visitors at the museum entrance.

The boys thought it was nap time on the observation deck.

The girls visited and enjoyed the view of the city.

There were new interactive displays,

cool insect collections,

pressed plant books,

and DINOSAURS!!!

We have a photo of Megan and Ian in this same dinosaur footprint from years ago.

(Don't ask me to locate it right now--it's in a box of photos someplace.)

Guitar Lesson with Grandpa

Megan wants to learn to play the guitar. Grandpa gave her one of his in preparation for her upcoming lessons with a friend in Yuma. Thanks, Grandpa!

Visit with Great-Grandma Young

Thursday morning we spent time with Great-Grandma Young at her house. 

Beau, her cat, was friendly as usual.

Great-Grandma was having a good day, and we enjoyed talking with her.

The children played the piano for her, too, which she always enjoys.