Part 4...half way there!

After a very busy/long day at the zoo, we decided to take it easy on Tuesday.  My dad, Chris, Katelyn, and I took the pedestrian ferry from downtown to Coronado.  Lisa graciously agreed to pick us up on the other side.  Katelyn had a great time on the big boat and Chris and I loved enjoying the views.  Once in Coronado, we stopped in an art gallery that sells Dr. Seuss artwork....amazing!  From there, it was off to the beach.  This was Katelyn's first trip to the beach.  I was a bit nervous about the water temp and with good reason.  It was freezing cold.  It was way too cold to do much playing in, but seeing Katelyn's huge smiles and pure enjoyment, helped ease the pain for the little bit of time we did play in the water.  She was having a blast.  After splashing, she spent the rest of the day playing in the sand which she loved.  The beach was enough to do her in as she conked out in her stroller while we had some lunch.  During lunch at the Del hotel, we got to watch the Navy Seals training on the beach.  It was very cool.

 

Part 3

Day 3 brought us to the World Famous San Diego Zoo!  I am pretty sure I was more excited that Chris and Katelyn together.  I have heard about this zoo for as long as I can remember and I was thrilled to finally get to go.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint.  Katelyn was a trooper and we were able to do the entire zoo (well, most of it) in one day.  We saw everything you can imagine...Elephants, Giraffes, Pandas, Polar Bears, Lions, Tigers, etc.  The layout of the zoo is very different and its huge, so there is a ton of walking.  They have so many different and unique things to see. 

Part 2

After a good nights sleep, we were up and ready for Day 2 and In-N-Out Burger, the Birch Aquarium, Torrey Pines, watching the paragliding and some more downtown sightseeing. 

First and foremost, In-N-Out Burger is great!  It was packed, but they move very quickly since there are only 4 things to pick from. 

After a great burger, it was off to see the fish.  The aquarium is small, but packed with lots to see.  Katelyn loved looking at the fish and playing with the racing boats.  The view from the outside deck at the aquarium was amazing.  On the deck, they had tide pools with lots of interesting things to touch and explore.  The only rule was you could only touch with 2 fingers.  Katelyn apparently was not informed of that rule and reached right in and pulled out a star fish! 

On the way home from the aquarium, we stopped at some cliffs where parasgliding is very popular.  My dad can actually see it from his office...that and the 14th green of Torrey Pines (rough view, I know).  The cliffs were amazing!  They have a little cafe type place and some picnic tables set up for people to come and watch.  I think it would be so fun to try that (with someone experienced of course).

Then, per Chris' request, we headed to Torrey Pines.  Its a golf course for those who don't know.  I guess they play professional tournaments there (Tiger Woods, etc.)  I will admit, its beautiful.  Chris was loving it, so that made the stop worth it!

Once we ventured back into downtown, Chris, Katelyn and I headed out for a little sightseeing.  We walked down along the water to check out the Midway, the marina, and the fish market.  There is so much to do and see in San Diego.  I felt like we found something new everytime we left the house.

Sunny San Diego...Part 1

Our big trip this summer was to visit my dad and Lisa in sunny San Diego!  I have been looking forward to this trip since they told us they were moving in Jan.  Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!  We had a fantastic time.

Probably one of the best parts of the trip was the weather.  It was AMAZING.  Mid to high 70's during the day and high 60's at night.  Perfect!  It was even more perfect because it was in the 100's at home and had been for weeks before we left.  We were hot!!

We arrived on Saturday afternoon after about 6 hours of traveling.  Katelyn was a gem on the plane (both of them) and was ready to hit the ground running.  After we got somewhat settled in, it was off to the pool.  Since dad lives in a condo, the pool is on the 5th floor.  Let me tell you...the breeze on the 5th floor makes for a very chilly pool experience.  They do heat the water, but any body part out of the water is freezing!  It also makes getting out just down right painful sometimes.  Needless to say, the swimming expedition did not last too long and I did not participate (yeah, I'm a baby).  Later that day, it was off for some sightseeing.  Downtown San Diego is very cool.  It's unlike any other downtown area I have been to.  There are bikes and people walking everywhere.  It's very clean and pleasant.  We had a great time checking out all of the neat areas like the Gaslamp District, the Padres ballpark (in the middle of downtown), Little Italy, etc.

2 to choose from....A Parent's Promise

Promise 1:

I promise to love you-unconditionally

I promise to protect you-for your pain hurts me more than my own

I promise to guard and to guide you-materially, mentally and morally

I promise to foster soundness and strength-in your health, your head and your heart

I promise to catch you doing things right and let you do things your way no matter how messy or or asymmetrical

I promise to applaud your accomplishments-whether they be anonymous for nobody's eyes, or world famous for the Nobel Prize

I promise to be a good example always-for there's no telling what act ot attribute you might emulate

I promise to be honest, open and direct

I promise to be a pillar of courage and a pillow of comfort

I promise to explore the world with you, explain the world to you, and expect the world of you

I promise to be a fortress in which you can hide, a friend in whom you can confide, and a parent in whose heart you'll find love and in whose eyes you find pride.

 

Promise 2:

I am not your friend.

I am your parent.

Will stalk you,

Flip out on you,

Lecture you,

Drive you insane,

Be your worst nightmare,

And hunt you down when needed.

Because I love you.

When you understand that,

I will know you're a responsible adult.

You will never find someone who loves, prays, cares, and worries about you more than me.

This is my promise to you!

Amazing how they can be so different yet both be so true!  I tend to like the 2nd one better as its so very true and its something that, in my opinion, so many people forget when they become parents.  They are parents, not friends.  There is a fine line that many do not see or choose to ignore.  I have been blessed with amazing parents who I now consider both parents and friends.  I can only one day hope that Katelyn feels the same about Chris and I.



Catch up time...Practice run

Catch up time!!

The Saturday before our vacation Chris and I got a practice run at having 2 kiddos!  Jason's birthday the following Tuesday and Diane wanted to take him out for a nice birthday dinner.  They were headed to one of our favoirtes, Killen's, in Pearland, so we offered to watch the tike!  Since I am starting to get baby fever again, I was so excited to have another little one around.  Though kinda hesitant at first, Erin warmed up quickly.  She was terrified of Haley at first, but by the end of the night, she had relaxed a little and would let Haley walk by without screaming.  She joined us for dinner (her second...haha).  Katelyn was such a big girl and sat in her chair at the table with us while I held Erin in my lap.  She did ask to sit with mama a couple of times, but I was able to talk her into staying put and showing me how she is a big girl.  I have to admit, I love that I can now use that line sometimes.  Its becoming more and more popular in our house!  After dinner, Katelyn and Erin played.  Which really meant Erin played and Katelyn kept trying to give Erin Mr. Buns (Erin's bunny/blanket) and her sippy cup.  She also had a little tea party with Erin.  It was so cute to see them interact together.  Since Katelyn didn't have a nap on Saturday, it was off to bed for her pretty quickly after dinner.  She was less than pleased.  When I gave Chris the option of bed/bath with Katelyn or bottle time with Erin, he smiled and looked at Erin all snuggled up in his lap and said, "I'm good here".  Such a sucker for a snuggly little girl.  It wasn't too long before Jason and Diane were back.  As payment, althought none was needed or expected, they brought us some of the yummy mac-n-cheese and bread pudding from Killen's.  I think the mac-n-cheese lasted about 10min before Chris and I devoured it.  Its soooo good.   Needless to say, we had lots of fun.