Flying to California

October 11, 2018

We went on a spontaneous trip to Southern CA for my birthday last year.

I get really nervous about flying. I just don't like it so it takes some concentration on my part in keeping my mind busy. I brought along a word search and my current read along with a long list of my favorite music downloaded to my phone. For me, the worst part is take off.

I was relieved once we landed at LAX. We got a rental and slowly made our way down to Ocean Beach. We stopped at Hodad's for a late lunch (early dinner, same difference). We've eaten there several times before but the burger wasn't as tasty as previous times so I didn't finish it. Their vanilla shakes are SO darn good though!! Old fashioned vanilla is just the best!

After eating we continued driving South to my parents place. My sister is always so thoughtful. She got me this yummy cake for my birthday.

We had to head back up to L.A. the following day. We first stopped in Coronado. Jacob and I met at the Del so we wanted to stop by and reminisce. Coronado is so pretty, and the Del has been part of my life since I can remember.
I have a picture right at this same spot when I was about four years old and I also have a picture of my kids sitting at these same rocks when they were little as well.

Whoever made this sandcastle did a great job.

The Del
I like this outdoor hallway that faces a courtyard.

The landscape is so pretty here, throughout the resort.

The interior has changed so much throughout the years with the different owners. The best it has looked in my opinion is when I used to work there back in 1995. It was decorated as a traditional Victorian hotel, and that was what made this hotel so special. Now, the vibe is beachy modern. I guess that's what happens when a big corporation buys it. In some cases change is not always a good thing.

Here we are 22 years later and still loving each other intentionally. Always making sure that God is at the center of our marriage.

True contentment and full satisfaction

are found only within the covenant of marriage.

Our Last Days in San Diego

Every time we visit San Diego we come across the same problem .... we just don't have enough days to eat at all the places we want to.

For burgers (and malts for Jacob and the kids) we stop at Hodad's. They have a bigger location in downtown but I'm sure the vibe is just not the same so we always come to this one in Ocean Beach and stand in line.

We met up with my friend Brenda. She's a very busy woman but thankfully she was able to join us for lunch.
These two have become the best of friends.

Of all my years living in San Diego I have never been to any bookstores there .... can you believe it? I can't. I mean, I knew about Barnes & Noble but that was it. So it occurred to me this time around to google bookstores and I came across three that weren't too far.
After checking out novels and faith based books I walked towards the back and found my people sitting in the children's area.

I love bookstores that have permanent feline residents. When we visited Colorado we went to a bookstore where two cats lived at ... and now here in San Diego better yet, North Park they also had a couple of cats. I only came across this one though. Of all the bookstores I've been to in my area and the Seattle area I have yet come across a cat inside a bookstore. Lame! Everyone knows that cats and books go together!!

Here we are in Imperial Beach. It's nice here too. I like how they've updated this area. It's fun watching surfers do their thing. I can watch them for hours.

Later on this day we met up with my sister and Mom at Baja Lobster in Old Town. I'm not sure how long this restaurant has been in Old Town but I had never come across it before. It is kinda hidden so that could be the reason but there's no signs of the place that I remember seeing. Anyway, my sister treated me. Thanks Claudia. I sure do love crab, lobster and shrimp! It weirds me out seeing Jacob drinking an alcoholic drink because he rarely drinks. He doesn't like to drink beer or wine but he'll drink a pina colada or a slush margarita every now and then. I just hope he doesn't get tipsy because he's the one that drives us everywhere, mostly.

When I eat I usually finish my food a little bit on the fast side. I mean, I chew my food good and I don't rush through my meals but I always seem to be the one to finish first, lol. However, when it comes to crab or lobster I'm usually the last one to finish eating. I just love to take my time ... it is so delicious.

At my mom's ... taking time to relax. Claudia got Riley a coloring book. They also worked on some Christmas decorations. Riley does enjoy doing crafts ... plus, it keeps him engaged for a while.

Riley wanted to play at the beach one last time before we left so we went back to Imperial Beach on our last day there. When I was looking through all the pictures I began to laugh because Jacob and Riley are so pasty. Jacob's back blended in with the white of the waves, lol. I didn't post any of those pictures, Jacob wouldn't have been too happy about it.

Nathan also laid out for a while hoping he would get a tan. Then they rented a boogie board and hit the waves. Jacob said it was hard, lol. Amateurs!!! I read.
After the beach we went back to my mom's to wash up then we went to grab some Greek food and took it to Seaport Village. I like it there. I even brought wine with me. I love this meal especially their Greek salad and the chunks of feta cheese, oh and the pita bread is super soft and yummy!

Every time we visit in July the weather is just awful, humid and hot. I keep telling Jacob that we need to visit in February but the reason we keep visiting in the summer is because of the 4th of July. There's no other place we would rather be for the 4th because no other place has that same patriotic feel, vibe that we're used to at Coronado.

My sister has spoiled all of my kids but since Riley is the youngest she spoils him the most. She got him some ice cream. We walked around for a bit and bought more souvenirs.

Nathan's growing up way too fast lately.

White stucco buildings are so pretty!

The following day we had breakfast together.

Can't remember what was so funny.

Our last morning here. It sucks that we live far from each other. I love San Diego but it has changed from what I remember and I no longer wish to move back there ... maybe to Santa Cruz. I would totally move to Santa Cruz. I like living in WA even though it's another very liberal state. It's a beautiful state though, lots of fun things to do. The Oregon coast isn't really that liberal, you'd be surprised and not even central Oregon. We've seen TRUMP signs on the side of the freeway and signs that says, GOD LOVES YOU. It's just Portland that's liberal. Anyway, who knows what the future holds.
We said our goodbyes.

Riley cried.

Every time we say our goodbyes I realize this could be the last time we see each other but all I can do is hope that it isn't. This is the only way I refrain from shedding a few tears myself.

Back on the open road.

Made it to Northern Sacramento by 7:00 pm. It was hot there, even at night. We went out to dinner then went straight to the hotel. We couldn't wait to get back home. We missed Sophie.

Sydna's Solo Travel

When my mom and sister stayed here watching over Sydna and Nathan while we went on our West Coast Road Trip, my mom invited both kids to San Diego so they could celebrate my mom's birthday together {September 17th}.
I think my mom forgot that both kids have school and that Sydna works. So I told my mom that Nathan definitely couldn't go. I didn't want him missing any school shortly after the new school year had started. Sydna was able to request a couple of days off from work and her college class didn't start until October so I didn't mind if she went.

Both Jacob and I dropped her off at the airpot. This was Sydna's first solo trip. She said she was a little nervous being on a plane all by herself. At least it's a somewhat short three hour flight. I felt all sentimental as she walked away. I'm such a wimp.

My sister is so nice. She requested a couple days off so she could pick up Sydna from the airport and show her around town. Thanks again Claudia. {We appreciate everything you've done for us.} She texted once she landed and said they were at Hodad's {hamburger joint}. I was like, what the???!! So not cool.

Then they drove over to mom's. My mom wanted to postpone her birthday party to come be with me during this difficult time but I told her not to. She had been planning her birthday party for several months and I didn't want her to cancel it. She reluctantly agreed. My sister told me that my mom got teary eyed when she saw Sydna.

My sister Claudia took Sydna sightseeing all over San Diego. Once there Sydna said that she had not realized how much she missed being "home".

I wish I could have been there at my mom's birthday party too but I was a mess and I sure didn't want to be around people. I'm like totally the opposite from most people. I don't need a lot of people to help me heal or get over tough times. All I want is my husband by my side and my children.

Me and Sydna were constantly texting each other as well as with my sister. I just wanted to know what was going on, lol!
Here is Sydna with her cousins, my brother's two sons. The one in the blue shirt is 19 years old and the one in the white shirt is 17 years old. They're such big boys right?! They're both very polite but the one in the blue shirt is so laid back. It's so easy to get along with him.

I had told my mom that I wanted her to have Sydna help her out during the party ... and to keep an eye on her, lol.
Right now as I'm looking at this picture I just realized that all three of them have the same chubby nose, lol! I guess my grandmother's gene must have been a very strong gene because a lot of us cousins have that chubby nose too. Wow!

Sydna was only gone for four days. I missed her.

Summer Road Trip 2014 // 2nd Stop: San Diego California

I'm blogging while still on vacation. I decided to do this because I knew I would be taking lots of pictures and I wanted to blog about each day while everything is still fresh in my mind ... for my sake.

***

Back on the road. This time we're headed to San Diego. We were on the road by 7:00 am ... a bit later than our usual morning travel time which is typically around 5:30 am or 6:00 am the latest. We know this freeway all too well. Here we go ... seven hours of mostly hot dry desert.

We stopped somewhere about 45 minutes into our road trip to get something very important. I needed my morning McDonald's coffee! Jacob saw a pistol and rifle play set and got it for Riley. Best $2 ever spent. It kept Riley entertained for a while. Shooting at dust funnels, clouds and cell phone towers, pretending they were witches, monsters and dinosaurs, lol.

There wasn't much traffic until we reached the mountains. There was some road construction going on and only one lane was open and the worst part was that we were going uphill. Great! Wasting more gas. Oh, by the way and just because I feel like mentioning that the cheapest gas we saw in Tucson was $3.28. Nice.

So while we waited behind a long line of cars, RV's and semi's, Riley was busy playing a game on Nathan's iPad that had both Sydna and Nathan also excited about. Good thing that we were only stuck in this for about ten minutes.

Once we start descending the California mountains we get super excited. It's just about a thirty minute drive to San Diego and cooler weather {or so we thought}.

We arrived in San Diego at 2:15 pm. We made pretty good time.
Our first stop was to Ocean Beach for a Hodad's burger. This is THE best place to eat a burger when you're in San Diego. Of course, one has to sacrifice standing in line and sometimes the line can get pretty long. But when you're passionate about good food waiting in line is so worth it. So ... Don't be a square!
According to the time stamp on my pictures we only waited about fifteen minutes. Not bad at all.

We met up with my sister but I had texted her asking if my mom could make Riley a couple of bean burritos since he doesn't eat burgers. So that's what my kid was eating while we all ate burgers and fries. I wonder if people think we're being cheap for not buying him a meal, lol.

Jacob and I split a vanilla shake. Why? Because they only have one size, large and a large is too much for one person so we split it plus Jacob likes malt in his. I don't like that malt flavor so I got mine OG vanilla. And guess who drank most of it? Yep, Riley ... so not fair!

Even after ordering a small burger it's still quite huge. I did take off most of the onions. I've never liked cheese on my burger. I accidentally took a bite out of a cheeseburger once when I was a child and I almost threw up. I just don't like the cheese flavor. Jacob got cheese and bacon in his. Good thing we don't eat burgers that often. Such a tasty burger and onion rings. Didn't disappoint.

As is our tradition whenever we eat at Hodad's we walk over to the beach after we're done eating which is just down the street. This is my sister Claudia. She adores my kids.

We were surprised that the water wasn't cold because it usually is, even in the summer.

It was windy, probably not such a good idea to have worn a dress. Oh well.

Caught him in mid air. Of course, that got his sweat pants wet. All good things. All good things. {movie trivia: who says that in what movie?} I had anticipated that happening. No worries.

My dad. It was so good to see him. So glad that Riley wasn't shy.

My momma. I sure missed them. They had surprises for all of us. Guess what I got? A sewing machine! Ohmygosh! I was very surprised and happy. Totally unexpected. Now I can start making things. Definitely looking forward to that.

Of course, everyone spoils Riley. He's the only baby, ok toddler in the family so he gets all the attention. My sister graciously hands over her phone to him so he can play games. He's super happy about it too, just look at that cute face.

She even made brownies for us. This little guy helped ... by licking the spoon that is, lol. I think this is such a cute picture of the two of them. They were cracking up, probably about something silly that Riley did. Wait, is that a knife halfway down his throat?! Nice ... geez!

Back to the weather in San Diego. Guess what? It's freaking humid. I'm not liking this humidity here. The weather has definitely changed in the last ten years that I've been away. It didn't used to get humid in the summers when I was growing up. Now it sucks! Oh, but we have so much to do that I don't have time to worry {too much} about the humidity. Just as long as I mentally prepare myself to be out in it I should be fine. But I still hate it. Who likes to feel all clammy? Not me that's for sure!

Again, thankful we made it safe and sound to San Diego. Thank you Jesus.