San Diego 2008

We spent one week in San Diego visiting friends and eating at our favorite spots. Be sure to read all of the posts to get the full story!! There are several slide shows, so here are some hints for easier viewing. After you've finished reading each section, if you refresh your page (at the top), the next slide show will start from the beginning. There are little buttons at the bottom left of each show that you can use to speed up, slow down, or pause the pictures.

Our flight left at 6am from Birmingham, so it was an early wake up. Katherine did great on the flights there and back. We used frequent flyer miles, so she had her own seat. We took her car seat on, which she sat in for take off and landing and then climbed all over for the rest of the flights.

We arrived at 10am local time, got the rental car, ate lunch at Anthony's Fish Grotto, and spent the afternoon at Angela's house (my best friend from Wellpoint). We checked into our condo in Mission Valley and tried to nap (to no avail) before heading to Elisa and Vicky's new house for dinner.

Katherine and Chapis enjoyed each other. Elisa could not keep her eyes open because of the flash, but I included her anyway! Katherine had managed to run into a door days before our trip, so she was sporting a nice bruise. She had also only napped for 1 hour (plus a few "car dozes") since 4am that morning. Her eyes were quite heavy by 10pm that night!

San Diego Day 2

Thursday, Katherine & I had lunch at Angela's house with Elizabeth & Lori James, two of my other Wellpoint friends. Andrew decided he'd skip the girl chat and go to Sombreros, his favorite Mexican place in San Diego. That night we ate half of our dinner at Unos Pizza before it became necessary to take the rest home. Katherine had had enough of that day.

San Diego Day 3

By Friday morning, Katherine's routine had been sufficiently messed up, and she had a major break down. We spent the morning at the condo while she screamed and eventually went down for a much needed two hour nap. Then we went to the Mashburns house and enjoyed Lolitas for lunch, my favorite Mexican restaurant. We spent the afternoon at Santee Lakes, fishing and playing. That night we ate burgers from In-N-Out. Have we mentioned we love the food in San Diego?

San Diego Day 4

Saturday morning, we walked around La Jolla Shores for a couple of hours. Andrew & Katherine had gone for a walk, so I could have some alone time. I looked up from the table where I was sitting to see two people running toward me. The lady had Katherine in her arms! It took a minute to register that the people were Don & Diana Johnson! We laughed and visited for a bit. The morning shock was followed by fish burritos at Rubios: more yummyness!
We spent the afternoon at the condo taking naps and watching movies. On our trip, Katherine discovered what fun it is to put objects into her lunch box, a bag, her bowl, or a float for that matter, take them out and then start all over. She still entertains herself for 20 minutes doing this! Climbing also remains at the top of the entertainment list.
Saturday night, Ms. Brittain, Andrew's best teacher friend from San Diego, hosted a party for Southwest Teachers. There were around 40 people there, and we had a great time. Katherine "played" with a two-year-old. She discovered watering cans and sidewalk chalk. These toys were the perfect combination for her new object organization activity.

San Diego Day 5

On Sunday, we spent the day with Dave & Stephanie, Jessica and the newest member of their family, Jacob. We met at the zoo where we spent a couple of hours before Katherine fell asleep. After lunch at Rubios (because once was not enough), we swam at our condo, took naps and then saw their new house in Santee. Andrew, Katherine & I went back to the zoo around 4pm and stayed for three more hours. Doing it a little at a time made the zoo more enjoyable for all of us.

Katherine growled and waved at all of the animals. She did not particularly enjoy the skyfari ride, and she was not as anxious to pet the goats in the petting zoo as we expected. Katherine did love climbing on all of the animal status. She came away with a stuffed baby ostrich to remember her first time at the World Famous San Diego Zoo.

San Diego Days 6 & 7

Monday, we spent the morning playing and walking the boardwalk at Mission Beach. We ate again at Lolitas and spent the afternoon resting. That night we enjoyed a calm and scare-free dinner with Don & Diana Johnson.

Tuesday, we went to Wellpoint to visit old friends and meet new team members. Katherine entertained everyone up and down the cubicle aisles. I went to lunch with the G&A team, while Andrew & Katherine roamed the mall. We napped and packed that afternoon and then spent the evening with Dan & Connie Jackson. We didn't get any pictures Tuesday, but definitely had a good time!

We flew back home Wednesday and hit the ground running. I spent Friday at District Conference 3 hours away and the weekend with the Daraja Children's Choir, who sang at our church Sunday morning. Andrew started his new job as assistant principal at Rock Quarry Elementary school today. It's hard to believe summer for us is over!