Whirlwind Trip

We are back! We just had a whirlwind trip to Arizona for my mom's wedding and then on to California to check out a job opportunity and a few areas. It was crazy but SO much fun! Let me just say that it was a much needed break.

First the kids and I flew to AZ for my Mom's wedding. She married David Clifford. He is a really nice guy and we are excited for her. The food was delicious, the weather was perfect, and best of all we saw family and old friends. It was fun but both of my kids and I got sick and we were all 3 whining, crying, and crabby. Just wait until I post like the one group photo we got where my kids are screaming!!! Sorry Mom that you won't have awesome photos of all of us together. It's a funny memory, right?



Then EARLY the next morning my cousin Kara helped me fly the kids to San Diego to meet up with Andy for a few days. I don't know how I could have done it without Kara there! We got a rental car and soon discovered that they switched it from the model we were told we would get and that even with nothing else in the trunk our darn double stroller wouldn't fit. So we drove to the hotel with Kara and the kids in the backseat and the stroller riding shotgun. What a spoiled stroller! Later that day we went back and switched the car out for one more suitable to 3 adults, 2 kids with carseats, and a double stroller and Payless car rentals was very nice to accommodate us since the first one hadn't worked out. By the time we all got to the hotel we crashed from the wedding weekend and Andy crashed too because he had national board exams right before coming to CA (which is why he missed my mom's wedding). Here's a photo of Andy and the boys crashed at the hotel (Keegan still with his car in hand).


San Diego was so wonderful! The weather was perfect and cool. We drove up Highway 1 like we always do and stopped off at Juanitas Taco Shop - my family's favorite for going on 25 years now. Don't make fun of the sign - this place is the BEST! Yes it's grungy but do you ever get the best Mexican food at a 5 star hotel? Heck no! If you're ever in Encinitas or Leucadia, Carlsbad, etc be sure to stop in for 3 rolled tacos in flour tortillas with guacamole. It can't be beat! We also had to get a treat at the Leucadia Donut Shop - our favorite place for a really sweet donut and fun conversation with the Korean owners in their broken English.


We checked out a chiropractic office right in Encinitas less than 2 miles from the beach. Then we stopped off at the beach for some playtime. Keegan loved it! He has no fear of water and walked straight out into the waves. We are going to have to watch that kid! It was cold but didn't seem to phase him. At one point he got clobbered by a wave, stood up, and ran right back into deeper water. Should I be worried? Andy was actually taking video at the time so if I have time to load it up I'll post it. Graham loved the ocean breeze too and was all smiles. I think our kids are trying to tell us something: "Move us near the beach".







We also made a stop at the San Diego Zoo. I can't even remember the last time I went there. It was fun and my fav animal was the panda. Keegan loved the panda and the peacocks. He developed a love for peacocks last year when we went to the Portland Zoo with Krista's family and then the Tucson Zoo with Kim and Bryan last summer.









No trip to San Diego would be complete without a stop at Anthony's Fishette for the best darn fish and chips in the world! I don't even like seafood much but this place is dee-lish! Anthony's is so fun. It's right on the harbor in downtown and the views of the water are great. It was freezing!












After a few days in San Diego we went inland to Temecula where Andy met with a doc and we stayed with our dear friends Paul & Tiffany Downs. Temecula is beautiful! I love it there! We had a great time catching up with Paul & T and their kids too. We couldn't believe how grown up Andrew and Calie are and that Mason is Paul's Mini-Me! Keegan loved the park literally right at the end of their cul de sac and playing with the kids. We also took a drive around a loop that has vineyards, ranches, farms, and orchards. It was so pretty and reminded me of growing up in Gilbert before all the farms were replaced with houses. I downloaded our photos and realized that sadly I didn't pull my camera out and get any photos with the Downs's or their home or anything. I guess we were having too much fun to stop and snap a pic.

All in all it was a fun trip. It was great to have Andy all to ourselves for a few days.