Sunny San Diego

I still have so much other stuff to share about our busy summer, but decided to take the "start with now & work backwards" approach.

We had a great family vacation to San Diego. I must admit that traveling and so-called "vacation" takes on a whole new meaning when you've got two little kiddos in tow. I'm not a very nervous person, but felt myself get a little anxious as the flight attendant was going over the whole floatation device spill and to first put oxygen on yourself and then your kids. I just kept thinking- what would I honestly do if there really was an emergency? I also found myself watching & keeping good mental notes about passengers around us- just in case someone decided to go wacko in flight.

Anyway...besides a wiggle worm on my lap through the entire flight, all went well & we arrived. Jace loved the flight- I love Jet Blue because of the the t.v's- Jace had his ear phones in the entire flight & was content. We got the kids these little backpacks for their carry on stuff & it was just too cute the way they "pulled their own weight" around the airport- especially Rylee, she felt so big!

We stayed at the beautiful Hyatt La Jolla. Great room & a great six day stay. I think the worst part about traveling with kids is the scheduling. I always worry about what the room will be set up like & how we're going to get the kids to sleep, etc. The hotel provided a pack-n-play and were very accommodating by providing bedding for it (not the case at every hotel and I brought my own, but still a nice amenity) and a baby hygiene kit- complete with Johnson's baby care items. I love little extras like this- details count with me. We also had a mini fridge in our room, which made it nice to keep some breakfast & snack items on hand for the kids. The key to traveling with kids is to be prepared- saves on melt-downs & misery.

It had a great pool & hot tub. It was fun to spend a lot of our down-time here. We had dinner in one of the cabanas one night & spent quite a few mornings taking a dip before venturing out for the day. Jus took a couple CPE classes while we were there, so it was nice to have a pool to hang out at while he was in class. Water wings are the best (arm floaties)- Jace is so independent in the pool with these things- it makes taking more than one kid doable alone.

We did so much, but still kept it at a flexible pace that we didn't feel exhausted. We went & saw the San Diego temple (just a few blocks from our hotel), which is incredible! I've always loved this temple, but it truly is amazing in person- it's right off the highway & completely eye-catching. Everyone there kept referring to it as the castle. We were getting directions from the concierge and he was like, "you won't be able to go inside of the castle because you have to part of that religion or something to get access."

Then on our walk over there, a lady asked where we were headed and after telling her she said, "Well, they won't let you in!" People's perceptions are just funny- we were like, "Oh, yes they will!" (and we can tell you how you can too).

Then it was off to the San Diego zoo. We saw all the animals- elephants, giraffes, monkeys- ya know, it was a zoo. Pretty convinced that if you've been to one, you've been to them all. Best part of the zoo was that a nice girl who worked for the Wild Animal Park offered us two free tickets at the gate. Saved us $70! And since we've done the zoo thing before, glad to save that money.

Sea World was next & it did not disappoint! This place has changed a bit since I last visited (which was 20 years ago, so I should expect that it would). Shamu is still there in all his glory though. I loved all the shows (especially with kids- it's good to have a break & sit down.) My favorite show was the Cirque Ole- acrobat one- it's so cool! Plus I like how their shows are short, easy to find a seat & good scheduling between each one.

Plus..did everyone know that they know have a new Sesame Street kid's area now? They do. It had a couple rides and a bunch of independent play areas with bounce houses, jungle gyms, tunnels, sand area, music area, etc. Great down-time for the kids (& Jus enjoyed the rides too!) Elmo, Grover & the gang put on a little show as well & it was great.

Jace also experienced his first 4-D Sesame Street movie. He got a little freaked out when the first thing came flying towards him- he was like ducking and hitting it. Too funny!

I just love all the aquariums and marine life at Sea World- truly a whole new world! The kids loved looking at all the different kinds of fish, sharks, etc.

Of course we hit the beach, which is basically more messy than glamorous. Pretty much the kids looked like this:

But it was fun & we spent a few hours there- jumping waves, burying Jace & Jus in the sand, building a sand castle & getting washed away by the waves.

The ocean was of course beautiful & I'm glad our kids have had the chance to see it now.

Our last destination was Legoland. I started wondering if we would rather do the drive to Disneyland than go to Legoland once we got there, but in the end, we decided to go & try it out & I am so glad that we did! I loved this place- it's awesome. You should see how many cool things they have built out of hundreds of thousands of Legos. For instance, this lady, stroller & baby- all out of Legos-unbelievable!

I've hardly built anything out of Legos before, but I was impressed (and I have about a hundred pictures to prove it)! In Miniland they have built the Las Vegas strip, New York, Hollywood, and just about any and every other land mark, attraction or wonder of the world out of Legos. It's so detail oriented and exact too- pieces of art I'm telling you.

First of all, this place is great for boys & it was even greater for young kids. Jace was able to go on almost every ride (helps that he's tall), but it's a really fun, relaxed theme park. Jace got to drive this little car all by himself and then he got his very own driver's license. He felt beyond cool! He even passed a couple of kids & in true Jace manner, he was ever so cautious and careful-but still felt like "the man".


We did tons of rides. Jace & Jus won this firefighter one- it was a race. Jus had to pump the fire truck down to one end then pump the water as Jace squirted the hose & got the fire out & then had to pump the truck back down. Justin was sweating by the end, but apparently not willing to loose to a couple of kids & their moms.

Rylee was mostly just along for ride, but she did manage to find a little friend her size. And..she got to go on this little ride too. So...a fun time was had by all!

We had an evening flight on Saturday- so by the time we got back to SLC, it was 11 p.m. and I had two tired children & a 4 hour drive ahead of me that has never been so miserable. Luckily, the kids fell asleep as soon as we hit the road and I suffered through what seemed to be the longest ever trip from SLC to Idaho! The Shelley to Rexburg stretch nearly did me in- never been so antsy. At nearly 3 a.m. we pulled in to our garage & that was that!

Family vacation to San Diego: Check!

Been there, done that!