San Diego Vacation

For Erik's predeployment leave, we had only a few requirements: short flight, same time zone, places to be lazy and places to do stuff. We picked San Diego and it worked out awesome. Erik is there often because that's the where the carrier is based out of, but even then it's usually just for a couple days where his M.O. is usually related to consuming drinks prior to going on the boat and/or coming off the boat. I had never been so I was eager to check another city off my travel list.

We rented a house about 15 miles north in Solana Beach and it was big enough for the grandparents to come out and even Uncle Bobo, Aunt Lauren and little cousin Camden. The biggest score was a nice backyard for the kids to roam around in and the fact that the owners have four kids of their own so we pillaged a toy box full of blocks and cars right away. It lent itself to wonderful slow dinners on the back porch, drinking wine, laughing with family and watching the sunset from the hot tub while the kids crashed early.

We of course did the zoo, SeaWorld, the beach, saw old friends and Erik took his family on a tour of the Vinson and his state room. With the boys being so young we probably could have gotten away with ixnaying SeaWorld to trade for some more beach time and another visit to the New Children's Museum (what a great place!) and they would have been none the wiser. Also more people watching as Comic Con rolled into town during the last few days we were there. I can't wait to go back again with the boys someday - it truly was a great place to visit.

Here's a crap ton of photos with no rhyme or reason...

My boys don't have time to build a castle, they just rather build a big ol' wall.

Anders' favorite animal at the zoo: turtles.

Landon's favorite part of SeaWorld: the map.

Not so much a slip n' slide as it was a slip n' slurp.

I think the hairs in Landon's eyebrows are like Gremlins: they multiply in water. 

Lazy afternoon puzzlin' with Aunt Lauren.

Lazy evening slurping on pasta.

Backyard lounging.

Wistful Grandma smiles.

Cousin Camden's favorite part of California: the soccer ball in the backyard.

Uncle Bobo and Camden.

The boys find the box of cars and take inventory.

Erik and I got away for a dinner together and a stroll on the beach. Awww.

I was convinced this photo was going to turn out horribly, but we were pleasantly surprised!

I ain't gonna lie: my boys were naked about 75% of the time in the backyard. 

Anders' fingers symbolize our flailing grip on sanity as we wait in line for 45 minutes with three tired boys.

Camden taking a shnooze on his momma.

Backyard dinners!

Mom enjoying the rides more than the kids.

Anders taking a shnooze on his daddy. Shamu can wait for another time.

The New Children's Museum - highly recommended!

Showing Camden how we do Legos.

Checking out the seals in La Jolla.

It was a wonderful vacation and a perfect way to bottle up some dad hours before he heads out for the 10 monther in a couple weeks. Great success!