Last Supper

Since this was our last night in California, and we hadn't been to Old Town, we decided to head out for some authentic Mexican cuisine! What a great little place to walk around and people watch...and a great way to end our vacation!



Getting ready to leave the hotel for our last meal together. Olivia was ALMOST as excited as I was for some authentic Mexican food!
The crazy balloon man (not that he is crazy--well he could be, but I was referring to the balloon figures he made)
Spencer helps keep Olivia entertained before we ordered dinner.
Aunt Debbie and Spencer checking out the menu...Olivia puts her two cents in!
Molly and her special balloon monkey.
Dancing to the music...I don't know who was having more fun!


Russ gave the band a tip after they played...so they came back for an encore...and NO, he did NOT request this song...too funny!!!






Russ and Lexie signing to the music! Everybody..."It's a small world afterall..."
Olivia looking as cute as can be holding on to those toes!!!
This is how Marissa spent most of her vacation!!! Ahh...the life of a teenager! Just kidding Marissa!!! We love you!

Blocks of Fun!!!

When you hear the words Lego Land, in terms of a place to visit while on vacation...you don't really know what to expect. Until I searched online for myself, I thought we were going to be going to a big warehouse type place to play with....legos! I couldn't have been more wrong! This place is great for kids...toddlers-preteens! There were roller coasters, water rides, driving courses, obstacle courses...etc, etc, etc! Olivia still may have been a bit young to really benefit from it, but I would definitely go back again if I had the chance!

Olivia was sooooo excited to be at Legoland! She was actually awake when we hit the gates!
Molly and Lexie getting ready to tear it up in Lego Land!!!
Checking out the lay of the land...
Which way do we go, which way do we go????
This impressive beast was TOWERING over the visitors...pretty cool!
This was a REALLY cool display of legos/musical instruments! As you walked along the path, the instrument played music and sprayed water. Debbie was trying to get two at once...she is truly a kid at heart!!! I had fun just watching her!


We made it to our first ride! The sign was VERY misleading...I think we waited twice as long as was posted...but we didn't mind...well, most of us didn't! I think this is his "I'm dead sexy" look! Don't let the face fool you...he was having fun waiting in line!!!!

Waiting in line for the roller coaster...these little monkeys loved to climb!!!!

Molly is all about safety first...as she grabs for the safety bar!!! She is ready for the ride to begin!!!!

Everybody say "cheeeeeeeeeeese"


Check out this video of the roller coaster ride!!!




Everything is under control...Marissa and Molly to the rescue in their bright yellow helicopter!!!



Lexie and Russ playing at Swabbie's Deck...this water "park" for toddlers inside Legoland was great! It would have been even better if the water wasn't ice cold!!!
Lexie figured out how to make the water 'jump'!
Down the slide into the cold, cold, water she goes! I couldn't believe she went through with it...TWICE...probably because Spencer was waiting at the bottom!!!!!

Olivia enjoying the swing and watching all the kids play!
My little sun baby loves people watching!

Russ and Lexie making their way back from the Pirate Ship...maybe the water was too cold for Russ too!!!


In line for another fun ride...the girls sure did keep each other entertained while waiting...and of course being able to climb on those bars didn't hurt either!!!

Lexie was sooooo excited to go on a ride with Spencer! Russ stood in line with her and at the last minute, she decided she wanted to go with her big cousin! She love love loves her Spencer!!!!

There's no turning back now!!!!


Brad and Molly wave to the camera as they go boating by!
Spencer was quite the captain of his ship...he was passing boats left and right! (Not the least bit competitive!!!)


The big kids playing on the slides...ready...set........

...G O O O O O......
The little kids were out cold!
Amazing display....made completely out of legos!!!

Family Ties

I can't remember exactly the last time I saw "Cousin Gary"...but I think it was at his wedding--which come to find out was 20 years ago this year!!!! (Gary and my mom are cousins...my grandfather and Gary's father are brothers...for all of you that were wondering.)

Gary and his family live in Carlsbad, which is about 35-40 minutes north of where we were staying in San Diego. I emailed him some time ago to let him know that we would be vacationing in the area and wanted to try to get together. He and Paulette were kind enough to have Russ, the girls and I over for dinner at their BEAUTIFUL home! We had a GREAT time catching up!!! Thanks so much for the hospitality! Hope we don't let another 20 years go by before visiting again!


This is the view of the pool in their backyard...and this picture doesn't do it justice! It was just so relaxing and peaceful!!!

Paulette got Lexie a few stuffed dogs to play with to keep her busy! She really wanted to go for a swim I think! We compromised and took her shoes off so she could put her toes in the water!
Our gracious hosts...Paulette, Gary and Megan pose for a picture with Russ and Lexie
Russ and I with the girls...and Gary with his youngest daughter Megan.
Melanie, their oldest daughter, joined in for this picture.
By the time we got to the car, Olivia was fast asleep!
Thanks again for a great time! We enjoyed our visit!

Trip to the Zoo

Another day, another adventure...today we loaded up and headed to the San Diego Zoo. It is a very nice zoo...though some people in our group weren't nearly as impressed as others. Unfortunately for us, the polar bear exhibit was closed which was a bummer, but we were able to get pretty close to the pandas! We all got a work out--as this zoo is huge and filled with plenty of hills! Just check out the map below!

Lexie was pretty into the animals from the very get go!
I am not sure what she is looking at here, but it must have been something good!
Marissa, Lexie and Russ leading the pack...
Off to the pandas we go....these little guys are just soo cute and cuddly looking!
This little one is sleeping in the tree!
Lexie and Aunt Debbie blazing the trail!
I forget the official name of the critter, but it is some kind of African Hog I think. I just thought it was really kinda cute...in a weird way.
Russ pointing out the elephants to Lexie.
That was peanut the elephant...she was out roaming around...
Lexie turned into "Cameron, the Climate Change Theorist".
The trainer called peanut in to the holding areas...there she is on the right!
"The boys" enjoying an adult beverage or two...Yes, they sell beer at the San Diego Zoo!!!



We had a great time at the zoo...though we didn't get to see the monkeys or apes. We called it a day shortly after lunch since we had dinner plans with Gary and his family and the girls could hardly keep their eyes open!