family time on the internet

How great is it that my whole family, from the West coast to the East coast, in 6 different homes, can talk all at once on a Sunday night?

Pretty great.

The rest of my time in lovely San Diego

And now, I present - the rest of my San Diego trip (here are Days 1, 2, and 3).

I started out my Sunday racing my parents in the glass elevators at the hotel. I lost.

We headed over to Eric and Kimberly's where Audrey was so excited about her big day that she was just screaming!

We got to the church and it was a little too chilly to take outdoor pictures with the baby.

...but that didn't stop the Carruth fam. :)

Eric gave Audrey the sweetest blessing and it's a pretty amazing thing to see your older brother become a father. 

I think Kimberly's hashtag for this picture was the best. #getmeoutofthisdress

Also awesome was my dad's first attempts at hash tagging in response.

Not so awesome, Audrey saying goodbye to her Grandma Carruth (my parents had to fly home right after church).

Back to Eric's apartment to hang out with this little lady on her special day. (Which Kimberly documented really well here.)

Audrey even got to meet her Uncle Paul via Facetime.

On Monday we headed to Balboa park. It was the most beautiful place full of early 1900 Spanish architecture, pretty gardens, and really fun company.

Look at San Diego just giving me a taste of Spring!

I cannot say enough good about these two.
Best hosts. Nicest people. Best new parents.

I loved this desert garden. I decided I just feel like I belong where it is hot and dry. The sun came out from behind the clouds as if it was a sign from heaven.

How about this little Spiderman heading to the playground? I just really wanted to hear the conversation that went on at their house that morning....
 "Hunny, we are going to the park, you need to change."
"But I'm SPIDERMAN!"
"Alright.. if you say so."

I mean, he was even spraying pretend webs in all directions. How can you blame a kid with such a fantastic imagination?

We enjoyed the yummiest picnic lunch and my hair and clothes got all toasty warm from the sun shining on me. I just love that feeling.

#itsaneagle (I think?)

On the way back home (Eric had class) I saw this cyclist (one of MANY I saw during the trip, and just wished it was Paul and decided that there are few better places better for cyclists than San Diego - year round nice weather, wide roads, good hills and close mountains... Paul, let's keep this in mind when we look for postdocs/jobs. :)

When Eric was done with class we headed back to La Jolla coves.

These tourists were just loving this beached seal.

He was not loving the tourists and barked at them then headed to the water where he blended right in with those rocks.

I love my siblings and we missed Celeste a lot.

Whale spout!

I realized I definitely photobombed this cute couple, but how can you resist? They were training her young... so smart.

Audrey started getting fussy and I decided to fulfill two goals at once - help her enjoy some bumps (she LOVES movement) and fulfill my dream of running at this prettiest park which I dreamed of doing when I was there as a Sophomore in high school. Win win! She fell right asleep.

I kept pushing the stroller, and Eric and Kimberly apparently stole my camera and had a little photo shoot because I just found all these great shots as a nice surprise!

I passed the stroller back to Kimberly and Eric and I ventured down to "kids beach" where all the seals sun tan and raise their little babies.

This baby seal (the bump to the right) was ONE day old.

We decided to stick around an extra 10 minutes so I could see a Pacific ocean sunset. 

On Tuesday I had to work until early afternoon, at which point we had girls time while Eric was in class went out for crepes!

When Eric got out of class I begged him to take my surfing again. After we got rejected by 2 surf shops we found one that was happy to rent this girl a board and a wet suit for an hour and a half before the sun went down and I was thrilled. 

Chelsey was the best supportive sister and froze on the beach to watch us and take a few shots.

It really was the best way I could of thought of to spend my last evening in San Diego. :)

The next day was sad news when Chelsey and I had to say good bye to this cutie and her parents.

She did her trick (blowing bubbles) to say farewell.

The luckiest news of the day was that Chelsey and I were on the same flight to Pheonix and we enjoyed our time in the airport watching the Kardashians and the hour and a half plane ride together trying to find the Mexican/US border and talking sister talk. I love that lady.

 When we arrived in Phoenix it was time for us to part ways at which point I decided I need to go to San Diego every February. It was the perfect cure for winter blues, missing family, enjoying some sunshine and taking a nice break before the busy spring of lacrosse and road cycling. I loved every second.