San Diego Day 3

Saturday morning I woke up at 5 am, stuck on Eastern Time, and I was fine with that. I decided that I should just take advantage of my alertness and the fact that there was a excercise room downstairs and really enjoyed a morning run. Then, I took full advantage of the hotels amazing breakfast. First, post-run I went with my dad and had a water and a banana. Then, after showering I headed down for real breakfast and enjoyed a made-to-order omelette with spinich, ham, tomatoes, peppers, and cheese. Later, Eric and Kimberly (who live less than a mile from the hotel) came over to enjoy the breakfast and I decided it was basically lunch time and had another "baby omelette" plus hot chocolate and some toasted lemon poppy seed bread. Basically I was a hobbit and had first breakfast, second breakfast, and elevensies. 

With a full and happy stomach I somehow convinced Eric that he should take us surfing while my parents were still in town.

 

We headed down to La Jolla Shores to check out the waves, they were a bit big for beginners but down the beach a little they looked manageable, so we rented boards and wetsuits (except Eric the local, he was set) and jumped in the very chilly water. Eric was a great teacher but those waves were just way to big for a beginner like me to get out past so I enjoyed surfing on the white wash and even stood up a few times. We had so much fun out there getting bashed by the waves, but then - right about when we were going to head in - a double wave came, the first one turned my surf board on it's side and the second wave sent it flat into my chin. Ouch.

Biggest mistake of my day was forgetting to teach my mom how to zoom in with a telephoto lens but I really love her for taking some of us surfing. :)

 

When we pulled out of the water after chin incident, it was time to pick up Chelsey from the airport - I changed on the drive to the airport, and after Chelsey joined the fun we stayed in downtown San Diego for a bit.

 I payed a few hundred dollars for a pilot to write that I love Paul in the sky.
(just kidding I didn't - it was actually G loves R but I made the most of someone else's money with careful timing and a little photoshop.)

These pictures all all so blue - big sky and beautiful water.

The nice plane also drew a smiley face for us to enjoy in the sky.

There were about a hundred of these little Korean friends and I loved their jumping picture - the "just" landed timing was better than the in the air timing. haha

Chelly!

My mom could not keep her eyes open for this picture, SO much sun in our faces. :)

I was just happy that my feet could enjoy sandals again and for this cute kids art on all the benches by the harbor.

My dad was so proud to show us this Gaslamp Quarter arch. He was just thrilled about it!

Chelsey got to meet Audrey!

Later this evening we headed down to La Jolla shores and ate dinner at the best Italian restaurant right now on the beach called Ostoria Romantica. We all got delicious food and I might have felt a little like Lizzie McGuire when she goes to Italy because the our waiter was just an Italian dream come true which is ok because I told Paul about it.

I didn't get a picture of Mr. Suave or the restaurant which is a real shame.
I did however, get a picture of a stranger's bon fire on the beach, which was a lovely way to end the day.

San Diego Day 2

On Friday, I started the morning at 6 am working remotely for Talksoft. After the yummiest breakfast (more on that later) I worked a bit more then took my "lunch break" (9 am). We headed over to Eric's to watch baby Audrey while Kimberly had an appointment. This little lady prefers her swing to any human. 

Until she's sleeping - then Grandma wins. 

I love those expressive eyebrows and wrinkley forehead so so much.

After I finished working we decided to brave the winds and rain and get outside. We drove down to Point Loma to check out the pretty views and lighthouse there. (Some of these pictures I stole from Eric, because my battery decided to die. Thanks Er!)

That evening we had dinner at Noodles and Company then headed back to our hotel for happy hour and sorting through family pictures for a project I'm working on.

 

And my dad finally felt well enough to hold baby Audrey! They got along nicely.

San Diego Day 1

I flew to San Diego yesterday, and let me just say that Southwest having a sale in early January created quite the perfect scenario here. My parents are here for the GCSA annual meeting, Eric is blessing Audrey this weekend, and Chelsey is flying in tomorrow. This trip has already been the perfect solution for my winter blues, with some sun, color, and most of all family. Here are the highlights and photos of Day 1.

• Seeing two oceans (Atlantic and Pacific) in one day including views of NYC with a neon orange sunrise that a camera just can't do any justice. 

• Sitting on the very last row of a very large plane but really enjoying the random people I spent those 6 hours with.

• Arriving in San Diego and having my snazzy dad pick me up in his fancy rental car and seeing trees (including palm trees!) with green leaves.

• Picking up my dad's friend Jerry in the convertible and  stopping at McDonalds for the best ice cream around.

• Meeting baby Audrey and seeing Eric and Kimberly be the best new parents.

• Visiting La Jolla cove and seeing a whale (!!!) and a huge pod of dolphins plus seals, pelicans, and other fun creatures. 

• Walking around Old Towne before dinner and seeing all the best colors and buildings

• The best best grilled chicken with avacado tacos at Casa Guadalajaro in Old Towne

• Going to bed at 8 pm on what felt like the longest (in a good way) day ever.