My kids suddenly have very busy lives. And we had record snow in February. Two very good reasons to hop on a plane and head south. No commitments. Plenty of sand and sun and ocean, and some really good food. We had the best time.
The journey started at 3:30 AM. It was very cold and our driveway was still buried in snow. The shuttle from the parking lot to the airport picked us up right at our car. This made MY WHOLE DAY.
Our flights were on time an smooth and we all got to sit together. It was perfection.
Flattering green light with my favorite 16 year old.
Hour layover in Oakland. The airport wasn't serving pizza at 9:30 AM for some reason.
Next flight!
Shuttle to the car rental. 73 degrees. Woot!
We stopped at the condo just long enough to dump our stuff and head out for pizza. We found the best stuff right across the street.
Seriously. Buffalo chicken pizza? Brilliant. Sun? Gravy.
Hitting the beach.
We got to San Diego at 11:30 so we had nearly a whole day of exploring! Such a bonus!
Walking the beautiful pier.
Back to the house for some napping in the sunshine.
What a view!
Catching our first sunset.
Don't know how Will missed out on this photo opp.
Girl stuff.
Heading out to find something amazing for dinner.
Ahh...these street tacos were the BEST THING EVER! We totally scored in the food and sun department.
Sara found a four leaf clover. And then it promptly blew away. Fleeting luck? Perhaps.
Had to go back to the taco truck at the very next opportunity because they were THE BEST EVER!! Seriously, my mouth waters just thinking about it.
And the taco truck had cornhole. Double win.
Kids playing bluff on the patio. And eating French bread dipped in marinara, my fave.
Joe made us rockfish for dinner and we ate out on the patio with the ocean. It was perfection.
Ben wanted to boogie board but it was pretty cold...so he's warming up.
Frisbee lasted for about 3 seconds...
...when Will missed it. Buh-bye.
Just a little bit Idaho-crazy.
These are the best times.
There was a basketball hoop just outside our patio. The guys played a pick-up game and showed the locals how it's done. And they got a tan. Even Ben was out there! Scored the last two buckets for a win!
Decided to check out Hotel del Coronado. The biking was not as advertised (not so much a bike path as biking through the center of traffic) and the mandatory valet parking was $20 an hour. Not our favorite stop.
But the hotel and beach were very pretty.
Back to our place to bury Ben in the sand.
Kayte, being disciplined, and getting in her track homework.
Still a touch chilly.
Found delicious Thai food right across the street. This was a top 3 experience for me!
Ben finished off the squid...the texture wasn't a crowd-pleaser. But he loved it!
Joe took me out to happy hour at the hotel across the park. Gorgeous view, good drinks, warm heaters and blankets, and my favorite company.
We made a short attempt to get across the border into Mexico and get Kayte her first stamp in her passport. But the whole thing seemed kinda sketchy. It actually felt a little like walking into a prison, and since we only had birth certificates for the rest of the crew, we decided to scrap it this time.
Went home and got some time in the sand instead.
And Joe cooked us up an amazing shrimp dinner that we enjoyed on the patio, again. So nice!!
Took a walk along the beach in the evening. This may have been my favorite part of our whole trip. I swear, there was a second there where my heart exploded. I love this fam of mine SO MUCH.
Then Joe took me out to the local bar for a real drink, and we played some pool and found out we were equally bad, and yet, managed to conjure up some beginner's luck for a game at a time.
Next day, the Wild Animal Park! Joe and I remember two different amazing zoos from our childhood, this was mine!
Walking among the kangaroos with little baby joeys in their pockets.
The gorillas were the coolest things ever. The big alpha gorilla was totally scary and super cool.
Then we took the tram through the animal park and saw ostriches and water buffalo and giraffes and rhinos.
And the lion and lioness roared at us! That was pretty unforgettable.
We didn't get as close to the giraffes as we would've liked to...
...but the elephants were cool and there was a little baby elephant. So cute :)
The rain started just as we were leaving!
The next morning the kids made more sandcastles, Kayte and I read on the deck, and the boys played some more basketball...then we went searching for good food.
Out to the end of the pier for some fish and chips...and then back to the farmer's market.
They didn't have farm food as much as just really good cooked meals! So we divided and conquered.
A somosa. Never had one. LOVED IT!!
The girls and I picked out some custom jewelry for souvenirs.
So pretty!
And the boys made due with some ice cream.
The guys headed back for some march madness, and the girls and I found ourselves some California pedicures :)
Last sunset walk.
Our pedis.
Kayte tried to get Will to do a jumping pic. He wasn't having any of it.
So we settled for this.
We had some time on our last morning so this guy headed out for more sand castle.
We cleaned and packed up and then headed across the street to bookend our trip with some really good pizza. I was so super-bummed they didn't have any buffalo pizza out....settled for some yummy tomato pizza instead.
The boys, eternally keeping one or two eyes on the madness.
On our way home! Totally relaxed, and ready to be home again. Not at all ready for real life to start.
A super-fun trip. I won't forget it.
