Weekend in California

Mike's law company has a mandatory retreat every summer.  This year it was held in San Deigo at The Grand Del Mar.  It's the nicest hotel I've ever seen.  We took Brianna down with us so she could spend time with Kennedy because we were so close to them.  While Mike gets to go to a few boring meetings, the girls and I got to play and enjoy the area.  The boys were in St. George for a week with cousins and Chelsea had to stay home to take the ACT test. 

Friday morning, Mike went for a 40 mile ride along the beach.  It's been over 20 years since he's been able to do that in San Diego (since his mission).  He was the only one that got to get close to the ocean on this vacation. 

 

While Mike went on his bike ride Friday, I took the Brianna and Kennedy shopping in downtown Encinitias and hit their favorite vintage shops.  We also had lunch together at Brianna's favorite hamburger joint down there, Angelo's. 

After shopping, I took the girls over to the Hotel to let them check it out.  They loved hanging out and Brianna kept saying "I'm pretending that I'm rich".  It's nice to play pretend sometimes, I agree. 

The girls hanging out by the pool.  But we never found time to get in. 

This pavilion was where we got to have breakfast saturday morning while enjoying the nice California weather. On the lawn where they are setting up chairs is where they held the mandatory boche ball tournament.  I got out in the first round.  Mike, however, went all the way to the finals.  Because the hotel was rushing us to finish so they could set up for this wedding, he was robbed of the win.  Guess he'll have to try again next year. 

On Saturday after the tournament, we picked up the girls and headed up to Julian.  Mike had remembered some awesome bread from when he lived in San Deigo.  It was made at this bakery.  Dudleys was on the way up to Julian and has been rated one of the best bakery's in the nation.  We had to stop.  We also picked up lots of different kinds of breads to try.  Our favorite was the Hawaiian sweet bread. 

Saturday night, Kennedy had plans so Brianna got to hang out in our room and watch a movie.  Meanwhile, Mike and I got to go to the fancy dinner.  I took a couple pictures to send her to make her jealous.  The desserts are always fantastic. 

On Sunday, before we headed home, we stopped at the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center because Mike had not been there since his mission and it had changed so much.  We also took time to explore some of the old homes around the area.  In all the times we had been there, I hadn't noticed these homes.  I love old architecture.

Other pics I found on-line of the awesome hotel.



Preschool program

Cord's little class put on a fun program about how they want to change the world.  They sang songs and got into the actions. 

They also got to sing their favorite song even though it had nothing to do with the theme.  They wanted to rock out to the big bad wolf.  They had made their guitars and put on their rock star glasses and totally jammed out during the song, well Cord did anyway.  He was hilarious.  Need to get that boy guitar lessons or something.  I can't post video here but it was super funny 

Dead center, guitar stance, ready to rock.

 

The kids got to come up one by one and share the thing that they are grateful is in the world.  They had made a book with all of these things as well.  Cord was grateful for race cars and empty boxes.  I thought it was the most unique answer when all the other kids were naming family members (boring!!). 

I love to see Cord preform because he really gets into it (the parts he he knows), other times he just stands there and smiles, or pokes his neighbor.  Either one can be fun as well. 

Momma 2 has a baby

The fabulous neighbor who watches Cord (momma 2) finally had her baby the beginning of May.  She had Cord over a few weeks later to play and sent me these fun pics.  So precious!  It's been good for him to experience babies (being a baby himself).  He loves going over there and playing with all those boys.  He's always asking when he can go over there.  Their family has been a huge blessing in our lives! 

New Game

Cord is so super creative.  He developed this fun game all by himself and played it all afternoon.  I was happy to contribute several empty mountain dew bottles that he lined up on the fireplace like "bowling".  Then he went upsairs and found his bow and arrow to shoot them down.  He got really good and smashing them down.  He'd try different things like getting the sprite bottle that was on top of the gataoade first.  Then he'd clear the bottom row, then get the other ones.  Best (cheap) game he's ever come up with.  His shots are better than his brothers. 

His "YES I got them" manly face!

I love the one on one tme with Cord, even though he has so much more energy that me.  Even tonight he was begging to play tag with anyone, but we are all old party poopers who can't keep up with a 5 yr old.