We headed to San Diego on December 30th for a week to visit with the family but more importantly for Lindsay and Paul's wedding on January 4th. We had such a wonderful week with our family and visiting with friends. The weather was gorgeous and it was the perfect combination of keeping busy but also relaxing with everyone. For the most part Monday through Thursday were spent just enjoying time with family and friends and then on Friday the wedding festivities began.
When we arrived on Monday afternoon, Joseph, my dad, the dogs and I walked down to the school to get some energy out for him after the plane ride. Poppa showed him how to do the long jump.
On that first night everyone came over for dinner and to celebrate Christmas together. The adults choose names so we all opened our gifts and Joseph and Sydney exchanged gifts sa well. Laura and I decided that Cole and Ella were ok not exchanging this year which actually worked out well since they were both asleep during the gift exchange. We then did a white elephant game with gift cards that my mom introduced a few years ago which is always a good time. Thanks again Mom and Dad!
Joseph and Syd in their Christmas pjs from Nani and Poppa.
Love this one!
THe girls in their matching pjs
Sydney helping open the gifts
Joseph opening his reversible Superman/Batman cape from Sydney. He loved it!
Modeling the cape
Joseph and Syd passing out the gifts
Choosing a gift card for Aunt Lindsay
So much fun! It was so great to be together and such a fun first night in San Diego! The only bad thing was that we didn't get a group picture of everyone in their Christmas pajamas (all of the girls have matching, as do all of the guys)-we just couldnt' talk Brian into putting his on before he drove home! Next year!
On Tuesday, December 31st Lindsay and Paul had organized a softball game at the highschool down the street from my parent's home and then a BBQ back at my parent's house for both of our families to get to know one another and to get everyone excited about their big wedding day!
We spent most of our time in the outfield playing with the kids but Sydney and Joseph did bat a few times. I didn't get any pictures of Joseph batting since I took video instead but the first time that he hit the ball he hit it and then ran to third base instead of first...guess we have to work on that before he starts t-ball!
After the softball game we headed back to my parent's house for a bbq. Joseph loved Paul and Lindsay's nieces and nephew and pretty much followed them around all night wanting to play with the big kids. Notice his baseball eyes...Uncle Bubba came to the house with baseball eyes on so of course Joseph needed some, too.
On New Year's Day we were all up bright and early since we were all in bed by 10:00 on New Year's Eve! We're crazy! The weather was gorgeous so we decided to hike Torrey Pines to ring in 2014.
It seemed as almost everyone else in San Diego had the same idea so we parked pretty far away but Joseph did great walking a lot of it and then caught rides with Poppa for the rest of the way.
Joseph is into shadows these days and spent most of the hike trying to walk or step on the rest of our shadows. He even made Poppa get into it while he was on his shoulders so my poor dad is running around stepping on everyone's shadows. It did work out well when we needed Joseph to pick up the pace a little-we would tell him to go get Uncle Bubba's shadow who was leading the way and Joseph would sprint ahead to get it.
Love the view!
When I lived in San Diego we used to always take the more popular path down to the beach but now that my mom and brother are Torrey Pines regulars they hike up to the golf course and then down a different path which is always less crowded. We had to take a break to jump on the big dirt pile outside of the golf course before we made our way back down.
Sydney is queen of the mountain!
Joseph is king of the mountain!
We love San Diego! Especially on January 1st!
Here's our crew!
Once we made it to the beach the shoes came off! Sydney's jacket ended up getting soaked but the rest of us stayed somewhat dry.
We were certain that Joseph would go home and take a great nap since he was SO active that morning on the hike but we once we got home he got a second wind and had no desire to go to sleep. Later that afternoon we went to Del Mar to meet up with our friend, Mike Baskin, and 2 minutes into the car ride he was out! At least he got a little rest which rejuvenated (and made him not miserable) for the afternoon with Mike and his girlfriend.
While Rich and Mike were discussing their business plans for the future, Mike's girlfriend, Maria, took a picture of the kids and I.
Del Mar has a great park and playground overlooking the beach so we hung out there for a few hours. I took Joseph down to feel the water and then we made it back to the park in time for the sunset. So beautiful!
On Thursday, January 2nd, we were up bright and early (as always) and headed to the Wild Animal Park with the Ozecks and Nani for the morning. A few of the exhibits were closed but the kids didn't seem to mind and had a great time.
Joseph waiting by the reindeer at the entrance.
Sydney was hilarious with the map. She walked around with it and would often want to check it.
Always have to take our picture on the rhino!
We went into the bat exhibit which was my first time in there and it was pretty neat. Both Joseph and Sydney were definitely intrigued!
Had to stop to get a foot massage!
Lots of elephants out today!
Ella liked them!
Had to include this picture! Joseph is constantly picking his nose! He started this at some point in the fall and we are constantly telling him to stop and how dirty it is but it doesn't seem to bother him...hopefully one day he'll outgrow it! Yuk!
Family picture by the elephants.
Notice Joseph's shirt is buttoned all the way to his collar...per his request!
Sweet cousins!
We had to make a stop at the petting zoo.
Daddy showing them how to brush the goats gently.
Ella loved them!
That night after the Wild Animal Park we headed over to the Martins for a delicious dinner and some time to catch up. It was such a nice visit and the kids played so well together!
Can you find Ella!?!
Sweet friends!!
And, just a few other randoms from the week. The week definitely flew by but was so much fun!
Joseph and Popppa are definitely best buddies!
Ella in her favorite spot helping Nani with the dishes.
The wedding festivities began Thursday night after our dinner at the Martins with a girls night out with Linz but I'll start those on the next post. Such a fun week in San Diego!!
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