Summer Fun

After Adam and Luke finished Cub Scout Camp, we drove to San Diego for the weekend.  We hit horrible traffic in Los Angeles so we stopped for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  I had my favorite Thai Lettuce Wraps, Luke had a cheese pizza, and Harley and Adam shared a Shepard’s Pie.  We didn’t arrive in San Diego until almost 10:00.  Our hotel was the Town & County in Mission Valley.  I purchased it over Hotwire so we got a good deal but the beds were tiny!!  Or we have just gotten spoiled by our CAL King.  Saturday, June 15th we dropped the kids off at Don and Cara’s house while we attended my cousin Karleigh and Brandon’s temple sealing.   Following the sealing, we were able to stand as proxy for many of my ancestor’s sealings.  It was a very special experience for all of us.  That evening we attended the reception and visited with some of my extended family.  The twins were bored but cooperated nicely. The following day we went to the San Diego Zoo.  It was a perfect day as far as the weather was concerned.  Emma did well in the stroller in the morning but by afternoon she wanted to be out seeing and doing.  Weighing 21 pounds, we took turns carrying her around.  All in all she was a happy little baby. 

I think my favorite animals to see are always the pandas.   The boys couldn’t decide what their favorites were but I think Emma loved the Giraffes the most.  Most of  the family watched a 4D Ice Age movie until Emma lost the plot.   She didn’t seem to like the movement of the chairs and the air blowing in our face.   We bought a huge drink with refills and we couldn’t seem to keep it filled.  It proved to be an excellent investment for the day. 

The zoo had a new section, at least one that I have never attended , that was particularly excited for our family…..the Australian Outback.  There was a rather large exhibit of koalas.   The kids had fun pretending to be koalas in the trees.  Its probably the closest we will all get to experiencing Australia all together for a number of years.

Although after departing San Diego, we traveled to Los Angeles.  We stopped for dinner at another one of my favorites spots….Cafe Rio in Lake Forest.   The kids enjoyed it and were even more pleased with a Jack in the Box milkshake for dessert.   We stayed in a hotel near the airport for this night and woke early to head off to our day of appointments.  First stop was the Australian Consulate.  Harley renewed his passport and Emma got her first Aussie passport.  Sadly, the boys were disappointed that we weren’t able to get theirs. Then we drove through Hollywood to Kaiser where Adam attended an appointment with the pediatric urologist.  They seemed to have some new ideas which we hope we can implement to help Adam overcome his problem.  He seems encouraged by the doctor too.

It was a lovely weekend away with the family but it sure was great to get home and jump in the pool!!!