Birthday Trip

For my birthday this year Quincy gave me tickets to a Braves baseball game. It was a gift for all since we all got to go for a weekend getaway. It couldn't have been a better weekend since it was the weekend that school got out. I think we all needed a little vacation.

On Friday, we headed down to Phoenix trying to make batting practice but we only caught the last few batters. It was Hawaiian night and they gave everyone lays when entering the stadium. It had been awhile since we have been to a professional game. This was Lucy's and Duncan's first game. Lucy loved that they bring refreshments to you. The game was more enjoyable after buying her a $7 lemonade. Duncan was all smiles as always. My Brave's line-up had changed a lot since our last trip to see them but they still pulled off a win. After the game they had fireworks to put a perfect end to the game.

The next day, the kids woke up and wanted to go swimming at the hotel. I realized I forgot their lifejackets on the way down but it turned out to be a good things since it made them practice their swimming skills. By the end of the day both Lucy and Jensen were swimming to their daddy. Duncan tried to get in for his first swim but he wasn't too happy about being in the water. So we just watched the fun from the lawn chairs.

After the morning swim we went to Mesa to grab lunch at Chick-fil-A. I think I converted Quincy but too bad they aren't in Vegas. Then we made a quick stop to the cemetery to see the kids great - great grandparents (Lucy Jane's namesake Sally Jane). We also located Nancy's headstone, Quincy's cousin that passed away almost four years ago.

We then headed to Amazing Jakes which is an indoor activity center that had rides and a buffet. Quincy had called his friend from college to see if they wanted to hang out with us while we were in town. They suggested this place and that we meet there. It was fun seeing their family of seven with one on the way. They had some new faces to the family since we last saw them.

Too much fun for this little guy

The kids loved the rides of course while we laughed and caught up from the sidelines. After many hours later and many cookies later we said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. The kids swam until it was bedtime. The next morning we went to church with the Whites before heading home. It was a quick trip but just what we all needed. Thanks for the great present Quincy!

San Diego Day 3

For our last day of our mini-trip we wanted to show the kids the San Diego temple and then play at the beach. It is definitely on the top five of the prettiest temples. The kids loved running around on the grass on the temple grounds. They don't get to do that too often in Las Vegas. They were enjoying it so much that Jensen wouldn't even pose for a picture. It's good Lucy is somewhat trained up for photo ops.

Like I mentioned before Quincy and I went to San Diego with our singles ward in 2005. I had to do some serious digging for these pictures since it was before I had a digital camera. We were just dating then and honestly I thought Quincy acted super weird this whole trip. I like to bring that up to him but he likes to remind me that he wasn't (not really). We look different. Hard to believe it was seven years ago. Quincy looks like he just got off the mission.

Anyway, I wanted a picture of all of us in front of the temple but we were the only ones around. Kind of like a before and after picture. Because who knew that we would return seven years later married and with two kids? Maybe I will photoshop myself in there.

We did try to have Lucy take a picture of Quincy and myself. She has never done this before.

Here is her first attempt.

Second. A little better.

Third times a charm.

After driving around forever we finally found the beach. Babbs our GPS lady totally let us down. Not the co-pilots fault at all. Jensen was so ready to play at the beach that he was crying and getting out of his car seat driving us all mad. We had our beach adventures at La Jolla Shores and it was perfect!

The water was cold but this kid could of cared less.

Lucy preferred actually playing on the beach more. She even brought some of it home with her.

Training her up early.

Trying to build sand castles.

These two spent almost the whole time jumping waves and watching the surfers. 

The kids were asleep in 10 minutes of loading the car. It was a quiet drive home, well at least for a couple of hours.

San Diego - Day 2

We have been prepping the kids for a week or so before the trip on what animals they would see at Sea World. Jensen was excited to see sharks and killer whales. Lucy wanted to see butterflies. We tried to explain the "Sea" part of Sea World to her. She then would tell us she wanted to see penguins and butterflies.

Jensen loved this killer whale beetle car by the entrance gate. He is holding his ticket to get in the park. Luckily, Lucy is free since she is under three. We need to take advantage of that while we can (Disneyland anyone?).

We headed right in and saw a photo opportunity. We didn't know if Jensen would play along with the characters since he didn't at Disneyland last time we were there, but it was Lucy that didn't want to get out of the stroller. Jensen was still hesitant but this sea otter knew how to win Jensen over. Cars! Jensen let him hold his Mater and Finn car. They were having a good time but then other people wanted a photo op too so play time ended.

Lucy got to be a penguin and see them.

So you may skip a lot of these pics since most of them are the back of my kids heads. They had a hard time looking away from all the animals that we saw. Occasionally, I would get them to look at me for a picture.

Polar Bear

Beluga Whale

Sea Turtles

Jensen excited for Aquariums

Huge Sea Turtles

Jensen and Lucy both had fun touching the star fish.

Stingrays and some really ugly shark looking fish

Dolphins

Lucy's kind of dolphin

The Shamu Show was our first show of the day. We were chickens and sat high up in the water seats where we knew we would stay dry but still have a good seat for the show. Glad we did too because some of the audience were completely soaked.

We were hot after The Shamu Show and the kids were getting restless, so we headed to the new area that they have at the park. Sesame Street. It was perfect! They had fountains/splash pads that kept Lucy and Jensen busy for 20 minutes. They were completely soaked but were in a way better mood after. We decided we better hit more shows while they were happy and come back to Sesame Street at the end

At the pet show we decided to sit up front in the wet seats since the kids were already wet and we didn't think pets could get us too wet. The kids loved this show. They still talk about how the pink pig sprayed us.

Next we headed to a new 4D movie about Sesame Street. Jensen wasn't liking all the flying stuff coming at him.

We also saw the seal and dolphin show. The dolphin show was more of a circus show with divers not so much about dolphins, but we all were entertained.

After all the shows we headed back to the Sesame Street area. The fountains were off so we got to venture into the rest of the place. Jensen took off on this huge rope jungle gym. Quincy went after him because we didn't know if he would ever come out.

I took Lucy to look at Big Bird and Elmo. Lucy surprisingly loved getting her picture taken with them.  

They also have three new rides in the Sesame Street area, but I was bummed because before we went to Sea World I got on the website and read that the minimum is 42 inches. Jensen missed that by 3 inches. We joked that he could wear his hat like a grandpa and maybe he would make it. Then while we were there we read on the map that they could go on it but just had to be with an adult. Since Quincy's stomach can't handle these little kiddy rides, I stepped up and went with them.

Lucy must of had the same problem as her dad because she wouldn't go on the last ride with us.

With an hour left before the park closed we decided that we needed to see some of the animals again. We went back to the penguins and other Arctic animals. I am so glad that we did. We got to look at the beluga whales and see this fat walrus in action. He stole the show. He kept swimming in circles and would rub his back by this window that we were standing by. He did it like six times before everyone else caught on and came to our window.

We left the park and decided to hit our favorite family dining pleasure, Taco Bell.
Such a perfect day!