Last week the kids were on spring break and we were so lucky to have some of our great Iowa friends come with their family to visit us. It was SO great to see them! We had SUCH an incredible time. Our kids only get to see each other once a year (if we are lucky) but when they get together, it's like they've been friends forever!
They came a week ago and we started the fun by soaking up some sunshine outside hiking South Mountain. I ended up only lasting about 30 minutes of the several hour hike... carrying a 28 pound Madelyn up those hills was more cardio than I've done in a LONG time.
While being in the Arizona sun was fun, Kerry and I had done some planning and since Dad had a work conference in San Diego, we decided to surprise the kids and go to San Diego for a few days. We didn't tell them until the night before and needless to say, they were all pretty pumped about it!
Even if that meant we had to get up at 4:45 to try to get out the door by 5:30, we were only about 40 minutes late leaving.
Boy was it worth every minute of being on the beach... even though it was cold (in the 60's) it was glorious. Glorious.
Something about the ocean air, the breeze and the sound of the waves crashing into the shore... medicine for my soul.
Madelyn spent hours digging in the sand while Kerry and I got to catch up in person a bit. I've been thankfully gifted with Kerry's friendship for many years (the fact that we celebrated our spring break together 17 years earlier -our lives were so different then, is a testament to how long we've been friends).
While we never get to talk as much as we'd like, and we text every few months, it is so nice that we can pick right back up where we left off. She's incredible. I'm so thankful for her.
Meanwhile Madelyn got sand every where the big kids were off being adventurous...
They found a sea anemone right by the shore and a ton of sea shells.
They also were ecstatic to find crabs! Living crawling crabs! Which of course they captured and decided to hold captive in the hopes I would let them bring them home to Arizona with us. It was a big fat NOPE from me!
They were all excited about their finds!
Our hotel room was right near the beach, basically out our back door. Here are the girls waiting for everyone to gather up as we were headed out for more adventures.
On our second day in San Diego we went down to the pier and toured an old Navy aircraft carrier. It was SO neat. On our way to that ship, we found some other cool ships!
And we found a stingray just swimming along. Made me think of Finding Dory wondering if he or she was lost.
When we got to the US Midway Michael was very interested in this quote as he had just been learning about it in school.
Once inside we were surprised at just HOW BIG the ship is. Seriously, I can't even remember how many airplanes are on the ship. SO MANY.
We got to listen to a recording about how the ship was used in WWII
Aren't the kids so cute all together. (Belle was somewhere, not sure). The things around their neck are the speakers that would tell the story. Madelyn had to have one too.
These are the bunks where the service men would sleep. Three high, and NOT very much room. The kids tried out the beds, I don' think they'll be lining up to trade their beds at home anytime soon.
Tiny spaces
Then we got to see how big the chain is that pulls in the anchor. Wow is that baby HUGE. Each link weighs over 150 pounds with the larger ones more like 200lbs.
While I didn't get a picture of it, each of the dads picked up the 200 lb link just to show their kids... they still are the SUPER MAN (men) the kids view them as.
Next it was onto the major operations center of the ship. I forget the official name but it is where all the business of keeping the ship protected, launching the weapons, tracking the radar... all of it. There were more buttons in this room, than in a TV remote factory. The space wasn't very big, maybe 12 x 15, filled with computers and the veteran talking about it said that when they were on alert or being targeted sometimes there would be up to 50 people in the small space. I can't imagine being claustrophobic and being on this ship.
The kids loved this part of the ship too because they could push any of the buttons. I'm pretty sure my kids messed with every button. They were fascinated.
Even Madelyn thought it was neat.
She and Kael were talking about the ships on the radar screen. It was actually showing real time radar.
We also got to test out the seats where the crew would be briefed on updates. This set is the Navy's section.
And these fancy ones were the chairs for the Air Force. Yes still on the same ship but they had their separate areas.
Finally we made it to the top deck. We asked the Smiths to take a family picture and after 5 minutes of trying to get our act together and begging people to look and smile we settled on this picture. Bout as good as we get.
The sea gulls were huge and decided to hang out. Michael quickly became distracted with the bird and started chasing it all over.
Can you tell who is real? I asked Gabriel to take this for us since I'm not in too many pictures. As you can see I'm hardly in this picture too. Maybe I'm just supposed to be behind the camera.
The ship was so neat and I'm really glad we took the time to go. We didn't know how much time we'd need so we plugged the meters for a few hours and turns out we were racing back (okay it was really Jarrett and Chris who raced-literally ran) back to the car to avoid a parking ticket.
We would have spent the entire rest of the day still looking around. So much to see.
This was the view of the city from the top deck. .. not bad huh?
Back at the hotel, we tried for another family picture.... notice anyone missing? They were "too cool" to be in the picture with us.
That afternoon we went back to the beach. Even though it was cold, Isabelle heard beach and stopped mi-step to strip down. Just like at home, she wanted to leave a trail of clothes behind her and race off. (see below).
Thankfully we got her clothes before she took off.
Madelyn then thought she was supposed to do the same with her clothes, except she didn't have her swim suit on.
That afternoon the kids found even bigger crabs, which we returned safely to the ocean
Madelyn was in her glory digging in the sand.
Even as the birds would come by her, she's continue digging.
Gosh I love this view.
More crabs... Michael was thrilled!
The kids spent time in the water (it had to be about 60 degrees) and when they were too cold to stand it anymore, we decided to leave.
Yay a family picture that almost everyone is looking in.
Pretty sure I could live there... also pretty sure I couldn't afford to live there.
She's a fan too.
That evening we went out for a nice dinner, not before having a toast on our deck. To great friends, sharing times together and memories to cherish forever.
It was SO great to see them.
The view from out the back door of our hotel
Almost all the kids lined up.
When the sun went down it was kind of chilly. Especially for us wimpy desert folks.
So many fun times we've shared at this place. It never disappoints.
We went to a seafood restaurant, where they bring in the seafood fresh daily. Jarrett and I got scallops, Kerry and Chris fish... from the amazing calamari, to the main course, drinks and key lime pie... it was tasty... down to the last crumb.
Madelyn absoltely loves Chloe. Chloe is a dear, so patient, loving and if she lived closer I'd be begging her to help me babysit. Madelyn insisted that either I or Chloe carry her everywhere, often times picking Chloe over me. Chloe's poor back!
And look at the boys. They were having no fun. No fun at all. I feel so bad for them. :-)
On our final day at the beach, Chris showed me this cool tree. All the kids went to look at it and then I asked to take their picture. I love how they posed. Don't they look like they've been buddies their whole life? I so wish they could see each other weekly!
It happened to be St. Patrick's day and while we waited for Jarrett to finish up at his conference we soaked up the final views and scents from the crisp clean beautiful sea.
It was sure hard to leave!
Before leaving town we had to stop at In & Out burger since I understand it is one of Kael's favorites. It didn't disappoint and man that place was packed!
Jarrett and I took the girls and Kerry and Chris took the boys in their car (we were the lucky ones I think as least as far as noise level). Madelyn held Chloe's hand almost the entire 5 hour drive home.
We had such a great time and not going to lie we've all been missing the Smiths. We will forever cherish this spring break as one of the best ones we've ever had.
Until next time,
Angie
