CALIFORNIA!!!

I haven’t been since I was a kid, and it’s gorgeous.  Palm trees, ocean views, sunshine, warmth…and no humidity!  I’m in love!

The boys and I flew to San Diego first thing Friday morning.  Our flight was about an hour delayed due a backlog of flights that had been cancelled the day before because of high winds.  It wasn't a big deal to me whatsoever, because I knew once we landed in San Diego we had more than a handful of hours to wait for Bryon's late afternoon flight to arrive. 

Airport regular.

The flight was quick and painless - it was less than an hour long, so it passed in the blink of an eye.  Once we arrived in California we headed straight to the San Diego USO and made ourselves comfortable.  I didn't fly with any bags, so we didn't have any swim suits or changes of clothes.  I had no idea where a torlley/shuttle could take us, and I wasn't about to try to Uber with 2 carseats in tow.  Plus, we wouldn't have been able to check into a hotel at 9:30am anyhow.  As a military family, we've benefited from the USO organization on multiple occasions.  I believe it would be a wonderful place to volunteer once I have a bit more free time on my hands (assuming we live close to an airport with a USO at that time).

They ALWAYS have room for donuts.

The Neil Ash Airport Center USO was more than accommodating!  They had a kids room where the boys could play with toys, read books and watch movies (while not disturbing other visitors).  Donuts, snacks, sandwiches and refreshments kept them content throughout the day as well.  Plus, I was surprised to find a large outdoor patio area - perfect for letting the kids run around and burn off some energy (and sugar).  USO wifi gave me the opportunity to stream some shows on my laptop and relax/tune out without worrying about my kids disappearing in the airport!  Most of all, we were able to rest up from a few days of jet lag and walking the Vegas Strip.

Tree climbing at the USO.

7 hours later (which was about over my sanity limit) and Bryon picked us up curbside and we drove to our hotel in La Jolla.  We arrived in just enough time for the boys to take a quick dip in the pool before bath time and calling it a night!  After lights out at 6:30pm, Thai takeout for-the-win (picked up by Bryon and eaten in our dark hotel room - our previous suite in Las Vegas spoiled us a bit!)!

We surprised the boys the next morning with a day at LegoLand California!  They had no idea what LegoLand was, but their excitement picked up as soon as they walked through the gates to the park.    

They had the time of their lives!  We started off together with a carousel ride and a helicopter ride for both boys.  

He picked a black horse - just like Aunt Katherine's!

Trying to convince me that he needs a horse at home.

Racing his brother/Daddy to the top!

Trying to take the wheel from Daddy.

The weather was perfect - sunny, but not too hot or cold - and the lines were relatively short/non-existent for the majority of the rides.  It was great that we were able to visit LegoLand on a Saturday so that Bryon could come with.  This enabled one of us to go with Maks (who is tall enough for some more intense rides) while the other explored with Deklan.  Each child enjoyed himself and Deklan did a great job understanding that he was too short to participate in some of the rides that Maksim was able to try.  What a fun day!

Deklan's favorite ride of the day was BY FAR the Beetle Bounce.  Little man on the right rode 12 times in a row and never pout those hands down!

All smiles!

Hands up!

Woo-hoo!

Being too short for a ride had it's perks, too.  When we met back up Deklan kept BLASTING these two on the Aquazone Wave Racers ride!

On repeat!

Got 'em!

Our final adventure was Skipper School, and each boy was able to drive his own boat!

I'm seeing power struggles with learning to drive a car already!

Captain Deklan ("I'm just like Uncle Norm!"  ssshhhh...don't tell Nick!)

During a lunch break, Bryon had told me about taking Maksim on a "big kid" rollercoaster.  Maksim told me that it was "scary."  Bryon mentioned that I NEEDED to take a look at the photo from the ride before we left the park.  He also said that he burst out laughing when he looked at the photo himself and Maksim took it personally.  He had to explain to Maksim that sometimes we just have to be able to laugh at ourselves!  At the end of the day, I stopped by the photo kiosk and took a look.  YOU GUYS!!!  This is blurry (I wasn't about to pay $20 for the actual snapshot, but was able to take a photo of the dirty/sunshine drenched computer screen with my phone), but SO GOOD!  

His first, real big kid roller coaster and he was clearly (and unexpectedly) terrified on the first fall.  As you can tell, Bryon was SUPER consoling...

We decided to transfer hotels that night and move from La Jolla to downtown San Diego.  We ended up at the Marriott Marquis (per recommendation of my brother) and it was such a wise choice!  I was sold on the pool set-up for the kids alone.  The location couldn't be beat, either!

Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

On Sunday morning we walked across the street to Richard Walker's Pancake House.  They don't take reservations and the line was down the street when we arrived.  However, they were pros at shuffling patrons in and out and quickly serving meals.  And THE FOOD!  So, so good!

Baked Apple Pancake

Strawberry Pancakes

San Diego French Toast

Santa Fe Omelette

We spent the rest of Sunday exploring Coronado Island and hanging out at the beach.  It was chilly and a bit windy (65 degrees), but I’d take that weather over the 12” of snow that New Hampshire just received any day!  The boys didn’t mind the cooler temperatures whatsoever and even ventured into the 55 degree saltwater - I volunTOLD Bryon that he was the saltwater exploration chaperone for the day!  

Sand everywhere!

About to help bury his brother.  Don't mess with him.

Move over, Waldo.  Sneak peek of "Where's Maksim?"  Available for pre-order now!

Found him!

Sandman takes a rest.

He's happiest at the beach! 

1, 2, 3

Sea breeze, saltwater babes & sunshine.

Sprinting toward adventure!

For an evening expedition, we rented a "deuce coupe" bike and rode it up and down the boardwalk and Harbor Drive, stopping for ice cream (of course) along the way!

Kids in the back almost made if feel like a date night (minus the audible fighting).

Monday meant that Bryon returned to his conference and the boys and I were on our own.  We decided to lay low and spend the morning/early afternoon at the hotel pools.  Daddy surprised us by coming back at 1pm!  We quickly took showers and met his co-worker, Carlo, in the lobby a short hour later.  Carlo is originally from SoCal/San Diego area and his family asked to host us for an authentic Vietnamese dinner at their home in Temecula that evening.  We were lucky to get on the road early enough to beat traffic and really take in the beautiful views of mountains, vineyards and more along the way!  The food was great and the company was even better!  I love opportunities to meet new people in a low key & comfortable setting (such as this).  Much more my vibe than going out and mingling with strangers!  

"I just want to pet you!"

I don't know why, but this picture cracks me up.  He's still trying to play with that duck (flying overhead).

No more kiddie pools for this kid.

Double trouble.  Because why just swim in the pool???

We could get used to this kind of lunch every day.

Tuesday was the last day in California for the boys and me.  We got up and played at the park directly across the street from our hotel.  Deklan enjoyed watching the tram drive by on the train tracks each time he heard the whistle/bell “ding.”  After the park, we continued walking down the street and through the shops and restaurants along the boardwalk.  I sweet talked the kids into letting me roam around by loading them up on some special treats from an Old Fashioned Candy Store.  Since I’d been unable to tour much of San Diego itself, I decided last minute to join a Seal Tour that departed from the marina outside of our hotel.  It was a 90 minute tour of San Diego by land and sea - short enough for the kids to stay entertained and see some seals/sea lions and a nice little break for me to keep them contained and also learn a little more about San Diego and see a few sights beyond the few blocks surrounding our hotel.  The kids loved that the “bus” they were riding on could drive straight into the ocean and become a boat!  They also think that sea lions are stinky!!!

Can't pass up a park!

Spotting sailboats.

WHAT is this???  I caught a rare moment!

A bus that is also a boat?!  Let's get one!

Maksim becoming one with marine mammals:

Dinner with Daddy and a 5.25 hour direct flight home the next morning for the 3 of us (Bryon doesn’t return until Saturday evening).  I’m thankful for the opportunity/ability to pack my children up and tag along to different parts of the country when the scheduling works out.  I was ready for the change of pace from East Coast to West Coast.  And, of course, the sunshine was good for my soul.  Fingers crossed that springtime actually rolls around once we touch ground in New England!