The last of our summer travels was to San Diego with the Rodgers clan. My parents rented out a beach house for a week that was as close as you can get to the water. We had a great time, it was so nice and relaxing. We drove to Mesa on Friday night and spent the night at my parent's house to break up the driving a little. Saturday morning we drove to Yuma and stopped to visit our friend Cynthia for awhile. It was great to have a stop right in the middle of the drive, and of course to have a chance to visit our friends that we don't see very often. After that we continued on and Conner slept the rest of the way so it worked out perfectly. It was dinner time by the time Cade and I arrived so we just picked up some food and then took the little boys to walk along the beach before it got dark.
Here is a sunset view from our beach house.
And a daytime view. We should have brought binoculars because we saw a few dolphins and sea otters from the window but it was a little far to get a good look.
On Sunday we went to the Mormon Battalion Museum. It was more interesting than I thought it would be. One of the workers mentioned that it is the 2nd most visited church site, only Temple Square in Salt Lake gets more visitors. And then Nauvoo is 3rd, I believe he said. After that we walked around the San Diego temple, which of course is beautiful.
Panning for gold at the Mormon Battalion.
Ashley, Caryn, and R.J. at the temple. The Jensens left before we arrived so Carol Ann wasn't able to be in the siblings picture.
Just cute little Alyza
Having family game time
On Monday we spent most of the day at the beach. I was planning on the water being fairly cold, which is too cold for me because I'm a wimp when it comes to cold water. But actually the water wasn't too bad, unfortunately though it was cloudy most of the week so being out of the water was surprisingly cold. I even used my towel as a blanket now and then. We bought a beach umbrella just for this trip and never even used it because most of the time we wanted to be in the sun to stay warm.
No trip to the beach is complete without building a sand castle.
Those who helped on the masterpiece: Tyler, Blake, Tyson, Emma, Conner, Caryn, Eli
Lounging around during one of the few sunny times.
R.J. taking a picture of us from the beach house.
On Tuesday, Blake, Ashley, Cade and I went to see some tide pools. It was really pretty, and the cloudy weather made it the perfect temperature. It was also great that my parents stayed at the beach house while Conner took a nap so we didn't have to drag him along and carry him up and down lots of steps.
Grandma and Alyza hanging out.
Conner playing peek-a-boo with Alyza
Just before the tide pools we stopped at some nearby monument and there was a submarine taking off.
Don't fall in!
The pictures do it no justice. Also I'm not posting a lot of them because I just looked terrible in them.
On Wednesday we just lounged around more. I don't think we even got in the water. In the morning some of us went on a walk in the other direction and found this marina. Then the kids played at a nearby park for awhile.
Playing on the beach.
How has this kid not tired of this game?! It was a lot of work to push that truck back and forth through the sand everyday but he insisted on doing it.
On Thursday the Entrekins and us took a ferry to Coronado Island. Since we took our sweet time getting ready for everyday, we didn't have a lot of time once on the island. Ashley and Blake high tailed it over to some famous hotel, while the Johnsons sat and had lunch. It was a nice little boat ride for Conner though.
Emma did all of our hair the same.
Friday morning Cade went to see some aircraft carrier by himself. I didn't think it was an activity I cared to spend money on. He said it was really interesting, and it must have been because he was there for hours. Then we spent one last long afternoon at the beach. Poor Conner was worn out from all the fun and fell asleep in my arms and stayed asleep for over 3 hours.
Carol Ann had a little business to take care down at the beach.
Cade and Blake boogie boarding.
Conner really did like going in the water, at least up to his thighs, but for some reason he did not want to get in the water at that precise moment.
Saturday morning was clean up time and then we headed out. Of course right as we were leaving our car wouldn't start, but luckily the Jensens were prepared with jumper cables and got us right on our way. Sometime during the week our camera gave out so we didn't get to take pictures of everything, including when my MOM wanted to race me down the beach. I couldn't believe it, but we did it and she kept up the whole way (mind you I was carrying Conner and a baby in my stomach).
Thanks for the trip mom and dad!!
The whole family. Its great having this up to date picture (until September when baby Entrekin is born)
