Day 4: Petco Park

                                                                                                           August 3, 2012

The day started out with Timothy waking us all up and wanting to venture out for donuts.  We found a cute little donut shop nearby and started the day in a very unhealthy and fun way.  We got all of our luggage packed and ready to go to a hotel closer to the stadium.  The kids got to swim one last time before going to lunch with dad at In-N-Out burger again.  If you can't tell we are big fans of that place.  We then had to spend two hours waiting for Nathan, so we went to the Mall.  We ran into a friend and I helped her shop while Tim watched the kids, probably not the best decision I've ever made but he survived.  We then went and got Nathan from the conference and headed for the Quality Inn.

We decided to get tickets at the Park in the Park area because it was 80's night and they had a concert of 80's music out there.  We were able to get there in plenty of time for Nathan and Tim to go and get signatures on baseballs from 3 players, Maybin, Headley and Forsythe.  I was able to listen to the concert while Sam and Sariah ran circles around me.  Sariah was very excited to see the dog and cat.  Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to sit on blankets and watch the game, so much that the next night at dodger stadium Sariah cryed and asked to sit in the park!! The Padres played the Mets and won with a final score of 3-1.  The kids enjoyed taking the trolley to the game.   This worked out to be a great day, we all had a blast!!  The kids have done a good job of keeping to their daily budgets.  I have been very impressed with their budgeting and mathematical skills.

Budget for the day:

Hotel- $107.98
Tickets-$45.00
Trolley Tickets-$20.00
Food-$22.00
Total-$194.98

We are right on track to stay within our budget!!!

Kids holding signs made by Timothy- Niles Trip- Game#1- Padres vs. Mets

                                               Family photo at Petco Park!!

                                Sariah and Sam together at the Park inside Petco Park!

                                                Kids having fun at Petco Park!

Mom I don't know what to say to the cat!

Day 3: San Diego

                                                                                                         August 2, 2012

We had a lot of fun yesterday.  We started the day out with over 2 hours in the pool.  The kids love to swim, I'm starting to wonder if we should get a pool.  We then enjoyed a lunch at Mcdonalds, which I was able to locate on my own.  The kids are doing awesome on their budgeting skills.  It was fun watching them order, keeping in mind that they had a budget to keep.  We then ventured off to the beach, we decided to go to South Mission Bay Beach.  I was proud that I was able to keep up with all the freeway driving with all the traffic.   Sariah enjoyed building what she called houses, Tim collected sea shells and Sam and I played in the water.

 When we arrived back at the Hotel Sam wanted to swim again.  After Sam was done swimming we watched Good Luck Charlie or also known as "Me"  from Sariah.  I was able to get Sariah asleep!!!!!!!  When Nathan arrived back from his busy day we all went to Pizza Bella in old town.  The kids loved that they put so many fresh garden veggies on the pizza.  When we got back I got to go workout in the fitness room for a full hour by myself!!!  The kids once again got along in fact I think today was day 3 of positive and happy attitudes from everyone Including the Adults, YEAH!!  I am so grateful for everything I have been blessed with in my life.  I thank God for each day that I am blessed to share with my family.  I am looking forward to day 4 and the start of the baseball games.  We will be going to game 1 tonight, Padres vs Mets.

Day 2:San Diego

                                                                                                          August 1, 2012


Today has been action packed.  Timothy and Sariah were up bright and early, which of course meant the same for me.  It always amazes me that Sam can sleep through Everything!!!  We started the morning off with a two hour swim and the kids didn't want to leave, but we were meeting Nathan for lunch.  We had lunch with Nathan, and then went back to the room for me to bills.  It is really unfair when vacation lands on the first of the month.  We then ventured off on 3 hour shopping trip, which the majority of the time was spent in Old Navy.  The kids loved the escalators and the big bouncy ball machine in the store.  Timothy was so good at entertaining the kids while I shopped, it pays to have a 12 year old.   Timothy walked out with 6 new shirts, Sariah got a pink soccer ball, Sam got a blue bouncy ball and I got a purple cup and 3 shirts.  We then hurried back to meet Nathan for dinner.

 The plan was to go to my favorite place to go El Torito, much to my sadness they had closed.  My wonderful husband saved the day and used On Star to locate another location that was not closed.  In the process of tracking down the new location Sariah fell asleep, she slept until the last 10 minutes of our meal and woke up in a less than pretty mood.  It is so amazing to me how girls moods can jump from happy to sad in a split of a second.  The kids enjoyed watching Junior Jeopardy while eating.  When we got back to the hotel Sam requested they we all go to the pool as a family.  We played catch with a football and the proud Sariah showed her dad how she can jump into the pool on her own, it is now time to be scared when she is around water.  We have now all settled down for the night, Nathan and Tim are sharing baseball stats while Sam and Sariah bounce off the walls.  It sure is fun raising these kids, everyday is an adventure you never know what the next day will bring.  The kids had another awesome day.  It is amazing, you pull Tim and Sam away from the video games and they suddenly have nothing to fight about.  Another end to another wonderful day!!!

Picture taken in front of the waterfall in the hotel, this waterfall really facinated all the kids!

                                 Sariah telling her mom "I'm ready to go swimming!" 

                                                 Swimming makes me very tired!!!!

Day 1:San Diego

                                                                                                             July 31, 2012

We had a lot of fun yesterday.  We got a later start then expected, after minimal sleep.  We first stopped in Yucca Valley to get our little Sam from a friend.  We then headed out as a family towards San Diego.  We barely made it to Moreno Valley when the kids were hungry, so of course we stopped for the traditional In-N-Out burger on Pigeon Pass road.  I think we always stop there.  After enjoying a yummy lunch, we headed out once again.  We didn't make it very far before the blond in the back seat needed to go POTTY!!!  So we Had to stop in Murrieta, I took the kids into a Walgreens while Nathan took his famous cat nap.  We were then able to make it the rest of the way to San Diego with the sun roof open to keep Sariah entertained. She sat in the back seat smiling and laughing and saying "I like my Uncle Bradley!"  It was very random and weird but we were glad she was happy!!

 We were able to check in and get situated before the kids wanted to run to Toys-R-Us to spend there money.  While there Nathan became a kid again and wanted to buy everything he saw, it was fun to watch.  After leaving the store we saw a farmers market that was selling kettle corn, so we HAD to stop.  We enjoyed a nice dinner at Applebees.   We then headed over to Precideo Park?  and played with the football and then the soccer ball.  I didn't realize how far both of my boys could kick, I almost got taken out a few times.  Sariah enjoyed picking up the Pine cones and calling them her friends, by the end I think she had made over 20 Pine cone friends.  I was proud of my kids yesterday, they got along great, they are really learning the importance of treating one another the way they want to be treated.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful little family.

July 31, 2012, first night in San Diego- kids having fun on the balcony at the Crowne Plaza!

Getting ready for vacation!!

                                                                                                                July 31, 2012

We will be heading out today for the first part of our trip!!!  We are working on the excited part as none of us got any sleep last night!!  San Diego here we come!  We still don't have are tickets for the Padres game but are hoping to just buy them when we get there.  We do have our tickets to the dodgers game.  We will be sitting really far up in the stands, but we like it that way at Dodger stadium, it tends to be more family friendly.  Plus we got the tickets for $1.40 a piece, the processing fee was as much as the tickets for a total of $17.20 for 5 tickets.  The kids are looking forwards to this family adventure.  Nathan and I hope that we are able to build strong lasting relationships with our kids that will last forever as well as strong family unity.  Well I better start packing!

Scout Camp

                                                                                                    July 25, 2012

Well reality is starting to hit, we have a 12 year old son and he is at his first week long scout camp.  They got to go to Camp Emerson up in Idylwild.  We decided to go up for the family night to visit with him and check in.  He was not doing well, he had been missing us all week and wanted us to bring him home 3 days early.  I was the strong one out of Nathan and I.  I know, I was shocked myself.  We were able to pray with him and Nathan gave him a blessing, things immediately changed and Tim knew he needed to stay.  The kids loved being up in the mountains and seeing their big brother whom they both missed. 

Samuel, Sariah, Solinda and Nathan at Vista point on the way up to Idylwild!!!

                                            Timothy with his little sister Sariah!

                                  Timothy with his little brother Samuel!

Friends Wedding

                                                                                                        July 21, 2012

Yeah!  Last weekend we were able to go to a wedding of a good friend.  It was fun to see them after 20 months.   The kids did awesome on the drive to Utah both ways.  The kids were able to play with their cousins in the Gardens at Thanksgiving point.  Nathan also got to try out his golf cart driving skills.  The kids riding his cart sounded like they were all riding space mountain at Disneyland, he also mastered his driving backwards skills.  Nathan and I both enjoyed the wedding it was a good reminder of our own wedding day and the things we should all be doing to keep are relationships strong and healthy.  Nathan enjoyed the Luncheon as he talked with people who live in his old stomping grounds.  The kids were able to join us at the reception and enjoyed meeting up with their friends.  It was a fun trip!!

                             Jake, Monica,Sariah, Solinda and Molly at the reception.

                                         Buddies, Samuel and Milton together again!!

                                           Sariah and Mary confused!

                                                            Madeline and Sariah!

                     Great Grandma Thora, Grandma Linda, Solinda and sleepy Sariah!!