Vacation: Relaxation

May 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Today was a very low key, recharging day. We were all pretty exhausted after all the driving around and site seeing we’ve been doing over the last couple of days. Today we kicked back and relaxed. I slept in until just after 8:00 this morning, which is pretty late for me. We took our time getting ready and ventured out after lunch time.

Dad has been working here in San Diego for several months over the last couple of years, which is how he has racked enough hotel points to get us the free room. Today he took us on to the Naval base to show us the simulator he has been working on. Dad used to be able to take us on simulators all the time years ago, but now his work has increased security and it’s harder to bring in visitors so it was cool that we were able to get in again. In the past he’s taken us on plane simulators, but I think this is my first time riding in a helicopter simulator. I even got to fly it! I wasn’t very good at it and I crashed a few times. On my third try I was able to fly under the bridge and then through downtown San Diego which was pretty cool. When we left the base we drove past some of the sites we flew by in the helicopter.

MH60S

Andrew and Jesse both did well at flying. Nicole killed us pretty good. When we crashed we were upside down and she could see the moon. Nothing like playing in a multi-million dollar toy on a Sunday afternoon.

I love vacation times when we can just all be together. There has been lots of laughter and fun times. I can’t believe that tomorrow will be our last day here, the time has just flown by so quickly.

Filed Under: Family, Travel

Vacation: Beaches

May 28, 2011 By 2 Comments

Today we enjoyed getting to see some fabulous beach views. After sleeping in a little and checking out of our hotel in La Mirada, we made our way back to our original San Diego hotel. Our first stop was Corona del Mar. This was the beach we always used to go to for swimming. We enjoyed looking at the fancy houses around that area, I can’t imagine how much the must cost. It was so pretty to look out at the ocean view. I wish it would have been warm enough to go swimming, but it was pretty chilly. The breeze felt nice, but with the temperature being a little lower right near the water I needed a jacket to walk around.

Corona del MarHouses

Then we continued our drive down Pacific Coast Highway to Ruby’s for lunch. Ruby’s is my favorite California restaurant. I haven’t minded too much having to eat my own food at restaurants so for until we got to Ruby’s. I had a hard time deciding if I should just eat it anyways. In the end I decided not to, I knew I would feel really sick if I did. I’m really glad that Jesse was able to eat it for the first time though. That was the one place I really wanted him to eat.

Ruby's

After checking in to our hotel and unloading our luggage, we drove over to La Jolla Cove to take in some more ocean views. It’s so funny to watch all the seals that like to gather there. We watched them swim on and off the beach and enjoy all the attention they were getting from their viewers.

La Jolla CoveSeals

It was great to just watch all the waves crashing into the shore. I really miss getting to watch waves at home. Amazing!!

WavesCoast

Filed Under: Allergies, Family, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Vacation: Graduation

May 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Today was graduation day, the main reason for our trip to California. My sister, Ashley, now has a Master’s degree! It was so exciting to be there for this very special day. She still has more school to go before she is done, but it’s such a huge accomplishment to have come this far. Next she will have two more years of classes then a year of internship before she gets her Doctoral degree.

Since this is the first Master’s graduation I’ve been to, I really had no idea what to expect. It was really an all day event. We got to the Biola campus just before 11 a.m. to get seat for her hooding ceremony. That ceremony took place in a small chapel on campus. There were a couple of speakers who were very entertaining gave great messages to the graduates. Then each of the Master’s students went up on stage to get their hood put on by the Dean. They were followed by the Doctoral students who went up to get their hoods.

Hooding Ashley

When the ceremony was over we went over to Rose Hall for lunch. Rose Hall is where Ashley has most of her classes. It was cool to see where she has been hanging out the last couple of years. We also got to meet lots of her friends. It was kinda funny because I see them in her facebook pictures all the time, and hear stories about them so I felt like I already knew them. A couple of them said hi and started talking to us because they recognized us from pictures too. Fam ’14 (the name for Ashley’s class) is such a nice group of people. I’m glad she’s got such great friends with her on her journey.

Ashley walking

After touring around the campus a little, it was time to claim our seats for the main graduation event. We were, of course, right in the front row. It was so awesome to watch her walk across the stage to get her diploma. I’m so proud of her and all that she has accomplished this far. Way to go Ash!!

AshleyAshley with parentsAshley with siblings

Filed Under: Family, Travel Tagged With: , , , , ,