The Motherland Visits

We spent a chunk of time in California this month. I'm sorry I didn't contact all my California friends, but it's just tricky when the goal is to spend time with my family and I saw just about all of you when we were out last in October... Though I was thinking of you all...

The husband was away in Germany on business and that left me with an entire week to escape to the Motherland where it practically rains good Mexican food. Three cheers to that.

We had a nice time hanging out and relaxing. Not a lot to speak on, just lots of love and family time. So I'll leave it to the pictures and a little bit of commentary.

We spent some time at the Long Beach Aquarium where Benjamin was not nearly as interested in the animals as he was the people. Like most places we go... but it was special to spend that time together.

I think the highlights were splashing the water (that animals live in) and playing at the splash pad where he kept shoving away a little girl who wanted to press the button he was guarding.

My brother and his wife came to have dinner with us one night and that was really nice. Otherwise, you're looking at Benjamin going through the doggy door and putting lots of things in his mouth... whether or not those are acceptable items to eat.

Chasing the kitty who has since passed away - outside in the garden with Grandma - out to lunch with Grandpa, Grandma & Mom - hanging out with Alison & Scotty - park with Grandma - staredown at lunch with Grandpa - first coin ride in a Batmobile - Thrifty ice cream! - riding on Grandpa's back

One of the days, we headed to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden where we had our wedding reception nearly 5 years ago. We fed the Koi fish there, walked around, tried to touch the ducks, and stood on the bridge where we had our first dance & ate our first dinner as a married couple (Mexican food in a Japanese garden! We're so cultured!).

Two weeks later, we headed back to California with the whole family this time. Phew. I needed someone to help me wrangle the kiddo into a nap. He gets a C for the trip to California and a B- for the return flight. Hah. This time, we flew into San Diego and stayed at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad where Ray had business meetings and such. The grandparents came down again and hung out with B so we could have not one, but two date nights! Well, they were business dinners, but still! Most of the time even business dinners are spent wrangling the baby.

How cute is it that he walks to Dad with his hands out? Swoon. First time using the new swim diaper. And that rashguard? 24 months! I may have a small fry, but he's killing it in these outfits!

We visited a place called Canine Companions as an excursion through the business networking meetings and B was quite enamored by the bunnies they had at the facility. He even poked one in the eye. Other photos show our balcony, the hotel lobby, an F-18 we checked out at the Miramar Marine Corps Base where we had dinner in the Officer's Club, and Pizza Port in Carlsbad (that one's for you, Alison! Though we ate at Las Olas instead...).

We're back in the Midwest and wouldn't you know... we have no plans to leave anytime soon... err... well... until the end of the month when we go to Ohio with B's other set of grandparents and Aunt Samantha! But no plane tickets are booked for any future trips. I know, can you even believe it?