The zoo and another beach day

Wednesday was another park day and this time we went to the San Diego Zoo. It was much more crowded with lines everywhere. We first did a tour of the overall zoo on a bus and from there decided what areas we then walk to.

We saw the leopards, and the red panda and then of course the pandas and finally the polar bears amoung the other animals that day.

 At the end of the day we found ourselves at teh far end of the park and took the air tram back across the zoo to the entrance.






















Before we left I had to have my picture taken in front of the gorilla statue. When I was young we came to the zoo and Dad took my picture in front of this statue. I was not to happy then to stand in front of the statue. It was a little different this time. 


That evening they had a magic show at the resort that was amazing. It left us wondering how they did everything. Shannon and the kids joined us for that show though Payton was ready at intermission to have the show done.

Thursday we split up in the morning and Shannon and the kids went to the beach. After we dropped them off there Cindy and I went to the temple which was about 10 minutes away. After going to the temple we picked up lunch and went back to the beach to have lunch together.

After lunch we drove over to Cabrillo Point to the tide pools along the cliffs and searched from all the tide animals we could see. We did come across some crabs and small fishes. 

We then drove into San Diego to Seaport Village to have some ice cream first. Ben and Jerry's were celebrating their 35th anniversary by giving away free ice cream cones. We and a lot of others took advantage of it that day. Then we wondered around the shops and notice a guy outside the village stacking rocks and asking for money if you took a picture of his project. We then went and had dinner at Anthoneys and watched the sunset over the bay.

Wild Animal Park and the LaJolla

The next two days of the trip we went to two different areas. Monday we went to the Wild Animal Park or as it is now called the Safari Park. It is interesting to think back that we took the kids when they were little to this park when it first opened and now we are taking the grandkids. Back then the boys got to ride an elephant. Not now. We did see a baby gorilla which was interesting.




We went to the Lorakeet  exhibit. If you buy food they will land on your arm and drink. Payton did not want anything to do with that so we just got close to them and let others be there perch.

This time of year they had a butterfly pavilion which had timed tickets so that it would not get over crowded. It was amazing to step into the building and butterflies of all colors and sizes flying everywhere and landing everywhere. Payton did not know what to think about it as she did not want them on her but they sure were attracted to Shannon.

The had a great sand sculpture for the park. It always is amazing what people can do. 

From there we went to the other animal exhibits and shows and enjoyed all the sight and colors and variety of animals. The lions were particularly active. 










At the end of the day they have a cheetah run. It was amazing to see how face they really do run. While I could not get a picture when it was running (it really was fast) they had it walk back down so everyone could see it. Oh yes it has a friend, a dog that it does everything with which is the animal next to it in the pictures.

Tuesday was a day at the beach. We first went over to LaJolla to see if we could see the seals and they were out in force though they had moved more to the rocks than the beach area. The waves were high which made doing anything in the cove impossible and the water was cool. We then went over to the other side of the bay to the beach along with everyone else. Payton loved the sand and did not want anything to do with the water and Connor loved the water and would go crawling into the waves.  We got pretty good sunburns on us but not the kids that day.

That evening Cindy and I went to a Beatles Tribute Band performance at the resort. The resort has its own theater and the concert was really good.  

 

Spring Break Trip

This year Cindy got a full week off of school for Spring break from March 31 to April 7. We took advantage of it and headed to the San Diego area. Maddie's break was two weeks earlier so she could not go with us and Cameron needs to work to get ready for his upcoming plans and Nic thought that he would need to help move his work when we planned this adventure so it was Cindy, Shannon, Payton, Connor and myself who went.
We had an early morning flight (6:30) so that means getting up at 4. We got to the airport in time but with all the kid equipment such as car seats and strollers I dropped everyone off at the curb and then parked because we would not have enough hands to do everything. I met everyone at the counter and then Shannon realized she left her purse in the car and had to go back to get it. We processed everyone else but Shannon. In the end this little detour made it so we got to the plane as the last ones boarding just barely making the flight.

Once we got to Long Beach it was a cool and cloudy day. We took a leisurely drive down Highway 1 along all the beach towns since we could not check in to our place until 4. We played at the beach and watched the surfers. The waves were high for a couple of days because of storms. One thing we found out is Payton loves the sand. She could spend hours playing in it and be just fine.

Once to the condo at the Laurence Welk resort near Escondido the kids had to get into the pool and play even though at first it was a little cloudy and cool. We really did not know what to expect because the name brings up idea that this is for older folks but it was not. They had things for kids to do also.

The next day was a sunnier day and we went to Balboa Park and walked around. The kids played on the playground. We watched the people with birds who were looking for donations, enjoyed flowers that were blooming (it was snowing at home that day) and just enjoyed the morning.

 We then over to the Mormon Battalion building in Old Town. We had tried to pick up conference by radio and cable but no luck until we went over to the Battalion building and they had it broadcast so we saw the last session.

Connor and Payton

The other day the grandkids came over to the house. Payton shared her succor with Connor and then they both played with the musical rabbit,

While Connor was a little shy at first he soon carried the rabbit around with him and let the ears flap him in his face.

Connor's birthday

March 15th was Connor's first birthday as well as our 34th anniversary. We met at Nic and Shannon's house for the celebration. Those who were there for the dinner had to eat like Connor, with their hands. After the dinner then there were the presents.

 After the presents it was Connor's turn to have his birthday cake. He really got into it and it showed on his face.

Cameron brought a friend
with him to meet all the family.
Her name is Cecilia.