The Rest of Sunny San Diego

 On Monday we were able to switch plans and still make it out on a whale watching trip.

"See whales with my kids" is one of the first things I have written down on my bucket list, and it's just magic. We saw lots of them in Hawaii but this time we got pretty close to a pair of grey whales and it made me so happy. And before that, we came upon two different pods of dolphins that had 100+ dolphins each, and I have never seen something like that! The boys loved it, especially spotting the little babies. So fun. The day started out foggy, which means grey water fading into grey sky and no horizon. Seasick people need to keep their eyes on the horizon, so, that had Michael and Westin feeling pretty iffy for a bit there. Everyone kept everything down though :) Then we walked around downtown a bit after, drove through a protest that spoke to our hearts, ate some clam chowder in a bread bowl, and went home to watch the finale of Beast Games that the boys have been obsessed with.

Shelley and Clay came that night for dinner and to play with us the next couple days. That was the best bonus of this vacation!

Tuesday we spent the day at Legoland. Michael and I took Westin and Bennett to Legoland during residency and it was one of the brightest spots of those years. We just had so much fun watching our two cute boys on the rides and loving life and it was our first time doing a semi-big-kid trip. We still joke about New Years in Legoland when the fireworks countdown was at 6pm, and after the first few fireworks Westin yelled, "GET OUT OF HERE! GO! GO! GO!" He totally thought we were under attack and wanted me to wheel that stroller to the nearest exit as fast as I could, haha. Because of that happy trip, lately we have been talking about getting Camden and Asher to Legoland or we probably just won't go back ever again, since it's pretty tailored to little kids. That kind of fueled this whole trip. So Tuesday we spent running around Legoland, sometimes doing big kid rides with Clay and Bennett and Westin, sometimes little rides with Asher and Camden, sometimes rides all together and some lego building and churro eating and 4D show watching thrown in there, too. Asher was very sad whenever he wasn't tall enough for a ride, sweet boy. But everyone had a totally fun day overall and I love the manageable size of Legoland. Also that was the best churro I've ever eaten (dipping it in chocolate was a bonus, but even as a standalone churro I'd still make the claim). 

Then Wednesday, we did SeaWorld. I still remember going to SeaWorld as a kid and totally loving it. I have to admit one of my main memories is when my dad bought us some fish to feed the sea lions and then one of the aggressive sea gulls pooped on my mom's head. But I ALSO remember just loving the Orca show, eating lunch by them, and really loving the day :) What I didn't expect was that this day would be everyone's favorite of the whole trip. We all totally loved it! Westin and Clay and Bennett and Camden LOVED sitting in the splash zone at all the shows, we all loved the orcas so much, we loved talking to some marine biologists throughout the day and we just had super low crowds and fun animal times. They also have some really big roller coasters there now and Westin decided he wasn't going to be into them that day. Near the end of the day I was going to go on the biggest one by myself just because I couldn't not, and then he decided to go with me and Michael came too. It was SO fun. Westin and I ended up going three times, then he ran back and talked his cousin into going so Shelley and Clay rode it three more times with him. Bennett and I sat by a pool of fish that like to nibble on your skin that whole time they rode those last three times, while Asher fell asleep in the stroller. I've never had a fish pedicure, but that is ALSO actually on my bucket list, so this mini fish manicure was a fun runner up haha. I'm surprised I didn't hate it. I made sure to take videos of it to send to Ali knowing it would completely freak her out.

After that we drove to the beach, walked along the water, grabbed tacos for dinner (there were a lot of tacos on this trip I guess?), and made it back home to send Shelley and Clay back to LA. They were so nice to come play with us those days. We just had so much fun.

The next day we had a slow morning, easy flight home, and made it back with enough time to still do swimming lessons for the boys and book club for Michael. They boys were a little disappointed to learn they were going to school Friday and I just thought it was funny they ever thought they weren't :) So Friday was a big catch up day, Saturday Michael had to do anesthesia certifications in Denver while I had to do science fair posters with the boys, and then that night Marta babysat while Michael and I went to a Shepardson trivia night. One point away from third place, too bad... we were not very good contributors to our team haha. Next year! 

Then we had a chill Sunday and a fun Linger Longer at church. Our friend in the bishopric said it best while we were watching our kids chase each other after the Linger Longer. He said, "I love that this same place that holds all this worship and the sacrament then becomes this cultural spot of a... rumpus." Right then multiple of our children ran straight through the cultural hall from one door to the other. So funny. Something about the stairs in our church just really fuel chase games.

I loved this week. I loved sunshine and some happy, playful days breaking up our February. I loved traveling with these ages of boys. I'm just so happy we did this trip and it really exceeded my expectations all around. I was bracing myself for some long day meltdowns and different kids wanting to do different things, and really none of that happened and we just had a really good time together. And now my kids want to work at SeaWorld, so we've officially entered that rite of passage.

Just before spotting lots of dolphins!

Asher wasn't too sure about walking around on the wavy boat ride,
he just kept wanting us to stay parked wherever we were :)

The guy who took our picture decided that...

...the skyline was more important than including Westin, haha

These cute kids.

Game room coming in clutch whenever we got home late and still had to throw dinner together.

We found out the Toblers were so close to us!
We managed to meet up at a middle-ish In & Out and I LOVED this.
So grateful for them. We just love them so much.

The kids laughed and laughed while we chatted.
Shelley is such a good sport, we love her so much.

I thought we could be officially done with Legoland but Asher now talks about how he gets to ride these horses once he's 4...
You had to be tall enough AND 4 years old and he only checked one of those boxes, poor guy.

Another ride Asher felt wrongfully excluded from.
I'm with him on this one, totally could have enjoyed the ride with us.

I will forever love penguins.

Ok, the Beluga whale looks so happy all the time.
Just the sweetest resting smiley face.

Look at Clay and Westin so close!
They learned this spot of the splash zone is actually not risky,
so they moved to an extra splashy splash zone part for the next Orca show,
and Michael and Shelley and Asher and I took this secretly dry spot.

Running errands after our trip,
and spotted these two holding hands.
Just makes my heart burst.

Went to a city-sponsored eagle watch on Saturday.
Had to check everyone's wing span!

They had telescopes set up to show us a nest with two eagles taking turns on their eggs.

San Diego, Grandparents & Simply on Purpose

New Year's:

On Sunday we left for a last minute trip down to San Diego and explored the Carlsbad area. On the way down we stopped in Long Beach to see the Queen Mary and run around on a pier. Then in Carlsbad we loved Handel's Ice Cream and Pizza Port. The next day we woke up and took the boys to Legoland! Westin has been interested in getting there ever since he once said to me, "That would be cool if Disneyland was made of Legos!" And I said, "Well, there's kind of a place like that actually..." And boy did his eyes get wide. Michael had New Year's off and we were all itching to do something fun after our Christmas at home.

Legoland was so fun for the boys. The park is perfect for 2-6 year olds I think. They loved it! Especially the driving school ride. We also were very ok with the 6pm New Year's countdown and fireworks. Places that understand early bedtime are our jam.

We came home from the hotel and had hot chocolate in the lobby, went to bed exhausted, and spent the next day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I LOVED that place! We loved seeing a baby kangaroo in its mom's pouch, and a baby gorilla taking a back ride too. Then we drove home to Fresno at the same time my parents were driving to Fresno from Cedar. Here's a movie from our trip!

(This is Westin's very favorite song in the world right now.)

Michael:

Went back to work on Wednesday and had a sad case taking out lots of teeth on a three-year-old. He has been busy but he was glad to have a three-day work week after his busy December. On Saturday we went on a date to the temple and then to dinner and it was our first date night in too long!

Maddie:

is just so happy when my parents visit. They are so nice to let me get all the things done while they're around. In the few days they've been here I've been to the dentist, gotten my hair cut and a pedicure, been to the temple twice, went to a parenting conference in the bay area, date night with Michael, and they took down my Christmas. So grateful for their help! My parenting conference was by Simply On Purpose and I learned so much. I brought my conference workbook on my date with Michael the next day and tried to share everything I could remember so we can be on the same page. Her Instagram account, @simplyonpurpose, is so helpful if you're ever feeling lost as to how to respond to your kids. Plus the road trip with Ginny, Emily, and Danielle was so fun! We left at 11am Friday and got home after midnight. Also, I feel more grateful for the temple than I ever have before!

Main conference takeaways:

See the good in your kids and TELL them when you see it.

Ignore everything you don't want reinforced.

Change your phrasing to positives -- phrases, consequences, attitudes. Don'ts should be Dos,

and parents should add positive to their kids life, not threats or negativity.

Example from our house:

We're changing: "Hurry and get ready for bed or you won't have time for a story"

to: "If you're ready for bed in 5 minutes you can have TWO stories tonight"

Westin:

loves when Michael flies the new drone! We like to go to the field next to our neighborhood and Michael chases us around with his new Star Wars looking toy. He misses school and doesn't understand why that has disappeared for a couple weeks. He's in heaven with grandma and grandpa here. We've also started hard core night training because we ran out of pull ups and I just don't want to buy anymore. It's... not going great, but we've gotta figure it out sometime. I'm setting my alarm to take him every three hours but for some reason we're still not having completely dry nights yet. I've already noticed a difference in his behavior when I just notice the good and thank or praise him for it. Kids are sweet.

Bennett:

was a rockstar on our road trip drives and hotel nights. He's so funny. Michael said he had tons of energy in nursery today. He loves to draw squiggly lines and chase Kitty. He still has a language of his own, Grandma and Grandpa are learning to interpret it this week. Potty training is in our near future, but it sure ain't tomorrow. My favorite thing is that he always chooses me to put him to bed and kisses Michael good night multiple times to tell him, "see ya dad, I want mom right now." It's my favorite little moment of my day when he holds my face while I sing Silent Night, then he gives the best hug and kiss and says "Luh Yoo" in his little Bennett language. 

More pictures from the week!

Queen Mary

Belmont Veteran's Pier 

Sometimes kids just look like teenagers and it always makes me do a double take.

Family Pics, 6th Anniversary, Big Sur Trip, First Cross Stitch, Hamilton, Taylor Swift, Tahoe, Arizona, Hawaii

It's officially orange season! And we've had two rounds of fresh orange juice to prove it.
The orchard by our neighborhood is the best part of living where we live!

Ralphie from Simply On Purpsoe
"Do not pay attention to anything you DO NOT want reinforced."
We've got a lot of mean words to start fully ignoring around here :)

Danielle, Emily (my roommate from BYU!, me, Ginny
All of our kids are in the same preschool class.

Walking home from drone time! Bennett "hid" behind every tree to scare us :)