San Diego

I have a friend in San Diego who needed a dog/house sitter for a week and she called upon us to help out. Todd was even able to accompany us. He's normally not able to miss a week of work, but because he wanted to go, the company just gave everyone a week off. Tadow!

This is the puppy. Leia. We're convinced she's really a cat, though. She wasn't very social and she would run and hide in the closet. Meow. She warmed up to the girls, eventually, though. They're pretty irresistible. 

We spent a couple days at Balboa Park.

Loved the science center. We spent hours there two days in a row. It happened to be the first week of school for most of the nation and we were feeling pretty cool that we were having educational experiences AND having fun.

The girls and I went to a museum the church runs to show how Mormon pioneers played a part in settling San Diego. Lily wanted me to show her playing on her iPod on a wagon. She thought that was pretty funny.

Panning for pyrite. 

Pretty girls. Pretty sunset.

Everyone told us we had to eat at Phil's BBQ. None of us are big meat lovers or BBQ fans, but we thought we'd be super trendy and try it. Food was admittedly good, but I doubt I'll go back. Unless I turn into a tiger or something.

One of our favorite things was visiting the Star of India and other ships in the harbor. It's fun to do these kinds of things with a ocean/maritime enthusiast such as Tod. He gets us all fired up about it.

 

 

We toured a US sub and a Russian sub. Dude. The US is waaaaay better. I mean seriously!

 Had desert at Extraordinary Deserts. Lame name. Extraordinary deserts.

Day 2 of Balboa Park. Ana snapped this so hawt pic of me.

I met up with my lovely old friend Stacie Woolf for lunch. Was so great to catch up with her. I love having friends who you can go years without speaking to, but because of your long and intimate history together, it's like a day hasn't gone by.

We spent a ridiculously long time building things with blocks. First we had a timed contest to see who could build the tallest tower in 5 minutes. I was smoking everyone, but Ana came up in the last minute and beat me. Todd kept going, though. This took him a while, but he built a super tall tower. We discovered something interesting at this point. Look closely at my tower (on the left). At the bottom, you'll see two blocks missing. We don't know how that happened, but were amazed it could stand without them.

This was the ultimate height he achieved.

 Then! Tod got crazy in the tinker room trying to beat the record for building something. He spent hours on this! He got close, but didn't figure it out before they closed.

And while he tinkered, the girls played games...

In case you've ever wondered about if/how guitar strings vibrate when they're played....here's your answer.

Who knows what this was, but Tod couldn't get enough of it. He was such a little boy here. It was kind of adorable.

We also went to the beach, Horton Plaza, the swimming pool, etc. It was really fun to get away, even though were just kind of living our normal life in a different city. We're hoping the friends need a dog sitter every year. :)

Another Birthday. This time...Lily

Big 12. Lily is no longer my little baby.  :,(

Her birthday fell on a Sunday this year. She wanted to open a couple presents before church and the rest after.

Lily was always stealing Todd's fashion art books to draw out of, so he got her her own. Hers are much cooler than his.

Check out how impressed (slash jealous) Todd is.

This picture's focus is off, but shows Lily's new birthday dress. This was her first day going to Young Womens and it seemed appropriate that she not wear any of her little girl dresses anymore.

I was in the Primary room when the YW all came in to steal her away. I thought I'd have enough time to snap a quick pic, but they literally mobbed her and ran, so I only got this picture. And I was crying. My youngest is no longer young. WHERE DID MY BABIES GO??????? 

After church she unveiled her last gift......a sewing machine. She was thrilled and has been happily sewing all kinds of stuff since. She is very interested in going into costume/wardrobe design, so this gift was carefully chosen to help her achieve her heart's desire.

I requested she make this jewelery pouch for me. She did an excellent job and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I used it on a recent trip and it was perfect. Totally beats the plastic baggie I used to use.