San Diego trip, part 1

We made what has become our annual trip back to San Diego to see friends, enjoy our favorite foods, and to enjoy the wonderful area that is San Diego. 

Our plane ride out there was mercifully uneventful (or at least so I remember, writing this 3+ months later. Yes, I'm way behind!). We had an open seat near us on the flight that coincided with Aaron's naptime so he got to lay down and sleep. His dudes (Star Wars guys) protected him while he slept. And took a little nap with him too. 

This is the legendary cilantro cream sauce from Lucha Libre. How we crave that delicious burrito sauce... This was our first stop after getting off the plane and picking up a car. 

mmmmmm veggie burrito with fries, black beans, pico, guac, cheese and the cilantro sauce. 

Next stop was with our dear friends. The kids were so excited to see one another. 

Aaron and Alice picked up right where they left off. Aaron still says that he is going to marry Alice. 

We had to get a beach trip in to Coronado so we did on our first full day. It was a bit chilly and the tide was waaaaay in! Like nearly up to the stairs in. And it was strong. Only Emily and I went in. She attempted some boogie boarding and me some surfing. Em may have tried to surf a bit too. I don't recall if I was even able to stand more than once because the tide was so very strong. We didn't stay in long because I didn't feel safe in the water with the strength of the tide. 

Back playing again. 

Day 2 we went over to one of my most favorite places in Balboa Park and certainly top places in San Diego: the Japanese Friendship Gardens. It's nice and peaceful in there and just beautiful. 

San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden

One of my favorite places in San Diego is the Japanese Friendship Gardens in Balboa park. I just love the beautiful and perfectly manicured plants, trees, waterfalls, bridges and houses there. It's peaceful (except when my kids are running through there) and just a great place to visit. Further, I love the tea house restaurant there. They make the best potato salad which is nice and delicate - not your ordinary American potato salad. Their curry and rice bowls are delicious as well. Anyhow, we had to go there while back in San Diego because it truly is one of the San Diego highlights and really a hidden and perhaps under-appreciated gem. 

Aaron & Alice

Aaron loves his best friend Alice. They spend most days together. Her mom and I have a great time together so everyone is happy. Alice's brother, A.J., is now home as well so he has joined the A-team. These three are quite the trio on our many adventures. 

Checking out the koi pond at the Japanese Gardens in Balboa Park. The Japanese Garden is my most favorite place in Balboa Park. It's just peaceful and serene and brings such a nice feeling of tranquility even during stressful times. 

Feeding the fish

Aaron just taking some time to chill and see the lower gardens from above.

This is from our visit to the Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park. This is a fun place as well and reminds me of my dad who loved planes and aviation. It makes me think of him and his model airplanes spread out on the table as he meticulously put them together. 

Aaron and Alice in the back seat of the helicopter. Apparently the front wasn't cool enough with the buttons and controls. The back seat was, well, the back seat. With seat belts to put on. And a small window to say hi through. 

This was from Alice's house. Yes, Aaron is still in his pajamas. He likes his monkey jams. And well, it was one of those days. Kyle was home sick with a crazy high fever, I was in running clothes (i.e., I didn't have time to shower due to the middle of the night wake-ups with Kyle so I was pretty zonked in the morning until school drop off for Emily) and we had a day and plans to get to. Anyhow, Alice, AJ & Aaron were having lunch together and decided to play musical chairs. They were so cute and were just posing for pictures together. What a pair these two are! When we are out, Betsy and I are often asked if these cute little blondies are twins. Aaron will surely miss his Alice. 

Aaron & Alice in the play house playing computers together. 

Japanese garden

I took Aaron to the Japanese botanical garden in Balboa Park today. I love that place. It's so peaceful and serene. Aaron likes feeding the koi fish. But today, he loved watching the construction equipment. It was rather funny - as you head down to the newer area, there was a line of boys by the railing staring intently at the construction equipment below. Forget the flowers, tress, gardens, bridges and peaceful setting. Nope. The stars were the diggers and backhoes and any other earth moving truck. 

Aaron watching the trucks

Aaron 'smelling' the flowers

Still trying to smell the flowers

Air museum

Aaron and I hit up Free Tuesday at Balboa Park and visited the Air & Space Museum. He was pretty thrilled to see all the airplanes, but was even more thrilled to roam around not in the stroller. He did find a fun Aaron sized plane to fly.