Coronado Beach

I think the story of our last summer in San Diego was soaking up all of the San Diego beach and sun that we possibly could - especially at Coronado beach. In our opinion (and many others as well), this is the best beach in the area. We spent many days there with Betsy and her kids. It was fun to see all the kids get out and boogie board together, Aaron and Alice playing in the sand on the beach, Aaron and Alice riding their boogie boards, teaching Ian to surf and getting Emily, Kyle & Eric up on the surf board as well. 

love

The kids on their boogie boards

"What do you think honey?" ;-)

"Want to build a sand castle?"

Look ma, I'm surfing!

Boo!!

"My turn!"

Emily, Ian, Kyle & AJ digging water holes

Early August beach

So I don't actually remember the full details (i.e., when) these pictures were taken, but I do remember they were some awesome times out enjoying the San Diego sun with friends. 

Emily built a fun mud castle on the beach at Coronado with Betsy's kids. 

Aaron got really tired at the pool with Kyle & Emily's old preschool buddies. He asked to be covered up because he was cold. But when we peeked under the towel, he was sleeping. 

Ropes course

Another item on our San Diego bucket list was to do the ropes course at the Wild Animal Park (or Safari Park or whatever it is called). Aaron got to spend his day with Alice while Jeff and I took Kyle and Emily up to the ropes course. It was awesome. The kids loved it and so did we.

We had a camera on one of the helmets to capture the fun, but haven't transferred the video yet. But here are a few in the meantime. 

Kyle on the course

Emily on the course

Aaron and Alice

Aaron sure loves his Alice. He spends most days with her. He sure will miss his lady. 

The kids at the park

Aaron and Alice

Little kiss. 

Aaron swimming

The kids are having a fabulous summer here in San Diego. Our clock here is ticking, but we are soaking up the San Diego summer. Aaron has become quite the little fish with all of our trips to the pool. The little guy thinks he can swim like the big kids now because he wears a floatie. (I know that doesn't ensure safety and we are always watching and nearby.)

Cowles Mountain

Also on our San Diego bucket list was getting to the top of Cowles Mountain (the highest point in San Diego). We had tried it previously, but we were thwarted by heat, nap, hunger and Aaron who didn't want to ride in the backpack. This time, it was muggy out and it had rained a bit too so the sun wasn't beating down on us too bad. It was still hot and we only brought 2 water bottles, but somehow we made it to the top. It was a cool view even if it was a bit obscured by the low clouds. But we made it! 

Aaron's San Diego day

With our time in San Diego coming to a close, we are trying to get through our little San Diego bucket list. On Aaron's was going on the trolley to see Hullaballoo perform at the library downtown. We have a bunch of Hullaballoo music in our car to listen to so we though Aaron would love to see him perform live. Kyle and Emily used to go to his concerts that he did around San Diego all the time when they were little. 

Afterwards, we were right by a burrito shop that came highly recommended. It was good, but not amazing. 

Beach day

Today was a beach day with the kids and Betsy's kids. It was very overcast, but at least we were less concerned about the kids getting burnt. Her boys and Kyle and Emily all went out boogie boarding together and had a blast!! They did some sand castles together as well. This is one of our most favorite beaches (and usually on the list of top beaches in the world). We will certainly miss Coronado beach and Betsy and her family. 

And they're off!

Eric coming in

Eric, Ian & Emily

Aaron & Alice

AJ, Emily & Eric

Emily's sand castle

Trike tyke

After having his tricycle since his 2nd birthday and riding on it with assistance, today Aaron got on his bike and just started peddling like he's been doing it all along. Previously, he would pedal a little forward and then pedal backwards to get back to the top with his dominant foot. Today he got it all together and just started riding. Just like that. Nice going kid. 

Aaron and Jeff cooking

Like Kyle and Emily at this age, Aaron loves to be a part of what is going on, cooking included. And he especially loves to see and press the buttons on the blender. Here, he is helping Jeff make some fresh pesto for our vegettie (zucchini spaghetti). 

Ice skating, part 2

We went ice skating again today. My crew and Simon. It was a blast again as the kids continue to improve on their skates. Kyle was hot to keep up with Simon (remember, he plays ice hockey so he is a fantastic skater). It was about 100 degrees outside so it was refreshing to cool down on the ice. We had a few more spills today than previous, but all were fine and still smiling. 

Kyle's flip

Today Kyle and I took Aaron to open gym at the gymnastics place. It was peewee open gym, but Kyle was allowed to play too. He had a blast perfecting his flip into the foam pit. 

Aaron's best day

So today Aaron had what was perhaps one of his best days of his life so far. We met up with Alice at the trolley station to take the train downtown. We were going to play at Petco Park's playground, but got off a little bit earlier and enjoyed Seaport Village instead. There, Aaron, Alice and her big brother Ian roamed around, finding fun in the balance beams and checking out the birds, boats and ducks. 

Then they all got to ride the carousel. "Ride horsey, ride horsey!!" The day prior we were at the zoo and the kids wanted to ride the Balboa carousel, but time did not permit so this one was due. And it didn't disappoint. 

After we rode the horseys, we were walking back toward the trolley with the intention of heading to a playground when we saw some fire trucks Aaron loves to identify fire trucks by sight and sound so he was one happy kid when he saw two of them there. The firemen even let the kids check out their trucks. Aaron was beside himself with excitement to be able to sit in a fire truck and climb up and down into the truck. He even got to sit in the giant ladder engine in the back. These firemen were so awesome with the kids letting them check out their rig. 

Aaron loved all the events of our trip and that he got to share it with his best girl Alice. And coincidentally, they were both wearing their Hawaii monkey shirts. These two. Too much!

Birthday part 2: Ice skating

Today we continued birthday celebrations with a trip to the ice skating rink. Since we aren't doing a n official birthday party per se, we are having even more fun celebrations with Kyle and Emily's buddies. This morning we hit up the ice skating rink. Emily has been asking to go ice skating for some time. Since yesterday was go-karting and more Kyle-centric of an activity (don't be fooled though, Emily & Haiden had a blast), today we went ice skating. (It was today also because this was something that Aaron could participate in, unlike go-karting). 

With all their practice on rollerblades (kids got upgraded rollerblades for their birthday) and having the buffer of their knee, elbow and wrist guards, Kyle, Emily and Simon were ready to roll. (Haiden wasn't available to join us today.) Aaron even used Simon's knee pads and one wrist guard (the other was in our garage) and his bike helmet. 

This was absolutely so much fun with the kids. Simon plays hockey so he is a fabulous skater. He was a great influence for Kyle and Emily who have ice skated a few times before, but trying to keep up with him was a great motivator to keep moving. And they did great! And they didn't fall very much at all. They were cruising way faster than they ever had been. 

The biggest surprise was Aaron. He was great on skates. He was super excited to get them on and wear them and get out on the ice. He almost just knew what to do. He held on to me very nicely and even did some steps on his own with decent grace. He did want to run on his skates, but lucky for him I was holding on to him. It was wonderful. 

Super cute Aaron on ice skates for the first time

The ice skating gang. Simon LOVES Aaron. 

Selfie with Aaron from the penalty box (my back was hurting from having to hunch down with Aaron so I needed a break)

Watching the zambonie resurface the ice

Go Emmie, go!!
Look at the kids go!!

I know there are several videos of Aaron ice skating, but I was super impressed with his willingness and two year old ability. 

Aaron skating with the girl ice helpers.

You'd think the kid was wearing regular shoes. Just walking / running around in ice skates

Fabulous day 2 of birthday celebrations. Great to be eight!

USA!

We've been loving watching the World Cup this year. It's hard to believe it's been another 4 years. World Cup got us through the 3 weeks of hospital bed rest while I was pregnant with Kyle and Emily 8 years ago so there is a certain nostalgia that we have with this event. From Spike, Kristin and Mom visiting and keeping us - okay me - sane during that time, World Cup games are what I woke up for during the days. I remember sleeping about 20 hours a day, or it seemed. I doubt it could have been that much, but I certainly remember a physical therapist always coming when I was sleeping and wondering how it was possible to sleep that much. And I remember the morning that Spike came in well before visiting hours started, but rightfully came in on the family 'card', smuggling her and Jeff some beer in coffee cups to enjoy while watching the soccer game, despite the 6 or 7am kickoff time. I also remember Jeff befriending Max, the Italian coffee man whose coffee stand was right in front of the hospital, and bringing me some non-coffee treats (non-coffee not because of being pregnant and liquid restricted, but because I don't drink coffee). See, a lot of memories associated with the World Cup. But I digress. 

Now to the point of this post... Here are Kyle, Emily and their buddy Simon posing in their awesome USA shirts. Papa & Kari send the kids their USA soccer jerseys and Simon is wearing his USA hockey jersey since he is an awesome hockey player. How cute are they?!!

I love how Emily and Simon are eyeing each other. 

And the sillies with Simon and Emily.