San Diego - Part Two.

This is not in the order that we did things, but that felt like a lot of work, so here it is.  We took in a Padres game.  It was 'golf' night, so we got these cool hats.  It was a very full night, as it was also family night.  There were so many activities going on.  BONUS - the Padres won the game, and there was some decent scoring, so that makes for a very fun evening.

For those that have not been to this stadium, it is AMAZING.  It was a short walk from our hotel, and it is right by the ocean.  The sunset was magnificent.  Funny story, I had a bit of a mom fail at the game.  I bought a bag of peanuts in the shell, because that is what you do at a baseball game.  Neither of the girls new how to shell a peanut.  WHAT?!?!?  How had that skill snuck past us?  By the end of the game, they were champions at removing peanut shells.

After the game, we went to the lower session and took some pictures.  I was going to run the bases with the little kids, but then I got a bit lazy.  

One of the days we went to Balboa Park and explored.  We visited the Air and Space Museum.  It did not disappoint!  One of the workers there took a keen interest in walking us through the facility.  He had been there for over 30 years and had met many of the astronauts and other famous people that had visited the museum.  He had all kinds of great stories and made it a very interesting and engaging experience for us.

There is a Ripley's Believe It or Not section in the museum.  That was quite fun as well.  Kendall and I did this face exchange bit.

We also visited the Saturday Market in Little Italy.  

One of the days, we took the ferry over to Coronado Island and rented bikes.

We stopped for brunch and then headed out toward the Naval training base.

The road just kept going on and on.  By the time we made it back, the man at the bike shop said we had ridden 'at least' 12 miles.  My butt felt every bit of it, but it was a good tired.

When we visiting in 2015, we made a very last minute trip to the USS Midway.  I have wanted to go back ever since.  The girls were totally up for it, and even a bit excited.  We ended up spending nearly 4 hours walking around the ship.  The girls talked me into a fighter plane simulator.  I realize that as I have aged, motion sickness is now a thing.  I did not have to tap out, but I did think about it.

We enjoyed some very good food along the way as well.

Each morning of my work portion of the trip, Kendall walked to get coffee with me.  It was so fun to have her join.  One of my co-workers Roxane even joined us one of the days.

The girls and I took a break for much needed pedicures.

Sidney laughed at my reaction during the scrubbing portion, so I shed no sympathy when it was her turn.

The first portion of our trip was near Liberty Station.  This is such a fun place with great history...and beautiful sunsets.

The girls enjoyed some pool time.  There is something about a hotel pool that takes them right back to childhood.  I enjoyed every minute of their laughter and antics.

My parents held the fort down in Boise while we were away.  My mom even joined my dad for a spin in the golf cart!

San Diego - Part One.

I had the girls join me for a San Diego work trip.  We planned to stay a few extra days for the three of us to enjoy, but figured they would have a good time venturing out on their own for a couple days too.  The weather was absolutely amazing and there was NO SMOKE!  After a very smoky July, this was a welcome respite.

It was fun to have them along.  Occasionally they would walk by my meeting room and give a wave.  Everyone enjoyed meeting them, as they hear about them a lot:)  My co-workers and I had some fabulous work dinners and even enjoyed a concert the last night.  

My co-worker, Mary, took this amazing picture looking back at San Diego from Coronado Island.

There was a Trader Joe's near the place we were staying, so the girls loaded up on food to avoid the endless eating out.  I have taught them well!  Kendall, of course, had to lay it all out for a 'food haul'.

While I was slaving away, the girls were off and running.  They found a new favorite coffee place and explored the Fashion Valley Mall the first day.

Sid sent me this picture.  Yes, I was a bit envious.

One of the other days, they went down to Mission Beach and rode the coasters and ate these ridiculous ice cream sandwiches.  They said they got about 1/6 of the way in and felt so icky they did not even want to think about sweets for awhile.  

Kendall rode the wooden roller coaster.  For those of you that remember, this is the one that Kevin and I took her on circa 2015.  It caused her to swear off rides for a couple years.  I was quite surprised to hear she gave it another whirl.  

This one kind of makes me giggle.  They found a store and purchased some goggles and spent the afternoon messing around in the ocean.  

If I recall, Kendall did not have sunscreen.  She really need some and weirdly, none of the little shops seemed to carry it.  After several attempts to find some, one of the store owners went in the back and gave her his personal bottle.  These girls.  Never a dull moment.

One of the evenings, they dressed up and went out to Sunset Cliffs. 

Unfortunately, it was overcast, so the sunset was not as amazing as it could have been, but they still had some beautiful views and took some great pictures.

I think this was the first evening.  While I was out for dinner, they went to the hotel bar and got some mocktails and drank them poolside.  It was so much fun to pass them in the hall or see them here and there and know that they were having a good time.

Junk Drawer - July 2026.

I took my dad the the World Center for Birds of Prey.  He had not been there before.  They had a short demonstration in the ampi-theater, then we took a walk around the facility.  They had one of the owls out for some education.  Look at those amazing eyes.

While I was out of town for a work trip, the girls were both in town - which is quite a feat considering how much they both have going on this summer.  They met up for a pedicure.

No pedicure here.  As you can see, from my perma sock tan, I am in dire need of a pedicure.  These feet have not seen much sunlight this year.

I spied this squirrel taking a drink from the bird bath.  These little guys have been planting peanuts everywhere in my yard.  Thankfully, they are very easy to pluck out.

I saw this tik tok trend that encouraged parents to hold their teenage daughters one last time, because we likely did not know the last time we held them that it would be the last time.  The girls and I decided that might  not go well for me, so we improvised!

Of course, they had to show off that they could still pick up one another!  Of course, I am quite mighty, but quite small.

I got stung (by a wasp likely), for the third time this summer.  This is crazy!  I do not believe I have been stung for at least 20 years prior to this.  The latest one happened on the golf course.  My dad and I were driving down the fairway.  The bugger bounced off him and stung me in the neck.  Oh it hurt, bad!  Thankfully Jimmy had some ice cubes.  He gave me one to numb the sting, so we could finish the round.

I have been scanning in some old photos and came across this one.  Proof that I went skydiving.  In fact, I was the OG skydiver in the family.  This was before tandem was even a thing.  I took my eight hour course and went diving the next day, solo.  In New Zealand, no less.

These cute horses greeting me at the gate.

Levi is such a cutie.  I have been relishing every minute with him, as change is on the horizon.