San Diego (part 3)

Wednesday was our final day in San Diego. Our first stop of the day was a trip to Old Town, the heart of San Diego...

Old town was full of historic museums and fun little shops.

When my mom retires, she's going to work at a one room school house.. She'll always be a teacher. 

The Mormon Battalion building was my favorite part of Old Town. It was so well done! The exhibit was creative, interactive, and informative.

Best of all we found one of my relatives on my dad's side who was in the Mormon Battalion! The more I look at this picture it's scary how much he looks like my dad (too bad my dad just shaved off his mustache). 

We had the best authentic mexican food for lunch at the Cafe Coyote. 

After Old Town we headed over the bridge to Coronado Island. Of course Missy and I couldn't resist having a little photo shoot (top left, yes that's me and my mad back bend skills). 

I was always jealous of people with Palm trees in their yard, but after this trip I realized how high-matienence they are. Can you see the guys in the middle picture? The whole time we were playing on the beach, they were trimming those palm trees! 

Sand pictures are a must at the beach.. I wished Marty could have been there with us, so I gave him a little sand shout out. 

Feelin' artsy

We ended the night by touring the Hotel del Coronado. It was even more beautiful in person... Someday I will stay there with Marty... 

The trip ended too fast, but it's good to be home. Thanks again family, for letting me come! I had so much fun with all of you! Best Christmas present ever! :D 

San Diego (part 2)

Tuesday started out with a trip to Cabrillo National Monument. The main features there were the Point Loma Lighthouse, the military museum, and tide pools. My mom has a thing for lighthouses, and I'm beginning to think I do too. Lighthouses have a certain mysterious old-fashion charm about them.

↓ Point Loma Lighthouse ↑

This light house was only in use for about 30 years. There's another Lighthouse down by the beach that was in use for 70 years after Point Loma was no longer used. 

I loved the freedom to just explore the ocean and the tide pools!

I'm pretty proud of the little crab that I captured (top photo). 

After Cabrillo, we headed back to Sea World to ride the rides and see the night time Christmas shows. 

I was amazed how Sea Lions barking "jingle bells" and singing "joy to the world" while killer whales did flips put me in the Christmas spirit. 

We were pretty exhausted after SeaWorld, and after some quick errands, and another soak in the hot tub we were done for the day! 

San Diego (part 1)

Last week I had the opportunity to go with my family to San Diego, CA. We had a blast! I am so grateful they let me tag along, even though I'm married and don't live with them anymore. I enjoyed catching up with my mom, dad, and sister Missy. We were gone from December 17th-23rd, and we were in San Diego for the 18th-21st.  On the way down we stayed the night at my "Gramma" Carol's house in St. George. She's always such a wonderful hostess and she went all out with a red and green themed early Christmas dinner. The next day we drove from St. George to California, the drive felt like FOREVER! We stopped briefly at some outlet malls in Vegas and California to stretch our legs. We were so relieved when we finally found our way on Shelter Island Dr and pulled into Humphrey's Half Moon Inn & Suites.

The pool and hot tub...

We were pleasantly surprised to see a boat parade as we arrived. 

The next morning I took some better pictures of where we were staying (bottom left is the room we stayed in).

This is the view from the back deck ↑

 My dad and I watched in awe as this huge boat pulled into the harbor. 

The first thing we did Monday morning was go to Sea World! (the happiest place on earth, in my opinion)

Arctic exhibit: up close and personal with a Walrus.

Arctic exhibit: Beluga Whales (these were my sister's favorites and she took the pics)

Penguin Encounter: fishy smelling heaven

I'm definitely building one of those icy penguin displays when we get a house..

Next year's Christmas tree all planned out!

When I grow up I'm taking his job...

I was pretty much in heaven at this point. What more could a penguin lover ask for?

This was the first show we went to. Hammy the pig was a crowd favorite.

Shamu Show: amazing as always

Shark and turtle exhibit, the shark tunnel is so awesome and creepy at the same time!

Sea lion show

Dolphin show: please notice (bottom left) she is water-skiing on dolphins!

I wanted to take this seal home he's so cute!

We left shortly after the Seal exhibit due to cold and wet weather (we went back the next day, no worries).

After we warmed up we headed over to Seaport Village for some Christmas Shopping! 

Day 1 ended with a nice soak in the hot tub... 

Home for the holidays

Growing up is a funny thing. All the things I took for granted as a child seem to be harder to grasp as years pass. This was our first married Christmas, which seems funny since we got  married so close to Christmas, and this is our third Christmas as a couple. Marty and I had a blast decorating our apartment, attending and hosting parties, buying and wrapping gifts, etc... However, Christmas didn't feel the way we remembered it. We spent Christmas Eve night at my parents house and we were joined for dinner by my Grandpa Max and Grandma Mary. Even though I have seen them on many a Christmas eve, they felt out of place because we usually have a big family party at their house on Christmas Eve. We had the tradition of going to their house, eating a huge feast, playing with cousins, and then ending the night by acting out the Nativity scene. There was an added feeling of emptiness at the table because my brother Bryce wasn't there (he's on a mission in Washington state, he's been out 7 months).

Despite the obvious differences this Christmas, there were still some traditions that were in tact. After dinner we gathered around as my Grandpa read the Christmas story from the bible. When Grandpa Max and Grandma Mary left for the night , we all piled into the living room and watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the old cartoon version of course. Next, we opened our traditional Christmas Eve gift, Pajamas! Then we all got changed, and headed out to look at Christmas lights.

I matched with my mom this year :]

Christmas day we woke up to cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole. When we finished eating we exchanged gifts, everyone was so thoughtful as usual. Next we headed over to church for a special Christmas program. We had a very musical sacrament meeting, with brief talks in between songs. I was so happy to see my ward family, I just love the Granite 6th ward! 

After church, we counted down the minuets till Elder Bryce Boswell would call home.  I thought my mom was going to burst, she was so excited! We got to talk to him for a good long time and he's doing great and still loving the work. He's still same old Bryce.. for those who know him, don't worry, he was still cracking jokes and sounding like himself. 

Lastly, we ate a delicious Christmas feast with all the trimmings. Then we said our good byes and headed back to South Ogden.. Only to do it all over again with Marty's side of the family the next day :) I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! 

Ps. Stay tuned for posts on our trip to San Diego! 

Nanny no more

Today is my last day as a nanny. I've been both looking forward to this day and dreading it. I've been a nanny for baby Isaac since July. He was nearly 3 months old when I started and now he's 8 months old. I have watched the little bug change a ton! He used to not even be able to lift his head and now he's not only crawling but he's starting to pull himself up on furniture and stand! I've enjoyed watching him grow (he's almost doubled in weight since I started) and become more mobile. I've gained a new appreciation for the human body and how resilient it really is. I feel like I have learned and grown as much or more than Isaac. I have learned how to do everything for a baby, from changing diapers to rocking him to sleep. I know I didn't have to experience the sleep deprivation that new moms go through, but I feel a lot more prepared than I ever have in my life for the day that Marty and I add to our family. I am grateful I had this experience. Not everyday was picture perfect, but I learned more on the screaming, hair pulling, pee fountain days, than on the happy sweet tender days. I learned that patience and deep breathing can go a long way. I learned that most problems can be solved with food. And I learned that sometimes pulling little ones closer when they push you away is exactly what they really need. I have also had a tiny taste of the joy that a new life can bring. Seeing the world through a brand new pair of eyes is good for the soul. Baby giggles can cure anything. And spending all day with a baby has made me more sure than ever that we have a divine Heavenly Father who smiles and watches us the same way we watch an infant. This experience has not been an easy one, but I know we would all become better people if we slowed down and spent some time with a baby every once in a while.

And now for the parade of cuteness...

I'll miss you sweet baby...

Now it's back to school until I graduate! 

But first, I'm leaving for a week to San Diego with my family tomorrow, (without Marty, so take care of him and make sure he's eating if you see him). Then Christmas! & then our anniversary! I'm ready for the next chapter of my life to begin.