When we learned, in March, that Gabrielle's soccer team was playing in a tournament in the San Diego area, we knew that was where we would spend our summer vacation! We rented a condo half a block from the beach in Carlsbad and Elle, Cade, Nev andI left early Thursday, July 31st for ten days of fun in the sun. Chad and Willem joined us early Monday after a weekend tournament in Bend. When people ask me my favorite part of the vacation, my answer is the car rides, dinners and waiting in line with our whole family together telling stories and just talking. I am realizing with Cade entering high school this year and Elle entering next year that our family vacations will not last forever, and it is just so nice being together. I also loved finally all going on the Atlantis ride at SeaWorld twice in a row all together at the end of the day without lines and all getting soaked and laughing and laughing. It had been closed earlier in the day and we lucked out that it opened right before closing. We had four great days at the beach but really they were afternoons as we were slow to get going most days with all of us sleeping in and then Chad and I going for a run/walk before we all headed to the beach. We also had an afternoon at the San Diego Safari Park, a day at SeaWorld, a day at Knott's Berry Farm, a couple days of soccer, evenings exploring Carlsbad Village, an afternoon cruising the bay in San Diego, a couple hours of outlet shopping and shopping downtown San Diego, an evening at Sunset Cliffs, and visits with my friend Annette and her husband Wim, and with my cousin Johnny and his family. It was a great family vacation! To top it off, Elle's soccer team lost in the championship game of the tourney in PKs (she made hers :)) and Willem's team won the Bend tournament!
Our Condo...
First Day at the Beach...
First walk down to the beach on the first afternoon there
San Diego Safari Park...
We lucked out on the safari ride we took as we were the only ones on it, so we got lots of time to
feed the animals and the guide was able to answer all our questions and give us a private tour!
More Beach Fun...
Nev loved the ocean and was so daring. She boogy boarded and body surfed for hours!
A few soccer shots...
Elle's PK
A snapshot of Chad and me texting one another a thousand
miles from one another about our kids' soccer :)
The Beautiful Village of Carlsbad...
Sunset Cliffs...
Our girls' expressions crack me up!
Seaworld...
Atlantis Ride Fun!
Another Beach Day...
Our always-entertaining Cader!
Relaxing together, watching TV (love this!)
Our visit with Annette, Wim and Ty...
Knott's Berry Farm...
Cruising the bay in San Diego..
Visiting with Johnny, Anna and Boys...
Cade loved spending a couple nights with his cousins!
.jpg)
