Hidden Villa

Today we headed to Hidden Villa for a field trip. We usually go later in the spring, but Teacher Angie wanted to head up there now since all the animals just had babies...great chance to see them up close and meet them. I am sure glad we did, they were so cute!

It was a gorgeous spring morning, and not chilly at all. We had sweatshirts on, and didn't need a jacket. The boys were in heaven as we got to see so many animals. Our tour guide was the best yet, she was so sweet with the kids, and G was by her side the whole time. Oh, and Grandma Phyllis was in our group, so Gavin could not have been more happy! (Grandma Phyllis is Teacher Angie's mother in law. She comes to class sometimes to sing and play music...more on that later!)

We got to see so many animals and pet them...pig with her babies, cow with her calf, chickens, lambs, and a few others. The babies were sooo cute.

We ended the day in the garden where we got to taste a lot of things including Gavin's favorite, the steel cut oats.

After "class" we headed over to the grass area to sing with Grandma Phyllis. A little history. Gavin is in love with her. He has been telling her for a while now that he wanted to play his drums while she sang at class. This was the day! Teacher Angie told us it was a perfect day for it. Gavin helped Grandma Phyllis set up everything, and he played his drums while she sang. SO CUTE. Of course all of his classmates wanted a turn, and he let each one play. He even helped some who did not know what to do. I was so proud that he did so well sharing.

"Best Vacation"

When we got home, Gavin had to put up all the park maps and pictures we took while on vacation. We took one of those cheesy photo booth pictures at Seaworld, and Gavin made sure that we did it each time we went after that! Gavin put them all up on the frig...and he looks at them about 300 times a day. 

Mission Beach condo

We think we really lucked out with the great condo we rented for the week. We decided that a condo would be better for us, because we need the space! For the same price as a resort hotel room, we got a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom condo RIGHT on the beach. The biggest bonus was that the master bathroom was huge, so of course we converted that to Austin's room. Perfect! We had a great view of the bay, and there was a trail right outside our door so we could go for walks. We brought Gavin's bike, so it was perfect. Another big bonus was our neighbors. It was a couple with a little boy that is exactly Gavin's age by a week. Gavin and Abe played almost every day! Gavin still says he misses his "San Diego buddy" :)

We made it ALIVE!

On the way home we had a little more anxiety about how it would go...or maybe we were dreading it...so we eventually decided that we would go the long way home. I know, does not seem that smart, but the "long" way is about an hour and a half more time, BUT its along the coast, allowing us more choices to stop....the beach! (The other way is so incredibly boring) We thought we could stop in Santa Barbara to play at the beach, and then again in Pismo Beach where Aunt Winnie lives. She met us down at the beach, and we had a nice time with her. She brought the boys treats and suckers...so they had all they needed, candy and sand! 

The drive home was totally fine too! The boys took naps, and the DVD player saved our lives. BEST DECISION WE EVER MADE. Poor Austin is such a typical second child...LOVES to watch TV ;) We made it home with time to spare, unpacked the car in record time, got the kids bathed and in bed, and ordered ourselves a big pizza with some beer...MUCH needed after the long day!

We are also so thankful for our mini-van. I love it, and love having it all the time...but for trips especially. It was so nice and comfortable...made the trip so much better. We are looking forward to lots of trips to SoCal in the future.

Back for more

Back for more Sea world! The boys love this place. Since our condo was so close, we could come in the afternoon after naps...so nice. We of course did not deal with many crowds, and we got to do a lot of stuff. Dolphin show, Sea lion show, feed the sea lions, see Elmo, and play in the Sesame Street area. This place is great for kids and adults. I loved seeing all the animals too...maybe more than the kids;) 

Austin walks the beach

Our condo had a great walking/biking trail right outside...so Austin and I walked the trail a lot...he did LOTS of walking! When we found a puddle from the "storm" he would stop and play in it. (A SD storm was a light rain with some wind) 

Wild Safari Park

Today Gavin and Derek headed over to the Wild Safari Park. It is about 45 minutes from us, so Austin and I stayed home because this looked like a big kid place. (lots of walking) Gavin's favorite part was petting the goats, of course. He spent a lot of time here. He also loved the gondola...did not surpirse us! Gavin just loves being high up. They saw a lot of really neat animals, and Gavin says his favorite was the Paca. He will tell you all about them, where they live, what they eat, and how many he saw. 

Boys meet Elmo

Gavin was SO SO SO excited to meet Elmo! We got to meet Elmo at Sea-world and Gavin talked to him for 10 minutes. Funny thing, Elmo does not talk. That means Gavin did all the talking...shocking! 

Gavin sat in his lap, hugged him, and told him everything. Austin? He was scared to death. He was holding on to my arms so tight....like he knew I was going to try to make him sit with Elmo...and I did;) I put him down, and he almost did a back flip. Freaked out screaming! So sorry baby, but it was a little funny...you were happy again in my arms, and watched very cautiously! 

Each time we went to Sea-world after this, we had to "meet Elmo" and Gavin had to wear his red shirt so he could look like Elmo. We ended up seeing Elmo a total of 5 times, and by the end of the week the people there knew Gavin's name;)

San Diego buddy

Gavin met a friend in SD....Abe! He lives in the condo right across the hall from us...and the boys acted like they have known each other forever! They just started talking like they knew one another. Every time we took the elevator to our floor, Gavin asked to knock on Abe's door...we had them for dinner and the boys ran the beach together. They were a very nice family, and we are so glad we met them.

San Diego Zoo

Today we headed to the San Diego Zoo. It was overcast and cool, so we thought it would be good to explore the zoo. It was not crowded at all, so we got to see a lot. There are so many animals here...we probably only saw less than half of them! It is a beautiful zoo...lots of beautiful plants and trees. I think Gavin's favorite thing was the gondola again. He loves these things! We all managed to fit inside one, and the stroller got its own right behind us;) 

A baby panda bear was just born, and we got to see her too. She was so cute, just rolling around and napping...so so cute. I really can't even begin to name all the animals we saw...but Gavin will say that his favorite animal was the huge turtle! We did not get any pictures, but we were looking at him 

We already can't wait to go back one day!

These Lips

Austin had his 12 month photo shoot in San Diego! This afternoon I decided that I could not resist taking some pictures of this boy...hes just so darn cute...and those lips! Ugh, I just love his plump lips...they are so red all the time...and