San Diego--Part Three

On Sunday, May 1, we checked out of the Gaslamp Plaza Suites and headed to the Westin (we switched hotels because as much as we loved the Plaza Suites, it didn't have a pool, and since I was going to be at the conference for the next three days, we wanted my mom and Kate to have a pool to keep her entertained). The Westin was very nice too; definitely a lot more modern than the Plaza Suites, but still very nice. Our room had a gorgeous view of the bay.

We then took the 11:00 ferry to Coronado Island. The ferry was about four blocks away, and the guy at the front desk told us he didn't think we would make it in time (it was about 10:50). Ha! He doesn't know how fast we can walk! Well, and it helped that there was a huge line. But we did indeed make the ferry, and as soon as we got on the island, we got sucked into some gift shops (this is not exactly a surprise, if you know my mom). We got some cute stuff (I actually had to buy a shirt and shorts because I was way too hot in the clothes I had brought. It had been so cold in Wisconsin that even though I thought I was bringing warm-weather clothes, they apparently weren't "warm-weather" enough!

We wanted to see the Hotel Del Coronado, but that was a couple miles away, so we rented a surrey bike. We had a blast. It was so fun biking across the island and seeing all the beautiful houses (if I ever win the lottery, I'm buying a winter home on Coronado Island). The hotel was really cool, too; very 1920s-esque. We ate at a delicious Italian restaurant across the street, and then went to the beach behind the hotel. I thought I would just take Kate in to get her feet wet, but she dropped down and began crawling in the ocean, even though she didn't have her swimming suit on! Oh, well; she loved it, and it was very warm, so she was dry within 10 minutes of getting out of the water.

We then biked back to the ferry landing, returned our surrey bike, and then looked in some of the shops while waiting for the ferry. We bought three cupcakes from the Coronado Cupcakery, and we were kicking ourselves that we didn't try them until we got back to the hotel, because they were amazing. Hands down the best cupcakes we've ever had. A little pricey, yes ($3.25 or so a cupcake), but they were so worth it! We got one that was chocolate with cream cheese frosting, and another one that was white with a raspberry cream cheese filling and a buttercream frosting. Can't remember the third one, but man... those things were good! Good thing we biked around the island before eating them.


Kate and Nana planning out our day before we check out of the Gaslamp


Kate in the very cool elevator


Gorgeous lobby, isn't it?


Kate, Nana & the surrey bike


Too adorable!! Her helmet had kittens on it, since she loves kitties


Outside the Hotel Del Coronado. Kate was too enthralled by Nana's jewelry to take a good picture, apparently!


At the amazing Italian restaurant










Loving the water, even though she is swimsuit-less


I'm so glad I bought these shorts and shirt; I would have been dying in my jeans and black shirt I originally wore!


Such a good walker!


I want to stay in this hotel sometime... too bad it's quite pricey!


At one of the shops below the hotel that bears Kate's name














The view from the ferry landing

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was great. I'm so glad I got to spend it with my mom! My mom, dad, Kate & I went to MacCools, which is in the old Ben Lomond hotel (gorgeous, by the way) for brunch. Then my mom, Kate & I went to church, and Kate loved hearing my mom play the piano. Only problem was, she kept wanting to go up and sit by Nana. When I wouldn't let her do that, she decided that she would then try to climb the steps (her new favorite thing) up to the altar. She wasn't very happy that I didn't let her do that, either.

After church, we took a nap (ah, the best gift ever) and then the three of us went to Applebee's for drinks and dessert. My favorite dessert there is the Maple Butter Blonde Brownie sundae, and I wanted my mom to try it. Nancy met us there, and then the four of us hung out at home the rest of the night. My mom and Nancy were having so much fun with Kate, and she sure knows how to get on their good side with her adorable little smiles and laughs! We were all laughing hysterically because Kate would play peek-a-boo by hiding behind the chair, and we would all look for her in mock concern, saying, "Oh, no, where's Kate?" and she would just be standing behind the chair, laughing the biggest belly laugh that a 14-month-old could muster. It was so funny!

I can't believe it's already my second Mother's Day as a mom. I feel so blessed that this beautiful little soul is my daughter. I know it sounds cliche, but I loved her more than life itself the moment I laid eyes on her, and every day, I just love her more and more. I love watching her develop a personality, and she is turning into such a loving, caring girl. My new favorite thing is when she runs up to me (or my mom, or dad, or Dan) and says, "Hi!" in this impossibly adorable voice. Usually it's accompanied by her putting her arms up in a request to be held. Once I pick her up, she wraps her arms tightly around my neck, nuzzles her head into my shoulder, and sighs with contentment.

I love how she's always shown a preference for music, even when she was just months old. It makes me smile to see her do an energetic dance whenever she hears music, and she can actually keep the beat quite well! I love that she is fascinated by plants and animals, making sure to point them out to me wherever we go ("Plah?" is one of her new words that she says whenever she sees a tree, plant or flower, as if she's asking me to verify that that is indeed what it is.) I love that she practically bounces out of my arms or her stroller or carseat whenever she sees something she's excited about (a carousel, a slide at the park, or the pool). She shows such enthusiasm for things! And of course, I love how she snuggles up next to me at night with a peaceful smile on her face, like she knows that all is well in the world because she's nestled cozily between her two parents who love her so very much. How on earth did I ever get so lucky? I'm so glad I'm your mama, Kate Elizabeth!


Three generations on Mother's Day

San Diego--Part Two

On Saturday, we headed to the iconic San Diego Zoo. We had a great time; I don't know if I'd go again, at least until Kate was older (mainly because of the price; $35/person WITH a coupon; holy cow!) but it was definitely fun to see since it's one of the top attractions in San Diego. Kate had a blast seeing all the animals; some of our favorites were the polar bears, the grizzly bears (those things scare me and fascinate me at the same time), the elephants, the giraffes, and of course, the pandas.

We ate lunch at this delicious grill (seriously, for park food, it was amazing) that overlooked the elephant area, and while we were there, we ran into some people my mom knows from church! Small world.

We had to laugh that out of all the things to see at the zoo, Kate's favorite thing was going down the slide in the play area. Yes, we paid $35/person (well, Kate was free) to go to this famous zoo, and the thing she enjoyed most is free in almost any neighborhood in the country. It was her first time going down a slide, so I went with her the first couple of times, but then I sent her down herself and my mom caught her. Kate was so thrilled; she just kept laughing and laughing. Not little laughs, either, but great big belly laughs. Silly girl. We had to send her down 10 times or so, and she kept wanting to go more! (S0, naturally, she got kind of upset when we had to leave!)

That night we went to a Mexican restaurant, Fred's, which was down the street from our hotel. It was all right, but probably our least-enjoyed food out of the whole trip. Luckily, everything else was fantastic.










Bamboo--it's an inside joke between Dan & me


Happy about the panda Nana bought her






After lunch

San Diego--Part One

Kate & I headed to San Diego on Friday, April 29th (the day of the Royal Wedding!) and met my mom there. We had an early flight (5:40 am), but it was nice that then we got to San Diego by 10:45. We stayed at the Gaslamp Plaza Suites in the Gaslamp district, and it was so nice! Our room was almost like a suite; it had a separate living area and a little "kitchen" with a refrigerator, sink and cabinets. The elevators had all the original marble, etc. from the 1930s or thereabouts, and the street was lined with some fantastic sounding restaurants! We went to the Spaghetti Factory for lunch, since it was only about seven blocks away, and we love their food and seeing the architecture of the different locations.

We then walked around the city a bit more and got some souvenirs and postcards, and then for dinner we went to the Melting Pot, which was right in our hotel.


Our room: The Shakespeare Suite













At the Spaghetti Factory




Kate got a balloon at the Melting Pot, and she was so excited. When we got back to the hotel, she just kept marching around with it and laughing. Then, the next night when we walked to dinner, she kept pointing out balloons everywhere we went!

Kate Bouncing

When we were at Meghan's for Easter, Kate loved the jump-a-roo thing that Adelaide has. Every time we go over there, she wants to get in there, and this time was no exception! (Ignore my voice; I hate how it sounds on video!)

Easter Dinner

For Easter dinner, Meghan and Drew invited us over along with some of their other friends who have kids, and it was a lot of fun. Kate was the oldest at 14 months, Sabina was 9 months, and Adelaide and Griffin were 6 months. They were all so cute, but it was funny because Kate normally seems so tiny to me, but she looked giant compared to the other kids, haha. They're sitting nicely on their play mats, and Kate is toddling around to get into who knows what!

Meghan & Drew made a ham and some chicken, along with scalloped potatoes and asparagus. Everyone was asked to bring a dish; we brought some tangy fruit salsa with cinnamon tortilla chips (both of which I made from scratch, and it was quite good, if I do say so myself), some white wine, and a lemon poppyseed Easter cake. The food was excellent; we really enjoyed it. And it was fun to chat with some other young parents, too. Everyone was enthralled by Kate; they said she was so cute and well-behaved.


Kate playing with Griffin (on the left) and Adelaide. Addy looks like she wants to give Kate a massage!


Sharing so nicely!


Kate wanted to get in on the action, but she accidentally almost sat on Griffin in the process!








What? I'm not going towards the stairs...


Ok, yes I am.


My cake that I made. Clearly, cake decorating is not going to be my second career any time soon! At least it tasted good...

Easter Brunch

We went to the Hines' on Easter afternoon for an egg hunt, which was fun; Kate got some cute Fisher Price Little People and some socks in her eggs. She had fun finding them; I think she is starting to get the hang of it now. Afterward, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Great Dane, which was delicious, as always!


Looking concerned for some reason...






She got a carrot "necklace" full of bubbles, which she loved, because she likes to put anything and everything around her neck! Wii remotes, cell phone chargers; it doesn't matter. So at least this is meant to be worn as a necklace!






What a good walker!


I love this little face!


Two of my favorite girls ever


The twins at the Great Dane


Silly face!


Mad because her nap wasn't long enough