10 Days of Vacation - Part 2

 Our road trip began Sunday morning. Hodge did absolutely amazing on the road. He watched movies, colored, played with his toys and was always on the lookout for trains. We saw many trains on the trip and each time Hodge would tell us to put his window down so he could get a good view and hear the train. Hodge is also a really big Cars fans. He loves the movie and Mater's tall tales. When we drove through Van Horn, Texas it reminded me of Radiator Springs in the movie Cars. I kept telling Hodge that this town looked like the town Mater lives in. The drive through far West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona was not a bad drive. I don't mind being in the car that long and I enjoyed this time with Matt and Hodge. We had lunch in Las Cruces, NM and ended up staying Sunday night in Tuscan, AZ. We got up the next morning and headed to sunny California.

This photos was taken of Hodge in the middle of nowhere in Arizona.  He was ready to get back in the suburban.

Memaw and Hodge found a mouse car in Yuma,   AZ

Monday, April 25 was our first day in San Diego, CA. We arrived around 3:30 p.m. We got to the house that we rented for the week in Pacific Beach. We got the suburban unpacked and went right down to the beach. There was a little park down from our house that overlooked the beach. The first thing we saw was a pot belly pig at the park. Only in California would you see a pig at the beach. Everyone had dogs at the park but this guy had a pig.

The pig came right up to us and wanted us to feed him. 

Our first time on the beach in PB.

Day Two in California.

The second day Hodge, Matt and my mom headed to the beach while I  got a mani an pedi  and went with my sister to her dress fitting.

The cute beach house we rented in PB. We had the downstairs and my mom and dad rented the upstairs.

The back patio and entrance to the upstairs house.

Hodge loved riding his little bike from the front patio to the back patio. The walkway  on the side of the house was his little road.

This was the back patio and behind me is a garage. This was a big deal to have a two car garage in PB. Parking in PB is crazy. Surfers parked outside our house all day everyday.

Our walk to the beach.

Tuesday evening we took a walk down to Crystal Pier.  It was chilly but the surfers were still out surfing like crazy.

Hodge fell asleep on the walk back.

After we got back he woke up and played with Play Doh on the front porch.

Day 3 - We took a train ride up to Encinitas. Hodge loved the train ride. We had lunch in Encinitas and Hodge played at a park on the beach.

Getting on the Train (Coaster) in Old Town San Diego

On the train looking at the Pacific Beach

Hodge loved riding the train

Getting off the train in Encinitas, CA.

Having lunch outside at the Champagne French Bakery Cafe in Encinitas, CA.

Great food and wonderful desserts! Yummy!

At the park in Solana Beach

Then we decided not to wait on the train and take the bus back to PB, what were we thinking?

Hodge loved the bus, he thought it was a school bus. The adults did not like it. Hodge appreciates public transportation.

Day 4 in Sunny California

We spent time on the beach on day four.

Hodge making a sand angel.

Day 5 - First thing Friday morning we went to Fanuel Park and let Hodge play a little before we started our day. We went back home and got dressed for the day. Hodge, Matt and I headed up to La Jolla, which was only 15 minutes from our house. We went to the Birch Aquarium, had a wonderful lunch on the beach, then we went to Torrey Pines Golf course to get some caps and shirts.

At Fanuel Park with Aunt Stacy.

Hodge and I at the Birch Aquarium

Hodge taking in the beautiful aquarium

Outside the aquarium

Hodge liked the old submarine

Having lunch at The Shores Restaurant at the La Jolla Shores Hotel. Great food and a wonderful view!

Hodge and Matt checking out Torrey Pines Golf Course

Torrey Pines

That afternoon we met up with Memaw and Pawpaw at  Kate O. Sessions Park. This park is a few minutes from my sister's house. The park has an amazing view of San Diego.

Friday evening we enjoyed watching the sunset.

Matt and Hodge watching the surfers after sunset.

In front of our house was a big "Bird of Paradise" plant. Hodge was squawking at the flowers. I told him the flowers looked like birds and I squawked like a bird so he did this every time we passed by it after that. 

Day 6 - The day of Stacy and Dan's beach wedding.

Hodge and I went to the beach that morning before we had to get ready.

Hodge loved playing in the sand!

10 Days of Vacation - Part 1

On Good Friday we began our 10 day vacation. We started off in Midland to spend Easter Weekend with Matt's family. My parents came to Midland Saturday morning to watch Hodge hunt Easter eggs and because Sunday morning we were all making the trip out to San Diego for my sister's wedding. We decided to make it a road trip! My sister, Stacy, lives in San Diego in the Pacific Beach area and we rented a house not far from where she lives. Stacy and Dan got married on Saturday, April 30 on the beach in La Jolla. So here is the rundown from the past 10 days.

We started off Friday morning with me finally packing and Matt taking the dogs to their dog trainer who also boards dogs. I call it Pete and Daisy's boarding school. On a side note we now have a second dog. We have adopted Daisy. She is Pete's mother and had been Matt's mom and dad's dog. Daisy spent sometime with us while Debbie and Herb were out of town. After keeping her for a few days we decided to keep her. Debbie and Herb thought it was a great idea. Pete also needed a playmate. Sometimes I wonder if the dogs know that they are mother and son? Daisy is very protective of Hodge and a great addition to our family.

Hodge loving on Pete before he left.

Pete and Daisy on their way to Christoval for boarding school.

We arrived in Midland Friday evening. Hodge loves going to his Yaya and Teadaddy's house. Saturday we went to Maggie and Kaylee's soccer games. That evening we had an Easter egg hunt at Mikel and Aaron's house. My parents came over to watch the kids hunt eggs and they had dinner with us. Matt's mom took all of us out to dinner Saturday night for Easter because we would be starting our road trip to San Diego the next morning. The kids had the best time at dinner. They played tag and after dinner hit a few golf balls. The kids also went on a golf cart ride with Aaron down to the ponds to look for ducks. Hodge kept asking his uncle Aaron where the crocodiles were. Aaron told him that there are no crocodiles on the golf course. I think Hodge was disappointed. We had a great Easter weekend with everyone in Midland. Sunday morning we had breakfast with my parent at their hotel and got on the road to San Deigo.

Me, Hodge, Summer and Mikel at the soccer games

Maggie

Kaylee

Hodge and Summer had their own pick up soccer game.

Getting ready for the Easter egg hunt.

Aunt Mikel gave Hodge his favorite book from story time at school, "Down by the Station." He was excited to get this book, he loves it!

 The Easter egg hunt begins! 

Hodge and the girls on the go.

Kaylee, Hodge, Summer and Maggie

Yaya and Hodge

Hodge and the girls playing tag during dinner!

Hodge chasing Kaylee

Hodge tagging Maggie

Summer tagging Hodge

Hodge chasing the girls again. They had so much fun and I had fun watching them!

Hitting a few golf balls after dinner

Summer even got in on the golf action.

Easter Egg Hunt at School

Hodge had an Easter egg hunt at his school on Thursday, April 21. He enjoyed the hunt but did not want to take photos with the Easter Bunny. I don't think he will ever like taking photos with the Easter Bunny, Santa or any other character in a costume.

Matt and Hodge heading out to the playground.

Hodge checking out the eggs in the playground

Hodge and his friend from his class.

Hodge's teacher had a little basket full of goodies for  the kids. Hodge was very excited about his gift from Mrs. Pat.

Cousin Clayton Turns Two!

The morning of April 9th we headed to Weatherford, TX to celebrate our nephew's birthday. Hodge had so much fun playing with all of his cousins at the party. This was the first time I had been to Mark and Mandy's new house. They have a wonderful home that is just perfect for them. The party was an all day event full of fun for the kids. We left the party that evening and headed to the lake to spend the night. We ended up staying at the lake until Monday morning. We had a great weekend and we are so happy that we could be there to celebrate Clayton's 2nd birthday. 

Here is a great photos collage that Mandy's mom sent to me after the party. 

Happy Birthday Pawpaw!

We headed down to my parent's house last Wednesday night. Matt and I went to San Antonio on Thursday, he had a few appointments with customers so he dropped me off at La Cantera so I could do some shopping. Hodge stayed home with my parent's while we spent the day in San Antonio. Hodge always enjoys going to the daycare with my mom. He loves playing with all the kids. I was on a mission  to find a new dress for my sister's wedding. I decided I did not like the dress I had originally bought. I am her only bridesmaid so it is up to me to find the perfect dress. The new dress is definitely a better style for the beach wedding. On Friday we celebrated my dad's birthday. Hodge helped my mom make the cake. He had fun icing the cake and putting the candles on it. I also got to visit with my grandmother several times during our stay. Saturday we headed home but before we left we went out to visit Granny one more time.

Birthday Party and Visit with Family

On Friday, March 25 we went to Midland to spend the night with Matt's mom and dad. Kaylee, our niece, was turning 5 years old that weekend. We wanted to be there for Kaylee's big day. She is such a fun and spunky little girl! Hodge had the best time playing with all the family on Friday. Saturday we had lunch with Meme at her retirement center. Hodge behaved well considering the lunch was a long process. I really enjoyed having lunch with Meme, her place is fabulous! We sat at a table in the middle of the dinning room so Hodge was the center of attention for all the residents. They had a pianist playing jazzy tunes during lunch. We really enjoyed the music! When the guy started to play I said that I wished I could play the piano. Hodge said, "Me too!" I hope he will take piano lessons when he is older. Hodge had the best time visiting with Meme. After lunch we headed to Kaylee's birthday party. Her party was at Flippenbounce Gymnastics. Hodge had a blast, he flipped and bounced the whole time! After the party we headed home, Hodge crashed in his car seat as soon as we took off. We had a great visit with all the family back in Midland and I am so happy Hodge could attend Kaylee's fun party!

Matt, Hodge and Meme at lunch

Hodge was patiently waiting for his food.

Meme gave Hodge a ride to her room.

Kaylee, the birthday girl!

Flipping and Bouncing

Hodge swinging on the rope!

My youngest niece, Summer, got in on the action!

Kaylee and her pink zebra cake!

Alissa and Maggie wishing their sister a happy birthday!

Kaylee, Me and Hodge