Visitors! Also how to do a week in San Diego for Free

 My sister and her kids came and visited at the beginning of June, and it was such a fun week! There are A LOT of things to do in San Diego, and lots of them can cost a lot of $$ ha! When I asked Jenn what they wanted to do that week, her answer was "mainly the beach!" And based around that, we unknowingly had a week of doing all free activities...not counting the cost of food and ice cream ;)

First, we took them to one of our favorites: the San Diego Botanic Gardens, which are free for military and the first Tuesday for SD residents--luckily the lady was nice and let the non-residents in for free with me.

 We went to the base beach later that day. Dominic thinks every beach is his nudist beach ha! Also on this beach afternoon we saw a pod of dolphins jumping and doing tricks and it was AMAZING!

 The next day we spent a glorious beach day up in Laguna. It was so beautiful and so perfect. We also got Banzai Bowls, and Katelyn and her kids joined us as well. Such a great summer day!

Another beach day, another naked beach boy!

 We spent the next day down in San Diego. We hit up the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center, and my kids actually listened! This is a great place for kids. The presentation is interesting for them, and then they have a great kids play area panning for gold and other pioneer activities. And it's all free, and right next to Old Town, which is also free. Also the missionaries will give you coupons to the restaurants in Old Town--just ask.

 We also went up to North Park so I could show Jenn Pigment aka my favorite store, and we had lunch at Lucha Libre where I reserved the Champions Ring (that is free but the food isnt ha) and the kids loved that!

 ^^A flight of ice cream from Hammonds yum^^

The next day, Jenn's husband had flown in, and they went to hike Potato Chip Rock. Free, but I stayed behind with the kids. Maybe someday I'll do that hike! And then the next day (and their last) we devoted it completely to the beach. We had a great time. The kids played for hours and hours, the guys boogie boarded, and the girls read and took naps. And Dominic snacked the whole time. And then we had dinner on the pier. Lots of fun.

So there you go! If you're looking for other free stuff to do in San Diego, I recommend SeaPort Village, Coronado, and Balboa Park as well. 

Now I'll leave you with one more pic--Jenn's puppy and my puppy. The real puppy liked to nip Dominic a lot, which he did not like. But now they are the best of friends. So cute. 

A Summer Trip to D.C.

Before my Utah Summer began, my mom asked if I would be willing to come a week earlier to accompany my little sister Melanie to Washington D.C. Since she offered to watch my kids as well, I couldn't really say no! haha. Luckily I still have a couple friends left in D.C. to hang with, since Melanie was going to visit her boyfriend (now FIANCE!) and didn't want me hanging around with them the whole time ha.

Some familiar sites. It was nice being back a few days.

Then I got to meet my future bro in law:

The next day I spent checking out some galleries I had been wanting to see on the mall--I also met up with Mel and Ben for lunch at Goodstuff yummm. Ben was kind enough to invite me on their private Capital tour, which I declined, since I used to be the one giving those tours!

 At the Hirshorn: I think my boys would have loved this "art" haha

 This one was cool. This is a 10:1 scale of the Osama bin Laden compound. I love the real plants showing how overgrown and abandoned it is. Also I saw so many people just walk through here and not read the art information. If they knew I think they would think it's cool too.

I also spent time in the National Gallery, and then headed to the National Portrait Gallery. I really wanted to see this new piece, which was cool!

 And then enjoyed some other really cool things in that museum. This Japanese artist had such cool pieces! Made from certain objects casting a shadow to make another image. So unique!

Then I met up with Sarah after she got off work and we had a great evening hanging out at the Navy Yard. And the next morning we met up with Chris Lyon for brunch at Farmers Fishers Bakers which was AMAZING

 To pass the time, I hit up the matinee of Hamilton, and it was even better the second time--probably because I had a better seat!

 Pretty sure I have already posted this picture from my DC days years ago. I love the Kennedy Center.

 After Hamilton, I took a bike share from the Kennedy Center around the Mall and over to Pitango Gelato. The afternoon was perfect weather--after that it became unbearably hot.

 We went to church with Ben the next morning (8am! Way too early for a singles ward...or any ward) But after we had Duck Donuts, so it was worth it ;) BEST DONUTS EVER

 We also stopped by the National Conservatory which was pretty...and hot and humid!

Then Ben and Mel went off to the Archives, and I went to the new Museum of the Bible with Chris Lyon and our friend Carolyn. That museum was really interesting, and had the coolest presentation that was the best synopsis of the Old Testament that I've ever seen. Apparently the museum is heavily funded by the Hobby Lobby guy.

 Then had a lovely night with friends again at Seventh Hill Pizza. Can you tell my trip was also food-fueled??

Before we flew out the next day I did some other things, which I really don't remember because that was the hottest day yet, Oh wait I remember! I got some souvenirs for the boys at the air and space museum and then sat in the American History museum for like a half hour until I wasn't sweaty anymore before touring the museum. Don't miss that east coast humidity!!

Anyway, it was a fun little trip! Now if I go back (don't know when) I would like it to include Victor and going to Annapolis! Good memories. 

J's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to our J! He turned four yesterday, so we had a little birthday party for him in our backyard. So grateful to everyone who came!

J really wanted a bouncy house for his birthday, so based on the selection of bouncy houses (at the rental place on base which is sooo cheap compared to off base places) is how I chose the theme of the party ha! He loves Mickey and Disneyland, so we went with that. It was fun! Lots of fun Mickey ideas on pinterest ;)

^^I made a copy cat J Dawgs sauce and it was yummy.^^

 In all of these pictures he's all red faced and sweaty from jumping all night and it was HOT. And i'm pretty sure he didn't eat anything all night because he was too occupied with jumping. And presents of course. 

^^not into it!^^

J we sure love having you in our family. You are always down for anything, you love travel and adventure, you love hanging out with us, and you even pretend to be excited when we wrapped up the box fan (part of his other present)! That's why we love you so much. Happy Birthday!

Things I'm Loving Lately Summer 2018

Hey there! It's been way too long since I have blogged and I have missed it. I have lots I could share--summer stuff and what not. I figured it's also been too long since I've done this kind of post so this is my summer 2018 edition. What things are you loving lately?? Here's some of mine.

1. Bike Share

I love the concept of the bike share program and we have done it before in NYC but this summer I used it in 2 places that are PERFECT for a bike share: Washington D.C. and Park City, UT. Each has their own app you install and it makes it easier than ever to check out bikes, and the app will even plot routes for you based on bike drop off points. Getting around D.C. by bike is awesome. The national mall makes it look like everything is close, but it is not! Save your feet and bike. 

As for Park City, the city is full of a network of bike trails going through the gorgeous mountain valley. And the bike share is cheap! And even better, they are electric bikes! I had never ridden one, and they are LEGIT. We all got a thrill testing it out on the steep hill at our AirBnb. My mom didn't want to come out and try it, but we made her and her reaction was so good as it kicked in to help her get up the hill (video at the end of the post ;)

 2. One Line a Day Journal

Trying to actually journal and this is such an easy way to do it. I started it this summer--funny that now I'm like a week behind but I'll catch up! I got this one from Anthro.

 3. Pressed Juicery

Aka our family's favorite "ice cream" except it's not ice cream, it's frozen fresh pressed juice. So no guilt! They have yummy toppings to go on it like fresh raspberries, strawberries, etc.

4. Bookself Tees

I was sold on this little shop as soon as I saw the Anne of Green Gables shirt! Perfect for our girls trip last summer to Prince Edward Island. My new one this summer is my Jane Eyre one. Side note--this old copy of Jane Eyre is one of my prized possessions. It's a second edition--the first edition in the USA! Another side note--the older I get the more I LOVE Jane Eyre. 

And there's another pic in my other favorite one--My "Stay Gold Pony Boy" Name that book!

And lastly Number 5: Period Dramas
This is not really a "lately" thing: I have LOVED period dramas since like 6th grade starting with Emma Thompson's "Sense and Sensibility." These are ones I have watched and loved recently
--A United Kingdom. Such a good movie about something I knew nothing about--the creation of the African country Botswana. The love story is so cute and it's true!
--Jane Eyre. I know, lots about Jane Eyre, but this adaptation is my favorite, and I have watched a lot of them and have never loved them. This one is with Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester. It's so good. Watch it!
--Little Women on Masterpiece. Hard to beat the original Wynona Rider one, but this is good! I think you can watch it on pbs.org.

So there you go! Give me your recs! And last but not least, the electric bike video! A note about the bike: it is hard to start pedaling at first. My mom does know how to ride a bike ;) Listen for her exclaim "oh my gosh!" when it kicks in ha