Happy Belated Birthday!

I hit the big 4-0 in October and my sister hit the not as big 3-8 two days later.  We wanted to celebrate together, but didn't work out to do so then.  So, as my birthday gift, she gave me a Southwest voucher to use to visit her to celebrate later.  Doug, my sister-in-law, mother-in-law all were a great help in making this possible by taking care of the kiddos while I was gone.  Daniel, my sister's husband, was wonderful, too, in watching their 4 children so that Beth and I could spend time just the two of us for 3 days!  Daniel and Beth have a timeshare type deal in a hotel in San Diego.  They graciously used up some of their days for Beth & I to stay there two-nights.  We had a wonderful time soaking up the beauty, the sun, running, walking, talking, laughing....I miss her so much (I miss CA, too)!

The temperature was negative 9 as Doug and the kids were driving me to the bus station in the morning. I was about to experience an 80+ degree change!  

After a late bus and delayed flight, I happily landed in Orange County.  My sister and her kids picked me up.  It was great to see them all.  We took the kids to Daniel's office and Beth and I walked along the beautiful beach and had a yummy dinner at a healthy, sustainably farmed, organic restaurant :).  

We had a great time.

I snapped some photos with my phone as we walked along the beautiful beach 

below the Montage in Laguna Beach.

 Oh, how I love the ocean and the beach and the sun!

Sweet Daniel took the kids to school and Isaac to the office with him the next day.  

Beth and I headed to San Diego for the next 3 days.

 We ran every morning, basked in the sun and had more yummy, healthy food.

 Brothers is a 100% grass-fed, organic burger place.  We shared this yummy burger and salad.  Delish!

 Sweet Doug wanted to do something special for us for Valentine's Day and Beth's bday (although, he had already done a lot by taking care of the kids and finding help to take care of them while he was at work), so he called me and told me he made a reservation at JRDN for us and he wanted us to have a nice dinner.  

 It was on the San Diego Bay and was wonderful -- also sustainably farmed, organic, healthy food!
My husband knows me (and my sister for that matter) :)

 We had the BEST sashimi we've ever had!  It was amazing.

 There was a neat ceramic wall in the restaurant that would change colors 

as the light directed on it changed.

 After a morning run, we listened to Beth's pastor streamed live Sunday morning
in the hotel room (great sermon!), then went over the bridge to Coronado.
This was the view of San Diego thru the car window as we were driving over.

It's been a long time since either of us had been there and we didn't remember much of it.  

We loved it.  It's a cute little town.  

Although, these pictures don't really do it justice from my phone and from the car!

 Again, taken from the car as driving by, but the little downtown was cute. 

 Coronado Beach

The sand was so soft and nice

The famous Coronado Hotel

 Beth took this of me as I was taking the picture of the hotel

Ahhhh, I could've stayed there forever.

The view coming back over the bridge.  So pretty!  I was taking it all in.  I actually didn't take as much pictures as I'd hoped, because I was so busy just taking it in.

 On Monday, Beth's kids had piano lessons in San Juan Capistrano, so we went for a walk along a great trail nearby.  Beautiful.  Reminds me of Livermore.

 Lots of horses around there

My precious niece and nephews.  Love them!  Miss them all so much!

Thank you, Daniel, Doug, Mom & Leann!!  

We had such a good time!