Meeting up with the Family

We met up with the family at Huntington Beach in LA at about 7am Monday morning before getting on the ship. We were glad to see everyone made the drive safely! It was a cold day at the beach (not to mention it was 7am) but that didn't stop everyone from getting in the water. After everyone put their toes in shirts came off and the boys (and Missy) went running into the ocean. They came out shivering and purple after swimming for a good 30 min or so. :) I waded in to about my chest for about 3 min, and was out of there! :)

Nick & Tucker walking down the beach

Nick Walking down the beach what he didnt know was.....

Nathan was standing behind him....and had a plan.....Nick and Nathan PlayingKira & Bobby looking for Shells

Alex building a sand castle
Chris

Nick wondering how he got stuck with shoe duty....Dad Running from the water, TRYING to stay dry.

Alex Ready to get in the water to play!
Nick writing my name in the sand, it got washed away REAL fast. :)

Visiting Cory & Daana

While in California we met up with one of Nick's childhood best friends, and his girlfriend. Cory & Daana. Cory grew up with Nick in Mapleton, but moved out to California about a year ago. So it was a lot of fun to see them again.

The first night we met up with them we met them for dinner. We ate at the pier. It was a lot of fun. It was a little restaurant at the very end of the pier called Rubys. It was a 50's style restaurant that had the most delicious ice cream shakes! :) That Night Daana surprised me, and gave me a shirt she had found for me. :)

Cute Eh?
The second day we met up with them we headed to Newport beach and the tide pools. While we were there we saw a few crabs, some fish, LOTS of cool shells, and even a sea lion.

Cory & Daana

Nick on the BeachNick & KatieA Sail Boat on the Horizon

The water looks like its pretty close, and if he fell, it wouldnt be that big of a deal, but its a few hundred feet down. LOL.Cory & Daana

When the sun started going down, we decided to hurry and head back, before the tide got too high. Nick & Cory on the walk back

It was great to see you guys! Were hoping for good reason to come back soon! (Maybe a mailed announcement of some exciting news, and picture!) **wink**

Sea World

The day after we got to San Diego we headed over to Sea World. Nick had never been before, and I absolutely LOVE it! :) Sadly, when we got there we found out that the dolphin show had been canceled until 2010 due to them building a new habitat for them. We were also there for all the special Halloween shows. So it was a new experience for both of us. :)

We got there right before the 1st Shamu Show started, so that was the first show we hit. It was GREAT as always. Its been a dream of mine since I was very little to be a trainer at sea world, but not all that realistic. :)

Nick waiting anxiously!!

Notice the guy in the air (at the top of the trees in the background). Who wouldn't want this guys job?! Seriously!! SO FUN!
Starting off the day at the shamu show was a great start to the day, but sure did set the stakes high for the rest of the shows. :)

We stopped at the starfish, sea turtle, and flamingo exibits before heading over to the next show.

Nick and I holding starfish

Then we headed over to the Sea Lion and Sea Otter show. They had the seasonal show of "Clyde's Halloween".

Clyde and Friends doing the dance to Thriller.The Walrus blowing us a big FAT kiss!

Every time I have been to Sea World I have taken a picture by the cow in boxers. Cant Break the tradition now!(Side Note:Looking a little wider than normal. 5 1/2 Months pregnant at this point.)

We then headed over to see the sea lions, Shark encounter, penguins, polar bears, Clydesdale horses, and Beluga whales.
(Fun Fact: Beluga whales are the only whales that are able to express emotions though smiling)

Arctic Ice is
COLD!
(This picture is for you Mom-Moms Favorite
Animal)

Then we headed over to the "Pets Rule" show. (The 2nd favorite after shamu). Nick was impressed they trained Cats to do tricks. Its amazing the tricks they can teach an "old dog". Last, Sea World just wouldn't be sea world without trying to at least see the dolphins. So we headed over to the dolphin pool. Luckly, it was feeding time, and we got to see a few.
We had a lot of fun, and cant wait til we can head back with the baby. Why do kids always make things more fun? ;)

The Marina

Nick's family decided to take a family vacation this fall. A cruise to Mexico. Whoohoo! Nick and I decided to head to California a few days before so that we could go to Sea World etc.

While we were in San Diego we stayed at the Dana Mission Bay Hotel. We definitely had a room with a view. When we walked in our room this is what we could see from the window, and walk out porch. The marina was literally a few feet out our back door.

Our View

The MarinaIt was a lot of fun spending time together, walking around the marina, and swimming in the heated pool for a few hours the night we got there.

How did I get so lucky? Look how handsome he is!