San Diego Trip

*I recognize that this may be of zero interest to those not involved, but this is my thorough documentation of my trip.

After leaving our children behind with our friend Natalie, arriving at the airport, we sat and waited for 2 hours for our plane (malfunctions). I love people watching. Michael and I chatted, while watching scores of people walk through the airport. I made a comment, one which Michael said if we had a quote book, it'd go in there. "I wish that I could interview each person that walked by" and ask them questions. What makes them happy, what makes them sad, where are you from, why are you who you are? It's actually quite frustrating to me to notice interesting people and not get to have a conversation with them. I love meeting new people.

Michael and I flew in late Thursday night and stayed at a place that offered a free shuttle from the airport and had a car rental place inside, so it worked out as a great deal for us. Out of the 3 nights, we figured we'd stay at a "less nice" hotel one night, a "nicer" hotel the 2nd night, and with our friends the third night. It turns out the "less nice" hotel had free shuttle and free continental breakfast whereas our "nice" hotel had a $21 per person breakfast buffet and paid parking. Weird how that works. On Friday morning we got up, had our breakfast of bagels and muffins and went to get our car. The front desk of the hotel was not overly friendly when asked about the car rental place in the corner of the hotel lobby. We soon came to find out why. Our "reservation" for a car was one of 2 options....an older car that someone has smoked in the night before, or a newer car with transmission problems. When we decided both were unacceptable, the car rental guy at least offered to drive us to another location/company to rent a car. We got online to make a new reservation (which ended up costing double the original one) and he drove us back to the airport to rent (in a fairly ghetto car to be a rental). Back to Square One. We thought the location was at the airport, but instead found how we needed to take a shuttle to their "airport" location. Luckily, it was all quick to get the car and we were on the road 2 hours later than anticipated: 11am.

After calling my friend Debra to checkup on my kids, (I found they were having a blast and were surviving just fine without me) we drove to Coronado Island. This was the recommendation from nearly everyone we talked to that had been to San Diego. We pretty much just walked along the beach, visited the historic hotel, read up on the history, and ate lunch at a little sandwich shop recommended by a local. By 3pm we were checking in at our nice hotel. My friend Tamiel hooked me up with her sisters' Friends and Family rate and we stayed at the Harbor Marriott in downtown San Diego on the 22nd floor. It was a huge contrast to our previous nights stay and I'm just not used to such luxury and swankiness.

After getting settled, we drove north about 35 miles to Oceanside to meet up with my friend Jessica's family. We got there early, so Michael and I ate at a little place on the water near a fake lighthouse. I spotted kids t-shirts 3 for $9 and I got them for our kids. At 6pm we walked to the water and met up with Jess' family--all 16 of them. I love taking beach pictures, so it was a lot of fun. Also fun to meet my friends family and chat with them.


To see more family pictures, click here.

That night, back at our hotel, we got some yummy desserts via room service.

Saturday morning I found the exchange of my children from Debra to my brother Russell went successfully. The kids were having a blast with Russy and Kimmie--learning to eat onions. Back at the hotel, I was excited about the breakfast buffet, no matter the cost. I was going to tank up, knowing we had a long day ahead of us and unsure when we'd be able to stop for lunch. Michael decided not to eat go, but wanted to stop at a grocery store for a bagel on the way. So that meant I went alone. My frugal husband....I don't mind eating alone, I got all the yummy bacon, belgian waffles, fruit, danishes that I desired. When I had a few leftover, I asked my waiter if I was able to take them with me and he got me a box. When the box wasn't full, he said, "Go get some more, fill it up" so I did. That was Michael's breakfast.

We got to the temple at 9:30 for a 10am sealing. It is always so wondeful to participate in the sealing of a couple and remember the day I was sealed/married to Michael. I love that each time I go, I listen to the advice/instruction/sermon from someone with authority from God and apply the instruction to myself. Find ways to better myself, my marriage, my family. The spirit is so strong in the temple, I am filled with joy and light. One thing in particular that the sealer talked about that Michael and I discussed later is comparing this life's journey to climbing a mountain. He said, "What do you do when you get to the top of a mountain after a long journey?" The Groom said, "I look around" He expounded upon looking around and seeing all those buildings that once seemed so tall, are now quite small in comparison. You can see the "bigger picture" and the grandeur is beautiful. As you climb to the top of the mountain, it is like your journey to the temple. It is a journey in and of itself, but once you reach the top and look around, the significance of the world seems so much smaller. You can see things that you didn't see before. You have a better perspective because you can see further. It was so wonderful watching my friend...knowing her struggles, her joys, her pains, and see her journey with her new spouse just beginning.

As the photographer for the day, we got out quickly, found out that Tamara (one of 20 brides that morning at the temple) would exit out of the back door. After weaving our way along the small path outside the temple through the crowds of family and friends for other brides, we found the back door....and waited. Michael was my amazing assistant, carrying my big camera bag and my other camera/lense. I'd switch when needed. I chatted with another local photographer (as she, too waited for her bride) to find that its always this crazy at this temple.
I saw another photog and loved his crazy getup I had to take a pictures.

Michael called it his bullet proof vest, but I guess this is a way to get out of carrying around a bag...all his lense cases attached TO him. His bride had fun red shoes and her bridesmaids had the cutest combo in a yellow dress/red shoes, that I found myself daydreaming about them all day long, wanting to redo everything about my wedding to add the fashion element of one color dress and an accent color shoes. But what colors would I choose? Red really isn't MY color but I do love it on others.....back to reality, I'm not redoing my wedding, but THIS is the shot that I will forever love.


I wish I would have gotten that photogs info so I could have viewed his work from that day. I have even emailed a few other local photogs and searched a few websites in SD to see if I can identify him. Haven't found him yet:(

Tamara and Jack eventually came out and snap snap snap away. It was warm, there were crowds, it was bright, the grounds aren't very big, AND I'd never been there before to scope out perfect spots. All these elements seemed to work against my favor. After group shots and bridal party shots, I got the bride and groom alone for a bit, but they were anxious to go. I did convince them to go to the front of the temple for a few more shots, knowing they'd be grateful we did. I'm also happy we did.


To see more of their shots, click here.

Michael took these of me......


My trusty assistant....

They took off, and Michael and I had previously planned to go back into the temple for an Endowment Session, so we did. We didn't get to our car until 3pm and guess what??? Still no lunch. But guess who was still completely satisfied with breakfast and who was quite hungry? We drove about 30 minutes away from the coast to the mountains of Alpine...stopping off at Carl's Jr. where I had chili fries and Michael had a burger.

Around 4:30 we drove up to the home of one my oldest friends, Travis. Since I've been married, we haven't kept in all that close of contact because well, he's a boy and I'm a girl. Our parents have been friends for over 20 years, and growing up we lived in different states, but our families would vacation to each other. In high school, we moved back closer to them and along with my older brother and friend Natalie, we were a great foursome for a while. I did have a long distance crush on him from 2nd-7th grade, but throughout high school and college, he was just one of my best friends, like my brother.

Here are some of us back in the day:

My brother Ryan, me, Trav, and Natalie. The 4 of us would hang out in high school.

We went on a trip to Boston before my Junior year of college. Ryan and Alayna on right were married, Chris and Alison on left were dating, but Trav and I were just having fun:)
Although we hadn't directly talked for 5 years (I saw he and his wife in Utah when Tyler was 1, they were engaged) it was just like old times, easy as can be. It was fun getting to know his wife and seeing how happy they are. And their little one, Cora, immediately took a liking to Michael, as children usually do. After an hour of catching up, we left our stuff and had to head to the reception in the neighboring town, El Cajon.

I am so glad we got to go to El Cajon. Since rooming with Tamara in college, she is the only one I've known from SD, so when I met someone from there or who had been there, my reference was always, "I have a friend from the El Cajon area" so I'm glad I actually got to go there. Their reception wasn't your typical LDS reception on the basketball court...they covered the court with drapes and draps of white fabric and lights, and it felt like we were inside of a tent. Treats were all lemony and it was fun to chat with her friends and bridesmaids and learn of all the other people that loved her. There was even a girl that looked very familiar to me and when I told her that, she said I also looked familiar to her. After racking our brains throughout the course of the night, we realized where it was that we knew each other--Jerusalem Studay Abroad, Summer of 1999. There were 4 classes, and we mostly stuck with our own class on outings. She was in another class than I was, but we still would run into each other there. That was fun for me. Michael says I can find someone I know everywhere we go. Here is when Tam and I were roommates:

Here are a few of Tam and I that Michael took of us.




When the happy couple left at 9, we went back to Travis house. We watched Michael Phelps win his 8th gold medal, and chatted until 11pm. After taking a few picts of Trav and fam in their yard, we went to church in the morning, then took off, back to the city.


Our plan was to go to a church history spot, The Mormon Battalion visitors center. However, it was closed:( But the little old town it was in was fun and we had lunch at the Livingroom Cafe, a french deli (you can see Michael to the left of the trellis/menu).


Dropped off our car, checked into the airport, and flew home...reading my magazines all the way while Michael slept. I did find a cool thing at the Dallas airport...a smoothie machine. You pick out a flavor, and its frozen, put it in the blender and voila--a smoothie!

Michael, my most helpful packmule...at this point, I had nothing in my hands but my smoothie. I usually carried my purse (its on top--heavy camera bag in the middle).
Arriving just after midnight, crashing into bed when we got home.

Here are a few shots that Natalie gave me from their time with the kids:

Our Weekend Getaway

Michael and I flew out of town on Thursday night and gone for 3 full days, arriving just before midnight Sunday night. I am such a big advocate of the importance to "time away" for couples. Regular date nights and occasional trips are important for strengthening and sustaining a marriage. Just time to be alone and enjoy each others company without interuptions. Some see that as selfish, but I see it as necessary. Althought it is hard to leave my little ones, hard to make arrangements for them, it is worth the time well spent with my hubby. When my friend asked me to come out to take the pictures for her wedding (and my flight was paid for) we thought it was a perfect trip to take just the two of us (especially since we used a voucher for Michael). We felt like a young and carefree couple...seeing the sights, eating whatever food we wanted, having pleasant conversation, mixed in with some people watching (and enjoying conversations about each of our observations).

Neither one of us had been to San Diego before, but we'd both been to LA (without each other) and of course San Fran. I was so excited to be there for the sealing/wedding of my freshman roommate in college...and I've wanted to go to that temple since it opened in 1993. We also got to meet up with some friends of ours from Austin that were there at the same time, and stayed with a friend of mine from high school. Of course I have many pictures to come, but we also got a new computer that we are setting up tonight and then I'll transfer all of those images onto that, so you'll just have to wait. I'm still not even done blogging our California reunion and although most of you can live without seeing all that, I'll post anyway because this is my scrapbooking, doncha know?!

We had some fantastic friends and family here taking care of our 3 kids while we were away, for which I am SO grateful! I even have a few pictures to show what the kids did while we were gone.

Our little family on the beach

I love this shot of our feet that Julie took! After our big extended family pictures, I pulled my little fam of 5 off to the side and asked Julie and Karen to snap a few. I think Julie took most of these... The kids were already worn out, and as you can tell on Michael's face, he was too. But here we all are, nonetheless.

Just the two of us....






A few silhouette's courtesy of Karen and Julie (I love these)

... this was a different night, but thought it fit in well here....

A different night, I took pictures of Michael's little brothers family. The 4 of us were friends at BYU way before all the little one's came along. Jen is one of my dearest friends and closest confidants. She gives the soundest advice. She and I plotted the outfits weeks in advance (all around Steve's shirt). They looked cute, and we got some fun ones (Julie, Karen, and I). I posted a bunch on my photog blog. But here are 2 of my favorites.

Photographing the Golden Gate Bridge

I only had ONE request on this family reunion trip to Northern California: To take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. When Michael and I dated and I went to visit his family, we walked across the GGB. It was his first time ever doing that and he'd lived their his entire life. So the bridge is special to me and I wanted to get some great shots to hang in our home.

I made my plans clear ahead of time and gathered willing participants to accompany me on this photographic excursion. I knew of course that I'd have on board my two photography protege sister in laws, Karen and Julie (Michael's younger sisters).They have recently purchased DSLR's and want to learn and experience all they can with this great art of photography. It is so much fun to share and enjoy with them and feel closer to them because of it. I was shocked that not only have they not walked across the bridge, but they said they have never even DRIVEN over it! Baffled, I was.

Before the trip, I asked local photographers from my forum were to go, studied others images, and mapped out our course of the 4 different angles to take great pictures. My utter hope was for a beautiful clear day with brilliant blue skies, but I didn't get that. I really wanted the contrast of a bright blue sky against the orange bridge. The usually foggy sky put a damper on my excitement, but I decided to go with it and take what I got.

We left the kids behind and got Jen and Joanna on board to make it a girls adventure. Baker Beach was the first spot, and boy was it chilly! I had my little long sleeved t-shirt around my waist, that I put on, but Jen and Jo forgot any such item and had to bare it. I was intrigued by the boldness of this sign warning us not to swim...


This was our foggiest/darkest spot, but the one I wished was the clearest because I really liked the angle/view. We also took pictures of each other here.

Karen squatting for the shot
Karen took this of me
This is the best shot I have of Karen's face....(by Julie)

We then headed to drive across the bridge and spotted this cool angle and stopped. Still quite foggy...Grabbed a few shots and kept moving. I was driving, so I wasn't able to snap any shots as we drove across the bridge, but it was fun to drive over such an iconic spot...I was excited:) We drove up on the overlook on the other side of the bridge and saw a lighthouse. This is on the ocean side of the bridge. and lots of other tourists grabbing shots. They took this shot of all of us with Joanna's camera.

Karen, Jen, Me, Joanna, Julie I liked this angle the best, seeing the long stretch of the bridge
Jen and Joanna (Michael's other little sis)

Jen (married to M's brother) posing by a tattered building

ooh la la....Julicious (Karen took this)
By Karen as well
Our last spot was the best and the clearest, but super super windy. I was really concerned that the wind would knock me over. It was so loud, we had to yell at each other and it was just hilarious I kept laughing. We had to climb up a path to get to this overlook. Jen and Joanna headed back quickly, but Karen, Julie, and I took advantage of the photographic moments.
Julie took this shot and I loved how she saw the yellow flowers and must have gotten low enough to get them in the frame. I didn't even notice them and they didn't show up in any of my shots:)by Joanna (me, Julie, and Karen seen here) almost falling over
sooooo windy!
It was SUCH a fun time and I'm so glad we got some shots. This is the image that I made a canvas for our home.