Mazen and I went to San Diego to visit his grandmother, Karen aka “KK”. Here’s part II of our California Summer! Catch part I here.
California Summer (Part II)
We planned two relaxing beach days and two action-packed park days for our trip. After the day at the zoo, we were glad to wake up and take our time. KK made waffles!
La Jolla Cove
After breakfast we drove up to La Jolla to visit the sea lions.
I’ve been to La Jolla cove many times and never can I remember people being allowed down on the beach with the sea lions! It was so cool and a highlight of the trip for me.
They were very tame and appeared to be used to tourists.
The one giant alpha male appeared to be in charge of the whole family! He was SO BIG and SO LOUD!
Lunch
We went home for sandwiches before heading to the beach.
Yacht Club Round II
The kids couldn’t wait to get back to the yacht club and finish a massive fort they were building. They also played kayak races. The adults relaxed and read our books!
KK is a huge prankster and had fun with this rubber snake, which she put in my bed! It made its way to the beach where the kids did a dramatic act of pretending to pull it out of the water. Haha.
Beach Sunset
We had leftovers for dinner and then went to the beach to watch the sunset!
California Breakfast
I woke up around 6:30 every morning and walked along the bay towards the beach to Pump Coffee on our last full day. I loved sipping my coffee with this view!
Also, I found the nearest smoothie bowl spot and went to Rum Jungle for this massive bowl. I couldn’t finish it!
SeaWorld
KK lives very close to SeaWorld, and the kids begged us to go all week, so it ended up being our final day activity. We loved the mix of shows, rides, and animals.
Nibble Fish
Letting these fish nibble on your hands was the craziest feeling!
But touching a sting ray is sooooo soft.
The Orca Show
The kids sat in prime splash zone while Andrew and I baked in the sun in order to stay dry!
Sea Lion Show
We loved the sea lion show – it was so funny!
Rapids Ride
I opted out of the rapids ride, again to try to stay dry!
Shark Tunnel
We loved going through the tunnel of sharks!
Coasters
My favorite part was going on the two huge roller coasters, The Emperor and the Electric Eel. They were both crazy cool! Mazen even braved his fears and went on the Emperor twice!
Crawfish Mac and Cheese
KK stayed home from SeaWorld to rest, and we came home sweaty and hungry for crawfish mac and cheese! We also had a birthday cake for Mazen’s cousin who turns 9 next week!
We left early in the morning on Thursday. Wish we could have stayed longer, but Thomas and Birch missed us too much! Karen says hi to all you old timers and that she is doing well!
Amanda says
Looks like a great trip! Glad Karen is doing well!
Wendy Roorda says
Glad you had a lovely trip. Karen looks amazing!!! (Long, long, LONG time follower, lol). Enjoy the rest of your Summer! (Hope the grass is taking in your backyard!)
Kath Younger says
We have grass!!
WendyRoorda says
That’s amazing! Trying to grow a circle patch in my backyard from a spot where an above ground pool once lived!!! So far so good but ugh the watering!!!! Lol
Kristina says
After reading about your visit to SeaWorld,
I thoroughly recommend watching the documentary Blackfish.
Beck says
Yep. I am shocked they are still even allowed to be open.
Kath Younger says
This was in the back of my mind but I did not have much choice in the matter.
ZZ says
That picture of KK and Andrew is a real keeper, gorgeous. So happy everyone is doing well and good for you for maintaining a loving relationship with KK over the years. Mazen must really love and appreciate it, as I suspect you have gone far above and beyond in order to do that trip to see his grandmother.
Kara says
These were such fun posts to read! Glad you had a great time and happy to hear a KK update (also very long timer)! Excited to see what the rest of your summer brings, especially the yard!
Elisabeth says
Another long-time reader here and it was so good to see KK looking so well! Love the modern family you have created for M 😉
Mary says
So glad to get a KK update. Always enjoyed her visits “ in the old days”. It is so good of you to maintain a healthy relationship with her and her family.
Cathy says
It was so nice to see KK again. Loved your photos.
Adrienne says
Loved seeing KK on the blog! What special memories Mazen will have from the trip