Vacation Day 2-San Diego and Anaheim

 We started off our second day of vacation in San Diego at Old Town San Diego.  With our sand-filled shoes we galloped through the old times together.  The flower, shrubs, and plants are stunning in San Diego.

The Three Amigos

My two favorite people

 We purchased tickets for the trolley system, which can take you all over San Diego.  This was our best purchase of the day.  We traveled to...

Little Italy

                                                                    and...

Gas Lamp Quarter

                                                                     and...

The Convention Center

                                                                    and...

The Embarcadero

 We had a filled and packed day of sightseeing in San Diego.  We left late afternoon and traveled to Anaheim.  We decided to go eat last night in Downtown Disney District.  

Dining at Rainforest Cafe

Nightly Entertainment

Lego Woody with Caroline and Daddy

                                                        A little sweet tooth...

Today we go to DISNEYLAND....MICKEY here we come!

San Diego- Vacation Day 1

 We left Little Rock Wednesday evening for our first vacation of 2013.  We were headed to California! We found out shortly after loading the plane that there would be an alternate route and delay the plane would take due to heavy thunderstorms.  The pilot headed south, but we ended up making our connecting flight in Denver.

By the time we arrived in Denver, little Miss Caroline needed to be asleep, but she was still going strong.  She finally went to sleep for about thirty minutes of the final flight.  She did great on her first flight, but did not care for the seat belt.  We arrived at our hotel in San Diego at midnight Cali time.

Caroline watching planes in Denver

 Matt and I have things we would like to check off our bucket list this trip, but this girl just wanted to see Shamu....well folks she got to see Shamu!

Caroline and Shamu

 Here are a few of our favorite attractions/animals of the day...

 Late afternoon we took a gondola ride over the bay.  I was not able to take many pictures, but it was a peaceful ending to a perfect day.  

 NOW...ALL DAY we felt REALLY bad for Caroline because several times we sat in soak zones at different shows and she would not get splashed, she was not tall enough to ride the water rides, and we did not bring her swimsuit in for the splash pad.  SO...we stayed for the very last Shamu show and headed back to the see the show AGAIN.  Matt stayed in the top section away from the water since he had the electronics, and Caroline and I headed to front and center soak zone. I was a determined mother that I was going to get that little miss soaked.  All Caroline wanted was just a little splash....Well as you can see we got SOAKED.

If you look to the very middle of the picture you will find us. I am wearing a DRY green shirt and Caroline is in my lap.  We are calling for the Shamu Splash!!

 ...and we got the SHAMU SPLASH... SOAKED

Cheers to a memorable first day of vacation.  Today we are headed to Old Town San Diego, Embarcadero, Gas Lamp District, and Coronado.

Matt's Homecoming

 WE MADE IT!  God saw us through, comforted us, and made our family even stronger throughout this past year.  Matt served as the Commanding Officer of an air ambulance unit this past year, while I helped with the Family Readiness Group.  This past year I have grown as a spouse, a mother, and as an individual. 

God has taken care of our family and blessed us with happiness during this deployment.  Caroline was by my side through this past year; we supported each other and have a bond and experience unlike most mother/daughters.  Thousands of miles away, Matt supported and continued to lead our family.  God gave us hope and love!  We are a united family of three again!

Part of the Crew

Spouse Support

Watching for Arrival

Watching for Daddy's plane

There they are!

Our Daddy!

He's Back

Our Family of Three

Ready to go HOME

 Thank you all for your prayers, love, and help this past year.  You have been an amazing set of friends and family.  I have been BLESSED that God put you in my life!  I can NEVER repay you for all your support.

Caterpillars

Caroline's collected a few furry little caterpillars this past week, which we placed in individual jars.  We found them food, shelter, water, air, and a little sunshine.  Caroline read books to them, tucked them into bed, and greeted them anxiously the next morning. Sadly the caterpillars did not make it longer than 24 hours...We are going to release the caterpillars this afternoon.  Maybe next time we will go straight to the butterflies.

Easter/April

 Hello blog friends!  Oh, how I have missed you!  We had an Easter full of laughter and fun.  Last year Caroline would take her sweet and precious time during the egg hunts, but this year the game was on!  She understood the egg hunting rules.  Caroline also understood the true meaning of Easter this year, and I got to answer a lot of questions concerning the empty tomb. 

Our church had another amazing week of Easter celebrations.  This year instead of the enormous egg hunt that usually takes place we sponsored an Easter carnival and a walk-though of the life of Jesus for the children. 

The Girls before the Church Celebration

Easter Celebration- SUMC

Jensen and Caroline at Easter Carnival

Caroline and the Easter Bunny

Caroline and MiMi making Easter Eggs

The Easter Bunny came to our home

P, Caroline, and Whitley

Two Sweet Cousins

 We had a new arrival this week in the Guinn family.  Caroline and I have been making a several trips to see this sweet little boy, Greyson Wade Guinn.  A child is one of the biggest miracles from God!

 And I just loved this scripture that one of my friends posted this week...such a wonderful reminder that is needed.

 The trim work was finished this weekend for the upstairs room.  We are one step closer to completion! 

 I hope you all have a wonderful week!