San Diego 2008

**WARNING! LONG VACA + TONS OF PICS = LOOONG POST!!**

I can't believe I am home!!! I feel like we lived in California for 7 years or something and just moved back. I don't even know where to start concerning the trip. All I can say is it was a non-stop party. And I expected that with my family. We haven't all been together like that in years and it brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood. My brothers are the coolest, funniest guys on the planet and I was reminded why I always said I wanted to marry someone just like them (literally a combination of all of them) & I think I came pretty close - Ramon fits right in and is totally adored. My sweet sisters are my idols. I still look at them with the same admiration that I did as a little girl and all through my adolescence. And my parents, who started all the craziness are the reason we all have such fond memories and were able to add more from our time in San Diego together. There were 22 grandchildren and 14 adults which made it a total of 36 people! We spent several days at the beach and at the pool at my parent's condo in Escondido. Everyone had a blast boogie boarding & surfing. We had 10 pizzas delivered to the beach one day and we all loved that idea. The night at the beach when we all wore our t-shirts (which were color coordinated according to generation) we played beach volleyball, ate brats & cream soda and later on had smores (my favorite part!). Later I'll do a slideshow of all the professional pics that were taken that day. Sunday morning we had our own little church meeting at Scott's house and my Dad spoke about priesthood blessings and talked about each one of his kids and certain blessings we've all recieved over the years. I'm sure you can guess there wasn't a dry eye in the room after hearing that. My Mom also told the grandkids grandma & grandpa's conversion story which was neat to hear again. The last night we had an evening at the church where the kids did relay races and got prizes. Then we had our "Closing Ceremony" where Jason & Steven both spoke and that was really special. There were also many nights of Mexican food, movies, Rock Band, more food, laughing, talking, more food, more laughing ... it was such a blast! I'm so lucky to be a part of this family!!!

I'm just going to post my favorite pics (which are still going to be like 100 so please bear with me) and sort of re-cap where we are and what we did for the 9 days ...

SIDE NOTE/FYI - I was gone a total of 13 days because I stayed and spent time with my good friend there after Ramon and Chase went home.

Laughing at a YouTube video

SIL Randalee, sister Jules, Mom & SIL Jessica
Lounging in the beach chair
Where we set up shop at Torrey Pines (1st beach day)

Nieces Claire, Jenna & Christy
The preggos (even though I'm the only one you can tell)
Not sure about the water
So stinkin cute!
Chase adored my 14 year old niece, Kyrsten
My sister always tells a good story!
Jay-bone & Ramon
My best friends
Chase & Tommy (they are just 1 day apart!) Claire, Jenna, Christy & Shelby
Bonfire hotdogs, cream soda & smores!
Joe, Jay, Steve & Taylor (my oldest nephew)
Jay & Rand

Aunt Christi giving some love


Poolside at my parent's condo

All by himself with the floaties!
Sweet Alex & Christi
Jules & Jenna

The Shamu show at Sea World
Kyrsten babysat one night while we all went to dinner and a movie and look what Chase was doing when we got back
Chase & Dad on the Elmo ride at Sea World