San Diego

San Diego...... a whale's ???... in the words of Ron Burgandy or as Kirk says every time someone says San Diego.  We went to Cali to visit my sister who is stationed out there.  We only had 4 days but we made the most of it.  Day 1 consisted of flights and seeing MCRD.  That is the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.  It was exactly 15 years to the day that Kirk first stepped foot on to MCRD and we had to go check it out.  It's amazing it's been 15 years since he enlisted and was an active duty Marine.  Here is Kirk at the parade deck.  Only Marines in uniform can step foot on it.  It's huge!  Like several football fields long.

We checked into our hotel and then went over to visit Kate and the family.  The kids played and it was so awesome to see Ella crawling!  The next morning we went to the San Diego Zoo.  The kids loved it! 

After the Zoo, we headed over to Point Loma.  Saw the tide pools and walked around.  It's amazing!

Day 3 consisted of going to check out all the Navy ships and Kirk got to see one of his Marine buddies, Cory.  It was like old times for these two!  Part of the tour of this ship was the kids got to answer questions and at the end receive their wings.  It was so cute.  The girls were hot and tired but yet finished with a salute. 

Kirk went with Cory to see some sites and catch up.  The girls and I went with Kate and her family to the Navy beach.  Girls played for hours.  I got to sit on the beach and relax.  It was awesome!

Day 4 was our last day and yet it was the most amazing day!  All 8 of us did the Pole to Pole 5K at Sea World San Diego.  It was so much fun!  We ran the 5K in Sea World and they brought some animals out along the path.  Way fun!  #familyselfie

And now the coolest part!  They had a penguin out for us to see after the run.  This is why I wanted to do the run!  When I saw this little lady, #148 (her name is a number), I was so excited the penguin handler asked me why I was so excited to see this little girl?  I told him that I absolutely love penguins and the opportunity to see one this close was why we scheduled our trip from Texas out to San Diego around this 5K.  He was so nice that he asked me if I wanted to pet or hold a penguin and I of course screamed yes!  15 minutes later our group of 8 were inside the penguin enclosure and I was holding a penguin! Words can't describe how happy I was.  I cried afterwards.  It was an amazing moment in my life.  I just love love love penguins!!!

Bucketlist item checked off!  I LOVE penguins!

Girls update

For a quick update on all things girly........ (in month order)

Holland graduated Kindergarten!

Holland turned 6!

 Britton's 1st day of school!

 Holland's 1st day of school!

Both girls were cheerleaders this year.  I even coached their cheer squad.  It was an insane 2 months but the girls loved it.  

The Heartbreakers!

Homecoming 2014.  All the cheerleaders performed at halftime.

Rodeo Time! 

There was no question as to who the girls wanted to be for Halloween........ Elsa and Anna.

Britton turned 4!

Part 2 - Moving and Renovations

Now on to our new house renovations!  We moved in with my Mom on June 1st and we were there until mid-November.  During that time, we pretty much gutted and took down to studs the three bedrooms, master bathroom, and hallway.  All we had planned on doing was remove the paneling and redo the walls.  That led to more and more projects.  See the first picture of taking the bedrooms down to studs.  It was an insane project!  Kirk and his buddy were the ones doing the majority of the work..... until Kirk got a stress fracture behind his knee.  Then we had to hire some guys to come help.  It was a long process but we love it!  It's the house I grew up in.  Love it! 

 

This is our master bedroom window seat.  We had new foam insulation put in all walls.

We had new windows put in.  Had a good friend who is a master electrician replace all electrical wiring, add new lights, and replace all fixtures.

 

All new sheet rock.

 Texturing.

Must clean before painted and new carpet is put in.

Painted.

Part 1 - Moving and Renovations

It's been a busy year...... no doubt!  We have a new niece, sold our house, moved in with my Mom, did multiple renovations on 2 homes, and finally moved into a new home.  We were very fortunate to find a buyer for our house.  We didn't list the house or use a realtor, and we sold it immediately.  Once a contract was signed, we renovated a bathroom, moved out, and closed on the house in 12 days.  It was insane!!!  See the before and after pictures of the bathroom renovation.

Snowballs and ice cream!

We had a few snow storms come through this year.  It's been fun missing work and school to play in the snow.  The girls had a blast!

And now snow ice cream........................yum!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning the girls were very excited to receive the vanities they wanted from Santa.  Holland wanted the Ariel vanity and Britton wanted the Sofia vanity.  Both girls pretended to do their hair and put on makeup.  After we had Christmas morning at our house, we took the girls over to our new house for their big gift from us..... a pink playhouse!  Holland and Britton can't wait to move just so they can play in the playhouse!

Both girls were in the Church Christmas Pageant this year.  Holland was a horse and Britton was a lamb.  Too cute!

Our lil' turkeys

We had our Thanksgiving dinner (lunch) at Mom's ranch house now that she's moved out there.  It was Mom's first time to cook a turkey and she did great.  Kirk and the girls stayed at Mom's to watch the football games, while I went to town to start Black Friday shopping with Sara. 

Britton turns 3!

Britton wanted a Sofia the First birthday party and that is exactly what she got.  She loved every bit of it!  The kids decorated sugar cookies, had snacks, cake, and cupcakes.  Britton had a wonderful 3rd birthday!

Make a wish!!!

Britton's big gift from us................ iPad mini!!!