San Diego

While I was on my mission, my family had a reunion in California. So besides missing sleeping on Pizmo Beach and watching 3 different members of my immediate family puke over the side of their kayaks while sea kayaking, I also missed a trip to Sea World. It worked out perfectly then that the University of Utah bowl game just happened to be in San Diego a few days into our trip. So we had to stop at Sea World.
We assumed it opened at 9am (wrong!) which happened to be a small miracle. So we were already halfway into the park when they finally opened the roped-off areas and we were among the first at the dolphin tank (again by accident). It was amazing. The dolphins were all literally lined up at the windows waiting for everyone to come play with them.
This is the only shot I could get of Ethan because he refused to turn around and stop watching the dolphins. Even the dolphin looks annoyed that I'm interrupting their play session.

Taylor found a spot where you could lean on the rockwall and the dolphins loved being petted.

Tragically, when Isaac tried to pet him I think the dolphin thought he was getting food and he snapped at him a little. Even a little scares an almost-two-year-old.

Ethan was successful though.

And then we moved on to the sting ray tank. Isaac loved sticking his hands in the water although I'm not sure he ever really petted one. It was so nice to have Grams, Mack, and Barb all there to help run after the kids. 3 is certainly a handful.

You'll notice all 3 boys are in Utah red, this was more for the game that night and because Grams bought them all matching jerseys, but it turned out to be an amazing blessing. You could spot them in any crowd and I knew exactly what they were wearing in case they got lost. I've decided to always dress them alike and in a bright color the next time we go somewhere like a busy theme park- only next time maybe a nice BYU blue!

Ethan enjoying a little water in line waiting for the 3D movie experience.

Shamu never fails to amaze. The park was fairly empty which was wonderful. We were able to hit every animal show we wanted and get to the next one when there were still seats. We were happy to be this far up and out of the "splash zone".

The highlight for Isaac was the "penguinos" so I've dedicated 2 pictures to that. He is STILL talking about them.

Tragically the exhibit includes a moving walkway so you can't stop and watch them. Isaac would have stayed all day. Sea World was amazing and I'd definitely go back and as it turns out, we might. If you bought a ticket in 2009, you automatically got a year's pass free for all of 2010. Weird. So maybe we'll go back, they're opening up a new dolphin show and Isaac would love to see the penguinos again.

That night I took Miles and Isaac back to the hotel to go to bed. Isaac was exhausted without a nap and very excited to eat pizza and play on the bunkbeds (random to find bunkbeds in a hotel but you should have seen how excited both the boys were to play and sleep on them). Ethan went with everyone else to the U of U Bowl Game including Taylor's dad who spent the day driving up to LA to pick up Arty from the airport.

Taylor was so proud of himself to bring home the camera and give me the photos I'd requested. They had a great time at the game and loved winning of course!