A Week In San Diego!!!

I know this Blog is all about Brian and his journey, but reality states that we, his family, are also going through a journey of our own. Brian enlisted. We were drafted! Anyways, I am including some photos and tales of our week in San Diego.

Molly, Danny and I arrived in San Diego late in the afternoon of October 30, 2008.

This was Molly's second plane trip and Danny's first.

After getting our rental car and a GPS monitor (Thank you Fred for suggesting this!!!!!) we arrived at our hotel. We stayed at the Days Inn which was a well worn, well loved, older, inexpensive hotel with a pool and much appreciated hot tub! We settled into our two room suite, then headed across the street to eat dinner at Extreme Pizza. The kids hung out in the pool until closing (10 pm) and I hit the hot tub! Pure Heaven!!!! We met some other kids and parents who were also Marine Families!

October 31, 2008 Halloween!!!!

After a good night's sleep, we had fresh,

hot cooked scrambled eggs, pancakes and OJ for breakfast.

Compliments of the hotel. We visited MCRD and hiked around the base... MCRD ( Marine Corps Recruit Depot). We spent about five hours there. The base is absolutely massive. The buildings have a Hispanic flair with tiled roofs and golden stucco siding and arched entries.

Rct. Stetson Carr, Friend's son in MRP.

We attempted to visit a fellow Recruit Mom's injured son in MRP (Medical Rehabilitation Platoon) but were unsuccessful in doing so. The Recruit Commander did deliver a message to the Recruit for us.

We met a 30 year career Marine who recommended we have lunch at the Base Recreation Center. He escorted us to the

Rec Center which was on the far end of the base. The

Rec Center had a movie theater, bowling alley, pool tables and arcade. There was TV and a bar as well. We ordered really good, inexpensive food and enjoyed a very nice lunch. We also rented some bowling shoes and bowled 10 games. Danny was by far the best. Molly was a close second and although mom came in last, it was agreed that mom showed the most improvement!

Look at that form!!! Molly has it down pat.

Mom likes the red bowling ball. It was the

lightest one I could find with finger holes that I could fit into! Danny... such a professional!!!

It cost us a total of $20 for our lunch, bowling shoes and games!! What a bargain!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008.....

Yiayia Molly's 80th Birthday! We sang the Happy Birthday song to Yiayia on the phone.

Today's destination.... The San Diego Zoo!!!!!

We spent about 6 hours at the zoo from early morning until late afternoon. It was a hot day and we saw a ton and walked a ton.

Amazing to us were all of the plants...

especially the cactus!

Some cacti were small with flat wide 'leaves'. Others were taller than we were, skinny, too! And some were beautiful purples and fushia colors!

We saw elephants,

Snakes,

flamingoes, rhinos,

and other strange creatures too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We rode on the tram. Having some fun now! Found out they only sold one way tickets

so we had to buy two - one way tickets for each of us..... Silly!!!!

After lunch and souvenirs, we headed back to the hotel. A dip in the pool, then Dinner at ..............

This turned out to be our favorite place to eat!!! We ate here many times!

November 2, 2008....

SeaWorld

with Auntie Suzie and Uncle Fred

We met Suzie and Fred at the entrance to SeaWorld at 10 am. Suzie was our tour guide! Oh what fun! We walked all day long.... and saw the Halloween themed Seal

Show!

We got soaking wet... on the rides. Danny had to buy some dry clothes! When it came time to see the Orca Whale shows, Danny bought rain ponchos for us!!!! He did not want to get all wet again!

After a full day of dolphin shows, Orca shows, polar bears, belugas, and more than I can possibly describe here.... we walked out the gates preparing as Sea World closed down for the night... It was 7 pm!!!!

November 3, 2008

Meet & Greet at Cafe Coyote!!!

We picked Yiayia Vivie up at the airport in the morning. She got checked into her hotel room, then we just hung out round the pool for much of the day. Pizza for lunch - poolside!

In the evening we headed to Cafe Coyote in Old Town to finally meet many of the Recruit Parents that I had been corresponding with during our recruit's 13 weeks of Boot Camp.

The DeAngelo Kids with Molly and Danny!

Julie, Dani, Sandra and Me!