Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Coronado Island

Believe it or not, a big yellow school bus pulled up in front of my house this morning and drove away with 3 of my kiddos on board. 








We've been busy squeezing the fun out of every last minute of summer break, which is why I've been neglecting this blog for a while. We were lucky to get a respite from the oppressive heat and humidity of the Midwest and travel to beautiful Coronado Island, California last week.






We stayed with our good friends who live on the naval base there.








It was an amazing experience. Their backyard, literally, is home to dolphins in the San Diego Bay, a gorgeous view of the San Diego skyline, a nightly fireworks display (courtesy of nearby Sea World), and aircraft carrier #70, the U.S.S. Carl Vinson.





Since most of the base is industrial, it's surprising to see little pockets of suburbia mixed in. 











Our friends live in flag officer housing which is a small u-shaped street lined with these pretty homes...







This is where we stayed...





I'm so jealous that they have grapefruit and lemon trees out front. I'd show you the inside, but it's top secret and I'd have to kill you. Not really, but my friend said she'd kill me if I posted pictures, as she's still settling in. Having 6 kids running around the house all week didn't exactly allow for many blog-ready photo sessions either:)


I did, however, snap pictures of some of the unique and pretty houses on Coronado Island.

















Aren't they cute?? If you haven't been to Coronado Island, I highly recommend a visit. It's such a beautiful spot. These are some views from Ferry Landing where you can dine, shop, play in the sand or the water, or hop a ferry over to San Diego.






This truly was the perfect place for a fun family vacation. We, of course, spent time at the San Diego Zoo.








And we visited Washington D.C....




NYC...




and Las Vegas...




in one afternoon at Legoland...




We enjoyed some relaxing time at the beach on the naval base, which had a view of the famous Hotel Del Coronado and an occasional F-18 flying overhead.



We flew in and out of LA, and drove the Pacific Coast Highway to San Diego and back. It is a gorgeous drive, and although it took a few hours longer than Hwy. 5, it was definitely worth it!


Do you people who live in California appreciate the incredible weather you have there?? It seriously felt like heaven the entire time we were there. I almost didn't come home.


This has been an incredibly long post, so I won't share the details of the plane ride, which involved me sitting between my nonstop talking toddler and my vomiting 9 year old. I'll also skip the play-by-play of me driving in the HOV lane on 405 in LA rush hour traffic when my 5 year old suddenly could not hold it for one more second, and my husband had to hang over the passenger seat with a Gatorade bottle to collect the contents of the little guys' bladder. I guess I should be grateful I have all boys!  Don't worry... there will be a book, or maybe a sitcom, on our family vacations coming soon!


It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit the naval base on Coronado Island. I am so grateful for the men and women who work to defend our freedom. My prayers are with the families of the Navy SEALs and servicemen, who lost their lives in Afghanistan this week. 





Linking up to....


Good Life Wednesdays


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17 comments:

  1. Hello, I am over from Kim's WOW party. I enjoyed your long post. My son is in the Navy in serving on the USS New York out of Virginia for a couple of years.

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  2. It looks like you had a great vacation (despite the pee and vomit!). have they actually started school already?

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  3. Looks like a really fun vacation.
    We have been so close to Coronado, but never been there. Now I am going to have to add this to my list.
    Thanks for sharing the lovely pics.

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  4. Wowza- can you say "curb appeal"? Love these houses!
    Thanks for popping by my place!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

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  5. I love Coronado! Years ago my ex H and I stayed at the Hotel del Coronado, it's a spectular place. I rented a bicycle and rode around the little town, so lovely:)

    I do appreciate the weather here but I do NOT appreciate the cost of living!!! It is so insanely expensive compared to other states and, despite what people may say, we don't make more money here.

    Your boys are so cute! I have 3 sons and have done the Gatorade bottle trick more than once:)

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  6. LOVE THIS POST!!! so happy you were able to visit our sweet friend...i wanna go!! it is gorgeous!

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  7. Sister! I will tell you every time how much I enjoy your blog!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures of the beautiful homes and just adore all the white picket fences. I get so inspired until I look around my house and go back to overwhelmed - argh. Thanks for sharing and moreover, thanks for making me laugh so much! I am going to hound you so that you write that book!!!! Sending much love your way, Dorelly

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  8. Wow! Looks like a fabulous trip! Can't wait to hear all the deets...lunch/breakfast/coffee soon?! xo

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  9. So funny about the gatorade bottle...LOL. That looks like a beautiful place. I have not been to SD in so many years. Yes...I agree that I am also jealous of the beautiful weather they have....while I almost had a heat stroke today at the flea market...for real! You family is so cute!

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  10. Beautiful photos. What a nice getaway, and your boys are cuties.

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  11. I absolutely adore your blog! What an adventure you had in CA! Tom's been a Naval Officer (he switched to reserve status a few years ago but is back on duty right now here in Italy & then to Afghanistan for a year!) for 20 years but we've never been stationed in CA--everything we've heard about it there is fantastic, though!
    Yes--I will absolutely look for some of those items in Paris for you! With 3 kids I'm always on a budget & I'm looking for DEALS!!! Of course, I have fun with the "hunt" even if I find nothing!
    I look forward to the sitcom about life with your boys! ;)

    Hugs,
    Lana In Italy

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  12. Wow- looks like an amazing vacation. I would love to visit California. The amount of sunny days they have is amazing. I am a new follower to your blog. Happy to find it! :)

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  13. Looks like you all had an amazing time! Lovely pics of lovely places. Thanks for dropping by Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays and joining the party.

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  14. What GREAT photos! I feel like I've had the grand tour!! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for posting our Everything Annie Sloan Giveaway button on your sidebar. I hope all your friends and followers come on over to check it out!! I am your newest follower.

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  15. Oh, I just love Coronado Island! I used to live near there and that brings back memories. :-) We took the kiddos to Legoland a couple of years ago and it is beyond cool! Thanks so much for sharing your fun trip with us at Inspiration Friday!
    Vanessa

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  16. Gorgeous homes and that pic with the really long bridge over the water.....yeah, that made my stomach do flips. Not sure I could drive across that one!

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  17. Another place I must visit! Sorry to hear about your sick kiddo, but I hope your overall trip was amazing! Thanks for linking up your vacation memories at WWC!

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