Days 9, 10 & 11 - Redlands & San Diego

Our next two nights were spent in the city of my former employer, and home of our dear friends. They came to visit us about 9 months ago and we couldn't have been more excited to see them again. You know how there's some people your friends with because the two guys get along? Or the two women really connect? Or the kids love playing together? This is one of those special families where we all adore each other- we just come from similar backgrounds, have similar priorities/professions in life (hospitals and non profits), similar parenting styles, it all just mysteriously and miraculously works. Like a few others in our lives, they are definitely family in our hearts.

Our friend Dee planned some great activities for the kids that ensure maximum play time for the three of them...I am so grateful to her for that. Thanks, Dee! You're the best!

Jousting! (Ry's dream come true) He was hilarious when he first climbed up there (he claims to be afraid of heights but I'm not sure about that). He widened his eyes, froze, and pretended to have knees knock together in fear. I'm fairly certain this a move he's mimicking straight out of Scooby Doo, but it was still hilarious.

Doctors vs. Nurses (the epic battle continues!!!)

Trampoline bouncing...again! He'd do this every day if he could. So would I (I'd bounce, then puke, then lose weight. Wins all around!)

Bull riding! (I desperately want one of these in our home...Rich the spoilsport says no). 

Wall climbing!

And following all of that...Dee found another great rink for Ryan to do more ice skating! He had a ball with his two friends and improved a bit from his first time. His friends are better skaters then him, so it was perfect. We also got to watch a few aspiring pros take the ice, which was the first time I've ever been so up close to figure skaters...loved it! It really is a graceful dance more than anything else, isn't?

Rich and his boyfriend...if I get dumped for him, I'll understand. He's brilliant, funny and doesn't steal all Rich';s fries like I do. :-( Can't compete with that.)

Ry and Rich ended our stay in Redlands with a ride in our friend Shawn's fancy Audi.,,a G8? I'm not really sure, I just know that we could see the engine in the backseat through some glass (that doesn't seem cheap) and the car was VERY noisy (also not cheap). So I'm guessing it's a wee bit more exotic than your average, say...Toyota hybrid. (Note: I love my 40 mpg!!! And I hear if I drove freeway miles, I'd get closer to 54 mpg!)

The next day we all headed south to San Diego to hit Legoland. Ryan has been there twice previously and we remembered how much he liked it, so we splurged and took him again with his friends (who had also just been there but indulged us and came back)! This is why we love them!

His beloved Wyld Style...

I'm pretty sure this counts are their first date. ;-) Romantic boat ride all alone? Parents unable to intervene? Definitely a date,

My awesome husband surprised me with my favorite apple fries at the park! He definitely knows the way to this chunky monkey's heart.

Rich and his boyfriend...again.

We ended the night with an amazing dinner at BJs, a restaurant we loved to visit in CA when we lived there. Great pizza, great pizookies, great company. Shawn and Dee are our family, so we loved that they even downgraded & stayed at the same hotel as us that night. ;-) Now that's love.