We just got back from vacation to the Catamaran Resort in San Diego. It was a nice place and a great area to be on vacation. We had a bayfront room with a great view of Mission Bay and a beach just steps away where the kids could play. It had a nice pool as well. There were these crazy Koi ponds where the fish would come up to  you if you put your finger in the water and you could pet their heads. The koi were friendly, but the catfish were not as Grace discovered one day when she was dangling her finger in the water to get the koi to come. She was petting the koi when all of a sudden she pulled her finger out of the water with a scream. There was a huge black catfish attached to her finger that was flopping on her lap. She threw it off of her and back into the water and then started bawling. The next time we went outside the first thing she wanted to do was pet the koi. So it must not have scarred her psyche that badly.

We had the chance to hang out with my family who live in San Diego quite a bit. My sister, Leslie, came to stay in a nearby hotel and we went to dinner with her, Lauren (niece), Levi (nephew), Lyndon (nephew), and Cassie (significant other of Lyndon). If you don’t know this about me, my niece and nephews are between 25-31 years old. So it’s not hanging with my little nieces and nephews. I love them. I wish I could hang out with them more. Bea and I like Cassie a lot too. We want her to be able to attend more family functions like Christmas Eve if you know what I mean. We ate at this place called the Hash House which was awesome. Big portions, local fresh ingredients, comfort food-type menu which I love. If you are in San Diego you should check it out. The next night we went to Lauren, Lyndon, and Cassie’s house for dinner. We walked to the Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market. It is an awesome place with normal farmer’s market booths, street food, and things like llama rides. It’s very bohemian and fun. I wish we had an evening farmer’s market here in the OC. Then we had a great dinner of pouch-cooked salmon with lemon thyme, roasted potatoes, salad, and much more. It was awesome.

This was our first real family vacation with all four of us to a hotel. I am really glad that we did it, but I must say that it’s not exactly relaxing. Ella’s nap schedule makes it hard to do stuff and when we skip naps she turns into a nightmare. Bea and I made a vow that we won’t stay in one hotel room with the kids ever again for a family vacation. One or two nights while on the road is different, but on big vacations we want to stay in condos, homes, suites, or connected rooms somewhere so the kids have a room for themselves.

Food update:
1. Eggs Benedict at the Empress with deliciously different Canadian Back Bacon.
2. High Tea at the Empress twice – tasty. Tiny sandwiches – Curry Chicken Salad, Cucumber, Carrot and Cream Cheese, and smoked salmon. Egg salad crostinis. Amazing scones and desserts.
3. Fish n Chips at a pub in Victoria called the Sticky Wicket
4. Triple Grill at the Blue Crab in Victoria – this was King Crab legs, New York Strip Steak, and a Halibut fillet all on one plate with potatoes and mixed veggies.
5. Shepherd’s Pie made by my Uncle Brian who is from England. Best I have EVER had.
6. Bacon Cheeseburger at the White Spot restaurant. A Canada exclusive.
7. Two breakfasts by my “cousin” Judy – strawberry pancakes and scrambled eggs with toast.

Tonight – ROAST BEEF AND YORKSHIRE PUDDING with all the trimmings. I can’t wait.

This is the view from the center of the hotel down the fountains toward the ocean.

It has waterslides and a lazy river. Check them out in the next two pics.


This looks like an awesome place to chill in the evening.

I think the sunsets will be pretty amazing.

Yeah, I guess you could say that I’m pretty excited. We fly out tomorrow morning. All we have left to do is pack. I can already feel the tension coming out of my shoulders.
You probably won’t hear from me until next Saturday. As they say, “Aloha!”