Our time with the wild animals!!!

Well I have been a bad blogger and have not made a post in quite awhile...a few weeks back, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit San Diego. We recently acquired an annual pass for both the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park for the very cheap price of $79 for the both of us with the bonus of the entire cost being tax deductible...since we are now members fo the Zoological Society.

We went to the zoo on Friday where we had a blast seeing all the animals...including a polar bear having Stephen's favorite snack...carrots!!!





I enjoyed the gorillas and orangutans...I love to try to figure out what they are thinking. The gorillas were enjoying a yummy popsicle while we were there.




They also had pandas which was fun, but much more limited than I expected...and the baby pandas were asleep...Boo!!






After the zoo, we went to visit some of our favorite people...DA' PEARSONS!!! We love to visit San Diego, because it usually means we are going to get to hang out with Matt, Mary, Elizabeth and Evan. We hung at the house for a few hours with Mary and the kids because Matt was busy flying overhead.

After good conversation and fun with the kids... we decided to go have dinner at this very fun restaurant called, I think, "Studio Diner". It was good times...the diner is located next door to a TV studio where they have filmed quite a few shows. My highlight was when Stephen came from the patio with Evan (who had to go see the dinosaur on the patio) and informed me that there was a signed poster of Guy from the Food Network...I had just been discussing with Mary how much I loved Guy's show "Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives" so I was quite excited to know that he had already visited this Diner and even more eager to eat. Turned out the food was great...I had a very yummy Tuna Sandwich, while everyone else had breakfast plates.

However, the true highlight of the diner and I am so sad I didn't have the camera...while we were leaving...Stephen said to me..."look it's a giant!" Perplexed I looked out the window to see a huge specimen of a man...OK I will just say it...he was a GIANT..over 7 feet and over 300 pounds. To make it even weider he was dressed like he was part of the cast of Harry Potter, specifically "Hagrid". I lost it and was so excited...saying, "LOOK, LOOK a GIANT!!!" As we drove home, we could not figure out why the man was dressed that way. Finally, a light bulb...I said, "Stephen he was dressed probably for a TV show filming." DUH!!!

We were lucky to be able to stay at the Miramar Inn, which is on the base at Miramar, thanks to Matt/Mary. It was a real nice room with a couch and kitchenette. The Pearson's hung out in our room for about an hour, Matt included who met us dressed in his flight suit at the entrance to the hotel.

The next morning after a yummy continental breakfast supplied by the hotel...we were waiting for the Pearson's outside of the one mini mart on base we were allowed to shop in...where we acquired yummy snacks for the day. While waiting, we noticed a young Marine standing at attention in dress greens outside the entrance to the mini mart. He saluted and stood at attention for everyone who went inside. Matt called to let us know they were on their way...Stephen immediately related the story of the Marine at the door who was now being berated by off duty servicemen...some were nice as well, one even bringing the poor guy water. Matt informed us that the Marine was most definately in trouble for something he did. It was SO entertaining to watch...every person stopped to talk to the Marine and ask him what he did. He was at attention like a guard at Buckingham Palace, except this was the equivalent of a Rite Aid. Finally after about a 1/2 hour a very large man started in on the poor marine...pointing his finger at him while he yelled. The marine stood there kind of stunned but humble. After the yelling ended the large Marine walked away with his bag of groceries and the in trouble marine stooped picked up his water and walked away with his head down. Seems the man yelling at him was his superior officer who had assigned the duty. Good times and very informative.

With the Pearson's in tow, we headed to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. They bought annual passes as well so we will be heading down there to be with them often. It was great spending the day seeing all the animals and most importantly hanging out with the Pearson's. I always love to see Stephen and Matt together...they are so close, like brothers. It is great to see Stephen so happy enjoying himself. And my time with Mary is always the best...I always tell Stephen how much I love her and how I am amazed how close I have become with her and how easily we get along since we have only known each other for a couple of years and only see each other a few times a year. Stephen's response is, "of course, Mary is the BEST!!!" Please enjoy the pics below...including a pic of a very little animal who we saw take it's first steps. Sorry can't remember the name.







Sorry that was a long post...but you enjoyed it.

Love to all :)