After Christmas Fun!

Dear Gabriella,

You thought the fun would end just because Christmas was over?  No way, we were in San Diego, and we wanted to enjoy it.  The first thing your Grammy and I did was take you to Hilltop Park close to Grammy's house.

We have a lot of videos of my grandmother Bo pushing me on the swing.
Watching your Grammy pushing you on the swing brought back a lot of warm memories for me.

Ella-phant

We went out to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen with my best friend since I was 9 years old, Tara.  Her twin sister Trisha came too, and it was so fun to catch up with them.  We usually only see each other once a year at Christmastime, and she fell in love with you.  She let you play with her phone and jam out to some Black Eyed Peas, which you thoroughly enjoyed.

You and Tara rockin' out.

Charlie and Trisha

Tara with you and Charlie

Later on in the week, Auntie Jani and her family came to visit and we all went to the Wild Animal Park, which is now called the San Diego Zoo Safari, but I will probably call in the Wild Animal Park forever.

You got to pet and feed the goats at the petting corral.

You rode the Tram and saw all of the animals in their habitat. 
You especially liked the giraffes.

And you rode the carousel, which you weren't sure about at first, but then you really loved it.  You were a little upset that we only went once.

Then you and Lyla stopped for a photo op. 

You were very interested in Lyla's shoes.

I don't think Lyla was happy about you trying to take her shoes.

On a different day, we went and visited Nana Platt.  She was so excited to see you again and meet little Charlie.  You, however, were a bit tired and grumpy by that point.

We had such a fun time in San Diego.  You always enjoy going there and spending time with family and friends.  I'm so excited that we get to go back there again in just a couple of weeks.  Yay!

Love,

Mom