Madd Max Has a Last San Diego Night

In Pacific Beach at the Pacific Terrace Hotel.

Which had this towel TBD animal on the bed.

Madd and Jess biked along the beach and then the bay.

Which also had been decorated for the holidays.

Sunset view.

Followed by games and sushi.

Goodbye 2024!

Madd Max Heads To La Jolla

But first, a walk on the Embarcadero.

Maddie wanted to see the USS Midway up close.

A Thai lunch with some heart.

Next stop, La Jolla for a walk along the coast.

Where the rocks were covered in seabirds.

Beautiful, albeit a little smelly.

Opposite the bird cliffs were hundreds of seals and sea lions.

Madd Max Goes On A Food Tour

Of Little Italy.

First stop, homemade pasta in a bolognese.

Next, a NY style pizza with California toppings (or no toppings, if you're Maddie).

Stop 3 at this very holiday dressed up restaurant.

For drinks and sliders.

 

The tour ended with 2 flavors of artisan gelato.

San Diego really gets into it's holiday decor as seen on this giant crane.

Back at the airbnb, the Post Malone concert fireworks could be seen from the window.  That was a fun way to end the evening.

Madd Max Hits The San Diego Zoo

Where the Skyfari was a big draw.

And was a blast.

The fam saw a ton of animals.

And enjoyed the impressive landscaping and architecture.

Madd Max Has A Day In Balboa Park

The walk by the Starlight Bowl where nature has found a way.

First stop, the Air & Space Museum, where Sam was in his element.

The kids enjoyed it.

Just as much as he did.

A walk by the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

Next stop, the Fleet Science Center which was meh, but had an IMAX which gave Sam a place to grab a quick nap.

 

Followed by the Museum of Us, which had a fascinating exhibit on secrets.

And finally, the Japanese Friendship Garden.

It was a lot of walking so some games, a spaghetti dinner and a movie were on deck at the airbnb.

Madd Max Is Perfect

Jess will love this picture forever.

Madd Max Takes A Family Trip

Down to San Diego, where Max immediately got into his favorite position at the Andaz hotel.

And Maddie enjoyed the rooftop pool.

Which, while heated, was still cold until she found one of the warming jets and then stayed right there.

The 'rents, who enjoyed rooftop cocktails.

While waiting for a table for dinner, Madd went full hipster.

A little pre-ramen game.

Which continued for the entire meal.

After dropping the boys at the hotel, Jess and Madd finished the evening by touring the Gaslamp Quarter.

Madd Max Continues Burbank Day

With some family Priorities game play.

And a viewing of The Wild Robot.

The girls worked on art projects for their half of the sleepover.

The boys gamed.

Madd Max Does Burbank Things

 

Like taking the fam to Maddie's favorite diner, the Coral Cafe.

 

And for Max's part, taking the fam to Pickwick.

 

For ice skating for all levels.

Madd Max Has A Post-Christmas Day

Madd and Gwen got to work on their gingerbread house.

Which ended up looking like many of their past houses have.

Taisie had Great Aunt Lu, Spencer, Meghan and River over for dinner.

 

And family time.