The annual Spring visit

When you live in Chicago you are generally OVER IT by the Spring. Over the gray skies, over the barren trees, over the cold temperatures that don't seem to go away as fast as you would like. For three years in a row now my parents take their Spring fever, get the heck out of Dodge, and get on a plane to San Diego, because, well, it's always nice here...oh yeah, and their grand-daughters live here too.

Every March or April my Dad finds a medical conference (he pretends to be interested in) and they come to visit for a nice long stay. This year we got them for 10 days and we had SUCH a great time.

Here are a few highlights...

The first night they arrived it felt like summer here so we went to one of our MOST favorite dining establishments and enjoyed the little "restaurant" with the BIG BIG view.

And then we watched the girls frolic in the sunset surf.

We heard the Flower Fields were in full bloom over the weekend,

 so we joined the masses in enjoying the beauty. WOW!

Sam and Abby got to drive in Papa and Mormor's rental convertible.

When you are from Chicago you rent a convertible...because you really miss the sun.

Here is a picture of Hannah, just because SHE IS SO STINKING CUTE.

We did little things around the house like watch Mormor make a pie,

and help Papa do some work in the backyard (in a tiger costume, naturally).

It was so fun to have my parents here for this girl's 6th BIRTHDAY.

We all pitched in to make fun little treats for her class (rice krispie treats on a stick).

And then after school we took the birthday girl out for ice skating and Indian food.
I think I will always remember that she requested ice skating and Indian food for her 6th birthday.
Love this girl!

Aside from the great time just being together and including Papa and Mormor in our crazy life, we enjoyed visiting special spots around town and swimming in the hotel pools.

Chris and my Dad took on a big project and made Chris' vision of a Secret Garden come to life.

It is almost done and it is AWESOME! The girls are going to have a great time in there.

Before.

After.
Next step is artificial grass in the Secret Garden.

Signs read: "Secret Garden" "Girls Only" "Fairies Welcome"
But boys are welcome too...really...until they are teenagers.

We all love this Spring visit tradition. 

My not-so-secret plan is to keep encouraging my parents to stretch their visits longer and longer so that eventually they are coming out every Spring for a month or so. 

And with a little face like this to come see, how could they resist?

See you in July Mom and Dad...can't wait to get back to the Midwest!