Homecoming and San Diego

Almost immediately, I noticed a change.  It was like the world had been lifted off of my shoulders.  The week after I was "involuntarily terminated," I took my time...I filed all of my paperwork, cleaned my apartment, and watched TV.  I figured that I had been working my butt off for 6 months, 9-18 hour days, no vacations unless I was actually sick...I deserved it!

That Thursday, I left for San Diego.  Mom and Dad had flown out the night before and Kerry and Reagan were driving down from Hanford.  Boz was finally coming home!  I met Mom and Dad at Seaport Village for lunch, then we went back to Kerry's hotel to meet her.  We hung out in the Gas Lamp district while we waited for Kerry's room to be ready.  Reagan took to mom and dad right away which was great because she's usually pretty shy.  They've been Skyping so I think that helped a lot...

Reagan and Opa walking together

Me, Reagan, Mom getting ice cream!!

That night, we had dinner on the base with some of Kerry's friends.  These women have kept my sister sane during the last few months and have my undying gratitude because of that.

The next morning, we got up early to be on base by 8:00.  We had to use a different entrance than Kerry and Reagan, so we were going to meet up with them.  We saw the adorable munchkin come up in her adorable outfit, and Reagan followed by her side...haha!

Her super cute outfit

She kept saying "Daddy boat!"

Mom and Dad got in the spirit!

Finally Home!

She didn't want to go to him at first, but then she realized who he was...

"Missed you Peanut"

On the way back from the base, my car suddenly stopped.  We had just gotten off of the highway and were driving down hill in downtown San Diego.  I couldn't accelerate, I couldn't brake, I started to panic.  I pulled up the emergency brake and steered the car off to the side of the road.  Then I really panicked.  I had just had almost $3,000 put into my car and now it wasn't working again?!  Ugh!

Luckily Mom and Dad were with me.  We called the tow truck and dad and I took it to the shop.  We got a rental car and went back to the hotel for a much needed nap.  Long story short, my timing belt broke and with that came broken spark plugs, pistons, engines and an additional $3,000 bill.  In the last month and a half, my car has had $6,000 worth of work put into it.  Granted, half of that was from my accident, but my car is only worth $4,500!!  

The next day, we met our cousins Bob and Elaine at the San Diego Zoo.  They showed us around and were fantastic tour guides.  We saw polar bears, elephants, koalas and baby koalas...it was such a wonderful and fun day!

Playing in the new polar bear exhibit

Buddy was chilling on the rocks...

(there was glass between us, and I had Dad's good camera with a super zoom lense...don't worry, we weren't really that close)

Mom played with the kids

Family picture, plus an elephant

"Elphant!"

Baby Koala

Kerry, Boz, Mom, Reagan, Dad, Janet, Me, Elaine and Bob

Sunday morning, we had to get up super early to take dad to the airport in LA.  From there, mom and I spent a super fun week hanging out and having fun!