CALIFORNIA SUN...MINNESOTA WARMTH

We're back from our trip to San Diego, California!  The trip was great, the weather beautiful, warm and sunny.  We met so many people during out visit and completely enjoyed our time away. On Easter Sunday we celebrated Christ's resurrection by attending an absolutely beautiful service at a HUGE church in Mission Valley.  While we knew it was a snowy Easter Sunday in Minnesota, we headed for the beach on Coronado Island on Sunday afternoon.  Scott and I could hardly wait to show Parker and Faith the ocean and a "real" beach.  Although the water was a little chilly, we all went right in. Parker braved it and went in up to his neck.  We collected shells, played in the sand with plastic Easter eggs for sand toys and soaked up the near 80 degree California sunshine. Monday was another beautiful day temperature-wise, so we headed back to Coronado to get as much beach time as possible before the temperatures dropped back to the mid- to low-70s.  Of course Scott and Parker showed significant signs of sunshine...they both tan very well.  However, Faith and my fair skin turned more pink than tan. We visited Sea World, San Diego Zoo (both "thumbs up") and the Wild Animal Park (all around "thumbs down").  We toured the city both by boat and trolly ("thumbs up"), but our favorite...if you haven't already figured it out...was the beach.  We decided our next trip can be to somewhere warm and sunny with a room that enables us to walk right out onto the beach. We would require nothing beyond that.

Now we are home...and honestly, this is where are hearts are truly the most content.  California may have had the warm temperatures, but Minnesota is where we are completely filled with warmth...even with the significant change in climate.  Today was a very low-key day at the Johnson house.  Parker was content to just "be."  Faith played at the kitchen table with her Polly Pockets for the majority of the morning and again this afternoon.  The dogs came home from the kennel...both VERY dirty...so they each got a well deserved bath.  Scott and I got the bags unpacked and I started the mountain of laundry that had accumulated over the past week. We are thankful for the opportunity we had to spend time together as a family with no interruptions...no phones, computers, video games or schedules to be met.  We are also thankful for the chance to experience someplace new and different...mainly for the kids.  We also returned to Minnesota more appreciative of where we live and the place we call home.

During our journey, we met people from a variety of places...all of them wonderful people we enjoyed having an opportunity to visit with and get to know.  Parker and Faith made many friends along the way and we exchanged emails with a couple of families before we all returned to our designated states/countries.  Those we met along our journey were from the following places:

• Alberta, Canada
• Vancouver, Canada
• Boise, Idaho
• Arizona
• El Paso, Texas
• Michigan
• North Carolina
• Los Angeles
• Seattle, Washington
• Oregon
• Greece
• England
• And of course, other areas of California

California gave us sun, beaches, fun, friendly people and uninterrupted time together. But Minnesota...even with it's chilly temperatures brings a warmth unlike any other...the warmth of home.  Hope you're all warm and cozy where you are, too...from the warmth of your home and the warmth of the SON.

Peace.