Soaring on a Sunday

"Sunbathing Santa" taken at Legoland in 2010.

(Well, why wouldn't he be sunbathing? He's in San Diego!)

Our family was travelling this Thanksgiving Holiday week. We went to beautiful Sedona, AZ. Have you been there? Definitely, should be on your "go to" list! We traveled on the Kumeyaay highway 8 east through San Diego and Imperial counties, driving over the Laguna Summit at 4000 ft elevation, through the Anza Borrego desert where we saw the sand dunes and beautiful ocotillo and other cactus lovelies, over the Colorado river in Yuma, through some small but interestingly named towns like Coyote Wash and Gila Bend, and then through some beautiful desert in AZ, through Phoenix, then upwards to Sedona. And, wow! When you get to Oak Creek and start seeing those beautiful red rocks, it just takes your breath away. I'll be posting more about our trip over at "2nd to the right", my personal blog (since it's not technically "San Diego") but will share a link here this week.

So, where did your family spend Thanksgiving? Did you go anywhere special, or stay home and enjoy the consistently enjoyable weather here in San Diego! I hope it was great!

Now, on to what's happening here in San Diego this week. Lots of great things to do with the family with the holidays quickly approaching.

Through January 2nd, Holiday Snow Days at Legoland! The Park has everything that’s merry, including twinkling lights and bright decorations. A life-sized LEGO brick Santa and Reindeer make the perfect family photo. Search for miniature Santas and reindeer delivering toys throughout Miniland USA.

Weekends Nov. 19-Dec. 11, and daily Dec. 17-Jan 1st, SnowWorld at SeaWorld. Shamu's special Christmas Show and play in the snow at SeaWorld!

Friday, December 9th,k 4-8 pm, Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo.

Friday, Dec. 2, 5-10pm, and Saturday, Dec. 3, noon-10pm. Balboa Park December Nights. Participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 pm both evenings and more than 300,000 visitors are expected to experience the joy of San Diego’s largest free community festival. Those who attend will participate in a truly multicultural experience, enjoying food, music and entertainment from around the world. Revelers can watch top-notch musical and dance performances, enjoy delicious and diverse food choices and help spread a heavy dose of holiday cheer. Some of the more well-known traditions include food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the annual Santa Lucia Procession at the Plaza de California; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree, and more.

December 2, 12-7pm, Coronado Holiday Open House and Parade. 3:00-8:00pm Recreation Department's Snow Mountain at the Ferry Landing. 3:20pm Santa arrives at the Ferry Landing Marketplace. 5:30-9pm Merchants Open House on Orange Avenue. 6:00-7pm Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Parade down Orange Avenue. 7:00pm Lighting of the Rotary Park Christmas Tree. 7:15pm Coronado Community Band Concert in Rotary Park. 7:15pm Concert at 9th & Orange - Live Band

December 3rd, Encinitas Holiday Parade.Thousands of people will be on floats and in bands with tens of thousands more cheering them on as the 2011 Encinitas Holiday Parade rolls along Coast Highway 101 on Saturday, December 3rd. The 5:30 pm parade is preceded by a 5:00 pm treelighting ceremony at the Lumberyard (near Starbucks).

December 3rd, 9-4pm, Summer's Past Farm's Antique and Craft Fair.Over 60 fine craftsman and expert artisans can be found at this event. Crafts, collectibles, antiques, and a garden sale all on our spacious lawn area. Enjoy your day shopping for the holidays at this great outdoor event.The coffee bar will have drinks and snacks.

November 25th through December 23rd, Oma's Christmas Trees Patch. Tuesday-Friday 2pm-8pm; Saturdays 10am-7pm, CLOSED Sunday & Monday. Pay to Play is $5.00 per child 1 yr. and older. Includes water bottle, candy cane and all the fun activities that the pumpkin patch offers. All adults are free.

Through January 1st, Holiday of Lights, Del Mar Fairground. The Holiday of Lights at the Del Mar Fairgrounds
is the largest animated drive-through light show on the West Coast. More than 400 twinkling, lively displays located around the Del Mar Racetrack will delight your family. Make it your holiday tradition. Holiday hay rides on Friday, Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9 and 16.

Sunday, December 11th and 18th, San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Fireworks and Light parade.

December 4th, 2-5pm. Holiday Wonderland in Del Mar Village. Free. Photos With Santa • Holiday Arts & Crafts • Music Performances • Dance Performances • Snow • Fun Zone • Cake Walk • Horse & Carriage Rides • Face Painting & Henna Tattoos • Restaurant Tastes & Much More!

December 4th , 2pm. La Jolla Christmas Parade and Festival.

So many great things to choose from to get you in the holiday spirit!

Anything going on in your area of San Diego that you'd like to share about, holiday or non-holiday related. Feel free to share in the comments or on our facebook page here.

Enjoy the Season and continue to....

Keep Soaring and landing safely,

in beautiful, sunny

San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama,

Mandy

Friday's "Soar and Explore"

This week Tiffany Gonzalez submitted some beautiful photos taken at the Torrey Pines Natural Reserve. Here's what she had to say about her visit there with her family earlier this week.

"We started our day with a visit to the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. We loved the visitor center and the "please touch" signs they had up near the animal bones. We chose to hike the Guy Fleming trail for its access to an ocean viewing area. We stared out into the horizon for what seemed like hours. After our hike we drove back down to the beach to meet our friends and play in the sand until sunset. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. We will definitely be back for a visit real soon."

Thanks for sharing your photos with us Tiffany! You can visit Tiffany at her blog over at Gonzalez Adventures.

If you'd like to participate in our Friday's "Soar and Explore", please share a photo with us next week by sending a .jpg image to Mandy at mandaroo63@yahoo.com or an accessable link (accessable to download or share via html) by next Thursday evening.

May you all continue to soar and explore....

in beautiful, sunny San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama

Mandy

Soaring on a Sunday

Lots of tree lighting ceremonies this week and next as well as some Holiday crafts fairs, holiday themed plays and musicals. So many fun events to chose from. What will you be doing? Feel free to share your favorite holiday events to go to in San Diego with us here in the comments or on our facebook page.

November 29th-December 31st, 11am, 2pm & 5pm. Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego Balboa Park.

November 25th-27th. Santa's Coming Arts and Crafts Fair at Bates Nut Farm, Valley Center.

November 24th 7am. O'Side Turkey Trot at Oceanside Pier. 5K and 5 Mile run/walks. 1 mi for kids.
November 23rd-January 1, 2012 2-5pm and 6-9pm. Ice Skating by the Sea, The Del, Hotel del Coronado.

Starting December 1st - 24th, Nightly Tree Lighting at Legoland. Also, enjoy Holiday Snow Days at Legoland through January 2nd.

Weekends through Dec 11th, daily 17th-Jan 1st. Christmas Celebrations. Snow World and Polar Express 4D at Seaworld.

Starting December 11th. Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo. Nightly tree-lighting ceremony, bell ringers filling the air with music, and lighted animal figures dotting the grounds. Dr. Zoolittle has an interactive "Night before Christmas" show, and you can make some new friends during "Animal Magic for the Holidays" critter presentations. Munch holiday specialties, take a "Candy Cane Lane Magical Journey," and experience even more seasonal cheer—Zoo style

Sunday, December 4th, Tree Lighting Escondido Center for the Arts

Sunday, December 4th, 2pm. Center for the Arts Annual Concert Meals on Wheels

Saturday, December 3rd, 4-730pm, Little Italy tree lighting, San Diego.

Saturday, December 3rd, 3-8pm, Gourmet Trucks and San Elijo tree lighting in Santa's Magical Village in San Marcos.

December 5th, 9-12pm, Pups on Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony
Spend a weekend in Carlsbad this holiday season with a puppy christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony. There will be fun and games for the kids, shopping, food and drinks and of course the puppy parade.

Enjoy your holidays and...

Keep Soaring and landing safely,

in Beautiful, Sunny

San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama,

Mandy

Friday's "Soar and Explore!"

From catching up with daddy...

It's Friday already?!! This week has just "soared" by! Today is Soar and Explore and I 'm posting a photo I took at beautiful Dos Picos County Park in Ramona. I was there recently for a photo shoot of a friend and her family. It was such a pleasure to take their family photos this year, something I enjoy very much whenever I get the opportunity.

Feel free to contact me for your family photo needs via my email at mandaroo63@yahoo.com.

What has your week looked like? Hope you enjoyed the brisk, cool days. There's so many great places to go in San Diego, even when it's drizzly, the museums are always a great place to stay warm and dry.

Please share a photo with us next week by sending a .jpg image to Mandy at mandaroo63@yahoo.com or an accessable link (accessable to download or share via html) by next Thursday evening.

May you all continue to soar and explore....

in beautiful, sunny San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama

Mandy

Soaring on a Sunday

We're coming up on the holiday season and many local San Diego towns are having their Holiday Lighting Ceremonies in the next two coming weeks, along with fun activities for the family. Here are just a few as well as some other fun family activities going on in your area.

Tuesday, November 15th, 7-9pm. Lecture on Luiseno Indians at Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside. Free.

Tuesday, November 15th. Open Tower Day at Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma. One of only two days each year where the tower to the lighthouse is open to the public.

Friday, November 18th 530-830pm. Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration. Live entertainment, carriage rides, Santa Claus, kids crafts, cookie decorating, ice skating and more.

Saturday, November 19th, 10am-4pm. San Elijo Holiday Boutique, San Marcos. Arts and crafts, vendors, food, entertainment, free children's craft area.

Saturday, November 19th, 6pm. Santa Parade and Tree Lighting at Otay Ranch Town Center, Chula Vista. Parade, entertainment, bands.

Sunday, November 20th, 6pm. Old Globe Christmas Tree Lighting at Copley Plaza. Free, but limited amount of tickets, visit their facebook for details .

Sunday, November 20th, 10am. Mother Goose Parade, El Cajon. Family friendly parade.

Sunday, November 20th, 9am-4pm. Street Faire and Fall Festival in Encinitas. Vendors, arts & crafts, antiques, clothing, entertainment.

Sunday, November 20th 12-5pm. Free Family Day & Festival at SD Museum of Art in Balboa Park.

Have a great week!

And, don't forget to:

Keep Soaring and Landing Safely

in Beautiful, Sunny

San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama,

Mandy

Friday's "Soar and Explore"

From Dragon and the heart by Erika Perkins

This week's photo for Soar and Explore was contributed by my good friend, Erika Perkins, who captured this beautiful image of the clouds recently. If you'd like to participate in Soaring over San Diego's Friday weekly meme, "Soar and Explore", please send a .jpg image of a place that you've recently visited in San Diego to Mandy at mandaroo63@yahoo.com by Thursday evening.

Erika shared, "This is from the San Diego FunSchoolers Cloud Appreciation Peculiar Park Day and I love the image of the Dragon holding a Heart in his mouth. Such a wonderful day and such a beautiful image that, for me, highlights strength, love and beauty...three things we all need in our lives."

Thanks for sharing it with us Erika!

May you all continue to soar and explore....

in beautiful, sunny San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama

Mandy

Soaring on a Sunday

Rainy days and chilly nights.....looks like the winter months are approaching! Time to light the fireplace and have some hot cocoa. But, if you're still in the mood to get out and about on the sunny days in between, that we still tend to get in San Diego, (or maybe even on the rainy ones), there's still plenty to do!

Here's just a few:

Friday, November 11th, 11am-4pm, Matayum: A Cultural Gathering of the First People at the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in San Diego. Free. Step back in time as you learn about the rich history of Native American culture through exhibits, storytelling and demos.

Friday-Sunday, November 11th, 12th & 13th, Disney's Mulan at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. Tickets $10 and children 5 and under are $5. Contact Jayne Howard at jayne@thechurchatrb.org.

November 11, 12, & 18th 7pm, Nov 13 2pm, Nov 19th 2 & 7pm, "Aladdin" by CYT-San Diego.

Be swept away on a magic carpet ride in this tale of courage, magic and love. Tickets $10-15.

Tuesday, November 8th, Tots and Tales at the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA in Oceanside. Storytelling for preschoolers, crafts, and animals. $3 per child. Reservation required.

Thursday, November 10th, 1030 am, Nature & Me Storytime: Spiders at the SD Natural History Museum, Balboa Park, San Diego. Free with admission to museum. Ages 1-5 with adult.

Friday, November 11th, 230-430pm, Check Out Local Tide Pools in La Jolla.

Aquarium naturalists lead this nature adventure when you can discover the world of tide pools teeming with native marine life such as hermit crabs, sea hares and sea anemones. Nov. 11, 2:30-4:30 pm at Dike Rock & Nov. 25, 2-4 pm at False Point. $12. RSVP required. For ages 2 & up.

Thursday-Sunday, November 10-13th, Discovery Days: Festival of Flight at the SD Zoo in Balboa Park. Fly on over to the Zoo and celebrate the centennial of naval aviation and the acrobatic beauty of birds in flight. Encounter beaked and billed creatures, listen to naval aviators’ tales of amazing feats, see exhibits, watch macaw flyovers and more. Visit website for hours. Free with admission. $30-$40. San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park.

Friday-Sunday, November 11-13th, Head to Toe Women's Expo & Girls on the Go 5k Run/Walk at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar. Mothers, daughters, and girlsfriends weekend of inspiration, education and entertainment. See website for details.

Wednesday-Sunday, November 9-13th, Peter & the Wolf, Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre, Balboa Park. $3-5, under 2 free.

Tuesday-Sunday, November 15th-20th, 10am-5pm, Roots of Reeds, Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. $5-7, ages 5 and under free. Explore the beginnings of modern reed instruments, their adaptations in Europe and their evolution within American culture.

Enjoy your week and don't forget to join us on Friday's "Soar and Explore!". Just email your photo as a .jpg file taken at a spot you've been to in San Diego during the week by Thursday night to Mandy at mandaroo63@yahoo.com.

Meanwhile,

Keep Soaring and landing safely in

Beautiful, (mostly) Sunny

San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama,

Mandy

Friday's "Soar & Explore"

"Free Flight" by Valerie Schwinn

Welcome to Soaring over San Diego's Friday "Soar & Explore"! This week we have a beautful photo submitted by Valerie Schwinn taken at Free Flight in Del Mar, a sanctuary and rescue shelter for exotic birds. It is one of her son's favorite places to go, and I can see why with such a beautiful bird as this!

Thanks for participating Valerie!

Join us next week by submitting one of your favorite photos from the week taken in San Diego. You can submit by sending me an email with a .jpg file to mandaroo63@yahoo.com or posting on our facebook page at Soaring over San Diego

Meanwhile,

Keep Soaring and landing safely,

in beautiful, sunny

San Diego!

Your Soaring Mama,

Mandy