San Diego, Mormon Batallion (6/27/11)

We went to the Mormon Batallion visitor center in Old Towne San Diego, Katrena had gone in April and said how neat she thought it was and that she wanted me to go, and I am glad we did.

It was not only informative, it was very neatly done, based on diaries of members of the batallion. You viewed video, the missionaries spoke to you and you moved from room to room. The rooms depicted the time period and what was happening as you learned their story, from the campfire where they first heard the news, to a store house where they were given their supplies, to a stopping place on their long trek to San Diego, and finally to the court house in San Diego that the Batallion helped to build.

Cameron was chosen to dress up in what the batallion was given for supplies. Because they were volunteers they did not have to purchase uniforms they could wear their own clothing and were able to send the money for the uniforms to their families on the trail.

Some of the batallion after they were discharged settled in the San Fransisco area where gold was discovered. So we got to pan for gold afterwards.

Caleb, Ava and Brent

Cameron and Allie

Gary and Caleb

Ava pumping water from the well.

Ava and Allie

Our family

Cameron and Caleb

Jody, Cameron, Gary, Allie and Caleb

Caleb and Ava

I absolutely love how close Ava and Caleb are, they play so good together, they are exactly 6 years a part. Jody and I were joking that it was like Caleb was my son all weekend because he was always with us, I wouldn't mind he is such a doll and Trena LOVES to play with him too.

And then we were off to our next adventure.

San Diego, Sea World (6/26/11) part 3

We then headed over to the Sesame Street Bay of Play where we rode:

Abby's Sea Star Spin

Elmo's Flying Fish

And Oscar's Rockin' Eels!

And then on to our last show of the day and by far the best, not only were the Sea Lions cute and entertaining, it was a comedy that kept you laughing before the show even started! The pre show was as funny as the show itself.

Sea Lions Tonight

We then had to head back over by turtle reef to buy Ava's treasure. I had been asking her all day what she wanted and from the time she saw the turtles that was what she wanted and she never changed her mind. These are cool (fake) baby turtles in the sand like they have just hatched from the hole and are heading back to the ocean.

Penguin Encounter

Ava with her stuffed turtle. I asked her what she was going to name him and she said "Ho Ho Head" I said "Ho Ho Head?" And she said "Yes, it means Chicken Ho." So here is Ho Ho Head, aka Chicken Head.

We had a great day and were completely worn out by the time the day ended and we still didn't see and do everything. Ava didn't play on the playground or at the splash pad, we never rode Wild Arctic, or the sky tower. We didn't see Sea Lions Live, or Pets Rule or Shamu Rocks, nor did we stay for the fireworks (wanted to beat the crowd). There was so much to do we could have easily gone back for a second day.

We then headed to a great little mexican restaurant in Old Towne called Casa Guadalajara, nothing like dinner at 10 o'clock!

San Diego, Sea World (6/26/11) part 2

We then went on the Bayside Skyride.

Love this Cheesy face!

Cameron and Brent

Jody, Caleb, Allie and Gary

View from the skyride

Trying on all things Sesame

We then went and looked at World of the Sea Aquarium and then took Ava in to see Sesame Street Presents: Lights, Camera, Imagination.

Then met Elmo and Count and saw a little performance by Zoe, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie.

Then the Shamu show, One Ocean.

And a stop at the Rocky Point Preserve, where you can get up close with the dolphins

San Diego, Sea World (6/26/11) part 1

The next morning we got up, had breakfast and were to the park when it opened. It was overcast and a little chilly, but quickly warmed up and resulted in a few sunburns.

First up was Journey to Atlantis, starting our day off by getting just a little bit wet.

Next the dolphin show, Blue Horizon, it definitely better than than the killer whale show. There were acrobatics and a story thrown in with the dolphins act, it was really good.




Next up Turtle Reef, the new exhibit, complete with video game where you get to feed the turtle. Ava won with Dad's help and Caleb came in at a very close 2nd.

Next was the shark encounter, I think this was Caleb's favorite.

We saw the sea lions and seals at Pacific Point.

We then went and saw another show in the bay Cirque De Le Mer, ate lunch and touched the star fish in the tide pool, and walked through the Aquarium De Le mer, and took turns getting drenched on Shipwreck Rapids!

San Diego, Beach (6/25/11)

On Saturday June 26th we went to San Diego for a mini vacation, minus our Trena who is in Utah, where we met up with Brent's brother and family.

We met at the beach.

Ava is not a fan of the water, but she sure loves playing in the sand with her cousin Caleb.

Sand Angels!

That night we had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory a family favorite.

Then home to rest up for our fun day to come.