Happy Anniversary to Us!

Six years and counting...

I love you Dave!

San Diego

We took off for a quick trip to San Diego last weekend and had a great time despite the fact that it poured rain all day Saturday and there was a tsunami warning!  The kids were so good.  I was worried about all of them sleeping in the same room but they were so tired by the end of the day they all just went right to sleep!  If only every day were like that!  We had a great time at the Wild Animal Park, Birch Aquarium, visiting the temple, eating at El Torito where we had our wedding luncheon five years ago, and visiting the newly remodeled Mormon Battalion Visitors Center.  The only problem was that the trip was too short! Sorry for putting so many pictures on here but it was too hard to only choose a few!

The Wild Animal Park:

One of the coolest things at the park was feeding the Lorikeets.

Robyn likes this picture because it looks like they're kissing

When Justin's birds were done eating they climbed up him, nibbled on his ear, rested on his head and then flew away.  He was so happy holding them!

Aren't they beautiful?!

They had a fun water park that the kids cooled down at.  I think my kids were the only ones dressed there.  Every one else stripped their kids down to diapers and underwear... it was a little weird.

This baby elephant had just been born two weeks earlier.  It was so fun to watch him be so playful.  He was like a typical child and liked to bug his older siblings!

Isabelle caught a ride on Dave's shoulders...

and this was the view from behind.

The kids had fun petting the Kraal

Ruby was so good all day, even taking a really long nap! 

Justin was set on getting his face painted like a tiger.  I tried to talk him out of it by bribing him with a toy but there was no changing his mind.  It looked so cool but he was ready to take it off by the time we got back to the hotel.

Isabelle choose butterflies

We were beat by the end of the day!

Birch Aquarium and The San Diego Temple

Oh how I love this temple!  I really don't think there is a building anywhere that is more beautiful than this.  I can remember visiting it before it even opened when I was in junior high and falling in love with it.  It was fun to be there almost five years to the day that Dave and I were sealed there. 

The Mormon Battalion

This was one of the best things that we did in San Diego.  Everyone loved it and it was so well done. It was so fun, educational, and very interactive.  The Sister missionary that took us on the tour totally fell in love with Isabelle (How could you not?) and told us she was going to write about her in her journal that night.  There are certain parts of the movie where the actors pretend to talk to you but my kids thought it was real.  Isabelle kept saying hi to them and showing them, "her pretty dress." The Sister said it was the most she'd seen anyone try to interact with the movie and could not stop laughing at it. 

The kids loved dressing like soldiers

Isabelle loved talking into the cannon

The kids loved gold panning and they all got to take a piece of gold home with them

They had a great time pretending to be pioneers and soldiers in this covered wagon.

The porch was lined with rocking chairs and it was so nice to just sit and rock for awhile

One of Dave's ancestors was part of the Mormon Battalion and he was able to look him up and gets lots of good information that he could just email to himself so he always has the info!  They also took this picture of us and printed one off for us and then we could email them too.  It was such an efficient place too!

Lil' Farmers

Due to my ever growing need to find new, exciting things for my kids to do, I  signed them up for a farm class at Superstition Farm.  It turned out to be really fun!  It was one day a week for two weeks.  The kids had a great teacher named Melrose that Justin affectionately called "Miss Rose."  They learned about all sorts of animals and how a dairy farm works.  It was very hands on with lots of animals to feed, pet and groom. 

 

The Cowboy

The Cowgirl

The Patient Observor

The animals:

Justin was overjoyed to hold "Roger the Rooster"

Feeding "Lover"

Feeding the calf

Petting "Dustybuns"

Feeding "Clementine"

"Driving" the tractor

Making new friends

We just barely missed a calf being born but we were there for its first steps!  See it in the middle?

Enjoying the most delicious ice cream made from their cow's milk

Heart Day

I had the best Valentine's Day this year.  Dave and I went out Friday night to celebrate but we didn't get our babysitter until Thursday night.  I was calling around trying to find a steakhouse with an open reservation and they were all booked!  I was a little stressed about where we were going to eat until Dave called me Friday afternoon and said we had a reservation at 6 but wouldn't tell me where!    He did say though that it would be one for the record books and he was right!  We went to a restaurant called Mastro's and if you are a lover of steak and potatoes like me you have to go there!  It was hands down the best filet I have ever had and it's a good thing because it was also the most expensive!  It literally melted in my mouth!  Dave got the NY strip and we shared sauteed shrimp, lobster garlic mashed potatoes, and gorgonzola macaroni and cheese.  For dessert we got the creme brulee which was so good and also included an overflowing plate of whip cream  that was to die for!  It was all amazing!  The restaurant is kind of a dungeon though.  It is very nice but very dark and you even have to walk down to get to it, making me feel even more like I was in a dungeon.  Everyone was using their cell phones to read the menu and the servers carry flashlights with them.  Dave was definitely right though when he said it was one for the record books, it was definitely the best steak ever and also the most expensive dinner we've ever had!  I even saved the receipt to remember it!

Sunday was also a fun day with the kids and I tried to make it extra special for them.  Here are a few pictures from the day 

Pink heart pancakes for breakfast

Layered heart jello as part of dinner.  We also had spaghetti and a fruit salad made with red fruits to keep with the red theme.

I wish this was a better picture but you get the idea!

And for dessert we had pink heart shaped Rice Krispie treats.  Yum!

Too bad I didn't get any pictures of the kids from that day!  I guess I was having too much fun with the food!

My blog is under construction.  Please be patient while I try to figure out how to expand the margins so there isn't so much blank space!  And if you know how please help me!