One of the highlights of our Cali trip last week was our Sunday afternoon visit to the new Mormon Battalion Visitor Center in Old Town San Diego. My aunt and uncle had been there the week before, as well as some friends of my in-laws that live over there. Both raved about how neat an experience it was. Truly, I was a little undecided about going. Sometimes with two younger peeps in tow, things that might otherwise be enjoyable become a bit of a trial. But I am so glad that we went. Right after church, we headed back to our campsite to change into casual clothes, then loaded back up again and drove the 30 minutes south from Carlsbad to San Diego.
Here are some pics of our afternoon.
The whole tour was interactive, moving from room to room with live props and an ingenious implementation of technology to tell the story. Not only was it enjoyable (and my kids absolutely loved it), I learned a good deal about our pioneer ancestors and their incredible experiences fighting in the United States Army. The group of approx 400 men, women and children who marched out west in the battalion, which battalion was formed at the direct request of the US Military to aid in the protection against the Mexican army, faced many hardships along they way. It was truly a remarkable experience watching their histories unfold. And it was even more of a fun experience going on the visitor center tour with our family because our main tour guide was Leon Ricks, a lifetime friend of my dad and the father of Jason Ricks, a good friend of Ryan and mine. Leon and his wife just got called on a mission there about three months ago.
The kids panned for gold at the end of the tour.
Dad & Mom
Easton up in the tower checking out the binoculars and maps.
Buddy Boy playing with the bricks
Afton trying her hand at the water pump.
Me & Shari
Tater
Rowan threw a gigantic tantrum before we left the beach. Huge. She insisted that she absolutely did not want to go to San Diego, that she wanted to stay at the camp and paint rocks with Trey, and that she was having the worst day of her life. After some seriously unkind words escaped her mouth, we had a "talk" and she finally stormed into the car in a tirade. Then, in typical Jeckel & Hyde form, she miraculously transformed into the world's sweetest daughter when we arrived. And she had a blast to boot.
Gold diggers
If your travels take you to San Diego anytime soon, you should definitely go. It was a great Sunday for the Browns.
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