Mormon Battalion Museum

Okay, here's a continuation of the trip.... We visited the Mormon Battalion Museum in San Diego. (If you don't know what the Mormon Battalion is, look it up on Wikipedia.) Pretty cool place, recently renovated by the church. There are missionaries assigned there to be tour guides and teach people about the Mormon Battalion and their purpose. I was particularly interested because I have an ancestor who was a member of the battalion. We looked him up in their database, and sure enough, there he was! I nearly busted my buttons.

Abraham Hunsaker--what a charmer! I've always loved his little top curl. Carson used to have one just like it when he was about 6 months old!

And here's a modern-day version. See any resemblance? I kinda hope not!

They outfitted Spencer with some of the equipment the men had to carry (in the heat with wool uniforms--ick!). Those were heavy guns!

After the tour, we panned for "gold."

Parker didn't find anything of value, but he enjoyed being part of the action.

That night we went to a Mexican restaurant in Old Town, a fun little tourist trap. Luckily we were eating outside, because Parker was noisy! He enjoyed using his voice and banging on the table with his little measuring spoon. He looks so cute with the flowers in the background.

The next day we went to see the ocean and look at the tide pools. (When the tide goes out, some of the water stays in the crevices of the rocks and little creatures live there.) We saw little crabs and other living things we couldn't name. If the kids were older, we could have done a lot more exploring. In a few years we'll have to do it again!

We passed by this veteran's cemetery. I was awestruck by the rows and rows of headstones, stretching beyond view. It renewed my gratitude for the many, many people who preserve our freedom and ensure that my children will grow up with the same privileges I had.

USS Midway

As many of you know, we took a family vacation a couple of weeks ago to San Diego and nearby areas. So here is the first of probably three posts about it....

The boys were interested in touring the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that was used in WWII (as well as two other wars). They gave us these little ipod things to listen to a "self-guided" tour. Carson was completely oblivious to anyone around him when it was turned on. I could talk and yell and he had no idea until I lifted the earpiece away, at which point he would say, "WHAT??" I feel sorry for his wife when he's an old man.

They enjoyed sitting in the cockpits of the planes, and there were a LOT!

I think Andy enjoyed it the most. He was nearly giddy by the time we left.

If you know Spencer at all, you know this is "his" plane--yellow!

I must admit I was a little bored. One airplane is much like another to me. But they had some fun cardboard cutout guys. This one seemed a little stiff...HAHAHA!

Top Gun, here we come!

I love what wind does to my hair. I realized too late that part of the reason Parker wasn't having a good time was because that snack tray on the stroller was blocking his view of just about everything. Poor bored baby, he couldn't see a thing!

Cute little heads

Carson's Birthday

Holy smokes, I have a lot to put on here! Sometimes we're so busy making memories we don't have time to record them! Carson is now five years old and ready to start kindergarten in July. Here's a sampling of his birthday festivities....

It was a Batman day--Batman wrapping paper, Batman balloons, Batman cake (which you'll see soon), and Batman Legos!

He actually prayed Batman Legos into existence. About a year ago, he acquired a Lego Batman shirt, but there was no such thing as Batman Legos. Weird, huh? So he began praying that Heavenly Father would make some and put them in Walmart, specifically. We just happened to be on the Lego website a few weeks ago, and what do you know? His prayer was answered! We bookmarked the page so he could sit and gaze at it every day.

Batman chocolate cake--mmmm!

Make a wish (that your big brother will let you blow out your own candles)! Carson can hold his own with Spencer. We had just come home from church one Sunday, and Spencer got into trouble. I sent him to his room and then called Carson to come and eat lunch. He sat down and in a self-righteous tone, he said, "I guess Jesus isn't very happy right now because of Spencer!"

Impromptu family photo. We really are going to get professional ones soon, but this will do for those who are tired of waiting.

I was in Walgreen's one day and they had some Webkinz for 50% off, so I got the one that looks just like you-know-who! She didn't really appreciate having a twin. Slippy just turned sweet sixteen. She celebrated by throwing up on the carpet in my bedroom. What's YOUR favorite birthday tradition?

Carson's Thoughts

Carson frequently talks my ear off. Many people don't know he is so chatty because unless they know him well, he won't even look at them. But once he's warmed up, you can't keep him quiet! Here are a couple of interesting comments he has made lately:

(While getting his shoes on to go outside) "I hope I don't have to just talk because last time I had to talk to Ethan's little sister. But it wasn't about love because that would be gross!"

"Mom, what are molasses? Because Dad says I'm slower than them."

(On running races) "The older you get, the faster you are, b'cept when you're a teenager and then you start to slow down." (And when you're a grownup, you REALLY slow down!)

Puppy Love

Typically Andy is the one to put Dakota to bed at night. We used to keep the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs to be sure she didn't wander around and get into mischief while we all slept. But since Parker became mobile, we had to move it up to the top of the stairs. So last night I told her it was time to go to bed, removed her leash, and sent her downstairs. I no sooner closed the gate than Andy stopped me. "Oh no, you have to walk with her downstairs and tuck her in!" Who are you and what have you done with my husband? I think someone is growing rather fond of the dog! They've been spending more time together lately; Andy takes her out every other morning for a run around the neighborhood in preparation for Spencer's 5K at school. Since we got a dog trainer's help, Dakota has been minding her P's and Q's a little better too.

Easter Eggs and Toothy Grins

Our Easter eggs this year were full of personality. With all their accessories, it was hard to store them in the fridge, so I took pictures to remember how cute they were.

The "girly" one was my creation.

Parker has no idea how lucky he is to have two doting big brothers!

He's getting better at standing straight (this was taken a while ago). He's still pretty proud of himself when he does it though.

Parker giggles whenever we get out his books. I love that my kids love reading!

Carson was in the middle of some sort of adventure, but he "paused the game," as he puts it, to be part of the picture.

Here's our little clapper. If someone even says a word that sounds like "clap," he starts applauding. He also waves "bye-bye" and most recently he babbles in a low, growly voice. Andy calls him Satan Baby when he does that. It's funny to hear it coming from such a sweet little baby face.

A tiny king!

The Mouths of Babes

Carson and I just had a thought-provoking conversation. We were discussing the difference between biological relatives and relatives by marriage. We broke down the genealogy, and referencing in-laws, he asked, "So people just stick with the family?" Yep, in today's world, not enough people "just stick with the family." In-laws are often quite different from what one is accustomed to, but they are lovable nonetheless. A spouse comes as a package deal--love me, love my family (or at least try to). I was blessed with some good in-laws and extended family in-laws. Here's to "sticking with the family!"