San Diego Sabbath

We found a lovely ward to attend in the morning close to our hotel.  Once again, the gospel allows you to feel at home wherever you go, and I love that!  The Sunday school class really struck a chord with me.  I've been thinking about it since.  I guess it was just what I needed.

We then went to Balboa Park to hear a free organ concert on the largest outdoor instrument in the world!  It was really awesome and lots of fun.

 Balboa Park was beautiful and fun to walk around exploring

 There were random musicians playing on the streets

 Balboa trees:

 Then we headed to The Mormon Battalion Historic Site.  I really enjoyed our time there!  I didn't know anything about The Mormon Battalion either it turns out...

Todd panning for gold

 Me feeling really grateful for my washing machine back home!

We spent the evening walking along the beach.  We were hoping to see the sunset but it was too cloudy.  The entire trip we had been hoping for sun and warmth, but got clouds and chill.  Oh well!  It still turned out to be so very fun!!

 It's for sale.  Now if only we had 22 million to spare...

Saturday in San Diego

I have always wanted to visit the San Diego temple.  We had such a lovely morning.  I love feeling at home in a place I've never been before.  This temple is very beautiful inside and out.

 We waited in line for a really long time for these famous fish tacos.  They did not disappoint!

 I was pretty pleased with the chocolate strudel too.

 Our afternoon was spent on The USS Midway.  I learned a lot and enjoyed our time there.  It was an experience where I once again realize how much I don't know about anything...the more you learn, the more you realize that you don't know.  What a different world living on this boat would be...I was glad we went! (And I'm glad I don't live on The USS Midway!)

We found our dinner spot by wandering the streets of downtown until we found a place that looked good.  I was very grateful to have for dinner a quinoa and black bean mexi bowl.  It was just what I needed to balance out our ridiculous amount of sugar.  Lol.  The Watermelon Limeade was also fun to try, though it was a bit too cucumbery for me.

 Oh!  But the Paris Bakery was AMAZING!  Best macarons ever!  I could have eaten two dozen!

 The almond cream pain au chocolate wasn't half bad either...

San Diego, Here We Come!

Todd and I haven't taken a real trip alone since our honeymoon.  It really didn't seem real when we stepped onto the airplane to head for San Diego.  It was like I was breaking a rule or something.  I couldn't stop smiling!

Awesome view from the airplane!

 We landed in the evening and found ourselves at a restaurant called Biga where we shared an amazing Funghi pizza with an egg in the center.  It was so interesting and delicious.  I could have gone back a second time the next day!  But I had more food places planned than time.  Ha!  We ate so many treats!!

 Next up, Extraordinary Desserts.  Wow!  That's what I can say.

 Dark Hot Chocolate and Hot Pink Chocolate

 Lemon Ricotta Cake with berry and mango purees

 Lemon Blueberry Coffeecake

We enjoyed wondering through the city too.  What a fun and delicious start to our weekend!

February Fun

New glasses

 Ball towers!

 Bow hair

 Grandpa's birthday with the sweater that lives on!

A Temple Morning

I've been serving in the Young Women organization in our ward for only a short time, but it has already been a delight and a blessing for me.  Today we got to go on a youth temple trip which was incredible in so many ways.  I love spending time in the temple with Ethan.  I love spending time in the baptistry.  The Spirit is so powerful there.  

 And I loved seeing all my beehives go for the first time.  What an awesome morning.  So grateful for the light of the gospel in my life!

Valentine's Day

Since the kids had no school (again), I had time to make a special valentine's breakfast: Baghrirs (dyed pink).  Also known as Moroccan Crumpets or one-thousand-hole pancakes.  You drizzle them with melted honey butter.  They look like a pancake and have a similar texture but taste like an English muffin.  I thought they were divine but my kids weren't nearly as impressed.  They were excited to try them though and nice enough about it.  In the end, Chocolate Chex proved to be a nice finishing touch to breakfast.  :)

 Oliver taped heart badges on all his lovies

 And Madeline used her free time to sew a new doll she named Sherbet

 We also decorated

 And Cooper, Madeline and Oliver went out and made snowmen.  The three hours the day before was enough for me, so I only took a picture through the window...haha

 French Chocolate Bread (yeast bread) for our fancy dinner

 We got the table decorated too

 I love our tradition of a fancy family valentine dinner.  I love my family!

 Even the jello cups were festive with heart sprinkles attached around the edge.  You can accomplish a lot when you're snowed in...lol.

 Making baby lava cakes. Mmmmmmmm!

 The Chocolate bread had chocolate chips and dried cherries.  I really enjoyed it.

 Chicken Pizzaiola with spaghetti and Caesar salad made the meal complete.

 Oliver's awesome straw made us all giggle

Not pictured: the roses and chocolates Todd gave me, the flowers Ethan gave Madeline, and the valentines we all exchanged with each other.

I love Valentine's Day.  I have so many wonderful people I love so much and I feel so loved by them as well.  It is truly a magnificent blessing in my life.  I also spent the day thinking of the love of God in sending His Son.  I guess all this combined is why it's one of my favorite days!