We picked the perfect week to be in California. The weather there was great, overcast and not too hot, and we missed the cold and rain in Utah. We took my brother Marcus with us as a graduation trip (although he had to pay for himself!). Our first stop after our plane landed was the ocean so Marcus could have his first look, since he was too small to remember much when our family last went to California.
I have a ton of pictures from the different things we did while we were there...so I hope you enjoy! Saturday we went to the beach in Oceanside. It was very overcast and chilly, so I didn't even get in the water. The boys were fine in their wet suits, and Marcus got his first taste of salty ocean water! The waves were pretty rough and not very good to teach surfing on, so Marcus stuck to body boarding.
Saturday night, we went to the San Diego temple and did some baptisms. It was really neat, and such a beautiful temple.
After church on Sunday we drove to San Bernardino to see the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers marker. San Bernardino was settled by the pioneers. Gichin is a history buff and collects pictures of the DUP sights!
On our way back to Temecula, we also stopped at the Redlands Temple. It is also really beautiful, and the fading light made for some great photos.
Monday we went to Old Town Temecula with Gichin's mom. Us girls were in heaven with store after store full of crafts and house decorations! They were definitely too expensive to actually buy, but I got a lot of great ideas of things to make.
Tuesday we went to the beach closer to San Diego "D Street". It was a little warmer this time so I actually got in the water. Marcus tried surfing a little bit, but the waves still weren't very good for learning, so while Gichin caught a few I attempted body boarding with Marcus. He said that he would teach me how, but didn't really give any instructions and a big wave completely caught me off guard and wiped me out pretty good. I even almost lost my swimming suit in the process!
I made a few more attempts and finally caught a few waves. It's fun when you ride the wave instead of getting demolished by it!
On our way back home after the beach we stopped at one of the 21 Catholic missions in California, San Luis Rey. It is one of the biggest and nicest they have restored. The Mormon Battalion even stayed there when they were passing through the area.
Wednesday we went down to San Diego. We stopped first at the San Diego Mission, the first mission in California. It wasn't quite as nice and big as San Luis Rey, but had some cool things to see as well.
They were excavating some of the old quarters where the priests or something stayed, so that was neat to see.
We also went to Old Town San Diego and the Mormon Battalion Memorial.
An old jail box in Old Town!
On our way home we stopped at the Hotel del Coronado. It is definitely the biggest and nicest hotel I've ever seen. It was incredible. We walked around the outside and poked around inside for a bit. Too bad it is only a dream to stay in a place like this someday!
Thursday we went to Knott's Berry Farm, and me and Marcus had a blast riding the roller-coasters all day. Gichin doesn't care much for anything that goes upside down, or anything too crazy, so he was content to stick with the stage coach ride and panning for gold.
The first roller-coaster me and Marcus went on, we got stuck! I had never gotten stuck before and it was quite exciting! The roller coaster pulls the cars backwards up about 120 feet then drops you to get enough momentum for a couple loops and turns. We got stuck halfway up before the ride even started! After they made everyone leave the lines, they reset the ride or something and it started working. They let us ride before they had the technicians check it out to make sure there wasn't something else wrong. Gichin thought it was hilarious and had to get a shot of us stuck. Me and Marcus were in the very back.
This was mine and Marcus' favorite roller-coaster, called the Accelerator. Instead of slowing taking you up or backwards up a hill to get momentum, it shoots you off accelerating to 80 mph in 2 seconds! Talk about a rush. Then you go straight up 200 feet and back down 200 feet! It was awesome!!
Friday we had lunch with some friends and then went to the tide pool at Corona del Mar. One of my mission companions is from that area, so she came and hung out with us most of the day. I hadn't seen her in over a year, to it was a lot of fun.
Our last day of vacation we of course had to go to the beach. It was the nicest day we had at the beach aside from a small chilly breeze. But it was warm enough that we all go a little burnt. The waves were great for teaching Marcus to surf, and he kinda caught a couple waves. He did great for a first timer. Gichin was able to catch a few really good ones too.
It was one of those really good vacations, where you don't come back completely exhausted. A nice mix of relaxation and getting out and doing things. It was great to be able to see so many friends and family we don't get to see very often.
