We took the kids to California for a few days after the family reunion. We did all the Balboa Park museums and the beach. It was a laid back vacation, where we just did whatever we wanted when we wanted. It was nice that way. We did a lot of boogie boarding and swimming at the beach almost every single day. The older four got pretty good on their boards. They destroyed their original boards and we had to upgrade to some nicer ones from Big 5. There was a rip tide one of the days so the kids couldn't go out very far.

Kellan is proud of his 6 pack. He works hard on it. That hair on the other hand...those beach waves are popping! Love that he loves himself so much.

It was too cold for me. I was good just going waist deep every once in awhile. Michael did a little boogie boarding.

We were able to watch the world cup right on the beach. It was a perfect day.

We visited a bunch of museums between boogie boarding. We visited the Natural History Museum. This one was interesting, but the kids got board. I was enjoying myself. And I'm the one who plans the vacations so they have to go where I tell them. LOL

Automobile Museum

This one was a favorite of the boys. Some of those cars were so beautiful.

The Aero Space Museum

This one was really fun. We spend a lot of time in this one. There were multiple simulations the kids got to tryout.

This one simulated a fighter jet, a boeing 727. Quinton would pass out, come to, and start screaming, then he would pass out again over and over. It got to the point were we thought we had better pull him out. It was hilarious...for a time at least. He will not be going into the airforce that's for sure. They were able to go on a simulation and then they would try to fly it themselves.

This was when Jessa was supposed to be flying the jet. She would just get scared and cover her eyes and scream. You could hear her screaming all the way down the hall. She kept spiraling and barrel rolling because she wasn't able to control it. Mikey took over and did a pretty good job flying the thing. All that time playing video games paid off. LOL

We went to the science museum next and played with the exhibits. The girls were taking advantage of this one trying to dump each other out.

Kellan was determined to build a car. He got some of it done, but we ran out of time.

The ball pit brought me back to the days of Hardees back before ball pits were deemed unsanitary. Yes I had to get in and try them out. It wasn't as comfortable as I remember. It hurt stepping on all those balls and trying to get out was harder than I remember it being.

Museum of Us

It was intentionally designed to look like a catholic cathedral to represent Spanish colonization and the taking over of resources and oppressing entire ethnicities. This museum talked a lot about colonization and the oppression of Americans and immigrants etc.

This piece was interesting. I had never heard of this policy...to make the terrain as hostile as possible to deter immigrants from crossing the border. Many lost their lives here.

These tags are all the people who have perished in this area. The white tags were actual people identified. The yellow tags are remains that have been found and who are nameless. I didn't realize how extensive this has been. The dehumanizing policy has been devastating and still millions choose to risk their lives to seek something better. They go knowing the risks.

Colonialism has happened all over the world and has always been a strategy to control another civilization. It has devastating effects on the established culture, people and resources. Everything is exploited for money and power.

California kayaking

We kayaked the La Jolla caves together. It was a good time. All the adventures I make them go on with me. We saw a few fish. Apparently orange fish like in Dr Sues books reside in this area. We saw a bunch of those. We also saw a bunch of seals.

On our way back home we stopped in St. George and celebrated the 4th of July with family. We did fireworks and walked the trail by grandma and grandpa's house with cousins.

She is just showing off her real self. She is a certified rage baiter! She knows we like to hug her so she tries to get out of those hugs as much as possible.

Grandma's pool was up and running. Always such a good time at grandmas with cousins. She always works her butt off when we visit.

Here she is making cinnamon rolls because she knows we all love grandma's cinnamon rolls! She whips these out so fast. I'm sure she's made these hundreds of times over the years.