The Mormon Battalion

Was of the first things we did was make a huge list of all the things we wanted to do and see in San Diego. Believe me, that list was long! So lets start checking the check shall we?  One of our first outings was going to this cool place. Being a Latter-Day Saint myself, I had no idea about this place or the story. I was immediately excited learn about the Mormon Battalion!

Covered wagon picture! Maybe if I had moved to a different angle the bar wouldn't be across ya'lls faces. Oh well, makes for a funny picture though!    

What in the world happened to Maggie when we walked inside I will never know. Can you tell she's getting closer to being two years old? If looks could kill, she'd be the most sought after weapon in the world. Forget about nuclear weapons! hahaha... what a stinker...

After the Saints were discharged from the Army, many of them went looking for gold in the California gold rush. And we got to too! Rachel was an expert gold panner. 

Found one!

Good thinking Tricia! Let's teach these girls how to work!

The look-out tower gave us all a great view of Old Town San Diego...

The 2,000 mile long march was grueling to say least. Although the men didn't see combat, many died on the journey. Their example of sacrifice and service not only showed America of the loyalty members of our faith have for our country, but was instrumental in helping the U.S secure the lands of the southwest. After their time was served, some stayed behind looking for gold, but most went back to rejoin their families in the Salt Lake Valley. Look at this place! Can you imagine leaving such a beautiful area after having traveled so far to get there?

Oh my goodness this picture!!! We died laughing as soon as we saw it! Heck, I still do! Maggie was being such a grump, so naturally Tricia thought maybe she'd want a drink. Obviously, the camera girl wasn't waiting for anything-  not even a sippy cup. I don't think Vanna White herself could have pulled off that pose!

Good Morning California!

I had been planning this trip for long time. Quite frankly, trips are what the girls and I do. I crave the open road, adventure, something outside the normal day-to-day, and something to make the time go a little faster. The closer our trip got, the more wishy-washy I became wondering if it would be as grand as I thought it would be. Let me tell you something- it was.  My Aunt Tricia, since I can remember, as always lived in San Diego. Far from the rest of the Barrow family. Which means that we saw their family mostly for the occasional holiday trip and family reunions. I was a little worried how our families would mix and how much my two crazy kids would disrupt their routines. However, as soon as I got off the plane I knew it was going to be great. How did I know? Let me show you...  
 I mean, look at this look on Cody's face...priceless...

Rachel and Maggie were so excited to play with Cody and Jayce! I think it surprised Cody how much my little girls loved him. Some of my girls favorite people in the world are their uncles Joseph and Teancum. I knew Cody wouldn't be any different...

They loved playing in their beautiful little backyard. Oh my goodness people it was 75 degrees outside, all.day.long.
It was heaven.

Look at these two cuties playing...

Rachel and Maggie sure were soaking up every little bit of attention! They would play out on the trampoline all day if it meant Cody and Jayce were out there too!

hahaha... She did this often. 
Yes darlin', the net will all of you in- even your mouth!

Our first morning in San Diego, Jayce and Rachel went to the backyard and gathered a beautiful little California bouquet together. 
Good morning California, I think we're going to be good friends.

Where I Come From- Barrow Cousins

So let me paint a little picture for you right now. Tomorrow morning I will be getting up at 4:30 to get ready for our flight home. Nothing is packed yet and I'm watching the Olympics trying to forget about all the things I've got to do. Yuck. Packing is the worst.  Then I realized I haven't done my "Where I Come From" post for the month so here we go... (anything that means I can put off packing just a little bit longer! haha!)
I've been visiting my amazing Aunt Tricia for the past two and half weeks! It's been a dream, but I'll be getting to that a little bit later.  During my stay I found these pictures... 
The Barrow kids... Look how little we are!

Growing up I always looked forward to the times I got to spend with my cousins. We really are so close and it makes me sad sometimes how spread out we are now. They are all such incredible people. I still remember that breakfast at Lost Maples- those pancakes were ginormous!

At the Astros game...

Eating crawfish while the rest of my cousins were most likely having crawfish races on the levee! hahaha! Do ya'll remember that? I do. By the way I just have to mention that that shirt I'm wearing I pretty much wore at least two times a week. I loved that thing.

More baseball... what can I say? This family loves baseball.
This picture cracks me up! I so remember this! Look at all those crazy boys and their IBC root beer!  This is the good stuff. I'm pretty sure our childhood couldn't have gotten any better...

Denver Zoo

   Our Colorado trip was chalk full of full adventures. We were always on the GO GO GO! Let me tell ya we stayed busy! We even hit up the zoo right before our flight to San Diego. Seriously who takes on the zoo before taking on a flight with two small children? 
Yeah, that would be us. All day I kept thinking to myself, what in the world are you doing to yourself Jessica? Despite these thoughts, it turned out great and was the perfect ending to our Colorado trip. I couldn't be more grateful for the time we were able to spend there.
Elephants are so cool. I did a big ole' report on Elephant communication and behavior in college and every time I see them at the zoo my heart and mind go straight back to South Africa where I saw so many in the wild. I hope I get to go back one day with Tyler.The Denver Zoo had a great Elephant show and the kids loved it!

Maggie picking her nose... haha!

So, as you're probably noticing I'm actually in these pictures. I totally forgot my camera probably due to all the packing and getting ready for the airport. I'll admit I was quite releived to have a break from the camera for a day! Thanks Sarah! If we're at the zoo, Rachel MUST find the Nemo and Dori fish... haha...  
Pretty pretty Miss Kristen... It was so fun for all the girls to get to play together! Rachel still talks about going back to Kristen's house. 
And this is the end of our Colorado journey. I hope it's not too long before we find ourselves back there. My heart hurts just thinking about those mountains. Ahhhh, they keep calling my name! We will definitely be back one day.

Cow Appreciation Day

Did you know that every July there is a Cow Appreciation Day? And did you know Chick-fil-a offers a free meal to whoever dresses up as a cow on this very day?

We love Chick-fil-a. The girls and I eat there way too often. It has become a deployment splurge, but let's face it, we were hooked long before this deployment started.  

She is just too darn cute! 

MOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

This has been a tradition of Scott and Sarah's family for a few years now and I think it's brillant! 

Look at them little cows!

I told them to smile and this was the result... yikes!

 hahaha! Crazy kids...

How about ya'll mooooo instead? 

Yeah, just like that...

Sarah knew just what to do and even made this adorable signs! 

We cut out ears, spots for shirts, and Rachel got to borrow Kristen's cow dress! That morning we told Rachel that we were going to go to Chick-fil-a and that we were going to dress up as cows. That was a mistake. We should have told her BEFORE naptime. She was so excited that it took forever to get her to go down! haha...

Mags and Kristen

Maggie refused to wear her ears, spots, and sign so she turned out to be our little albino cow... Who needs to dress up as a cow when everyone calls you Maggie Moo anyway? ;)

As soon as we got there Maggie walked through the door and gave me this look like, "Mom, what's going on here? These people are nuts."

That picture on the right kills me.

Our group!  

Oh. My. Word. Maggie loved the cow!!! She giggled and giggled and giggled! She followed him around, kissed, and tackled him. I didn't know what to do... is that behavior acceptable? Should I get her off the cow? Is the cow super annoyed? I tried to distract her but she kept yelling, "COW! COW! COW!". I'm not exaggerating folks, she really loved that cow. 

Rachel was a bit more timid and giggled by just getting up close. She eventually gave the cow a hug.

I think we pull off the cow look pretty good. ;)

Crazy Maggie Moo... Grabbing the cows and making her rounds waving at everyone... 

This way cow, I know were I'm going! Everyone got a kick out of watching Maggie with that cow. It was stinkin funny. 

Cow Appreciation Day was a hit! Needless to say, I think this has become a new family tradition of ours too! 

Our Bowling Adventure

This was a first for both Rachel and Maggie! We have gone bowling before, but they never had this cool bowling doobadaber that you see here. That thing rocks. As you can see by Rachel's face, bowling means serious business.  

She was hiliarious to watch! She had to carry the bowling ball by herself, and we had to constantly stop her from going during someone else's turn.  I had a difficult time trying to catch a good shot... she didn't waste any time!

hahahaha!So excited for her ball to come out! Where the heck is that thing?And yes, instead of saving my child from being smacked in the face by a bowling ball, I took a picture first. Don't worry, there were no injuries. 
oops, dropped it!

such determination... I love that about her.

Sending it off...

Maggie enjoyed some popcorn while "waiting" for her turn. Thank goodness for that popcorn.
Maggie's turn!

Look at those cute, little bowling shoes...

I love those little expressions. You know how they say that it's like experiencing everything for the first time when you do it again with your children? It's true.

Guess who won? Maggie! She was the only one with a strike too! Her Daddy would be proud.
Cute little shoesThe three of them had a grand time.

Of course there was an arcade as you walk out of the bowling alley. It was too enticing not to indulge for a few minutes.

The best part about arcades is that my little ones can play without any tokens. I'm sure that will won't last too much longer, but I can savor it while I still got it!We had so much fun playing with Sarah and Kristen in Colorado. I don't think it could have gotten any better!