Mormon Battalion Festival

In June of 1846, the only religious based battalion in US History began their trek from Iowa to San Diego. Although they changed history, they did not end up fighting one single battle. Details about them can be read here: Mormon Battalion.

Every year, a festival in their honor is held at Old Town. The festival was yesterday. We went with Grandma Margie and Papa Malcolm. We did the tour at the Mormon Battalion Museum, watched the small parade, enjoyed the booths at the festival, ate at a great Mexican restaurant, got the kids' faces painted by the toy store, walked around Old Town, and got ice cream at Cold Stone. We had a great time as you can see in the pictures below:

Sitting in the Wagon

Smelling Dutch Oven Cooking

Soldier Statue

Battalion Scene

Petting a Horse

Parade


Old Town Shop

Making Rag Dolls



Tug-of-war


Soldier

Cooking Biscuits



With Papa

Brick Making


Mexican Tile Steps

Lunch at Mexican Restaurant

Day of the Dead

Face Painting


Ice Cream

Panning for Gold

Mom's Birthday

We celebrated my birthday with my mom and sister at the Cheesecake Factory. I love that place, but always make sure that we get there before 5pm. That way we get the lunch portion, which is still HUGE. My mom & I had the bbq chicken ranch salad. Paige had pasta. Lexi & Jordan shared mac-n-cheese. We all shared a piece of banana cheesecake. Yum!

Birthday Girl Turns FIVE

Yesterday, Lexi turned five years old. I was still in bed in morning when the kids woke up. I listened to their usual banter and wondered when she was going to remember that it was THE big day. She had been telling everyone about for the past several months. Surprisingly, it took about five minutes. She got excited and suddenly announced to Jordan, "I am five today and ready for kindergarten!" I couldn't help but laugh. I am ready for her to go too.

We didn't have anything huge planned just a busy day. In the morning, we took brownie bites to the YMCA for her to share with the kids and teachers. She also had her annual physical in the afternoon (previous post). Jordan and I made lasagna and then we took the dog, Travis, for a walk. Later, we had dinner followed by opening of the presents. Then we had the cake she picked out - Tangled theme. It was chocolate with chocolate cream filling.






Walking Travis



Favorite Dinner


Silly Moment

from Grandma Margie


Aunt Paige


From Aunt Carol

All the Presents

Tangled Cake

5 Year Check-Up

Lexi had her 5 year check-up today. She now weighs 40.5 lbs (50th percentile) and is 43.25" tall (75th percentile). She actually enjoyed the eye test this time and is seeing 20/30, which is the norm for her age. She passed the development test with flying colors (way too easy). They gave her one shot that she was supposed to get last year but they were out of. They also gave her the tb test, so we have to go back in on Friday for them to make sure she is ok. She didn't cry for either one, but she wasn't thrilled either. I guess she handled them with grace.

Visit to Julian

Several months ago, I promised the kids that we would go to a little town in the mountains called Julian. I told them that we might even see snow. We headed up to Julian today, but there was no snow. The high was 57 and it was very nice. They are known for their apples and apple pies. We stopped by their cemetery, walked the main street, checked-out lots of knick knacks, ate lunch at a Christian/cowboy diner, and bought an apple pie.

Sunblock in January

The weather has been amazing this week, much warmer than it was for half of the summer. The kids begged me to take them to the pool. I couldn't resist.