California Trip --- Mormon Battalion Historic site and SEA WORLD!

If you find yourself San Diego way I highly recommend checking out the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mormon Battalion Historic Site.

It is a technology rich, highly interactive, family friendly experience. We learned so much. If you have a family member who was in the battalion you can look up information on that ancestor and print it or email it to your self.  There's also a panning for gold exhibit that our kids loved.

As always the volunteers (missionaries) are top notch and were so good with the kids. 

How exactly would a battalion member dress? What would they carry?

These guys got to find out.

We learned that many of the men instead of getting a uniform from the government just got the money and sent it to their families.

How would you like to carry a gun like that for hundreds of miles?

NOT ME!

Our hotel and seen from the look-out-tower at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.

Exploring Old Town San Diego.

SEA WORLD

We unequivocally adored all Sea World but by far our favorite part was the shows.

Dooder was so excited to finally see an Orca.

He kept saying, "I can't believe after waiting 9 1/2 years I finally get to see an Orca for the first time!"

He has been in love with the ocean and sea creatures since he was an infant so yes he has had to wait about that long.

When we got to Sea World the Killer Whales weren't on display because of renovations to the dolphin area the dolphins were in the Orca display tank. So we had to wait until the Shamu show to see the Orcas.

Doodle could hardly stand it.

But it was so worth it.

Did you know they have an area full of pink plastic lawn flamingos?

They were so life like.

While I'm talking about flamingos do you remember the flamingo clip on Disney's Fantasia 2000?

I love that selection.....makes me giggle every time.

Have you ever noticed that flamingos have freaky eyes?

Eels --- also extremely FREAKY!

Sharks --- Not freaky, just awesome!

We loved the walk through shark tube.

We  stayed until closing at Sea World too so the kids could see the Shamu Rocks show and fireworks and yes we gave in and got the kids (MM & SC) light sabers. Luckily the couple in front of us were very understanding about being smacked in the head a couple of hundred times. They didn't threaten or swear at our family or the kids once.