Surprise!

We surprised the kids with a trip to southern California Feb. 17th-23rd.  The main reason for the trip was to attend military honors done at Point Loma naval base for Daron's grandpa who died in December.  We hadn't told the kids about the military honors so when we woke them up Thursday morning they thought they were going to school.  The next thing they knew we were driving to the airport.  They were so excited and we were so glad we all went because all of Daron's family was there and it was so good to see everyone. 

On Thursday we spent the day at the tide pools in San Diego.  The kids found all sorts of creatures from star fish and crabs to sea urchins and baby lobsters.  We spent hours there and the weather was beautiful.  Here is Luke jumping from rock to rock.

Here they are looking at a sea urchin.

  The star fish they found

Gabe and Ian climbing the rocks on the beach

Me

Maryn and Luke

Dad and Ian

Daron, his dad and brother that evening at dinner

Friday morning was beautiful but a storm rolled in for the military honors at Rosecrans Cemetery. 

Daron's Uncle Brad was given the flag of honor.  It was so good to see him.  He was in a horrible car accident 11 years ago that left him blind and brain damaged.  However, he is still a kind, funny, loving man and we were all so glad to have him there.

At dinner afterwards.  It was fun to meet grandpa's friends.  He has lived in San Diego for 60 years!

The hot dog Gabe ordered.

The next day at the beach.

We have some good friends from our ward here in Boise who were also out visiting CA the same time we were.  We went to the Mormon Battalion Center to visit one of our favorite missionaries who's on a mission there.  She gave us a tour and did a great job!

The next day at church we went to church where another missionary from our ward is serving in the Carlsbad mission.

Then we went to an orchid greenhouse owned by a friend of grandpa's.

And then we went out for sushi.

The next day we spent at the USS Midway.  It was fascinating and we spent hours touring the big naval ship and the planes.

That night we drove up to LA and did dinner at Medieval Times.  The kids loved it!

The next day we went to Disneyland.  The weather was perfect and it wasn't too crowded.