something old, something new.

at the beginning of this month we got to go down to San Diego and spend some quality family time together.

one of the days we were there we headed down to old town. I had not been there in forever and this was justin's first time. grandma volunteered to watch ali so cole could have time with just mom and dad. we had fun looking in all the shops, but the highlight was definitely the mormon battalion. having grown up there I have been to this many a time, but it was nowhere near as cool as it is now!

for example it is way more interactive now...here is cole getting outfitted in his battalion uniform.

and holding the way heavy gun.

the window to the side of the picture was actually a screen that came to life as the characters in the battalion's story told their tale. this happened in several of the rooms we were in.

(I know this picture is dark, but I loved the hat on him.)

then after all the rooms inside we headed outside to pan for gold! It was adorable. the kids got to keep whatever they wanted from the "stream".

daddy and cole both thought this was pretty great.

he was loving all that there was to do.

then he washed off his finds at the pump.

and headed off to make some bricks...or build with them rather...such a boy.

daddy got pretty into it all too.

it was a really fun FREE activity.

and we all loved it.

they even take your picture for you at the end and email you a file as well.

time well spent.