Sunless San Diego

Last weekend we loaded up the surfboards and headed to sunny San Diego, only the sun was no where to be found. I had been itching to go surfing again since our last beach trip last September, but where we got to Oceanside last Friday it was windy and cold, and the water was even colder. We had forgotten our wetsuits, so, even as anxious as I was to surf, I just couldn't bring myself to get in that water. The little ones had fun playing on the dry-docked surfboards.

We decided to eat instead. Fish and chips at the Oceanside harbor! Yum!

The boys practiced palming the H2O polo ball and did some digging with that serious sand shovel.

But nobody ventured into the water.

Just as well, because we had somewhere to go.

We changed at our hotel and took off to my niece, Cortney's wedding on Mission Bay.

I was the official photographer for the wedding. I wish someone would have told the groom's dad that, because he was always right in there with his little point and shoot getting in my way as I was trying to take pictures. Photographing a wedding is hard enough without having to compete for the perfect spot. He should have just sat down and enjoyed his son's wedding and let me do my job. It was funny. Good thing I am so tall, because I just shot right over his head.

I've decided that photographing weddings are hard! You have to be everywhere at once and everything goes so fast, and you can't miss a shot because it's not like you can ask them to go back and do that again. (I think I like temple weddings because for all the important stuff, photography is not allowed.) I have new respect for people who do this professionally!

Then again, it is not easy to be the photographer and a guest at the same time. I didn't have much of a chance to visit with all these wonderful friends and family. Still, it was great practice for me.

It was so fun to see family!

This was one time when I was very glad that the sun wasn't out, because it made for some pretty portraits!

The bride was beautiful. I hope she likes the pictures.

Much happiness, Cortney and Anthony!

The reception was held in our favorite Mexican restaurant in San Diego, the Old Town Mexican Cafe where they had the best balloon man I have ever seen who kept the kids occupied. We had a great time!

On Saturday morning, since the sun hadn't peaked through yet, we decided to head for the swap meet at the SD sports arena to see what we could find.

The boys were drawn straight to the ninja sword and weapons. Boys.

They also had to try on a bunch of silly hats.

Derek had to buy the Chinese peasant hat, of course, and they pooled their money together to buy a ninja sword.

Boys are goofy!

Then we went over to the Church's newly re-done Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center. We had heard a lot of great things about it, so we were excited to explore.

Luke was sure excited!

My own battalion of boys.

It was so cool. They took you on a tour across the country from Ohio to California, and each room that we entered was made to look like a different place - a pioneer campsite into the forest, a general store on the frontier, the desert at night, and a brick courthouse. It was quite clever and entertaining! We all really enjoyed it.

At the end of the tour there is some interactive displays and they take your picture, give you a copy and also email you a copy.

Then outside in the courtyard there is more to do.

You can pan for gold! The boys really like this.

The cool thing is that the "gold" they found was not just the typical rocks spray-painted gold, but was pyrite - fools' gold, which made it just a bit more exciting for these guys.

There was also a brick kiln and a water pump to play with.

There was also a tower where you could see views of Old Town and the bay.

We love that it was fun, free, and educational. The Church does everything so well!

After that, we thought we'd try another shot at the beach. We met our cousins there on Mission Beach.

The sun still wasn't out, but it was a bit warmer than the day before. This time a few of them ventured into the water. But the beach was SO crowded and there was no where to surf nearby. I guess we'll have to make another trip once the June gloom finally burns off.

After the beach we treated ourselves to our favorite peanut butter shakes at Mr. Frostee's in PB, then dinner at the Claim Jumper.

That was our visit to sunless San Diego. I heard that the sun came out the very next day, and has been burning brightly ever since. Oh well. We still had a great time!