February 2022

February started with a quick visit from the Gilbert family! They were in town to see some family members that lived in our ward. We played at Waterfront Park while Amanda and I caught up on each other's lives.

Jeremy got to do some store runs. 

Desha and Craig came down to visit and also help with a medieval battle in Encindas. We took a walk through our canyon and had fun playing on the canyon swings. There was also a see saw this time.

The battle was really cool and very fierce. They really fight to hurt each other, it is pretty scary! They make their own gear and it is very heavy! Craig's team won the championship!!

Craig let the boys try holding his weapons and holding his helmet. Pretty neat stuff!

We enjoyed a beautiful evening at Coronado beach again! This is one of my favorite places in all of San Diego. Hardly anyone is here in Jan and Feb.

Dallin found a really neat shell there!

It was the 100th day of school, so a lot of staff members dressed up like we were 100 years old. I got to show off all my grey hairs in a new way, just spread them out from my center part, and it looked like my whole head was grey!

We did a Valentines activity for Primary. At this point, I had been the president for about 4.5 months and the following week from here, we would have our ward boundaries expand to increase our primary from 15-20 kids to 40-50 kids. This is our last primary activity as our tiny ward together. We made Valentine soaps and goodies for special friends and family members.

This is Dallin

Our beloved Beverly

Tanner pouring the soap mixtures

Dallin made a bag for Owen and Tanner made a bag for Isaac.

Tanner hosted a baseball card party after school on an early out day. It was a big hit! The boys were so focused on reading each others cards, looking at stats, and trying to trade cards with each other.

At school, I created music stations for my 3rd grade students to explore physics with various instruments. They had certain questions to answer about pushes and pulls on the instrument and how it influenced the creation of sound. This connected to their IB science unit in "How the World Works." Dallin was in this grade and got to do the activities, too.

In another grade, we took one of our singing games outside and it was a really fun time.

In 1st and 2nd grade, we worked to created a list of what the beat is. It's so important for children to understand what the beat is and to have lots of experiences keeping a steady beat.

We found a great trail behind the church and took a little nature walk.

Valentines Day Jeremy and I went to a restaurant somewhere downtown. 

Tanner and Dallin were really excited about their cards and treats from their friends at school.

One of the boys finished studying a math book at school, so we burned it in the fireplace to celebrate. It was so fun watching each page glow and burn one by one. 

Having fun with my puppet Marvin in piano lessons.

Jeremy got to be involved with making a commercial for bumble bee tuna. It was a vintage one that appealed to millenials and had some interesting costumes.

Photo shoot for Jeremy at work!

Getting ready for baseball season.

Playing out on the driveway.

Our ward grew so fast! We had a lot of fun the first few weeks getting to know the kids. Here they are playing Simon says with Beverly.

The boys put this paper mask on my face and took a picture. Idk what was going on!

Mormon Batallion 175 year Anniversary

In late January 2022, San Diego celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Mormon Battalion's arrival to the county! This US military group marched the longest distance military march in American history, helped establish peace at the end of the Spanish-American War, and provided valuable service to the region which included building over 20 brick water wells. To celebrate all that their service and amazing story of sacrifice, the community had a huge celebration. 

As the newly called primary president in the ward, I decided we needed to highlight this unique learning opportunity for our kids. After-all, the Mormon Battalion resides in our ward boundaries, and one of the 12 apostles was coming to visit during the celebrations.

To prepare for the big day, we took the children to the museum at the Mormon Batallion historic site and enjoyed the interactive tour there! We are all wearing Covid masks because this was still in the midst of the pandemic. January was actually a high peak in Covid cases.

 

We also helped the children make bandanas and banners for the parade that we were going to march in on the big anniversary day.

Then the big day came! Members of the church came from all over the region of 12 stakes. There were hundreds of kids that marched in the children's parade. Our ward had a couple of signs and little wagons, windmills and ribbons to hold as we marched and waved to everyone. We even waved to Elder Christopherson!!

Jeremy's parents came down for the event, so Jeremy and Gary got to march together in the parade, where each man bore the name of a real soldier from the Batallion.

Holy smokes, my boys are so stinkin' cute!

Dallin is not a fan of pictures. I try really hard to keep it brief and not worry if he is smiling or not.

After the parades and ceremony where Elder Christofferson spoke, we enjoyed all the booths and activities! 

Notice that Tanner brought a change of clothes so he could be more comfortable. I was really proud of him for taking initiative and bringing things he knew could help him be comfortable.

Seriously, what a cutie!

Then we stopped by the synagogue for a smaller event. We ran into Elder Christofferson and got to shake hands with him. He asked Tanner about baseball because of his hat. 

The following night, me and Jeremy went to a huge devotional at our church building with Elder Christofferson speaking. Jeremy was the high councilman in charge of the building to help host the apostle. It was a pretty neat way to end the weekend!