Mission San Luis Rey, Spencer Turned 8, Grandchildren Photos

One day we took a couple of hours to go see Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, founded in 1798. It was the eighteenth of twenty-one of the Spanish missions established in California.

At its prime, it was one of the largest of the missions, along with its surrounding agricultural land. One of the main purposes of these missions was to convert the local Native Americans into Christianity.

There is a monument on the property dedicated to the members of the Mormon Battalion. 

The words tell about how members of the Church were driven from Nauvoo and while at Council Bluffs, Iowa, 500 volunteers enlisted in the United States army to march to California in defense of its people.

"They arrived here in January of 1847. They were thereafter garrisoned at the Mission San Luis Rey.

"Their heritage was in service and virtue. They built roads, irrigation ditches, homes and Fort Moore in Los Angeles. They harvested crops and built mills. Leaders and citizens offered them great inducements to re-enlist. Some did and their legacy remains...

"The spirit of these individuals is epitomized by the fact that the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill was reported by 'Battalion men' who after fulfilling their contracts left the riches of the world behind to return to the hardships of building 'Zion.'"

"Not unlike the devotion to conscience of the great Catholic missionaries who have humbly sacrificed and served on these premises...

"May...all who visit and serve within sight of these premises reflect the principles of the 'Master Builder' whose kingdom we ever vigilantly seek to establish."

This is a big kiln--the upper part of it and then the lower part.

Onward we walked down to the lavaderia--the place where they did laundry.

We counted dozens of bunnies while we were walking the grounds.

This area is a place of retreat with a beautiful garden in the back.

This is the inner courtyard of the Mission.

Through the archway can be seen the oldest pepper tree in California.

The following things were on display in the museum.

This is a statue of a member of the Mormon Battalion.

We had a visit from former Sister Landri Timmons.

Spencer Golden turned 8 years old!! Big birthday year.

Rebecca let us know he is into Pokemon cards. Apparently what was popular back when Abe and Sarah were his age is a fad once again with this generation of children.

What a cute Pokemon cake Rebecca made for her birthday boy!

Of course the highlight of Spencer turning eight was his baptism and confirmation.

It brought happiness to my soul that Haley sent a photo of my dad holding Kade at Spencer's after-confirmation family dinner. So cute! Both of them! I just wish Ben had been looking at the camera.

I was so happy to hear Sarah's family made the trip to town from Las Vegas to be there for the weekend celebration.

Ben and Haley were so kind to invite her family to stay with them. They didn't want to stay at our house because Sarah didn't want to have to clean the house again.

What's cuter than a couch full of Sarah's boys? Ben's boy thrown into the mix! Ahhh, happiness!! Boy cousins!!

While we're on the subject of Sarah and her boys, I'll share a few of the photos she has shared lately of her and her boys.

What is that I spy just beyond the trampoline with the two little brother buddies?? I spy palm trees!!!! They are my new favorite tree since living in California.

I think I will enjoy visiting Las Vegas to catch glimpses of palm trees! (And to catch glimpses of our cute little grandboys.)

And what have we here? Some photos of Abe and Klarissa's children.

Now back to the Golden family. Brooke has recently gotten glasses.

She and Caroline are modeling their new modest shorts. Madison is modeling her new pink shirt.

The Golden family enjoys taking hikes in Goblin Valley.

Dallas bought each one of them a camelbak backpack which Rebecca has declared the best thing ever as they are now each in charge of carrying their own water and snacks on their hikes.