Sunday
It's too far back to remember much about Sunday. We did have our Family History meeting and get ready for our trip to California.
Monday
We found our way to San Jose! It wasn't too bad of a trip and we made good time. Some day you will all be able to drive in a car without kids and it is nice. It was so good to see Tom & Mel & family.
Getting the bed pumped up for Grandpa & Grandma
Max, Taylor and Cambria
Tuesday
Tom went to work and we spent the day with Mel and kids, although most of it was running around.
Cute little Gabe was who I was worried about watching since he didn't know us. He was an absolute angel. He would snuggle up with either one of us and he hardly ever cried. Don't take offense, but I never had a baby/toddler that good!
Mel teaching ballet - It was so fun to watch. Cam is in the front.
Taylor's class (back row, first one)
Wednesday
Walking Taylor and Max to school
Cam loved to play Hide and Seek
More games, after work and homework is done, of course.
Thursday
Cambria goes to Joy School! I almost wished I could have gone in and taught the lesson. Such happy, happy memories of doing Joy School.
Friday
Susan Leatham took the day off and came to spend the weekend with us. We took the kids out of school about 1 and got ready to leave for the Redwoods (Harry Cowell Redwood's State Park) and the beach.
There was the perfect walking tour. I love the Redwoods. There is a lot to be learned from them. Maybe it will be in a story for Christmas!
This is only about 30 minutes from where Tom lives. It was great.
Taylor kept cleaning out the tiny rocks in her shoes, so Cam had to do the same!
This is my favorite - the circle of Redwoods. I am taking the picture looking up.
Next we headed to the beach. It was wonderful to see the ocean again. I love watching the waves and the kids had a ball in the sand. The only problem was the wind. Susan had a friend we met there on the beach. They said the weather was perfect until 30 minutes earlier when the wind came up. It was cold, but we had our picnic and kids played a bit on the beach.
Saturday
Susan went home on Friday night, so we picked her up Saturday morning. It was good to see where she lived. I have never been to her apartment. She really has a nice place in a nice neighborhood. We then headed for San Francisco. We took the ferry from Alameda to Pier 39. It was fun to ride it and not have to park or drive in San Francisco. We had a ball at Pier 39 just walking around and seeing everything.
Getting ready to eat lunch on the ferry.
The seals were great entertainment.
Watching Sourdough bread being made in to all sorts of shapes. We had to get a loaf to share.
It was very good.
Ferry back to Alameda
I loved watching the big cargo ships. They are loaded with train cars. Their size is amazing.
I thought of all the grandkids that would think it was really cool!
Cam would not snuggle with me and go to sleep, so this is where she slept. I tried!
It was so wonderful to see Chuck and Chrys on their houseboat. We just had such a wonderful time. They fed us dinner and took us out on a cruise around San Francisco Bay. I miss them so much and it was so good to see them.
I took this on for Joe. He is the one that Chuck took fishing!
Chrys is an amazing seamstress. She made this for her granddaughter but it was too small. One day she would like to make and sell children's clothing to shops.
Max and Taylor. We all just had so much fun. I wish Tom and Mel could have been there for this part.
Yes, Caleb, Max is actually steering the boat. We need to take you there some day. You would have loved the big ships.
Did you ever see a happier boy?
Taylor gets a turn, too.
The following pictures of our beautiful cruise. I was holding Gabe on my lap, so these were taken by Susan. It's sure nice to be with her and her new hobby.
This is one of the big ships loaded with cargo headed right toward us. OK Chuck, anytime now you can start turning that wheel!
This is the back of it. When I saw it I told Susan to get a picture of that for Mike. Thanks, Susan
Sunday - October 20
Susan stayed the night and we all went to Tom's ward for Sacrament meeting. Taylor and Cam had a cold with a little cough, so Susan and I brought them home after and Grandpa and Max stayed.
We had a nice Sunday afternoon and Tom and Mel came back about 4:00. We then packed up and headed back to drop Susan off and stop in to see cousin Mike and Tee Marie in Concord. We then drove up to my brother Paul's home. We got there around 10:30 which was a bit late for them.
Playing one last game. It was so fun to have Susan to ourselves. I loved the time with her.
Together again.
Monday - Tuesday
I had such a wonderful time with U. Paul and A. Ellen. Many of you have memories of visiting them when we went to California. Remember swimming in their back yard pool and a boat ride on Shasta Lake and a tour of Shasta Dam that U. Paul was the head of. We didn't do that this time, but had 2 full days of visiting, doing Family History on Family Trees, and showing U. Paul where my home is in Riverside compared to the home we grew up in. I visited and visited and visited with both of them. A. Ellen is very lonely & can't go anywhere without Paul. He seems worse than before. I wore my Riverside 4th of July shirt and he said, "Are you from Riverside?" That is why we had a lot of fun on Google Maps looking at our house, his two pieces of land in Riverside, and then we went to Denmark and saw where Ellen grew up. I must admit that although I have always loved our trips to see them, this is my favorite. I hated to see it come to an end. If we didn't have our call waiting for us, I think I would have stayed another day. Please keep them in your prayers. This is a very hard trial for Aunt Ellen and she is doing an amazing job at taking such good care of my brother. I love them both dearly.
I helped upload pictures on Family Tree for A. Ellen. This is her and her twin brother, Mom and Dad.
This is A. Ellen when she went on her mission while Paul was on his. I found out he went to Norway and saw her after his mission. They were actually engaged when she went. I sure heard a lot of good stories! I have some war stories for you grandkids for Christmas this year.
Paul just finishing raking the leaves. He loves to putter around in their yard.
Paul, me, and Ellen. This is what we did for two days. I absolutely loved it!
Home again. Opening our mission call. I bet it was very confusing all being on at the same time, but it was sure fun to 'have you all there together' from one coast to the other.
Looking up more information. Is is OK to open a mission call in a Mountain Dew shirt?
I can't wait to serve on this mission with Dad. I sure love him in case you were wondering.
Thursday
Canning applesauce with Pete and Tammy. I think we got around 55 quarts. Great time visiting.
And, of course, it's always skit time!
They were up for Tammy's sister Holly's daughter's wedding. Sheila did the flowers. They are just so gorgeous. That night Tammy went down to work on them and I took the girls to watch Noelle, Josh, Mallory, and Caleb practice for 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.' This will be Noelle's first big part as she is Imogene. It was so fun to watch her. She does an amazing job.
Friday
After the Family History Library, we watched Suzie. She had a ball playing with the girls all afternoon while Val went on a fieldtrip with Jeffrey. They were going to the Tremonton trick-or-treat, so they got in their costumes - Dusty, Kaden, Suzie, & Jeffrey
We did carrots and potatoes in the afternoon. Dad peeled the whole box of carrots. This was the carrot patch that we had to decide earlier in the spring if it would even be worth the weeding because there were so few carrots. I think there will be a story about this for Christmas!
Saturday
It was a beautiful day. Kaitlyn Lee, one of my Young Women, went through the Logan temple and was sealed to her husband today. It was such a wonderful experience. Then we went to the play and helped Colleen do concessions.
The play was so good and there are only three more performances left!!
This was Chris's first big part and he does such a good job. If you haven't seen it yet, make reservations and come. It will be worth it.
Noelle, Chris (Grandpa Joe), and Ompa-Lumpa Mallory
I love you all very much. We would love to come and spend a FHE or some time with each of you close families before we go. We do not have much time. I'll call to coordinate that and we need to decide about Thanksgiving/Christmas party. Paul and family are coming in for Thanksgiving.
And then we leave the following Monday for the MTC. I can't believe it's really happening.
Have a wonderful week, and sorry about putting 2 weeks together.
