Holiday feel Early

Emmy and Jordon came to visit right around General Conference time. It was so much fun having them around. We did so much fall stuff, played so many games and ate some great food. It really did feel like it was Thanksgiving time. Rah Rah even brought us guacamole and we did a puzzle. Apple hill with the grandparents was a lot of fun. The donut grandpa got was the best and everyone was impressed. I loved going up the hill and how nice and cool it was with clean air and a nice little pond there to watch fish jump. I love nature so much and its even better when the wildlife is mixed in with it. We went Bishop's farm too. The girls loved the hay ride the best. Emmy picked a pumpkin and pulled it off the vine. It has been a long time since the girls and I went there, so it seemed extra special. At Home, I cooked and cooked and had two attempts at tri tip steak and I think it went well. Joe and his masterful cooking on the grill was missed, but we made do. I'm glad I could bring Emmy to relief society and pickelball so she can see how it looks to do my routines. Emmy, Celia and I also went to a concert in Sacramento. It was Celia's first standing only concert, but she did great and was a trooper. I love the energy and fun that comes from seeing bands live and I'm glad to keep sharing that with Emmy. Overall, I feel like we got a prethanksgiving in before Halloween and I'm so grateful for that.

Changing it up

There have been quite a few new activities or an increase in them in my life in September. Pickleball has increased to 5 days a week and I love that. At home, I realized that we had a lot of games in the garage and have been trying to get organized and orderly with that, Mainly selling them on Ebay. I'm surpised at the interest. There has been another car repair and a trip to Tahoe with my folks and a desire to go see a highschool football game are other things I've been up to. Bri and I watch NFL, but it seemed fun to go check out Friday Night Lights so I did. Just in our neighjboorhood, I went and saw some friends and enjoyed a interesting game with so may touchdowns and a fight! The cheerleaders were pretty good and the whole experience brought me back to the days of fall and football in High School. I think one game is enough, but it was fun to go and see something I hadn't in quite some time.Tahoe with the grandparents was very short and sweet. I came and we went on a sunset cruise. I've been wanting to go on the lake and see Emerald Bay from the water, so that was really nice.The cruise was windy and more social than I expected, but I loved all the beautiful sites and experience. We used the amentites at the Ridge and I won in bingo, lol. We ate at my favorite Italian resturant and enjoyed all the normal sights of Tahoe. I came hom after just a few nights. Duty calls and everything seemed to pull me back to reality, so I put out a few fires and was grateful for the time inthe clean peaceful area of Tahoe. I drove my Audi and was glad it was all fixed, just in time for the Van to need a new radiator. That is fixed now and I think things will be good for a while. Even the washing machine troubles with Spencer's house has been resolved for a while after an uncountable amount of loads washed this month. I don't mind the new additions to my routines. I have to remember to take time for the other ones. I didnt make Ward Temple Night, but I went to the temple on a dfferent day. Celia is started at BYU Pathway Worldwide and she is embarking on a growth journey,so I'll do that with my own things.

D

Maui Wowie

Wow, Maui was different from the other Hawaiian Islands I've visited. It was much more windy which turned out to be my air conditioner. We had a great time at the Sands of Kahana and loved our beach access. We all swam in the ocean and some of us snorkled a lot! The shaved ice was a hit, but not as much as Joe Steak almost every night! Each of us got to do what they wanted on certain days and a lot of activities and relaxing happened. I love that we had a lovely trip with good weather and all made it home safely before Hurrican Hone swung by and hit the big Island. The road to Hana was met with mixed reviews, but theres no doubt the beaches and shoreline is the highlight of Maui. The church service was up there too in term of memorablity and strong impressions. This time on the island was louder and more humid than I am used to, but it gave me even more appreciation for where I live and the comforts of home. I will never forget the beautiful fish and turtles I saw, what a wonderful memory.

Los Angeles again, and our Colorado cabin trip

I've been going back for seconds on my trips with the Grandparents. I already went to Utah twice and Monterey Twice. My folks and Tanya asked me to go to LA twice. I drove the grandparents down to Burbank and we had a great time glamping at Tanya's. Tanya and I built an IKEA closet which is no small feat and helped with many things here and there for the house remodel. We enjoyed the Long Beach area with the aquarium and a boat tour around the harbor. We went tpo church and ate thai and mexican with long lost friends and it was a fabulous time. I'm glad I went. It seems as if I didn't have much time and it was off to our cabin. We rented a Wagoneer and picked up the crew in Lehi and went a little further than usual and stayed at a lovely air BnB in Moab. I know Jordon and Emmy are fortunate to have such a retreat in a fun area. We walked in the morning by the Colorado river and then made our way to Mesa Verde by Cortez Co. I was surprised by the emotion and feeling of community I felt by seeing how these ancient peoples lived out their lives. It was definietly worth visitng. On our way to the cabin, we stopped and had yummy Mexican food outside Durango and made it the the cabin just in time for dusk and we saw many wonderful animals out and about. I loved seeing a mama bear with her two cubs cross the road and seeing an Elk in the wild. The cabin was full of all the wonderful things we love, time together, waterfalls and sometimes sickness. It was cool at night and warm during the day. We had wonderful family time. Quincy's and Pizza Hut and chicken by the river are things we do, but the conversations and love we shared will be what is remembered and felt in our hearts.

So Cal Retreat

Our little trip to Southern California turn into a 5 day vacation. We stopped by Tanya's house to lend her some blow up matresses for people coming to town. On Sunday, Joe and Emmy flew in from Utah and stayed with us in Manhatten Beach. We prepped El Pollo Loco for us and them and had a great time there. The area was surprisingly cute and nice! We walked the pier and saw all the shops and beautiful houses. Hermosa Beach was nice for a sunset walk as well. We visited Whiitter and had brunch at the orgoinal 1970's Lascari's. It was super yummy and Joe's order of calzonne was the yummiest plate there! We made out way down to Carlsbad to meet Tanya, Maddie and Addison by way of Laguna Beach and Dana Point. We had fun eating dinner with the group and seeing a gorgeous sunset. Tanya picked up Kieran earlier than 10pm which made it easier for all of us. On Monday, the group went to Disneyland. It was beautiful and hot and we did everything we wanted there. We even finally got into Rise of the Resistance and it was worth it. I was tired after walking 13 miles. I was in the park for 13 hours and saw 13 Disney characters. We made the best of it and had yummy slushes, Pretzels, a churro with marion berry jam to dip. We rode on all three mountains that were able to go on four boat rides and saw Fantasmic. Wonderful memories for sure. The last day Celia and I saw Newport and Brian joined with us and we went to Whitter, shopped and ate out at Taco Nazo that was so good and saw the sunset at Hunington beach and I loved it. It is so relaxing and the beach makes me happy. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to see our kids from Utah and enjoy family time.