I want to share an experience I had this morning while getting dressed to go visiting teaching. I had read the message earlier which was about Christ being the light and the life and the hope of the world. I was thinking about hope in particular and thought how hard it is sometimes to have hope when you look around and see disturbing things. As I thought that, another thought seemingly in response to to my first thought came directly into my mind, "Then don't look around; look up instead." I smiled in surprise but it has brightened my soul today. So... I'm looking up, are you?

End of a great marching season!

Brent just finished his first marching season in high school. The band was made up of approximately 150 musicians and 30 colorguard. This year the band was 1/3 freshman but they worked hard and had a respectable season. Their show, "Who Dunnit?" was very entertaining both musically and visually. Grandpa, Ted and Annette and kids came to watch him perform at their final performance. Here are some pics...

Our little Parker dressed as an acorn for Halloween

So, okay...I know I'm biased but isn't our little grandson, Parker, just adorable? He looks so much like Mark yet sometimes, I see some Christy in there too. Thanks for the picture Christy!

I would put on a picture of Ev's kids but I can't seem to take it off her blog...Ev send me an email and tell me how to do it again.

The Campers

Since Brent had two days of no school and Ken was out of town, we needed to do something exciting. I suggested a Mother Son Camp Out and though Brent was convinced that some alien force had infiltrated his mother, we went anyway and had one terrific time! I made reservations at a local regional park with campsites and requested a site with trees....humm, next time I will specify "live" trees. I also learned that having a site too close to the dairy farm in the background produces another challenging element to the out of doors...no, silly, not the smell....it was the flies! Every meal was a race to the finish!






But my days at Girl's Camp and Brent's scouting proved to be incredibly useful as we had this tent up in no time flat! Unfortunately, being that this tent was last used by scouts, we should have put up the tent at home first. We found out that the zipper was broken and unrepairable so our adventure now included a trip to our local,


























And ta-da, tent #2 was up just as quick as the first one!









We got our site all set up and then we decided to do some exploring.









The lake was very large and pretty. We spent the afternoon walking it's 4 mile perimeter and enjoying the sights.








There were a number of people fishing though we didn't see anyone with actual fish that day. This was a pretty little area. Had I been fishing I would have dropped my line here.

California has been in a drought for sometime. It was especially evident in the brush around the lake and the brown hills.

These cat tails grew in a sort of marsh- like setting which reminded us of Florida. Of course, the notable difference was you weren't likely to stumble across an alligator!

Boys and sticks....just like boys and fire....speaking of which, Brent built us an awesome fire. We enjoyed roasting hot dogs and making smores and then playing a mean game of Phase 10 where Mom beat the pants off Brent! (well, maybe it was luck but whatever...it was fun)

End of a perfect day with my youngest son!

Out of the mouths of grandchildren....

McKell is so cute...Evaly was out of town so to help out I took McKell and Carter to "Pump it Up" for a birthday party. As is typical of me when driving in unfamiliar places I was using my GPS. After the party, she watched me type in an address. Apparently, having overheard previous conversations with Evaly where I was complaining about my memory, she innocently asked, "Grandma, does that machine help your memory?" I laughed so hard until I realized that then I had to tell her the truth...."No, this helps Grandma not to get lost!" Still LOL!!!

Too busy to blog....

I know I haven't blogged in awhile. Just been really busy! Ken and I did get a chance to go to the LA County Fair which I always find quite enjoyable. It is so large and has so many things to see. We especially enjoy the handicrafts and art and animals and seeing the newest gadgets for sale.
These Clydesdale horses are so massive and beautiful....to bad the association is with beer!
Brent just earned his Life rank in scouts. Yea! Good for him. He will probably be doing an Eagle Project next summer. Life is too busy with Band and all. They have their first Parade and Field show competition of the season this Saturday. We are looking forward to that!
I enjoyed watching General Conference this weekend. I am grateful for the gospel in my life. It gives meaning to the best things in my life and strength to weather the difficult things in my life.

Happy Birthday Evaly!

We enjoyed a nice little get together with Grandpa, Karen & Rod, Jenessa, Lynnae & David, Ted & Annette and kids, Evaly & Nathan and our adorable grandchildren last Sunday afternoon! It was nice to be with everyone as it has been a little while since we had got together. Evaly's birthday is really Saturday the 27 th and Andrew will be turning 15 on the 29th! Adrienne and Andrew have both been doing some growing again...going to be tall kids! Jenessa told us that she is interested in becoming a lawyer. Lynnae is anxiously awaiting news on a certain dietician type of job at a computer company that creates software that calculates food values...whew! What an explanation...she explained it better to me. Oh well....David is liking school and much appreciates being out of the "brick moving" business. Karen is taking a very difficult microbiology class in preparation to go into nursing. She has worried and studied a lot over this class. It definitely paid off. She got the only 100% in her class on her first exam. Congrats! That's the news I can remember at the moment. Everyone seems to be doing okay! I sort of forgot to take pictures since it was at our house and I was busy with food etc. I even forgot Evaly's gift till right before she left which is why you don't see others around except for McKell who somehow sneaked back into the house after being seatbelted into the car. That's okay...isn't she cute peaking over her Mom's shoulder? Oh yea....someone forgot a pink zipper up the front sweatshirt that says PINK on it? Anybody claim it?

Brent begins the Seminary/High School Era

Yes, here he is...the Freshman! Strange for all of the family to realize how old Brent is now. He is just about his Dad's height, has the biggest feet in the family and we're definitely seeing some thicker facial hair.... He is loving being a "Hawk" and certainly is a busy young man. I'm sure he will enjoy all of the neat experiences of high school. Go Brent!! He is also really enjoying Seminary and is friends with the teacher. He is working hard on Scripture Mastery already.

The first field show is the first of October so we look forward to putting that in our blog. I'm sure that will bring back some memories for Evaly and Cami.

Take me out to the Ball Game....

take me out to the crowds....Buy some peanuts and cracker jack....I don't care if I ever get back so it's root, root, root for the home team....if they don't win its a shame...For it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the old ball game!!! Since Mark and Christy and baby Parker were in town over the weekend and Christy loves baseball we had to take in some Angels baseball.

On Saturday we headed down to Dana Point for some beach fun and kayaking. Grandpa joined us and we enjoyed a beautiful day, a yummy lunch and great company!

After church on Sunday, we had a dinner and hung out at our house and let the kids and Cannon play to their hearts content while the adults talked, slept, watched TV or worked on a computer.

Monday was another full day of cruising around Fashion Island, riding the ferry from Balboa Island and BBQ'ing our lunch at Evaly's. We also said our good-bye's to Mark and Christy and Parker as they headed home to Arizona. What a great weekend!

So terrific to spend time with those we love! Bye, bye baby Parker!

Tomorrow is another big day....Brent starts high school! GO HAWKS!!

Hike to Ensign Peak

I've wanted to hike Ensign Peak which is a short but "all uphill "hike in Salt Lake. The elevation of the peak is 5,414 feet but the hike itself is only 1,100 feet above street level. Since I was in town for BYU Education Week (which by the way, was absolutely fabulous....more to come on that later) I decided to do the hike with my friend, Debbie.

The views and the sunset were beautiful! Here is the Great Salt Lake in the background.

A view of downtown Salt Lake and the temple nestled in between buildings. The state capital building is to the left.

This is the monument that marks Ensign Peak. The history of the peak is as follows:" Before he left Nauvoo, Brigham Young said that Joseph Smith, the deceased prophet, had appeared to him in a vision and shown him a place where the banner of liberty should wave. When he viewed this peak as he entered the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, Brigham reportedly said, "This is the place," adding "I want to go there." Two days later, still weak from fever, he insisted on climbing the summit. Eight others made the hike with him where they spent several hours in prayer and counsel. They gazed over the valley and made plans for a new city. They wanted their new home to become "ensign for the nations" of which Isaiah had prophesied in the bible, hence the name Ensign Peak. No ensign, or flag, was flown on that occassion, but perhaps a yellow bandanna, tied to a cane, was raised as a symbolic gesture. Within a few weeks, an American flag was hoisted on the summit.

Guess what?

My son is so smart! I tried and tried to figure out how to do a slideshow on my blog without success. He went on and had it figured out in no time at all! Yea! Love all my talented kids! Anyhow, enjoy my slideshow of the second country we visited on our cruise, Malta! Thanks again Brent!

Picking wild blackberries

Mom was in the mood to do something we used to do when we lived in Grand Terrace many years ago....we went into the canyon and picked wild blackberries! It was a beautiful day and lots of fun though, if you've ever picked berries of any kind, you know all about those dreadful thorns!

Can you see the waterfall cascading gently down the rock face?

Dad was supposed to be on a hike to San Gorgonio this weekend with the scouts but due to a lack of interest that didn't happen. However, here he appears to be wishing he was up that mountain enjoying that hike.

Our pickin's! Blackberries over ice cream tomorrow anyone?

La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona

La Sagrada Familia is a massive Roman Catholic Cathedral. Construction on it began in 1882 and has continued uninterrupted to this day!

You may wonder, as I did, how this constant construction is funded. Tours of the cathedral are a large resource and donations from devout Catholics worldwide keep the construction going.

The detail of the facade is absolutely amazing. Originally designed by Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926), who worked on the project for over 40 years, devoted the last 15 years of his life entirely to the endeavor. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2026. On the subject of the extremely long construction period, Gaudí is said to have remarked, "My client is not in a hurry."

Rod, we think working for this construction company is recession proof!! It's a lifer!!

Family Get Together Aug. 3rd

We had a nice day at Ted & Annette's. We enjoyed a little Mexican for dinner...that was homemade Carnitas...yummy! It was nice to have Lynnae & David back in California. They are pretty settled in their apartment now. Lynnae is looking for work as a dietician. David is getting ready to start back in school to continue his business degree.

Notice Andrew's new smile! No more braces though Adrienne was sporting a new pair!

Somebody's Daddy just turned 29! Happy Birthday Nathan!

Cheesy Smiles....don't they look as though they were caught red-handed sneaking more dessert? Well, it was hard not going for seconds with homemade ice cream.