California Here We Come...or Came

I know this is very late but we took a fantastic trip to California and Utah this summer (with a little time in Nevada passing through). I'll just post a few pictures and describe them as best I can remember. Cal's mom picked us up in Las Vegas and we drove on to San Diego for a three day stay. We stayed at a motel very close to the end of the San Diego Airport. Some people didn't like it and some, like us, did. The noise didn't bother us and it was fun to watch the planes up close.
Our visit to the mission in San Diego was on perfect San Diego day. It is in a beautiful setting with a nice view. Originally built near the ocean it was moved back to be closer to a more stable water source.




















After the trip to the mission we had a delicious lunch in Old Town.














Visiting Balboa Park was a highlight. This shows the arboretum there.
















At sunset we visited the cliffs at Sunset Point. Check out the guy jumping off of the cliff in the clip.

We had a fantastic view of the city and harbor from Cabrillo National Monument.















Our visit with my sister Marcia's family was highlighted by a celebration of the blessing of Gracie Bustamonte, my niece Amy's miracle baby.

Marcia's family

My brother, sister and I visited my mother's grave at Rose Hills in Whittier.

Our visit to Griffith Park Observatory was on a perfect evening. The sun was setting over the Santa Monica Mountains and we could see Catalina Island out in the Pacific Ocean.

The Los Angeles Temple is revisited 38 years after we were married there. We have changed more than it has.

The Getty Museum in West Los Angeles is the most spectacular I've visited. The architecture, gardens and view make the great art collection all the more amazing. It helped having a very clear day.


We spent a couple of days at my dad's house at Heritage Ranch, up the mountain from Paso Robles, on Lake Naciemento. Here is my brother, Scott, with remote control boats and surfboards.

Dale and family joined us in St. George. The kids had fun in the fountain, just up the street from Grandma's house.

Hiking in Snow Canyon.
Our trip to Zion National Park and Bryce National Park had so many magnificent views.


Always on the look out for snakes, Cal didn't disappoint. David and Dale look on.

On our way to Las Vegas Airport we went to see Hoover Dam and the new bridge being built over the Colorado just downstream from the dam. The support had just been completed across a few days before.
It was great to go and good to get home too.

BEACH WEEK (Yeah!!!)

Our annual family week at the beach was all I hoped it would be and more. The weather was perfect and I spent more time in the water than I have in years. The 80 degree water temperature helped out there. The humidity level was low most of the week so the ocean reflected the clear blue skies and created such gorgeous colors. All of the grandchildren kept busy and had a blast. Several of them became real water lovers this year. When I wasn't in the water I watched over castle building, walked down the beach, sat in the hot tub, read (finished 2 1/2 books), or went on some adventures. Now we have 51 weeks to go until the next Beach Week. I'm already looking forward to it. Look at the slideshow and let me know what you think. If you click on it and make it bigger you can read the captions.

S'mores on the Beach

What to have for dessert on Thursday night after a few days of great stuff?? Sarah made Magic Cookie Bars, Stephen three kinds of homemade cheesecake, Alison gave us ice cream cones on the deck (the best place for ice cream since it was near the hose) and Karen made some Lemon Bars. So Tammy and Dale decided on S'mores when we realized that the local rules permit fires on the beach as long as they are below the high tide line. Dale used his Boy Scout skills to create a great fire (okay a little fire starter helped) and we were off and running. The video shows more light than there was at the time. It was getting dark and the fire was so welcoming and fun. We sat around for a long time enjoying the fire and each other. Great Times!!!



We took the annual family picture just before lighting the fire. I know it is on the sidebar now but this one can be adjusted so that you can actually see faces. We are basically grouped by family. It was so much better taking the pictures at dusk, without squinting. Our kids have developed a sensitivity to the sun after being forced to stare at it during so many family pictures in years past. I think it developed their character.

The Continuing Adventures of Crocodile Cal, Eagle Eye Steve and the Photo Taking Science Teacher

Stephen wanted his dad to show him where he caught water moccasins at Cape Hatteras as a teen. So Cal, Steve and I went to a pond near sunset to hunt for them. Steve's recent laser eye surgery paid off and he spotted two. The first was a thick bodied adult with its mouth wide open and we could see up close why they call them cottonmouths. The second was a two footer and I managed to take a short video of him catching it. I might add that I stayed a comfortable distance from both.

Weather Geek

I've always been a weather geek. For Christmas a couple years ago Dale and Tammy bought me a weather book. I love it still. Whenever I have the chance I watch the Weather Channel for fun. When a snowstorm is on its way and I could sleep in because school is cancelled I am usually glued to the TV watching the status of the storm on my favorite channel. If there is ever a contest where anyone in my family has to guess my favorite they would know what it is, easily. So we are at the beach and when I woke up this morning I, of course, was checking in the on the weather when I saw a report by Jim Cantore on the Weather Channel (one of my favorite meterologists) from Cape Hatteras. I thought, "that's where we are right now." Steve mentioned he could see the surf kite that Mr. Cantore was flying on the report from the deck of our house. I was excited. Cal joined me in the walk down the beach. I took my camera and a piece of paper for an autograph. Although the kite could be seen from the deck it was still a hike. The sand here is on the course side and each time a step is taken you sink down to your ankles. It makes for slow progress but it is great physical therapy for my knees. Cal and I joined the crew and one other woman at the old site for the lighthouse, just on the beach. I introduced myself as a fan, got his autograph (the first time I've ever asked anyone for one) and he was graciously talked to me for a few minutes. A dream come true for a weather geek!
This picture shows the crew beginning to film promos. A few minutes later he flying the surf kite again. We watched the process for about 20 minutes.

Independence Day

I love the Fourth of July. It is a time for family, friends and patriotism. As I learn more about the Declaration of Independence and the brillance of our Founding Fathers, it has deeper meaning for me. It is also a day of tradition for our family. This year it started a day early since all of our government employees had the 3rd of July off. After yard work and a few other errands our family gathered at Dale's house for swimming and taco salad. What fun! Karen and family stayed behind to spend the night with them.

On the Fourth we began by attending the Beltsville/College Park Ward Breakfast and Flag Raising. Craig Schmoldt has been in charge of the kitchen for many years now. Cal and I almost always end up cooking and mostly with the same people who do it every year. This year we were in charge of the orange/craisin pancakes. I wasn't expecting them to taste as good as they did. The cub scouts did a better than usual job on the flag raising, reminding me of the old days when Mark or Blaine McGraw would organize a military-like performance. There was a lot of red, white and blue on the tables and worn by all the breakfast eaters. It is great to start the day listening to and singing patriotic songs.

In the late afternoon we hosted a barbeque. Helen came over early to help out. THANKS. All of our family was there and it is growing. Hint: Stephen and Wendy kind of announced they will be responsible for the next addition. Right now we have 12 adults and 15 1/9 children. Usually we are fighting a thunderstorm or the heat and humidity our area is well known for. This year the temperature was warm, but not hot and it was dry (maybe not for the Arizonians, but for the rest of us it was). I didn't have my camera out as much as I should have but here are a few shots. Spencer and Chrissy Edwards stopped by on their way from the airport (a 22 hour trip from Thailand) to her parents house in Pasadena. Kara is standing opposite Shawn at the food table. Many thanks to friends who used all of our cameras to take an amazing number of pictures once we herded the whole family to one spot. We are grouped by family, kind of. It took several tries to have everyone looking in the right direction. Aren't we a handsome bunch?? Oh yes, Shawn is now officially taller than his mother.The next activity is at the University of Maryland parking lot. We were joined by more friends and some of the kids enjoyed the games and we all listened to the Hubcaps doing a great job singing oldies. This year Alison brought a lot of glow bracelets that were a big hit (and we could see where the kids were, most of the time). The fireworks were amazing but a little frightening. The cinders and debris poured down on us due to a slight breeze. We were all covered in grit and some of the kids were hustling around gathering large pieces of debris that fell to the ground. It was not hard to find. No injuries to report (most of the debris had cooled before it reached the ground).