California!! Yeah!

I love visiting California! This was my last trip of the summer and all fun! My friends, Stephanie and Tyler were down there cleaning and fixing up her grandma's house to sell. Her grandma passed away early in the summer. They invited me down and after finding I had a little bit of time and could get a pretty good price on tickets, I headed down. I came back from Washington on Tuesday and left for Cali on Thursday.

So, I'm going to detail out my trip as much for me as for everyone else.

Thursday
I arrived mid-morning at the Burbank airport. It is a SMALL airport. I walked down the stairs at the back of the airplane. How often does that happen anymore? When I walked out to get my luggage, the baggage claim was outside! That's California for you.
We went to Hollywood to get tickets for Wicked and decided to come back later for the lottery. We headed to Duke's in Malibu for lunch. This is one of Steph and Tyler's favorite restaurants in Calif and Hawaii. I had an excellent Mahi Mahi and it was right on the ocean.

It was nice to get a glimpse of the ocean the first day! I miss the ocean! I love seeing the waves. We tried to get in to see this museum called The Getty, but we didn't have enough time and had to get back to Hollywood. We walked up and down and looked at the shops and the "stars" on the ground. It was great fun to stand in line for the lottery for orchestra tickets for Wicked. If our names were drawn, we could purchase up to 2 tickets for $25. There were only 26 tickets available and we didn't get them, but we cheered for all those who did. :) Fortunately, if you stand in the line for the lottery, you can also stand in line to get half price tickets. We didn't get as good of tickets as we wanted, but who can be sad about half price tickets. ($45)


We had time to kill, so we rode the red line down the street and decided to go to Sephora's. Steph was so excited to show me this place. It was make-up. I wasn't too excited, but she sure was. Before we went into Sephora's, there was all of this commotion on the street. They had the red carpet out. As near as we could tell, it looked like the premier of Swing Vote. I couldn't see anything, but I'm sure Kevin Costner was there. We also saw a filming of "10 years younger", if you've ever seen that on TLC. That was kind of cool. I had to take pictures of the box that they stand in.



At Sephora's, Stephanie had someone working on her and she really wanted someone to work on me. I could really care less, but of course, she brought someone over. lol. She got to working on me and asking questions and before I knew it, I had a complete make-over and had bought new foundation. Who knew? I love the stuff! We had to race back to the Pentages Theater for Wicked. We thought we were going to miss the red line and be late for the show. Good thing we didn't, but we sure were out of breath by the time we arrived. I absolutely LOVED the show and would love to see it again! I highly recommend it!!

Friday
Friday got off to a great start walking to the church for an hour of Pilates. The Stake has a workout every Friday for anyone who wants to attend. Kids are running around everywhere while Moms work out. Usually, it is Yoga, but I guess it was a guest instructor who was doing Pilates. I was okay with that! I love Pilates! It was a great workout and then we got in a good swim at the house! Steph and I switched off giving each other "water aerobic" moves to do. :) Friday was to be Magic Mountain day. It was as hot as can be, but was close by. We decided to go backwards through the park and didn't hardly have to wait in line for any rides. The idea was to get in a few rides during the day and then go back at night when it was cooler to stand in line for the best rides. Magic Mountain has big roller coasters and I wasn't sure how well I would do. After the 1st big one, I thought "This isn't bad at all. I can do this." By the fourth big ride in a row, I thought I might actually lose it, and I hate to throw up. I was queasy for a good long time after that. We decided that that was a good stopping point until later. Lol. We headed to Tyler's favorite restaurant, BJ's. It was a pizza joint. I haven't had pizza for a really long time and it was SOooo good! It was deep dish and worth it!

We were pretty exhausted by the time we got home and took a good long nap. I'm not used to naps, so mine wasn't so long, but it was still good. I wasn't so sure I wanted to go back to Magic Mountain after being so queasy, (I figured I had already gotten my money's worth) but since it would be "free", we decided we would at least go and walk around and maybe get in some more rides. We stood in line for a good couple of hours for X2. I figured I could stand in line and still back out at the top. Steph didn't like that idea, but I didn't think it was so bad. :) As we were standing in line, I saw the ride inching up an incline with the participants laid back in their seats. I asked Steph if they went over the edge upside down. She couldn't deny it. I was a little worried and not sure about my queasy stomach. I think the heat had had a lot to do with it, but probably not entirely. Well, if you were wondering, I rode the ride. Each seat had speakers and music was playing the whole ride. As we were inching up, "It Had to Be You" music was on. It was beautiful. The stars were out. Steph said, "Isn't this relaxing?" I thought, "Are you kidding me?" I was gripping my seat. However, I loved the ride and could have relaxed. I would have gone back and gone on it again, if I could have. We wrapped up the evening driving around trying to find an ice cream shop that was open. We ended up driving through McDonald's to get oreo cookie shakes. I wish I would have had pictures from Magic Mountain, but it was too dangerous to have a camera on those rides. You lose anything not tied down, including sun glasses, flip flops, hats, etc.

Saturday
It was nice to sleep in on Saturday, wake up, and work out. Saturday we set aside for the Temple and the beach. We didn't make it to the beach, but we went to the LA Temple. I had never been there! It was SO beautiful and a wonderful experience!


Stephanie wanted me to experience another one of her favorite restaurants, one that she loved as a child. Her grandpa would take their family there. It was a Chicken restaurant at Knotts Berry Farm. We stood in line for a long time for this chicken meal. Mrs. Knotts is known for her fried chicken. I wasn't so sure about fried chicken. Fortunately, they also had other kind of chicken as well. There was so much food, though. The Boysenberry Punch was good, but too sugary. I wasn't used to that. I had the pie to go and ate it the next day. It was good stuff. We took turns standing in line and went in the shops. There was this "special" bathroom only to be found by going through this room that was extremely humid, but had an amazing display of plants. We took a picture, but you can't get the full idea of this little place in the picture. We also had to take a picture by the chicken. Tyler wouldn't take a picture with us by the chicken. Go figure! Lol.


Sunday
Sunday, as you can imagine, was a very relaxed day. I enjoyed church. I saw Kirby Heybourne (if you know who he is). He is in their ward. Steph and Tyler love this ward. It was a farewell for 2 missionaries, one of which comes from a family who really helped out Steph and Tyler with their estate garage sales and anything they have needed. They have taken them in like family. Fairwells are always good Sacrament Mtgs. There was a special RS and Priesthood Mtg. combined where they talked about Prop. 8 (preserving marriage to mean "between man and wife") The church doesn't usually get involved in politics, but this Prop. would greatly affect the church there in CA, so they are informing the members of the issues at hand. It was very interesting.
After church, I enjoyed a short nap (still not used to the nap thing), read my book (always have a book to read, especially in the summer) before we headed over to the Mendenhalls. I couldn't believe they invited us over. They had tons of family over for the farewell, but still took some time to talk with us and feed us wonderful food. Sunday culminated with a beautiful walk through the neighborhood and watching "The Burbs". I could've skipped that part (I've seen it before).

Monday
Monday was my last day in California. I really wanted to go to the beach. Steph wasn't sold on it because of the drive, but was glad because they hadn't been to the beach while they had been there and Tyler had wanted to go. We were all glad we went. We traveled to Ventura Beach. It was a beautiful drive through orange groves and all kinds of growing fields. I really wanted to go to some beach shops and find some starfish to purchase for my classroom. My theme is "Under the Sea" and I have a Star Student board that I wanted to put real starfish up on it. I finally found a couple of good shops and got some starfish. It was fun to see the sailboats and the shops and the ocean. We ate at Spinnakers and I got a kobob of different kinds of fish, one of which was shark. There was also some halibut, salmon, and I'm not sure what else. It was good. We had to get seafood while we were there at the beach. It only made sense. :)
I love the beach, watching the waves and the water come in. We didn't get in our suits, but we walked in the water. I got salt water and sand all over my capris. It was a great exfolient. lol. My face isn't supposed to get sun, so I put on 70 plus everyday. That's what gives me the great pasty white face look or maybe it's an angelic look. :) However, I didn't put any sunscreen on anywhere else and got some nice redness on my chest. Hopefully, it will turn brown. It was a great way to end my time in Cali. The rest of the time was spent on the freeways driving back to the airport (another lovely part of California, lots of time spent driving, because of the traffic). We did drive through some pretty parts, though, and through Camarillo. I have a bunch of friends from there. It was fun on this trip to see a lot of places that I haven't been to in California. I grew up in San Jose and have spent lots of time in San Diego and Southern California, but I've never spent anytime in LA or the surrounding parts. It was a great last trip of the summer!

The Homeplace

Ah . . .the Homeplace . . . currently to be found in a beautiful place on the Columbia River in Washington 8 miles from the Canadian border in a small town called Northport. It's peaceful and tranquil amongst the nut orchard. It's where Grandma and Grandpa live and where we all love to visit. However, Grandma and Grandpa are moving to St. George where it is warm and where there is not so much land and responsibilities to keep up and they can enjoy life to it's fullest. I couldn't let them move without taking one last visit up there. I had a great time! I got to help paint under the deck, go on bike rides with grandpa along the Columbia, be there for an offer on the house, eat amazing smoked salmon, spend a day at the Temple, visit with my cousin in Spokane, talk to my mission President and his wife, serve in the small branch, go to a barn party, get my first stamp in my passport, and spend a day in Canada at Ainsworth Hot Springs! I would have loved to have been there longer, but my summer has been full!

Blast from the past!

This summer has been a summer of connecting with "old" friends. On July 11th, we had a San Jose reunion in Lehi. It's amazing what technology can accomplish. I resisted signing up on facebook, but once I did, I connected with so many people and this reunion was a result of that. Amy put this whole reunion together and the news spread and spread. It was great to see everyone old and young!

Timp Cave

Katie (my roommate) and I have wanted to hike to Timp Cave for awhile. We finally decided just to buy tickets ahead of time and just DO IT! We hiked it on July 10th. It was so much fun! What a great hike! We enjoyed hiking in the morning and also taking a tour of the caves. Amazing, truly amazing! I don't know how people can experience nature and not believe in a God who created it all! I look around me at all the beauty and just feel an awe and am grateful!!!! If this life is so beautiful, what does the next life hold?

School, School, School!

Today was the 2nd day of a 3 day class that I've been teaching. We taught it last week as well, and this week is going much better. It usually goes better the second time around. I've changed some of my thinking about teaching math look forward to teaching math this next year. I'm excited to meet with my team next week and talk about some of the things I've learned this summer in my conferences, trainings, and working with the district.

Last night I went in to school. For the summer, everything is off the carpets so they can be cleaned. I started taking things back down and putting them in their places. I just sat and looked at my room for what seemed like forever trying to get a picture in my mind and decide how I want to change things for this next year. I got the momentum going and got an idea of what I'd like to do. I changed bulletin boards and rearranged my room. I'm going to go in a few more times this week while I remember my thinking and get some more done. The last couple of weeks, while facilitating this class, I've gotten several things done for school. We've got lots of time while our group is working on their project. We're there to help, but still have time to "multi-task". I wish I had brought more things to work on for school.

It wasn't all about school, though, yesterday. Katie and I went to play tennis. I use the term "play" very loosely. We stink!!! Neither one of us really plays. We decided we definitely need some help, maybe from the good-lookin' male persuasion. What do you think? :)

I love Sundays!

I love Sundays!! I played the organ in Sacrament Mtg. Allison, the other organist is moving at the end of the month, so I think it will just be me. It's been nice to switch off with someone else. Usually, I'm the only organist. I bought some new organ prelude music that I really like. I should probably spend some time practicing and improving my organ skills, but it probably won't happen right now.

Primary is so much fun! I'm the primary chorister. All of our kids have sharing time at the same time, so we've got the little guys (3 yrs old) all the way to the older kids (11 yrs old). It's quite the range in the same group. We started learning "Called to Serve" this month. It was fun to dust off my missionary tag to use as a "prop". I love that hymn and I love talking about missionary work. I'm not so good at doing missionary work these days, but I enjoy remembering my mission.

Jacob's (my nephew) birthday was on Sunday. We had a dinner celebration for him. We enjoyed eating, playing games, and celebrating. It's was also Josh's (my brother) birthday and it would have been great fun to have him there, too.

Class for the District

I taught a 3 day class for the District this week. I was a little nervous because I haven't done this before, but it turned out great! I'm not really teaching, but facilitating a working class. My partner and I spend a morning presenting the why's behind the class and the District philosophy in math and then get all the teachers set up in groups and on their way. The rest of the 3 days is spent working on the project and presenting all their work on the last day. We are there as a resource and to keep these teachers on task. :) It turned out very well and next week's class is going to be even better, now that we know what we are doing.

It's a great way to get some extra money in the summer and be involved with the District and be more familiar with the State Core and curriculum I am teaching. I don't know about you, but I always learn more when I teach something.

Family weekend!

Last weekend was wonderful! It was my cousin, Keith's wedding to Lisa in the Salt Lake Temple. Extended family came to celebrate. It was so fun to see many of them at a BBQ at my parent's house in Payson on Friday night! We enjoyed visiting with one another. I spent so much time visiting that I only took 2 pictures that night! I hope I can get some copies of pictures from some of the rest of the family. Those in attendance were: Keith and Lisa (my cousin)(along with some of Lisa's family), Jim and Karen(uncle and aunt), Betsy and Ken (aunt and uncle), Jeanine and Mardy (2 more aunts), Paul and Bonnie and Allie and Katie (uncle, aunt, and cousins), Rachel and Luke (cousin and cousin once removed?), Jolene and 3 kids(Jacob, Noah, and one other) (cousin and kids), Jolena and Bill (sister and boyfriend), Greg, Jacob, Caleb, and Lily (brother and kids), Mom and Dad, and I. It was quite the crowd.

Saturday was fantastic as well. I aways weigh in down in Provo on Saturday mornings. (I've lost over 60 pounds in the past few years and am trying to get off the last little bit and onto maintenance. It feels wonderful, by the way, and anyone who wants support in this kind of thing, let me know.) I traveled up to the Salt Lake Temple with my parents and Jolena. I love going to the Temple and it's always a special privilege to witness and see a Temple sealing. There is a very special spirit there that can't be matched. We stayed around for pictures in the hot weather and then headed down to Paul and Bonnie's for more visiting. We all brought got our own lunches and talked some more and had some great laughs. They all crack me up!

Saturday culminated at the Provo reception. It was great to see Scott and Ashley and their 3 kids (my cousin, his wife, and their kids). I hadn't seen them for ages. I always love to go to receptions where Jim (my uncle) is. He always pulls me to the dance floor and we dance (he leads well, thank goodness - it's been so long since I've done social or ballroom type dancing). That's one thing I always remember about my uncle Jim. He would always dance with us girls whenever we got together. I remember dancing on his toes when I was a young girl.

Sunday wrapped up the family weekend with an immediate family BBQ to celebrate Caleb's birthday (my nephew). Lily convinced my parents and I to play a game with her while the boys were downstairs playing pool.

What a great weekend!!!