Ikea

Friday we got a lot of rain, so they canceled the soccer games on Saturday even though it turned out to be a pretty nice day. Blake and I did Scouting for Food while Aaron and Dylan went to Teacher/Priest basketball since Aaron was a coach. After scouting for food, Blake and I went running because Blake is going to run in a 5k with my dad while they are out in April. 

Then we ate, then headed to Ikea. My nephew had a really cool display case for legos that they got at Ikea so we wanted to get it. We found it--a different color. The boys really like Ikea and so do I. Since the lego store was right next to Ikea, we checked it out, then headed home, ate dinner and then started to assemble it. Hmmm..maybe I should take a picture sometime. We finished it on Sunday.

Blake's Blue and Gold

A couple days after my trip, Blake had his Blue and Gold. My mom sewed on his bear badge, which he was sooooo excited for. He has mentioned it several times to me.

Here he is getting an award.

Grandma Turns 95

Feb 18--Grandma turns 95!! That morning we went over to David and Kristi's new house because I hadn't seen it. We also got to see all his toys.

This is a little bit old, but I like this family picture of them.

CA was so green and I forget about the mountains. I am so used to not having mountains now so when I do see them, it is a little weird. Some of the mountains even had snow on them.

Then David drove me over to the cemetery in his all electric car. It was super smooth. The boys were jealous that they didn't get to go for a ride.

We visited Grandpa's grave.

Then we headed to Dana Point per my Grandma's request. It was beautiful. It was a little chilly, but at least it was sunny.

There is Catalina Island in the distance.

My mom and me.

My folks. 

We then headed back to Grandma's to sort through some of her things. She will be moving into a retirement community soon.

Then all 25 of us went to Lucille's for some good BBQ food.

It was such a fun night and I know my Grandma was so happy to celebrate it with so many family members. I know I am a little bias, but she is a pretty awesome Grandma. She is 95, and she might be slowing down, but she still remembers everyone's birthdays and her personality is still there.

My parents went back over to Grandma's to sort through some more stuff, but James and Shannon brought me back so I could pack because I flew out the next morning. I was able to talk with them for awhile. We took this picture and sent it to my friends in Texas because she served in the same mission as James at the same time...they know each other. Crazy right?!

Dylan got sick while I was gone with a fever so was out for a day, but other then that, the boys all had fun. I missed a day of work, but it all worked out. I am so glad that I was able to make the trip. I was able to spend a lot of time with my family and just visit with them. I don't know how much longer Grandma has so I'm glad to have these memories of this trip because they were pretty great memories. I hadn't seen some of my aunts and uncles in a couple years. Of course it was awesome to spend time with my parents too. We were able to do some different things and have longer conversations since my kiddos weren't there. My folks will be out to visit us in April so that will be great for the boys especially. Thanks for the fun trip everyone. I'm grateful for a great family!!

Sunday Dinner

Sunday morning my parents and I went on a long walk, then we ate and went to church. After church the family came over for a dinner. 

Here is Grandma with her 6 kids.

My Aunt Candy put together several videos of Grandma and pictures with Grandma. Candy is really good at editing pictures.

We saw an interview with my Grandma and her sisters (maybe this happened after her brother died because he wasn't there). They talked about growing up, which I had heard a lot of the stories, but  fun to hear the new ones. My Grandma was born in Germany. Her mom was around the one millionth person to be baptized in 1901 (I  think that was the year). My great grandpa moved to USA while my great grandma was 6 months pregnant with my grandma. They moved 18 months later to USA via Ellis Island, so my great grandpa wasn't there for my grandma's birth. I didn't know this.

Anyway, there was some footage of Disneyland from the 1950s. Cool to see.

My dad had this...what the Disneyland tickets used to look like. The famous E ticket. How much was it? That's what I was wondering...$6.75. Amazing!

David's Birthday Party

Saturday morning my dad found this frog in their pool. They got sooo much rain and it was pretty chilly there.

Then we headed to Robert and Sarah's house for a surprise party for David. He turned 40 earlier in the week so we had the party at Rob's since I hadn't seen his new place.

He is super handy and built this patio. The bench lifts up even. It looks really nice. He isn't finished, but it looks great so far.

Rob and Sarah.

My nephews, Seth and Kaleb.

David and Kristi.

James and Shannon.

It was fun to visit with everyone and to celebrate David's birthday...and see the new house.

We then headed back (they live about an hour from my parents' house), then I went to dinner with my friends, Shaylyn and Lisa. We went to Cafe Rio. So good! We visited for a long time, but it was so much fun. I miss them! Our friend Kelly was supposed to come...she used to live in CA and we would all hang out together, then they moved back East and her husband worked in NYC. He just made partner so now  they are moving back to CA. They came out for the weekend, but schedules didn't work out for me to see her.

Caryn and Landon's Wedding

One of the reasons  for my trip to CA was to see my cousin Caryn get married. They were sealed in Newport Beach Temple in the morning. The sealing was pretty cool.

My cousins Caryn and Andrew.

With my Aunt Lyn and Uncle Carl.

We grew up close to the family so we saw them a lot. It was great to be able to be there for the sealing and festivities. I am so happy for Caryn!

After pictures, we headed over to the stake center for some food. My Grandma turned 95 the following Monday (another reason for my trip). Because of the wedding and the birthday, all of my Grandma's kids were there. Only 2 live near Grandma. Here are my mom, Aunt Jenni (who lives in Florida), Grandma, and Uncle Ken (lives in Utah).

Aunt Marsha (Louisiana..married to Charlie) and Aunt Candy (in Utah..married to Jeff)

My brother James and his wife Shannon.

Uncle Jeff and Uncle Charlie.

After the lunch, we went over to my Grandma's house and hung out for awhile. Then we headed over to the reception. I didn't get many pictures because my Aunt Jenni took a lot and she is pretty great. I'll post some more once I get my hands on them.

I took this to show to the boys to make them jealous.

My parents. They celebrated their 43rd anniversary on Valentines's Day.

My dad, brother David, Sarah and brother Robert, Shannon and brother James. David's wife was at a basketball practice with her kiddos.

Then we sent them off and then we went home.