Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Fleet Science Center, Farewell to Rebecca's Family

Glen was able to take a day off to spend with Rebecca's family. We went to the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park.
There were lots of things for the grandchildren to use to creatively construct things.


When I saw this hand sculpture, I thought of Sarah and the hand she crafted out of clay in one of her art classes in high school.
Brooke did exactly what the instructions told her to do.
Her boat scene was displayed in the glass case.


We stayed until closing time. When Glen spotted a worker dumping out buckets full of popcorn into the trash can, he asked if we could have a bucket. She handed one to him. We took the free popcorn outside to enjoy eating it by the fountain.
We walked around Balboa Park.
For some reason, every time I saw Caroline that day, I just wanted to say, "Hi!"
The next day while the Goldens played, we took yet another group of missionaries to eat lunch at Tequila Factory before going on a tour at the Mormon Battalion.

One of our sisters saw a childhood friend who is serving at the Mormon Battalion. That was a fun surprise for both of them.
A sister volunteered to be the soldier this time during the tour.
The Hemingways were there in costume this time. He is the director of the historic site and they always join us after the tour to spend a few minutes talking to our missionaries.

That evening we got the chance to play Qwirkle. Hurrah!! Kathryn had been anxious to learn how to play the game. She was a quick Qwirkle learner and succeeded in getting the highest score. Good for her!!
The next day we had new leadership training meeting. I think Rebecca's family went to the beach once again.
After that meeting. I went to pick up Chick-fil-A so we could meet with our two new assistants and get them up to speed on what their new responsibilities will entail.
That evening we fed the grandchildren pizza and left them watching a movie under Brooke's care for a short time while we adults went to Benihana for dinner.

Brooke had us laughing so hard one day during our Jenga game.
She gave herself an extra challenge by pulling out one of the blocks by only using her toes and positioned it safely atop the wooden tower without making it fall. BRAVO!!
The Golden family's vacation week had come to an end. Glen made his famous French toast for them one last time. And then they were on their way back home to Utah.
Later in the day when I requested a report of how they were doing, Rebecca sent me this photo. OH NO....!!!!! Car troubles!! How awful!! I was feeling so sorry for them and then...
...I received this photo of a devilish grin on Dallas's face. He had thought it would be funny to pull a prank on his worrywart mother-in-law.
Haha!! Still laughing!! NOT!!!!

It was very good news when we learned they had made it home safely. Whew!! We were so glad they had come to visit. And it seemed like Kathryn had had a nice vacation as well.

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Quotes of the Week

Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey.
--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

God does not force us to believe. Instead He invites us to believe by sending living prophets and apostles to teach us, by providing scriptures, and by beckoning to us through His Spirit.
--L. Whitney Clayton

Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God's children on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life.
--Russell M. Nelson

Friday, November 9, 2018

Bonnie and Dave Visit, Rebecca's Family Here, Legoland

Glen's sister Bonnie and Dave came for a visit. They bought a new motor home and felt like Southern California would be a great place to go to try it out.
We were pretty busy the days they were here, but we managed to be able to go to dinner with them every night. We didn't want them to come to Carlsbad and not take them to eat at our favorite ribs restaurant.
We attended the La Paz district council in Temecula.
Transfer planning is always a process. This particular day Glen and the assistants were getting ready to make lots of changes on the transfer board and they needed some food to help their brains work better. They were all thrilled with the Chick-fil-A I delivered to them. 

Anything to make them happy and allow me to get on my way as I had a few free hours that afternoon while they were busy. I went to the mall. 
Glen spotted this license plate and it gave us both a good laugh.
Jeff has been gone for 3 months for training back east to become a postal inspector. He only got to go home for a visit a few times. It always made me so happy when Sarah would send a photo of him on one of his very short weekend visits.
Our grocery shopping this particular week included a huge container of cheese balls because some grandchildren were coming to visit.
Look who had traveled from Utah and was standing on our front porch! Rebecca, Dallas, Brooke, Caroline, Spencer, Madison and Dallas's mother Kathryn. They were a sight for sore eyes as we had been missing them dreadfully. We miss all our family and are thrilled when any of them come to visit.
It didn't take long before the children were requesting some of the cheese balls their grandpa had bought for them. That was bedtime snack.

In the morning it was their Grandpa's specialty--French toast--for breakfast.
We went off to church together. Couldn't pass up the opportunity for a Sunday photo in front of the palm trees.

Monday morning the children were enjoying drawing and showed me their artwork. I loved to see their drawings.


The children were eagerly waiting for the precise moment when they could jump in the car and head to the beach and play in the ocean.
I thought it very ironic that Jacob sent a photo of what was happening that day in his part of the world--Omaha. LOVE the snowman!!! I don't know who the child is on the left of the snowman. Claire, Logan and Luke are the ones on the right.
While Glen was busy doing his hour-long exit interviews all day long on Tuesday, the rest of us were eager to get on our way for our fun day.
Rebecca and Madison were wearing their "Everything Is Awesome" Legoland family reunion t-shirts and it made me so happy!!
It was such a beautiful day at Legoland. And not crowded at all!! So wonderful!! And such perfect weather!!

It was a bonus time of the year to be there because the Halloween Lego decorations were on display.
Okay people!! It was time to see if I could maintain my status as Queen of Ninjago. Dallas proved to have skills beyond my own on the first two rounds.

The last time we played, I got the highest score only because Dallas ended up sitting in a dud seat where it wasn't recording correctly all the hits he got.

But, I must say it helped my ego to be able to walk out of there as the winner of the last game at least!
The time spent in this building is one of my favorite memories. The children made their own cars out of Legos and then raced them. Notice their eager anticipation as they are waiting for the cars to be launched. 
Notice where Brooke's eyes are looking at her car--halfway down the race track. Notice where the other four are looking--at the winning car, which happened to be Madison's car.
Yes, the littlest girl who had made the Christmas tree car had won the race, and got the ribbon to prove it!!
3D glasses were necessary to watch the Lego movie being shown.
Madison did a great job stopping to pose for a photo before her stingray took off spinning around in the water.

 





Miniland USA was all decorated in its Halloween decor. 
A new display was Miniland Legoland. Also behind Legoland is Oceanside Harbor. CUTE!!
My season pass does not include admission into the Sea Life Aquarium. The rest of them had admission into the aquarium. I decided to show my pass and see what happened.

The employee okayed me to enter. I was so thankful for her kindness so I could spend the last part of the day with the family.





Glen went with us to the new Golden Corral in Oceanside for dinner.
It had been a very fun day with more adventures to come!!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Quotes of the Week

Find happiness in ordinary things, and keep your sense of humor.
--Boyd K. Packer

I believe in God's perfection, and I know we are His spiritual sons and daughters with divine potential to become as He is.
--Jeffrey R. Holland

God knows, loves, and reaches out to each of us individually. His love and comfort are available to all of us -- one by one.
--David A. Bednar

The greatest missionary work we will ever do will be in our homes. Our homes, quorums, and classes are part of the mission field. Our children and grandchildren are our most important investigators.
--Robert D. Hales