Quotes of the Week

"Sometimes you just have to look back at your past and smile about how far you've come." 

 -- Author Unknown 

"If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it." 

-- George F. Burns 

"If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever." 

-- Dalai Lama 

"Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life, and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, 'I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me.'" 

 -- Ann Landers 

 

Wynne Blessed on Father's Day

Wynne Marie Thomas's baby announcement.

Abe and Klarissa decided to bless their baby daughter on Father's Day. Here's the stroller brigade inside their church building.

Glen and I were feeling very blessed we got to be there for the beautiful baby blessing given by Abe. I know Klarissa's dad had been enjoying time with the family before we got there and stayed a couple of days after we left.

Here's little Wynne tucked into her stroller under the baby blanket from Bethlehem.

The stroller group walked home after sacrament meeting. Michael was able to get Newland to sleep. Glen felt the need to keep the sleeping boy company by taking a long nap himself when he got home.

But first the three of us had to hike up the hill to the car after church was over.

Gotta love the famous San Francisco steep hills!

Abe and Klarissa fixed a delicious grilled steak and grilled veggie meal for us. We ate it out on their back patio under the palm tree. 

Here are the men with their Father's Day gifts Klarissa had so thoughtfully gotten for them.

Along with Newland who was already eating away at the chocolate gift Abe had received.

When we dropped off the car seat and stroller the first night we were there, Newland had been so disappointed to see me at the door instead of his grandpa.

Glen has always been his favorite between the two of us. It made me happy when Newland softened up to me and sat on my lap while watching one of his favorite kid movies. Glen was enjoying a Father's Day phone call from one of our children.

Abe wanted in on the selfie photo.

It just wouldn't be a Sunday without popcorn!

Time for more photos in the back yard before the sun went down.

After such a great nap, Newland had lots of energy. He got on his bike and pedaled around and around and around the patio. It was tricky business to not get run over by him as he made his endless rounds. 

And we had to time the photos just right or Newland would photo bomb the picture.

One of my favorite activities when Newland was blessed was watching Abe and Klarissa having a little personal photo session with him in his white outfit. I was so happy when it came time to do the same with little Wynne.

She was so content lying on her back with her arms outstretched being the perfect little baby model. So cute and so sweet and so precious.

Now some photos with her hat off so we could see her hair.

My favorite moments were with mother and daughter.

We had a little FHE activity with Newland.

It had been a wonderful weekend with Abe's family. It was so fun to see Wynne in person for the first time. We were happy Newland's lip was healing. We appreciated Abe and Klarissa's hospitality.

They have such a precious little family!!

Father's Day Weekend in San Francisco

Abe and Klarissa requested we bring them the car seat and stroller they left at our house a while ago. They were supposed to be coming back shortly after that trip and would use the items again and take them home at that time, but plans changed and it didn't happen.

Hence, we have had these extra baby items sitting in our garage for months and months. And all these months later, they have had another baby and could use the items.

Ahhhhh, San Francisco!! What a beautiful view we had out of our restaurant window as we watched the planes landing as we ate.

The plan for the next day was meet up at Golden Gate Park. It is rectangular in shape (3 miles long by 1/2 mile wide). It is similar in shape but 20 percent larger than Central Park in New York City, to which it is often compared.

Stow Lake Boathouse to be exact. Newland and his two grandpas jumped in one boat.

Abe and Klarissa got in another boat and off they went.

They weren't the only ones on the water that day.

 

Lest anyone worry about some not wearing life jackets, the following picture shows how shallow the water was with the oars hitting bottom with every stroke.

 Michael, Newland and Glen coming in close to say hello.

 Speaking of hello...this was our first peek at our newest grandchild. Hello Wynne Marie Thomas!!!

Newland knew exactly what he wanted at the Twirl and Dip truck.

Poor little guy got run over by a bicyclist the day before and anything cold on his swollen upper lip we hoped would help the swelling go down.

We went up into the De Young Museum observation tower where we got a good view of the park and the city beyond.

California Academy of Sciences has a green roof. 

The Spreckels Temple of Music, also called the Bandshell, is where numerous music performances and concerts have been staged.

It was built in 1900 and to us had the look of Rome about it.

Newland wanted to hold his baby sister.

Glen did a great job getting a smile out of this little one for the camera. 

Enjoying the beach before dining at the Cliff House overlooking the ocean. 

It had been a wonderful day and we were looking forward to another great day the following day when Wynne would be blessed.