WE DID A WHOLE LOT OF DRIVING

This is going to be a long blog with lots of pictures. So hang in there! Tito's Tacos was our first stop. It took 5 1/2 hours to drive to our favorite spot to eat Mexican food in Culver City. There are always lines inside and out. Dave and I found out that we both ate there in the 1970's when we didn't know each other. They have the best tacos ever! The burritos are fab too!

After Tito's we drove down to Carlsbad to visit with Aunt Dot (sorry , forgot to get a photo of her during dinner). This beach was clean and beautiful and the water was even warm. I like to snap the sea weed. We went to a pizza restaurant with Aunt Dot and then drove to San Diego to spend the night in a hotel.

These photos were taken on the road from San Diego to Az. Tons of boulders and very little vegetation. In fact, it was pure sand at one point. We'd never been on this road.

When we got there Friday evening we went out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes, one of our favorite places to eat.

We were so happy to be at Kaden's baptism. We are very proud of his decision. In the photo are: Crystal, Donae and her hubby Darrin (Thayne's brother); Hailey, Gramps, me; Kaden's friend, Kaden, Jen; Ella; Thayne; Neil and Heather and their three kids. It was a beautiful and busy day.

Kaden and Hailey at his soccer game Sat. morning. Grandpa was the horse for the better part of our stay, I don't who was having more fun, him or them:) Ella showing me how she climbs up the stairs. She goes all the way up.

We drove over the Hoover Dam on our way to Maran's house from Az. on Wed. It was crowded with tourists. They are building a huge bridge to bypass the dam from traffic.

We got to Utah on Wednesday night and stayed with Scott and Maran and Hannah until Sat. night. We got to babysit Hannah while Maran and Scott attended Sat morning conference. She was a sweeheart.

We stayed at Jarin and Hollie's house Sat and Sun night. On Sunday evening Hannah had her first birthday party there. The cake was adorable and delicious. She got some nice presents and was wearing the pants set that David and Jill sent up.

Dallin and Kamrie at the birthday party. We all loved the cake and ice cream. Yum.

Sisi's at Hannah's birthday party and checking out the presents.

Taylor checking out the cake at the birthday party.

Sweet little Hannah enjoying her cake. She was very dainty about it.

We enjoyed our Utah visit. We got to stay with our kids and grandkids and visit with Aunt Jo and her family and eat her home made pizza. It was nice to watch all four conference sessions with the Stevens family. Their spare room was very comfy. I caught a picture of Hannah looking straight at me with cake on her face.

We also got to meet and hold Taylor and Dallin's pet mini hamsters. (I forgot their names). On Monday we drove the long drive home. We look forward to our next visit in Dec.

Labor Day Weekend Get-together

Uncle Frank and Dominic making friends.

Audrianna

Well, it was derned hot again. Dave built a misting system in the covered patio but it was still too hot to sit and eat outside. Everyone voted to stay in the a/c. Those who came were: Dave and Betty; Dan and Jessica and Audrianna and Lucas; Ashlee and a guy friend; Frank and Rene; Virginia; David and Jill, Sam and Dominic and Peg. Later on Meredith and Meri came. We had Pulled Pork sandwiches and I made a side of North Carolina Mop sauce (just for you J and K). We also had: melons; waldorf salad; corn on cob;cole slaw, potato salad; chicken wings and sauce; pasta salad (From Jen's cook book) and a chocolate fountain with strawberries, marshmallows, chocolate chip cookies, animal crackers, and bananas. Needless to say, plenty of food. It was nice to visit and especially nice to have little ones around. We love the little ones. The only ones who swam were the three Daves and Sam and Lucas.

Little Lucas and his new sister, Audrianna came for a visit. Jessica looks great for just having a baby two weeks ago.

Grampa Dave deciding what to put on his plate.

Sitting around chatting and eating. Lucas and Dominic making eye contact.

Peg, Virginia and Ashleigh.

Little Lucas toddling around. He does very well for being so little.

The day ended off with a chocolate fountain. Dave Power came up with the idea and the goodies to make it. He was the first there and I think, the last to leave. It was great. It was Meredith's 12th birthday and we got to visit with her and Meri for just a few minutes. She is growing so tall. Didn't get a photo of them :(

My Trip to the Coast

Well, as usual my photos are in reverse order. I drove Peg and I about six hours up the California coast on Monday the 20th to visit her friend, Carolyn and to visit the beach and see the Redwoods for the first time. We stayed in Fortuna and Carolyn provided dinner each of the three nights we were there. Here we are in the motel room. Peg took the photo.

Below are photos from the Avenue of the Giants. These are the mighty Redwoods, native only to the northern Ca. coast. They are majestic and beautiful. Here is Carolyn driving through one and waving at us.

Below is a Redwood cut and if you click to enlarge, you can see the dates when historical events happened. This tree is comparatively young at 800+ years old. Some have been around before Christ.

The forest is awesome, shady and green, green, green. It is very quiet and ferns grow naturally.

Peg standing next to the base of a tree.

A blue hydrangea growing wild in the forest. That tells me the soil is acidic because the flower is blue. Look at how green the leaves are. Wish my hydrangea looked this healthy.

Peg and me standing halfway down on a fallen log.

Do the leaves of three look familiar to anyone? It is poison oak and grows all over the forest floor and up the tree trunks.

Me standing at the base of a tree.

It was impossible for the camera to capture the sheer height of the trees. They go up to 200-300 feet high! You have to see it yourself.

Peg and I standing near the cliff overlooking the ocean. The wind was blowing as usual but I loved it.

The photo on the left is of a seal swimming in the surf at Fortuna Beach. Hopefully you can enlarge it and see the seal clearly. On the right we (Peg, her friend Carolyn who lives there and me) were standing on a cliff overlooking the beach. It was cool and beautiful compared to the 100 degree weather in Sacto. Hope this wasn't too boring for you. I had a good time and talked and laughed till the wee hours of the morning. It was good to go somewhere.
Congrats to Jessica and Dan on the birth of Audrianna Goin! She was born on the 21st of August. Wish I had a photo. Another sweet addition to the family.

We love our grandkids and kids!

Starting with the youngest grandbaby, our sweet Hannah being held by Grandma D.

Baja Fresh with the Stevens and Thornocks.

Sam,Allie (check out that smile!) Dominic, Grandma and Grandpa at David and Jill's house.

The Swimmers, Kamrie and Madison

The Snackers, Taylor and Kaden

Hailey posing. Ella enjoying the grass.

This is so rare, getting all twelve grandchildren together at one time. It is even rarer to have them all sitting still and smiling. I'd say almost impossible. Out of over 24 shots, these are the best and they have some funny faces in them:) Aren't they cute?

Even though it got crazy sometimes, (as usual) we loved having everyone here. With all the different activities going on, it sure went fast. Dave and I have the house back to normal awaiting the arrival of Jessica, Jeff and Madison tomorrow. They will be our last visitors until Christmas time (as far as we know). This Saturday is a big Ward Party so the house is already cleaned for them. Thanks for everyone taking the time and spending the money to stay with us. We loved it.