First Half of September

It's time to get caught up on my blog.  I have been busy the last three weekends, but before that I have no excuse. 

Over the Labor Day weekend, Ela and Daniel came to visit.  We had so much fun.  On Saturday we went to the Vista Farmer's Market.  They had tons of booths and many interesting things to see.  Ela and I got sucked in by a perfume salesman and ended up buying 3 little bottles of perfume.  Mine does smell good when I remember to wear it.

There was a lady who raised llamas with skeins of hand-carded wool for sale.  How fun it would be to make an afghan out of hand-made llama wool.

We celebrated Ela's birthday with pedicures and went for lunch at the Elephant Bar.  Then we laid out of the pool while Daniel went swimming.  Sunday and Monday were also lots of fun.  Thanks Ela and Daniel for visiting with me even though you didn't win your million at Harrahs Rincon.

September 11th was spent watching Ari, going to Daniel's flag football game, and then going to watch Naki and the Aggies beat Idaho.  Two football games in one day was definitely my kind of fall Saturday.

The pictures would have been better if my camera battery hadn't died.  It has been great to spend some time with family.  I'm looking forward to more great weekends.

Family Reunion at Bear Lake

This year was the best ever family reunion in Bear Lake.  Thanks to everyone for their help.  It was so much fun to just relax and hang out with all of you and the grandkids.  Whenever I drive over the summit in Logan Canyon and see the lake, I know I've come home.

Bubbles in the yard in the mornings were a big hit with the kids.  This gave the grown-ups time to get ready to go to the beach.

Of course, the beach was the most popular place for all.

Grandpa was happy that he got in some fishing time.  Only one trout though, the rest were carp!

Jared, Adrian, Tua, and Tavake joined us for the first year ever.

Next year my goal is to be in good enough shape to climb Paris Peak, so anyone who wants to join in that goal, let's get started.

Productive but Lazy

Thank you to my wonderful husband and all my children for allowing me to pursue my dream.  I have loved having those of you who have been able to come to California here and I look forward to the rest of you being able to visit.  It has been great to have one on one time with John and Lorien, and Fia, Scott, and Tre.  It was the best ever to have some time with Dad alone also. 

Saturday I was so busy and got my car fixed and ready to come home for this coming time in Bear Lake.  I also cleaned my apartment, did laundry, and went grocery shopping.  At the same time, I felt incredibly selfish because I went shopping for things I really didn't need.  Of course, I have issues with spending money, so really didn't buy anything, but it was strange to shop with just me and nothing I really needed to buy.  All of you know I'm not really a shopper.  The other lazy/selfish thing on Saturday was laying out by the pool while my laundry was going.  (I needed to have a little bit of a tan for Bear Lake)

Sunday I spent several hours working from home on things I needed to get finished up before I leave, and then watched a BBC Series called Wives and Daughters on Netflix.  I enjoyed the series immensely, but felt very lazy to not be more productive. 

Along with thanking you, I would like to let each of you and the world know how much I love you and how proud I am of each and every one of you.  You are the best family anyone could ever have.  Please know that whatever I can do to help out any of you, I will gladly do.  I am looking forward to our time in Bear Lake and can't wait to see all of you.

Weekend with Fia, Scott, and Tre

Friday evening I got to pick up Fia, Scott and Tre from the airport.  We stopped at the harbor to see all the boats and then drove home.  Saturday morning we went to the pool where, of course, Grandma got sunburned.  Then we drove to San Diego to watch the Padre game.

Petco Park was so huge and so unexpected.  It looked like a regular building from the side we drove up to, but when you got inside, it was so big.  They had a small diamond off to the side where the kids could line up and a member of the Padres staff would pitch to them so they could hit the ball and run the bases.  Tre had so much fun and was so cute.  We all got free Padres hats too.

Sunday we all went to the beach in Oceanside.  The waves were big and got bigger as the day went on.  Tre had so much fun playing in the sand and running from the waves as they would wash up on the beach.  He also loved throwing the rocks back into the water.  Scott and Fia had a great time playing in the waves.  I just relaxed in my beach chair and enjoyed the fun.

It was a great weekend and we had so much fun, plus time to just relax and visit.  Thanks Fia, Scott and Tre for coming to visit and for all you did while you were here.

Day in Oceanside with Grandpa

Dad flew down to visit yesterday and I wanted to take him somewhere fun today.  We went to the beach and to the pier in Oceanside.  This is a historic pier and there is a great beach here too.

I know you would think that the restaurant at the end of the pier would be something to do with fish.  Not so, it is hamburgers and fries.  Very inventive.

Dad of course was very interested in the people who were fishing off the pier.  He went up and talked to many of them asking them what kind of fish they were catching and watched what they were using to bait.  He was very excited when he found out that you don't have to have any kind of license or permit to fish here.  There were lots of Asian people fishing at the end catching Mackarel and Sardines, but Dad was much more interested in these perch.

The highlight for Dad was that they were having a Samoan festival next to the pier, so he got to have some polynesian food and watch some entertainment while he ate.

He is making plans for when he comes to live here and has worried all day about how he will find his way back here and what he needs to have with him.  I love you Dad!!!

My Apartment

Yeah, John and Lorien came to visit for the week and brought furniture.  I no longer have to sit on a camp chair in the living room, or a bar stool next to the kitchen counter.  This is the best ever!

I really like my apartment.  It is still a little quiet as I am used to having lots of people at the house all the time.  It is great though.  I have a sewing room.

A guest bedroom, which unfortunately, doesn't have a bed in yet.  This is the air mattress that I slept on for two weeks.

The kitchen is quite spacious, and the master bedroom is much bigger than I am used to.  It also has it's own bathroom and walk-in closet.  All in all, I feel like I am in the lap of luxury.  I can't wait to share this with everyone who comes down. 

Thank you so much John and Lorien for coming down to visit and making sure that I am taken care of.  Thank you for introducing me to such great people that I know I can call on if needed.  Thanks to all of my kids for how supportive they have been of this change not only in my life, but theirs.  And, thanks to my great husband who I miss terribly and can't wait for him to visit me next week.  I love and miss you all.

Home for the Weekend

It was so much fun to go home last weekend and see everyone.  The grandkids are so cute and it was great to see them.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures on Sunday of Vea, Tua and Tavake.  Sorry Tevita and Makenzie and Jared and Adrian.  I will get more pictures of everyone at Bear Lake.  I'm still getting used to the fact that I have a camera since for so many years I haven't. 

Beth and Russ did a great job of the Spencer reunion on Saturday.  The dutch oven cookoff was fun and there was so much good food.  Daniel had a great time with the kids games and congratulations to Naki for winning the quilt.  I understand that Sione is the one that ended up with it. 

Sunday was a little surreal.  I had just gotten used to being at home and then had to pack up and leave again.  It seemed a little weird to be home because it doesn't feel like my house any more.  Leaving Dad is the hardest thing I have to do though and brings lots of tears.  Thank you everyone for helping to take care of him.  Also thanks to all of you for coming to dinner and wishing Dad a happy Father's Day.  We love all of you tons.

I don't know if you can see these very well, but here are two of the bunnies outside my apartment.