Girls Weekend

Lydia and I have been planning to start an annual Girls Weekend since before Covid.  We finally made it happen!  We went to St. George and saw Beauty and the Beast at Tuachan.  It was a quick trip, up Saturday morning and back on Sunday, but it was so fun!

We did some shopping and found this cute display at the mall.

We ate at Cracker Barrel and got some old fashioned treats to take home to the family from the general store.

We got our nails done.  I couldn't tell if Lydia liked this part--she was so stone faced during our appointment.  But after she told me how much she loved it.  It might of been her favorite part of the trip.

  

We checked into our hotel, changed for the play, and headed out for some frozen custard at Neilsen's.

We decided these were pretty filling and we should have shared one... so delicious though!

Tuachan

 

The play was so good!  It always amazes me how they tell a story on such a small stage.  So much talent involved in these productions.

Lydia and I finished this pineapple quilt together in time to take on our trip for some fun pictures.  Sunday morning, we got up and went to Red Hills Desert Garden to take some pictures.

Lydia found this bench swing that overlooked the valley.  It was so fun to sit there together as we had our Come, Follow Me lesson.

We also stopped by the St. George temple that morning.  It's under renovation so we couldn't get too close.

We also stopped by the Las Vegas temple on our way home.  The grounds were also closed because it was Sunday, but it was fun to visit there again.

We are excited to make this an annual tradition and add Catherine to the mix when she's older!

 

Happenings

 Catherine and I finished a 1000 piece puzzle last week.  She helped me each day and it was fun to do together.

The sister missionaries in our ward wanted to learn how to quilt!  They came over a few times for a couple of weeks and each finished a baby quilt.  They were so fun to get to know and have in our home!

There's a house that we go by to get to the kid's elementary school that sets up this amazing memorial each year for Sep. 11.  The flags all have names on them and there are photos of each person that died under the canopy.  There are also sections for the first responders and military people who died not only that day but either from complications of serving that day or fighting in the war on terror.  It's pretty special to see.

Going on a walk in our neighborhood.  We live close to the Fullerton trails.  Catherine and I walk here regularly when the kids are in school, but she wanted to show the older kids one day.

Guy Time

Brian's had some fun guy time the past few weekends.  First he went to a preseason Charger football game with Bobby.

 

A few weeks after that, the Wheeler boys gathered for their traditional Wheeler boy weekend here in CA.  They played golf.

 

They ate at Brazil de Texas.

 

And they went to a Padre game.

 

In between activities, they hung out at our house.  Our kids loved having the guys around.

 

On Friday night when everyone got in town, we had a dinner together. Jesi and Liam were able to join us and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesi.  Brian always looks forward to these boys' weekends.

 

This past weekend Brian took Robbie to Hamilton at the Pantages Theater. They had a great time seeing it in person.

 

Brian also took Tom on a Dad date.  They went to breakfast then out to the driving range and putting greens.

Happenings

With kids back in school, Catherine and I have a lot of one on one time.  We read books, put together puzzles, run errands, and she helps me around he house.  She's always excited to pick up "her kids" from school.  This is our meeting place.  

Lydia and Tom had Back to School Night.  Here is some of their art work in their classrooms.

Catherine loves to help do the chores when the kids are gone so that they can play with her more instead of working.  She's had a fear of vacuums, but when she's the one helping, it doesn't scare her anymore.

Thomas finished up his basketball league.  He played so well and loved every minute of it.

After the last game they had a small awards ceremony.

One morning I heard some squawking outside.  When I went out to see what was going on, I found a group of wild parrots hanging out.  Apparently they are native to parts of Mexico, but there is a group of them that live in the LA area, and they graciously stopped by to see us!

 

The sister missionaries in our ward wanted to learn how to quilt, so they have been coming over to sew with me.  Catherine and I have enjoyed hanging out with them.

 

School Starts

Today is the first day of school!  Robbie started high school, which means he also started seminary nice and early at 5:45 am. 

Thomas and Lydia also started 2nd and 5th grade.  Everyone is beginning at a new school this year.

lined up and waiting for teachers

off they go