Weekend

 Lydia and I went to a Stake Women's activity on Saturday evening.  We visited the 7 continents and

 learned/tried/made something new from each.  Here we are making a nativity.

 

Lydia had helped make some of the decorations during Activity Days.  Here's her airplane window.

Thomas and Catherine continue their swim lessons.  Catherine jumped off the side of the pool and went all the way under which was huge for her!  Thomas is diving in the 5 ft area where he can't touch, which is huge for him!  It's fun to see their confidence grow.

Brian also went to an EQ activity at our old ward.  They asked if he would help set up the projector for a game.  He enjoyed seeing old friends

Knotts

 Catherine and I definitely enjoy our weekly Knott's tradition.  This time we tried to find and take pics of more Halloween decor.

They've added more pumpkins than usual this year.  So many fun pumpkin faces to see.

 

We got there right as it opened.  We were the only ones on a few of the rides.

Knott's, a Date, and Swim

Catherine and I went to Knott's Spooky Farm one day while the other kids were in school.  We decided it needs to be a weekly date for the two of us.  She had so much fun picking the rides and seeing the holiday decorations.

 

front row seat on her favorite roller coaster

 

For my birthday, Brian got me tickets to see My Fair Lady at the Dolby theater.  We went on Saturday night.  We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe and then enjoyed the show.  It was so good!  The two main leads had both played leads on Broadway before.

I got some pictures of Thomas at swim lessons this week.  He's really good at his kicks and he's learning to get a good rhythm with his arms.

 

Catherine is still brave with her teacher.  She will get her face in the water now, so she's working on going all the way under.

Lately

 The Church released a rendering of the new Yorba Linda temple.  I love the arches...so pretty!

Thomas and Catherine started swim lessons on Saturday.  Here's Catherine--she did so great!  Thomas went first and I forgot to get pics, so I'll add more next week.  Thomas did great too!

I've been working on making these wool felt 12 Days of Christmas ornaments.  I've had my eye on them for over a year now and decided I finally had the time to make them.  I love all the detail.

For my birthday, we went to Islands!  It was fun to be all together during the week.  Thanks for all the gifts and well wishes!

Brian and Robbie got to go to the Padre v. Dodger game.

One of the sister missionaries in our ward found out Lydia likes to make jewelry so she gifted her a ton of beads!  She's headed home next month and couldn't take it all with her.  Lydia was so grateful!

We got a comfy new chair in our office.  Many of us have had a good nap in it.

One of Thomas's friends from last year moved to South Korea over the summer.  He gave Tom his address and they have been writing buddies.  Tom was so excited to get his first international letter!

We went to Boomers for a fun family day a few Saturday's ago.  We drove go-carts, played mini golf, and laser tag.  We were all on the same team when we played laser tag, which was really fun!

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.