California Visit

Rick and I at the Newport Beach LDS Temple.



JoAnn and my Dad. It was so good to see them. But way too short of a trip.



Secluded Beach just North of  Newport

It's not the Oregon Coast, but the weather is better.

I had to get something fun in. So Disneyland was my choice. When we went to pay for the ticket, there was a two for one special going on. We got to do both the Disney California Adventure Park and then Disneyland after 4:30 until midnight.
This is the California theme park. We loved it. I've never been to this one.

This is the California Screamin roller coaster. It was so fun. We went on it three times.

This is the Tower of Terror where you free fall in an elevator 13 floors. It really was terrifying. I didn't want to do this again. But in three months we are doing it again at Disney World. I can't wait. I really do turn into a kid again.

I did have a smile on my face though. But I still don't like the free fall feeling. Then on our flight home we had such terrible turbulence it felt like we were free falling too. Salt Lake was having strong winds. Not fun.

Disneyland's Main St. This Christmas Tree was over 50 ft tall. It was so beautiful. It really is amazing to see all the Christmas decortations everywhere. I loved it.

Disneyland is always a good choice. We were there for over 13 hours and I didn't want to leave. The weather was 75, sunny, and perfect! I had to laugh because there were so many people with heavy coats and boots on. I know it was December but it was t-shirt weather. Tourist's!

Shiny New Bikes

Madi and Gracie made out nicely for Christmas. They got brand new bikes and then some. I'm sure I'll be posting more pictures of the other grand kids with their loot, too.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve, Cordie, Mike, and their kids spent the evening with us. We had a nice dinner then opened a few presents.
Ian got a couple of lego sets, which he loves and puts together in no time, Olivia got Disney's Belle and Princess playset. William slept through it all.

The adults had a few to open too. My biggest joy is seeing Christmas through my grandchildren. I wish Lea, Jeff, and their girls could of been here too.

December has been busy. We had new counter tops and flooring put in. It was about time, our house is 20 years old and my kitchen sure needed a face lift.

We are very happy with how it all turned out. I still need to to do some finishing with tile. And maybe carpet next? Well, at least a good cleaning.

For Chirstmas I wanted to get an electic fireplace. I've been looking at them for a few years now. Rick wasn't real excited about it, until we got it set up. I think he loves it more than I do. It's as close as I'm going to get having a real one.

Another Christmas has come and gone. It's always sad when it's over. Now I have the rest of the cold winter to look forward to. With the exception of going to LA for a few days to see my dad, where it's sunny and in the 70's.

Adventures In Oregon

Right down the street from Lea and Jeff are Empire Lakes with a surrounding forest full of trails that you could get lost in. It was so fun to take the grand kids on a walk. Of course they didn't have to do much walking, as you can see.

The girls loved chasing all the birds. I wish we would of thought to bring bread for them to feed the birds. I did get a huge goose to come up to me with a morsel of a cracker.



 This day we went hiking at Cape Arago, our favorite place to go when we visit Lea and Jeff. It is one of the most prestine coasts I've ever seen.

Will loved being in this baby carrier that Lea had. As long as you're moving he was content. We were glad Lea had it. We used it a lot. It was a life saver.

Another favorite place to visit is Bandon Beach. We took Lea, the twins, Cordie, and Will. I couldn't believe Lea had never been there and it's only 24 miles away from her. I think she and Cordie were impressed. There are so many amazing rock formations.

         The kids had a great time climbing on the rocks. And collecting rocks and shells.

Cordie and her baby boy William.





We had to have a least one night for a bonfire. At Bastendorff Beach.



Sunset at Bastendorff.



I bought these dresses for the girls. Madi is in blue, Gracie is in green. I bought one for my Olivia too. I wish she and Ian could of been with us. This isn't the best quality picture, my flash didn't work.



Halloween In Oregon



Lea's twin daughters, Cinderella is (Gracie) Snow White is (Madilynn)



Madi (Snow White)

Gracie(Cinderella)

Getting ready to collect the goods.

William is a Sea Otter, so dang cute. It's his real first experience with the Halloween thing. It was so much fun to watch him get into it. He did well. This had to be one of the funnest Halloween's I've had in many years. I loved every minute of it. Oregonians know how to do Halloween.



Cordie had to capture her little Otter on the beach.



Before coming with us to Oregon Cordie took picutes of her children in their costumes.  Of course Will the Sea Otter, Olivia the Pirate, and Ian is a Star Wars character called a Clone Trooper.



Sweetest Pirate you'll ever meet.



The GQ Clone Trooper.

I wish we could of had Ian and Olivia with us in Oregon. It's tough to not be with all the grandchildren. But they did have fun with Michael and cousins.

Kelsey Had A Birthday

Kelsey had a birthday a few days ago. She was up for her birthday and then for the weekend. This is her just heading out to go hunting. I thought she looked adorable in her camo's, I had to take a picture. Her boyfriend got his big buck now it's Elk time.

The Twins Turned 4

Gracie and Madilynn turned 4 years old this month. They are such fun loving girls. We were able to have them to ourselves a few days this summer without their parents while they went back home to Oregon. It was a wonderful experience for us and gave Lea and Jeff a much needed break too. We get to spend a week with them real soon. We can't wait to go trick-or-treating with them.