June 28, 2010 (I think)

Today we dropped the 3 oldest kids off at UCSB for their Especially For Youth Conference (EFY). The boys have been twice before, this is Kaili's first time. We took Hwy 1 up to 46, stopping to shop in SLO and enjoying the views along the way.

It was Hades-like here yesterday, and didn't cool off as much as normal last night. Today it was a nice day on the foggy and cool coast. Apparently, it didn't get quite as hot here today either, and it has cooled off nicely this evening.

Elizabeth has a party on the beach to attend with the Paso youth tomorrow evening; we may escort her there, but we don't know yet. Right now her nose is buried in the "Diary of a Wimp" books that she bought today.

June 25, 2010

All is well here (except I managed to lose my brother's dog today. We are praying Rocco shows up safely at home before too long.)

When we got home from baby-sitting at Ben and Jamie's and dog searching, Ron and I saw Mom's king snake. He/she is about 3 feet long.

These dial-up speed posts are PAINFUL. . .I will post pictures and probably a little more often when we get back to faster internet availability (at home).

We are all headed to the beach tomorrow. . .

June 22, 2010

The weather has been in the 90's; cooler than normal for this time of year here. Dax went gold prospecting at the beach with Grampa Bill today. Adam is still flogging the books (I hope he is finished soon). The rest of us went to SLO bought train tickets for the kids return trip from EFY next week and hit Costco with Mom. Other than that, we have been doing laundry, other minor errands and just driving around.

We may do a little geocaching tomorrow, then take the girls to their favorite discount clothing store before their money burns holes in their pockets.

June 19, 2010

My blogs will probably be even spottier than usual while we are here. We have continued the cleaning and rodent hunting exercises. . . we are getting one or two mice a day now. I think we have just about gotten them all now and the house has been pretty well gone over with disinfectant. There are a few minor repairs to take care of around the place, but nothing like last year.

The weather has been especially gorgeous and I am anxious to have a "no car day" soon. My brother, Ben, Jamie (his GF) and their baby girl, Haley came out for a visit last night. We went to their house the other day too. Haley seems to have eyes for Dax. She was cooing and talking to him a lot.

Tomorrow, we will be going to church earlier than we do at home, then we will come back to a roasted sirloin and potatoes with garlic (in the dutch oven) for Father's Day dinner. Mom dug the hole for it today and Bill will start the fire for it early in the morning.

June 12, 2010

We have had great weather and have been busy getting ready for the trip South. Ron and I went out with two other couples last night and saw "The A-Team". We really enjoyed it and I was pleasantly surprised.

Adam changed the oil in the 'Burb and gave it the once-over today. The result was 2 new tires. . .I guess it is better to deal with it now than once we are on the road somewhere.

This afternoon-evening (2:00-9:00) Ron and I did the Saint John thing at a Cubaree. . .a scout camp for cubs. Ron was selected as a judge for their cook-off, so he ate 6 different dinners this evening. He has been waddling around since about 7:30 when he finished the last meal. I sampled a few of them too, the cooking was really quite good.

We are headed to Gabriola after church tomorrow, then will take the ferry over to the mainland on Tuesday and head South from there. We should be in SLO area around Thursday or Friday.

June 8, 2010

It was sunny here today, so we got most of the watering system put in, the lawns mowed, the trailer has been cleared and partially loaded, and the 'Burb has been vacuumed. We also took Elizabeth to her new school for a little tour today. Ron and I are very impressed with what we have seen of this school district so far. In Kamloops, it was not unusual for them to be figuring out which teachers had what classes well into the first week of school. Here, we already know who the teachers will be for her grade next fall.

We rounded-out the day with dinner at the Atlas Cafe. We used the $120.00 in gift certificates from our realtor and the 6 of us had a very nice dinner.

Not much else to report from here. . .

June 6, 2010

Had a great day at church, though many of us were dragging.

Yesterday was the annual Scripture Bowl, Seminary Grad and Dance for the Island. Ron and carpooled with friends to Victoria (3hours South) for the event, since Kaili and Dax were competing this year. The Courtenay Ward looked very sharp in their "BOM Squad" tee shits. (BOM=Book of Mormon). This picture was taken while they were listening intently to a clue. Once the clue is given, the moderator says "go" and they find the scripture alluded to, and stand up before time runs out. These kids were very fast with their scriptures. There were also periodic knowledge questions and answers given. After the Scripture Bowl, we had a nice dinner, the Graduates for this year had a graduation ceremony, then there was a multi-stake dance held. The women's rooms were transformed into wardrobe storage, since the dress code for grad/dance is more formal than for the competition. The dance ended early (9:30) so we stopped for ice-cream on the way back North. On the way home, the van the kids were riding in wouldn't start after gassing-up. After some prayer and a helpful gas station attendant, a temporary solution got them back on the road and we all got home safely just before 1 am. It seems everyone had a great time.

Adam was working yesterday, so he stayed in Courtenay and Elizabeth went to her friend's house for the day. They took a long bike ride and it sounds like they had a good time also.

June 4, 2010

The week seems to have gotten away from me again. . .

We took Dax and Kaili to the new student orientation at the school they will be attending in the fall. They are very excited, there are TONS of course selections, activities and clubs to keep them busy.

Ron and I have completed the shelving projects in our bedroom. Next we will be focusing on getting ready for the trek South. Today we found an irrigation supply place, so we get the drip system set up in the yard. We then took a stroll along Goose spit.

Adam is enjoying his new job immensely and Ron helped our friend with the vending machine stuff yesterday.

Ron and I were supposed to go to a St. John training meeting last night, but we threw an impromptu, surprise, birthday party-open house-pot luck thing for one of the sister missionaries instead. Even with very short notice, Ron counted 45 people here at one point in the evening. I was really impressed that so many could make it since Thursday nights are crazy busy in our ward (Young Men's, Young Women's, Faith in God, Choir, etc). Adam helped me put together 6 pans of enchiladas, Dax and Kaili made a green salad and the kids made a huge birthday card and decorated the house with balloons and streamers.

The day started with brilliant sunshine, but it has clouded over again this afternoon. The weather-guessers are calling for more sun next week.

Picture Perfect- I am Summer

I am Summer

Escape the inland inferno

to cool off in a seaside breeze

where shoreline treasures are found. . .

Those from California's center may be able to relate to this one ;-)

Welcome to

P I C T U R E P E R F E C T

...oOo...

Each week a new theme will be posted here on Friday morning. You are invited to put up your best picture on your own blog with that theme in mind, and you do have the whole weekend to post your picture, so there is no rush. Cutoff time is Sunday at midnight!

Remember it should be just ONE and ORIGINAL, taken by YOU,and not off the internet,

Then go to http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/314/Picture_Perfect_Theme_I_am_Summer and leave a comment on the page in the comment box so that everyone can link to your blog and see your photo. Don't forget to OPEN your page to EVERYONE for that day.