Visiting California, Part 3

It seems to be the norm that I'm behind on my blogging these days.  Not sure why I'm not finding time to do it.  Hoping to finish off the Calfornia visit with two more posts.  Today's post is dedicated to the time we spent visiting Jon in Santa Cruz.  

Since he has moved to a new "house" he has a much bigger room and we were able to spend the night with him.  We took his bed and he slept on the futon downstairs.  Here's the story in pictures:

New house (they were putting a new roof on while we were there.)  there is a couple who lives downstairs and then there are three bedrooms upstairs (Jon's is in the front of the house.)  

Jon's room with all of his furniture:

Jon's shop and the table he is working on:

One final picture of the two of us downton in the tiny rose garden next to Santa Cruz City Hall.

Peanutize Me

We've been seeing tons of people use the new app called Peanutize Me (you can find it here), and we couldn't resist making our very own version with our kids and grandkids.  Stephen made most of us; I think he did an especially good job on himself--you just knew there wouldn't be a smile.

Just a little bit of fun on a Thursday afternoon!

Nothin' Better than the Zoo

We had a grandparents day out with the kids on Wednesday morning. There's a small zoo in San Jose called "Happy Hollow Zoo and Park" and it was the perfect place to go with the grandkids.  There were rides for all ages, so we all had a great time.  As you can tell it was easier to take pictures of the rides than the animals.

"Dinner and a Movie" Night

Last night was our first "dinner and a movie" night with two of our missionary friends--Rachelle and Tiffany.  We're hoping to make it a monthly event, although we might do a "dinner and cribbage" night every now and then.  It was fun to hang out, talk English, eat comfort food (chicken noodle soup) and laugh together at a goofy movie!

We didn't take any pictures, so you'll just have to use your imagination.  

Resting in Guatemala

You know there are some people with whom you are completely relaxed and, as a result, spending time with them is simply a blessing.  That is how we feel about staying at Nelson and Rosemarie's house and why we take advantage of every opportunity to escape to Guatemala City. 

This trip was no different, except for the added blessing of being able to see Kimberly Kelley (who was visiting from the states) and to take Tiffany Lewis along with us.  You may ask what we do whenever we are there and the answer is nothing special; we just "do life" with them.  For Stephen it means "jamming" with Nelson and for me sewing with Rosemarie.  There's always time to share, cook, eat, shop and play games.  We found time to eat at Capistrano, our favorite breakfast place, and enjoy wood-fired pizza at Vesuvio.

We all wished we could have stayed longer, but were thankful for the two and a half days we had.  Before we leave, we always try to schedule the next visit . . . coming sometime in October.

Dinner with Friends

Time in Kansas City has dwindled down to the final night.  This week has been a series of dinners with friends.  

Monday--Dinner with Jim and Debby (and Jon) at La Fuente.  A lively game of 313 followed.

Tuesday--Delicious home-cooked dinner with Brian and Sheryl.  Yea for salmon, corn-on-the-cob, green beans, garden tomatoes and cucumbers.  Brian and Stephen spent their recreation time shooting baskets while Sheryl and I went for a walk.

Wednesday--Tonight we are heading to Spin Pizza (not necessarily on my healthy eating plan) with Steve and Terisa, with a stop at Custards Last Stand for dessert (definitely not on my healthy eating plan.)  Sometimes, you just have to splurge and our last night in KC for six months is as good a reason as any!

My little truck boy

I just can't believe Josiah's vocabulary . . . . this morning while reading the Richard Scary, "Cars, Trucks and Things That Go" book, he pointed out one type of car, truck and big vehicle after another.  The list includes:  excavator, bulldozer, cement mixer, dump truck, pickup truck, fire truck, ambulance, bus, van, sports car, front end loader, bookmobile, hatchback, limousine, tractor, train, school bus, just to name a few.  When playing with his garage he says, "Where's the blue car?", "Where's the ambulance?", "This car is getting stuck", "This is a fast car" and "He's going backwards."  I'm so amazed that a 22 1/2 month old knows so many words and that I can understand what he says.

Being a grandma is so much fun!

 Caught him off guard with the camera!

Lineup of his favorite vehicles!

DIS-E-NEYLAND

Yep, that's the way Maleia says it!  It was a great day yesterday.  The kids did so well--we were gone from 9:45 am to 7:45 pm.  Fun, fun, fun at the happiest place on earth!

 About ready to leave the hotel yesterday.

 It's a Small, Small World--what a feast for the eyes (and ears.)

 Josiah and his Papa O'Neil

 Cinderella's Castle in the background

Maleia and her baby, Lily, watch the parade from daddy's shoulder.