A VISIT FROM DEAJR TO DEACJA

Every once and awhile, Dennis jr takes some time to come and visit the folks.  He has to work while he is here, but manages to squeeze in some time to tune up our computers and a few other things.  It was a wonderful week (short by one day) and we thoroughly enjoyed his visit.

He took advantage of the area and tried to do his jog/run each day down at one of the beaches.  We had some overcast mornings, but he said it was still nice to be down by the water.

 We packed a dinner and went down to the harbor and watched the boats, pelicans, dog walkers, plain old walkers and just enjoyed ourselves.

 Dad took this one.

 

 We're trying to figure out if we can take one of ourselves.  It was hilarious!

 

Here's some paddle boarders heading out to sea.

 

Working in his "office". 

Pondering. 

Helping Dad with a computer glitch.

At Capo Beach.

This is the life!

NATE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY & SLEEPOVER

Looks like Nate's birthday party and sleepover was a great success as these pictures attest.

 You light the candles

 Make a wish.

 Joke around.

Blow them out!

 

Then the sleepover begins.  Take all the mattresses and make a fort.

 Then let the games begin!

 

THE TWO JANES

 

 

CAROL JANE & LINDSEY JANE

 

Here's a few pictures from Lindsey's birthday. 

Eight candles to blow out. 

 

 A fashion statement.

Raring to go.

GO EAST YOUNG LADY, GO EAST

As Aria heads West, Alexandra heads East - - to FLORIDA. DISNEYWORLD to be exact! I asked her about the upcoming trip, her missionary and her last day of work.  Here's what Sashy wrote.

Can you believe it? I have nine, practically eight days until my Mama and I jump ship and make our way to Florida. It doesn't seem real yet and to be honest, it probably won't until I actually check-in to Walt Disney World. My Mom and I will be taking a roadtrip starting early Saturday morning (the 1st) and we will arrive Tuesday night (the 4th). It's 2,330 miles and my goodness, we are going to be prepared for the car ride! Our plan is to rent the Harry Potter books on tape from the library and start listening from the very beginning. I doubt we'll even come close to finishing them but I'm excited to re-read (listen to) one of my favorite series. My Mom is the greatest for driving all the way down to Florida with me. How many moms out there would be willing to drop everything and do that for their daughter? Golly, what a woman.

I am so, so crazy excited for my adventure down there! Although I'm sad to be leaving home. I'm going to miss my family so much! But I'll be returning home soon and this isn't like a mission where I can't skype or call! So I will be doing lots of that, I can assure you.

I think I'm most excited to live out a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl, Disney Land has been my happy place. Each year my parents would take me would be the best day of my life. (Literally, I remember saying those exact words to my Dad one morning while waiting in line to enter Disney Land.) Though I never stood in line to meet the characters (due to rides that I desperately needed to ride), I did watch the parades, and see characters such as Cinderella and Snow White walking around the park and like most little girls, I wanted to be them. As of this moment right now, I still don't know how I got so lucky and am half expecting it to be a fluke but I am praying it is not a fluke and am rather choosing to think positive and hopefully I will have the opportunity to be "friends with" Belle or Ariel, etc. ("Friends with" is part of the Disney code. The hope is the magic will stay alive and people won't associate Disney characters with their friends and family but rather believe in the magic. So I'll be keeping my position on the hush hush from now on, I dont' want to get fired. Eek!)

I'm jealous that my Dad is down there with you! I wish I was there. Ya know, tonight Aria and I went to dinner together and we spent the majority of the time talking about our wonderful extended family. We both feel so blessed to have such wonderful parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and GRANDPARENTS. Thank you for all that you and Grandpa do and have done to create such a wonderful group!

I do miss Elder Killpack for obvious reasons but I know he's doing the right thing and good news, he loves it in the MTC and can't wait for the mission field! For example, in his most recent letter he said, "I want you to know I know I am doing the right thing right now. Serving a mission will be the best two years FOR my life. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to share the Gospel with the people in New York. I know I am going there because I promised somebody in the premortal existance that I would help them find the joy I have been blessed to have since I was born

The last day she saw Curtis.

We write often and I've been able to send a couple care packages over this past month. The first one I sent was a "Greenie" Package. It included all things green such as green kool-aid, Junior Mints, green gum, scope, a green toothbrush, green sticky notes, green antibacterial, green deoderant, green stickers and oh man, I can't remember what else! But it was sure fun to collect green things for him!

Hip, hip hooray I finished at Cracker Barrel a little less than a week ago. They were kind to offer me a job when I return but I don't know if I'll take them up on that offer. Serving was a very interesting experience. I've always wanted to do it and I'm glad I tried it out. I wonder though, if the emotional abuse is worth it. (Don't get me wrong it's not serious emotional abuse-- I just don't have the thickest skin so it was a huge adjustment and some people are just really mean!) But as I reported in an earlier update on my life, the tips are generally nice and I was so grateful to actually have a job in this economic crisis.

Right before I went into my last shift at Cracker Barrel.  

I think we'll all look forward to hearing about the upcoming adventure!  Thanks, Sashy.

 

GRANDDAUGHTERS GOING EAST & WEST

Two of our granddaughters are headed for a couple of great experiences.  One heads West (Aria) and one heads East (Sashy).

Today we'll start with the West. I asked Aria if she was getting excited about the move and this is what she wrote:

I am leaving the 29th to embark on my Hawaiian journey. I'm so excited! And a bit anxious :) but I'm sure all will turn out well. I was more nervous when I thought I may have to go without my father due to his leg injury. Luckily for me, the doctor told my dad what he really needed to heal his leg was a couple of days on the beach. What a smart doctor! 

Packing has been difficult! I will of course try to bring as many Hawaii type clothes as I can.  I am sad not to be able to wear my fall clothes. Paradise comes with a price.

 

I want to bring some good books (especially the scriptures), pictures of my family, and of course my Tigger stuffed animal. 

I also get to give a talk in church this Sunday! Super excited, I love speaking. It's on proper dating, hopefully I learn from my own advice! 

Love ya, and I miss you!

We'll miss you too Aria, but you're never further away than a Skype phone call!

 Back in the day, @1970.

Ken, Dennis & January playing backetball in from of our house on Moana.

B

Dennis (hair dyed black for a role in The King & I) and Ken.

They spent most of their days barefooted.

Pretty rag-tag looking group!

BACK TO SCHOOL

It's that time of the year again. New school clothes, school supplies, and for some, new schools.

 

Lindsey's school is close enough that she can ride her bike!  You go girl! 

Of course she is NUMBER 1 (in our book as well) 

The Three Musketeers

Nate

 Travis

 And Ryan gets to ride "shotgun".

And Sophie had a big day also!

Looks like she gets to ride shotgun also!

Ta Ta!

THE REALTOR

When Mark and Liz Sanders moved back to California, he decided to try his hand at selling Real Estate.  It takes awhile to build a clientele, but he has succeeded in making his first sale! 

Here's what Mark wrote:

1. Home is 2000 square feet. Sold and appraised for $268K (this same home in EDH would be probably $350K).  Location, location, location. 

2. In the city of Cameron Park (roughly 10 minutes more east towards Lake Tahoe from EDH).

3. The clients were a referral from Chase Bank early on a Saturday morning in June. 

4. We were in a 45 day escrow and had issues closing (the bank had someone quit, so ), so after a few attempts for the sellers to walk away it closed in 53 days.

5. Learned a lot from the transaction.  Lots of unnecessary paperwork when it comes to buying a house if you're asking me.

6. Have a lot of buyers - goal is to have 3 more closed transactions before the end of 2012 (so 4 in my first 8 months). 

 

Congratulations and here's hoping for many more.
 

FATHER-DAUGHTER OUTING

Recently Ken and Sophia went on a Father/Daughter camping trip. From these pictures you can see it was a great success!  Here's what Ken and Sophie wrote:

We had our ward's Daddy/Daughter campout. 

This is Sophie's take on the campout. 
"It was fun. We got to sleep in tents. We got to go on a boat that actually worked. It was really fun going on the boat. During the evening, we had a wonderful dream about Princesses and mermaids. We had a campfire and played games. The best part was me jumping into the water. Plus, I got to catch a fish. I fell off the boat, but I'm okay." 
 

(Ken) Sophie catches a fish. She reeled him in and then set him free. We'll see if he comes back to establish true love.