IN BETWEEN ....

LEGOLAND -  Carlsbad, CA

How fun for us to take a short break between assignments, and enjoy the company of all of our grandchildren for a beach campout at San Elijo Beach, Encinitas, CA!!

Everyone had an awesome day, summed up by little Bennie who couldn't stop giggling as he drifted off to sleep in his sleeping bag just meters from the beach....

Grandpa Mat & Mason

Young Mason was the best sand castle builder you ever saw, teaching grandpa the finer aspects of tower construction utilizing the drizzle technique he developed on his own....

Notice he was smart enough to wear a hat, unlike his lobster grandpa....

But what a tan we got....

Danny & Micah

Not to be outdone, Danny and Micah put the finishing touches on their creation....

Lizzy, Evie, Rose Bud, Bennie, & Kate

And the girls loved every meal at the campground!  What is there about cold cereal in a paper bowl that is not to love.  We did get some delicious food at a couple of local restaurants, and nobody ever complained they were hungry!  Smores was one of the staples in constant demand - along with the finest hot dogs on a stick imaginable....Of course Terri wouldn't touch one....

Smiley...

Of course Grandpa was usually doing his personal study on the computer....  you know how dedicated he is....  He sure looks like he is enjoying that video game, no wait that's lesson 5 from Preach my Gospel!

Grandma, Leala, & Rosie

Of course Grandma was always holding on to one or two of the most precious of all of our possessions, which was obviously the purpose of our trip.  

If there is a more perfect picture of contentment - it would be only found in heaven....

And where is there a more beautiful woman in the world???  No wonder the grand babies are so  unbelievably cute, they get it from Grandma!!

Liz, Grandpa, Kate & Sophie

And the surfer girls!  They caught every wave as well as the attention of all the beach boys....

Is that Grandpa actually out in the water....?   Wait!  You'll get sand in your shorts!!!

Terri, Mat, Charles & Barbara 

And it was a bonus to get to spend time with Great Grandma and Grandpa Greer, still going strong at about 84 or so...  

They love living in Oceanside so Grandpa can brag every day about how nice the weather is....

It was an honor to receive a Father's blessing from the hands of a worthy patriarch, preparing for the weight of our new assignment.


And then after the sun burns were somewhat abated, we ran over to Salt Lake City to visit with Great Grandma Haynes, and to get together with most of Terri's immediate family to celebrate birthdays and togetherness.  

Chet, Gary, Eileen, Grandma Ardy, Mat, Susan, Paul, & Terri

A lunch at Mimi's Cafe, just after we were kicked out of the restaurant by the fire department because the roof was sagging so much it looked like it was about to fall in.... 
In fact we were not very happy to miss the birthday cake they usually offer, talk about getting the bums rush....  Yes Paul usually smiles for pictures, but the fireman who took this shot for us said something about not using the flash for the possible reflection....

Eileen & Grandma Ardy

Yes I know this looks like Terri and her mom, but it's actually her big sister Eileen, commonly mistaken for her twin....

We had a nice visit in Salt Lake, and we really enjoyed some time up at the missionary department of the church talking with our in-field representative and the missionary medical department about our new assignment.  









Now we are just 10 days away from reporting to the MTC in Provo for the start of our time in Xalapa,Mexico.   We are so very excited for the amazing adventure we will have, and look forward to having many of our friends and family visit us in the beautiful State of Vera Cruz!