Fall Break at the Beach

 This week was Fall break.  We planned a trip to Oceanside California, a happy lovely place that holds childhood memories for me.  The proximity to the beach, pool and parking were ideal.  The apartment itself was sketchy, but cheap.  We were both really disappointed when Sam chose not to come.  It will probably be in well into the millenium before I understand why our boys have to reject so soundly the gifts we offer them.  He chose to stay home in his bed rather than explore the glorious world, just because his parents were there. It made me really sad.  

We spent Thursday in LA.  We did a session at the temple, then spent the afternoon at the Getty museum.  The temple was fascinating.  It isn't the most beautiful I've been in,  but it is the biggest.  Our session, not even 2/3 full was almost 200 people!  I really loved moving rooms and enjoyed the murals.  The Getty was also full of beautiful art, stunning gardens, and amazing salads.  In an effort to avoid the traffic we found a Mediterranean restaurant called the Naan Hut (run by a Mexican couple).  Despite our best stalling, we sat in traffic for 2 hours and got a real taste of california living.  It's not for us.  We spent mos f Friday at the beach and Tony boogie boarded for hours.  I got a few good runs in before acknowledging that I am a lake girl through and through.  The sucking surf, sand and salt water are not my cup of tea.  

It was a tremendously relaxing week.  

Best Day Ever

My birthday celebration this year was one of the best of my life.  I felt like Heavenly Father was showering me gifts all week.  I woke up on my birthday to a beautiful rainstorm and spent the day enjoying work, especially my students at post high.  Friends showered me with flowers, cookies and Mom and Dad brought my favorite dinner.  I shook it up this year and instead of a pumpkin pie , I made myself an apple cake.  On Tuesday Tony and I drove to Page to spend the night.  We grabbed dinner at the grocery story, in Kanab (actual decent sushi) watched our newest Korean drama, and I beat Tony at checkers.  On Tuesday we got our butts kicked on Spencer's trail, a 4 mile hike that felt like it went straight up.  After the hike we loaded up our canoe and got backhauled up to horseshoe bend.  Our guide was charming, the weather was perfect, and the scenery was breathtaking.  I felt so much love from Heavenly Father every minute.  Our guide recommended that we stop at Jacobs Lake (not an actual lake) to get cookies.  We were so glad we did, firstly because the cookies were out of this world and second because we realized the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was on loy a 30 minute drive.  As we started driving the Fall colors in the trees brought tears to my eyes.  We arrived at the grand canyon in time for sunset.  Everyone spoke in whispers and the whole atmosphere was one of reverence. Again, I felt like I had been given a birthday surprise from Heavenly Father.  I couldn't stop smiling all the next day.

This weekend was St George marathon.  Tony, RJ, and Zach participated and Livi, Megan and all the kids came to cheer them on.  We hosted a pre-marathon spaghetti feed on Friday night. It was a lovely night, but sadly Grandpa Lundberg ended up in the ER with sepsis.  He is on the mend but we spent the day in the hospital instead of at the finish line.  It is a treat to spend time with the Lundberg kids.  They are all wonderful people raised by good parents who have hard just like the rest of us.