Fall Vacation - Day 5

We got an early start so we could drive up to Newport Beach Temple.

When we went to go in they checked and couldn't find our name on their attendance list. We told them we didn't know we had to call ahead to schedule. They told us they had room anyway and invited us in. Then right when we got past the first desk we were asked to help in the session.

The colors are so beautiful and vibrant in the temple.

As we were sitting waiting for the session to start in comes David Archuleta.

We didn't get a chance to talk to him. Right after, either they were in a hurry to avoid the "fans" or they were late for something.

After the Newport Beach time we headed back to the San Diego Temple.

What a beautiful Temple!! The grand staircases inside were fabulous! A must see!

After the session we headed upstairs to see the atrium that was in the middle of the temple. From there we were invited to do some sealings. Another great experience.

Since we hadn't eaten since breakfast we finally changed our church clothes and went to some messy BBQ dinner at Phil's BBQ. Now we know why it is always busy.

Great, wonderful day!

Did you know...

That this is how brussel sprouts grow? Ya, me neither.

You learn something everyday.

Fall Vacation - Day 4

After a wonderful breakfast we decided to go to Old Town. We spent more time there than we planned because every time we opened a door (went down a lane) it seems like there was a whole other "town". There were shops in every nook and cranny.

Loved this sign. Look at the bottom.

The first area we went to was Heritage Park. It had these neat houses that looked like story book homes and also I believe the first Jewish synagogue in San Diego.

And look at the owners name for this house.

Then we went to the Mormon Battalion. They have a new interactive tour that was so cool! This is a must see. Here is daddy after he has been issued his army supplies and ready to go with the Mormon Battalion.

This is our tour guide Sis Kennington from Layton.

These guns were hEAvy! After the "war", that they never fought, they got to keep the guns. When they arrived in California instead of fighting, the members of the Mormon Battalion helped build the cities before they headed back to their families. Long story to put on here but very interesting. LOVED the tour!!

They had a roster of those that were in the battalion. We found two of Doran's ancestors.

If my dad was still here I would get him this shirt.

After the hours of hurt feet shopping we went to lunch at Coyote Cafe where we were even serenaded.

We went back to the hotel for a few so I could nurse a headache. Then we drove down to Point Loma to see the lighthouse and the tide pools full of neat creatures. Unfortunately we got there as they were closing so we will try to go back tomorrow or Wednesday. We will not be getting there at very good low tides this week but we will try anyway.

We had such a long day and late lunch we decided to order take out. Mmm good. What a good day.

Guess what tomorrow brings?!!

Fall Vacation - Day 3

Other than when Doran woke me up at 2:30 a.m. and was worried that we left the GPS in the window so he got dressed and went down to take care of it!!!!... I slept pretty good.

We had a yummy free fully cooked whatever you want breakfast right at the hotel. Then we headed off to church. We attended the Downey 3rd Ward. It was a small ward (kind of like ours at home) and the people were SO SO very very friendly!! It was kind of a lesson to us.

How do we treat our friends and neighbors in our own area/ward.

How do we treat the visitors? Do we rely on others to greet them and welcome them or do we make sure that we take this time to do it our self? We had one lady that acted so excited that we were there that she gave us both a hug like she has missed us.

I like Primary but it was so nice to attend Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society sometimes.

We met an Elder Hill that is from Farmington. He has been out six months. His companion is from Brazil and has been out three months. He played a special number in Sacrament meeting. Great piano player.

We drove down the coast and stopped to see Queen Mary. She was so glad to see us too. Ok, maybe not but...

If you look really close you can see the top of a Russian submarine below the Queen Mary anchor.

Trying to get out of some areas are very stressful and we had a little bit of tempers flaring. We were able to get the flames out though. Whew. I think we do better about "winging it" in the mountains or the less people/street packed areas. Give us mountains and open plains.

Then we stopped off at the Newport Beach Temple. It is a very small temple and very beautiful granite building. I am hoping that we will be able to go back and do a session there too. It is about an hour from where we are staying.

We may have decided that we need to make reservations from now on... maybe. We had such a hard time finding a place tonight. We didn't get lunch because we were going find something on the way to San Diego. Ya right. We had a terrible time getting down the road and finding which HWY we wanted to be on that we didn't eat. Then finding a hotel was a joke. Not because there is a million here to choose from but because we didn't know where we wanted to stay. But we ended up finding one and getting our second meal of the day about 8:30 after the complimentary cookie in the lobby. Oh yeah baby...AND free pop! I think we will be here for the next few nights so at least we won't have to make hotel decisions. (We are so indecisive...I think? I can't decide)

What? Oh sorry. My pillow is calling for me. I must go. Goodnight.

Fall Vacation - Day 2

Because I was so tired to blog more of Day 1 I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the St. George Temple. It reminded me of a mini Salt Lake Temple. I can't wait until the Brigham Temple is finished!!

Saturday morning after breakfast we headed out of Dodge St. George and headed to Los Angeles on a three hour tour....oh wait wrong show. It was a six hour drive. We drove straight to the Los Angeles Temple. We saw Bro and Sis Hardy from Tremonton at the Visitor Center. (They are serving a mission there.)

Before we found a hotel we decided that we should just change clothes in the Visitor's Center so we could make a session before they closed for the night. After the sister missionaries took our picture and gave us a quick little tour we hurried and were determined to attend the 2:30 session.

We barely made it. This temple is HUGE and of course gorgeous!

I saw a couple of workers using sign language before we started but thought nothing of it until the session began. It was SO COOL!! We ended up in a ASL (American Sign Language) session. Both us had one of the most spiritual experiences we have ever had. It was a regular session but also with workers using sign language. This temple is so big that we also got to change rooms throughout the session. Just fabulous, neat, wonderful. Then in part of session the patrons took part, the deaf did the work and then the "hearing" got to watch. Oh my heavenly. I just sat there and wept (without a tissue at that).

It is a great reminder that Heavenly Father loves us ALL!! UNCONDITIONAL love. He accommodates for those that are willing and ready. We are so thoroughly grateful that our timing worked out to attend this session. I think EVERYONE should attend a ASL session.

Then we had to find a hotel. We had such a struggle we ended up pulling over and saying a prayer. We ended up driving to Downey and staying the night at the Embassy Suites.

Long day but eventful!

Fall Vacation Day 1

Day 1

We didn't get gone as early as we wanted but that's ok because we missed traffic, NOT the road construction though.

We arrived in St. George and found us a hotel, checked in, iron clothes that were crammed in our new car trunk. (Ya, we bit the bullet and went into debt. Just for a little bit though.)

Then we picked up Sam and Jeri Banner (they are down here for winter) and went to the temple. Doran and I have never been to this one. It reminded me of a mini Salt Lake Temple. LOVED it! But how could you not love the temples. We feasted at Chilli's and called it a night. (a long day)

Sam & Jeri Banner

Guess where we are going tomorrow??!!

Stay tuned.

A new updated Dr. Seuss book:

I do not like this Uncle Sam,
I do not like his health care scam.
I do not like these dirty crooks,
Or how they lie and cook the books.
I do not like when Congress steals,
I do not like their secret deals.
I do not like this speaker, Nan ,
I do not like this 'YES WE CAN.'
I do not like this spending spree,
I'm smart, I know that nothing's free.
I do not like your smug replies,
When I complain about your lies.
I do not like this kind of hope.
I do not like it, nope, nope, nope!
So, I do plan to vote, vote, vote!
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"November 8 is Take out the trash day!"