Snow in LA?

No, not really, but close enough.

We got hail today!

I took some pictures for Esther since she was hoping for snow.

She was excited the other day that the temperature might get in the 30's.

I told her that even if it did, we wouldn't get snow.

(I think she misses it a little)

But hey, at least we had a little frozen water today!

That should count for something.

 It hailed for about 10-15 minutes then the sun came out 10 minutes after that.

 I thought that would be it, but it hailed two more times.

Sadly, it all melted way before the kids came home.

Our 3-day weekend

Joseph and I started the weekend bright and early with going to the temple for sealings at 6:30.

That meant getting up before 5 to get there. It was tough but well worth it.  It's always nice to start the day that way.  We ended the day with the adult session of Stake Conference, which was fantastic.  The speakers were very inspirational.  The Sunday morning session with the whole family was just as good!

Esther has been bugging us for a while to go on Sunday walks.

We finally gave in and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's a good thing we listened to her.

Above is what I saw on our Sunday walk.

The road where you see Joseph walking with the girls and the cars is just outside

our neighborhood.  The Church is just around the corner from there too.  

This is one of the reasons we chose where we live.

It was as close to living in the country as we could get in LA County.

It truly is possible to find pockets of beauty in the big city.

For our family time on Monday, we all went bowling.

No Mom, I didn't break 100 although I came close, 91.  Maybe next time.

Dad came in first, of course, then Rachel, then Bekah.

The funny thing is the night before we went, Abby prayed thanking Heavenly Father

for letting us go bowling, asked for help to be good at it, then asked that the ball not get dropped on her foot.  We are happy to report no toes were crushed!  Phew!

2 more days started with a beautiful weekend

2 more days!

This little corner of the kitchen has become Jacob's home base of operations.

Notice all the missionary paraphernalia (the pencil is on top of the shopping list).

Saturday was a beautiful day!

When I drove to the other side of the hill to get costumes for the kids, this is what I saw.

The winds from the previous day blew out all of the clouds and smog.

You can see all the way to downtown LA. . .

and across the water to Malibu.

1st day of house hunting

I saw a lot of houses today but none were perfect (typical).  One house came close and one area, I liked the best (it has horse properties! there's hope yet!).  Tomorrow we'll see a couple more areas, then I'll have to narrow it down.

We stopped at the "Friendship Bell" that was given to the US in 1976 by China.  It overlooks the ocean.

When I was on my own, I explored down by the beach, walked a pier and found a man who caught a shark. The top pic is of the peninsula that has the subdivision that I like (towards the left of the pic).

Hello bed!

Headed for LA

On my way to LA!
My experience so far:

• excited/not excited to be traveling alone (love hubby taking care of me).
•  love airports!
•  love people watching; guessing where they are going and doing; and forever wondering why women wear sky-high heels when they know that they have to walk down a long concourse and possibly run for a plane.  I'll never figure that one out.
•  Get on my first plane to discover that there is someone in my seat.  A 20-something couple with a baby claim that they "messed" up the seating by being confused and sitting in the wrong spot.  They asked if I would be willing to sit in the seat behind them.  Okay..I'm flexible.  Then I see part of their reasoning for musical chairs (besides the baby reason).  There is a large woman not only sitting in her seat but part of mine.  Thankfully she had my seat belt available because as a teen I once sat next to a very large man who was on my belt. I was too embarrassed to ask so I just drapped my belt over my lap. 
• After I sat down, I quickly realized that there was a tired baby behind me and on infant (the 20-something's) in front of me.  Great!  Knowing that I was a little nervous about this trip, I count it as God's tender mercy that they both went to sleep after take off.

• Love Detroit airport!
• currently flying over Colorado Springs, Hello!!
• Half (more, really) way there!

Okay, I was about so post this when my computer ran out of juice and turned off.  Since then, I've arrived in LA and am sitting comfortably in my hotel room.  Here's the rest of the day:

• sat next to two friendly lawyers, one even gave me her business card (personal injury lawyers always workin).
• met a pregnant girl (woman) who was flying to meet the people who are going to adopt her baby.  They happen to be two women.....?.....
• sat next to the window (my favorite)
• saw the Grand Canyon (cool)
• survived my first drive in 8 miles of LA traffic.  It wasn't that bad.

Now I'm excited to look at houses tomorrow!