Can't get enough of our grandchild!

Halloween was another good excuse to make the drive down to San Diego to see Lila. The drive seems shorter and more pleasant as we wait with excitement to see her. She brings back so many happy memories of when our daughters were young and that age. Hear are a few shots from the last trip.

Babysitting Lila

We went down to Ashleys to babysit Lila so her and Byron could go out for her birthday as part of a gift to Ashley. Watching your grandchild as a birthday gift is kind of like giving your wife a new big screen TV with a Cable sports package for Christmas. We had a great time and we will be down again next week for Halloween. I find that seeing her helps me to understand what things are of real importance. Love of God, love of our neighbor and family relationships. That is where true happiness is found. These were some of the fun memories of our weekend. It is amazing how such little things such as laughing and playing with a balloon can bring us such joys. Hopefully I can remember that is truly the little things of life spending time doing the right things that brings true and lasting happiness.

4th of July

Del Mar Fair

Whenever we have a little extra time we like to see our grand baby Lila.   We were down in San Diego for the 4th of July weekend. We took Kelsey and her boyfriend Jared with us.  We went to the Del Mar fair with every other person in San Diego county so it was nice to meet everyone standing in line to get in, get food, etc.  We met this couple standing in line for Pizza.

Lila appears to realize where bacon comes from as she seems to be saying "yum look at that big bacon" with her tongue licking her lips.

LA Galaxy Game

We had another great weekend with Ashley, Byron and Lila.  They came down so Byron and I could go to the LA Galaxy soccer game on Saturday.  The tickets were very difficult to get as I literally had to give blood to get them.  (They gave them out free when I donated at the red cross center here in Torrance). 

Lindsay flies in next week end and we are all going to Yosemite on vacation.  Kelsey will still be at school but comes home and has to start an internship right away so she won't be able to come since she doesn't have any free days so we flew her home for memorial weekend and were able to spend some fun time with her.  She has a great opportunity to intern with a top advertising agency this summer called Chiat/Day. 

My daughter Ashley said I needed to post something on my blog or she was going to drop me from her blog list, so Ashley "This blog's for you."  I hope I don't get sued by Budweiser for playing on their theme.  I think I know where Kelsey got the advertising gene. I should have gone into advertising with such a creative mind!  O I forgot on the beer theme I took a picture of Byron at his favorite Galaxy hang out spot. You can check it out below but don't circulate it at church settings.

Life is good, Cheryl and I are enjoying our family as they grow. Being a Grandparent exceeds all prior expectations.

Busted!  Did you think you could sneak this past the Bishop?

The pre-game show.  This clip shows a little of these guys but they were really amazing with a soccer ball.

The hard core fan section

A little game action from our seats

I Had to post these pictures of Lila.  They are from a few weeks back.  Being a grandparent is such fun!

Monday night we had a fun night spending time with old friends from my youth days.  The older I get the more I value the great gift of good friends. It was Karen Magnusson Albrecht's 50th Birthday so we met at a restaurant to surprise her.

This weekend we were down at Ashley's to visit. We had planned to go Friday afternoon but found Kelsey was coming down with friends so we delayed our trip and we were able to spend time with Kelsey and her friend Kasey. We went out to eat and spent Saturday morning with them. This is Lila in her new jumper.

We took a few videos of Lila. Here she is playing and laughing with Ashley.


Ashley bought a new jumper toy to help entertain Lila. She seems to love it. This is a video of her jumping in it.

This weekend was a very special experience for us. We Traveled to St. George Utah with friends Murphy and Nina Su'a and Murphy's sister Dorothy to attend the temple sealing of their daughter Natasha to her husband Gene. As their Bishop, Kent married Natasha and Gene in a civil ceremony two years ago, so it was a wonderful opportunity to be present at their sealing. Gene and Tasha were surrounded by many of the their family and friends. It was a very emotional experience. We felt such joy for their family and gratitude that we were able to be a part of it.

Murphy was our driver, so this made the road trip even more fun! This is the first time Kent has ridden as a passenger to Utah since he was a kid. It was so relaxing for him. For those of you who are familiar with "Nielsen's" Frozen Custard, we made three stops there in a 24 hour period and converted the Su'a family along the way!!! We really enjoyed watching Murphy and Nina with their beautiful grandchildren. Justin and Melissa drove down from Provo with Jarom their 2 1/2 year old, and Eliana, their 5 month old. Mya, their 1 1/2 year old hates car seats so they thought it would be best to leave her at home with Melissa's parents. Tasha and Gene's daughter Alitasi, is 2 1/2 but is already wearing 5T clothing! Tasha told us she overheard Gene in the living room with her saying, "No, Tasi, those are girl's push ups." Apparently, she can do 5 regular push ups from her toes already!!! Natasha is expecting another little baby girl in three weeks.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

Cheryl went to to Natasha's baby shower as she is 8 1/2 months pregnant.

Kent and Murphy crashing the baby shower and eating the leftovers

Grandpa Su'a with Jarom and Tasi

Auntie Dorothy with Jarom and Eliana

Murphy nicknamed Eliana, their little "Eskimo!" I told them she looks like she's a doll right out of the China or Eskimo section of "It's a Small World!"

Justin and Melissa

The Su'a and Fakatoumafi families

The Su'a Family minus Travis

Natasha, Gene, Alitasi, and soon to be baby #2

Gene and Tasha--Thanks for letting us be part of your special day!!!

At Christmas we had all our family here together for the first time in 4 years. They were all here for two weeks. We loved having a full house again--especially with a little baby. We kept busy doing all sorts of things: Rock Band marathons, puzzle making, games, golf lessons, ice skating, bike rides, playing in the tide pools, seeing "Wicked" and visiting Hollywood and the Ronald Regan Library. We had so much fun. It was sad to take down all the Christmas decorations after the house was quiet again knowing that we won't have everyone together again for another two years. Here are a few pictures of all our adventures.