Winter Music Program

We went to our Grandson, Ebin's Christmas Concert, errrr, I mean Winter Music Program tonight. It was probably the best school holiday program I have ever been to, including my own children's concerts when they were young. Ebin is the good looking young man in the green shirt up front.

Ebin not only sang well, he also got to dance and do choreography! I was in the back of a dark auditorium, so I am happy I got shots as good as I did.

After the program. Here is Grandpa Dave and Grandma Cindy wtih Chris, Lacey, Ebin and Rhiannon. They came all the way up from Worland to be here tonight.

Grandma Page and Grandpa Mike with Ebin and Rhiannon

Still performing after the show!

Ebin, Chris, Lacey and Rhiannon

Merry Christmas everyone !!!

Christmas is on its way

We got our tree up and decorated

Rhiannon and Ebin- our grandkids (officially in 8 months)

Rhiannon, Lacey, Chris and Ebin- they are a happy family

Obama has teleprompter malfunction

Obama's Home Teleprompter Malfunctions During Family Dinner

Last Chance to see Old Faithful

The roads to Old Faithful in Yellowstone closed for the winter on Nov. 2nd- 8 .a.m. So I took the soon-to-be Grandkids down on Sunday afternoon, after church of course....

Here is Ebin at Yellowstone Lake. He had never seen a geyser in his whole life, in person. I couldn't have that could I? So we dashed over to the other end of the park to get to Old Faithful before it got dark.

We made it just in time. We saw the last eruption of Old Faithful before sundown. It was about 5:15 p.m. Then the roads would be closed to cars until next Spring 2010. As you can see, Rhiannon and Ebin still were enjoying the effects of Halloween from the day before.

Thumbs up as we watch Old Faithful blow its top

And then of course, a herd of Buffalo decided to camp on the road to get out. We sat for about 10 minutes until they decided it was time to move.

We had a great day in Yellowstone. I can't wait to take them again next year, when we have more time to see the waterfalls, mud pots, and maybe a bear....

Rhiannon is 5

We got to go to Rhiannon's 5th Birthday party. Lacey planned it and she did such a good job. Rhiannon is going to be my granddaughter next year when Lacey marries Chris.

Pure joy in getting a Tinkerbell doll

Both my new grandchildren-to-be... Ebin and Rhiannon

Page got her lots of dress up clothes. Rhiannon is into princesses at the moment

Is this an awesome Princess cake?

Halloween Fun

I dressed up as Pharoah at work and came in second place in the costume contest

Lacey was a Tigress

Don't we look great?

Yellowstone Adventure

The roads in Yellowstone are about to close for the winter, so Page and I made one last quick trip into the park. Here we are at the upper falls.

This little porcupine ran out across the road right in front of our car. First porcupine I have seen in the park, close to Sylvan Pass.

We came upon this herd of buffalo near the Fishing Bridge. We got a kick out of watchting the red baby buffalo getting a meal from his Mama.

We went to the brink of the Upper Falls.

I took this shot at the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone.

The Ups and Downs of Sport

Way to go, USC Trojans. They beat San Jose State 56-3. A blow out was expected and the Trojans delivered. Matt Barkley, a true Freshman, lead the team in his first college game as QB.

Huge upset. BYU outlasts the #3 Oklahoma Sooners and wins 14-13. Rise and Shout, Cougars!!! I was so excited to tell Sean, that I zipped off a quick email to him in Argentina.

And the heartbreak of the day. Andy Roddick lost to John Isner in a 5 set marathon at the US Open, 3rd round. After the way he played at Wimbledon, I was really hoping he could pull out a win here. I am really bummed about this one, but the other two big wins of the day (USC and BYU) helps a lot.

Seal Beach

Vacation is almost over so had to make one last trip to the beach

Lacey arrived today to spend a week with her Grandmothers, so she came along on my last trip to see the Pacific Ocean. We went to Seal Beach Pier and got a picture with the bronze seal.

California Natives

See the smoke behind me up in the mountains? We were here during the California fires and it made the air pretty smokey. But it is great to be on the beach.

Blue Whales

Page and I went Whale Watching off of Long Beach on Tuesday. First time we ever did something like this and we had a great time. We saw a few blue whales, including a Mom and her calf. I tried to take pictures, but couldn't see through the lens, so I just aimed and clicked.

Blue Whales are the larges animal on earth and largest ever in history, including bigger than any of the dinosaurs that roamed the earth.

It was wonderful watching these creatures dive and come back up

We ran into a school of dolphin too but none of the pictures turned out. Here you can see shadows of them under the water. It was a nursery pod and there were hundreds of babies. The adults were teaching them how to jump. It was another treat to see.

And of course we saw som Harbor Seals. The guide said seals are more like cats- loners and quiet. Sea Lions, which we saw later, are more like dogs. They make lots of noise are very social

A Day at Sea

Lighthouse on the Los Angeles Harbor breakwall

Palos Verdes Pennisula- covered by smoke from all the fires burning

Sea Lions basking in the sun

Heading back into Long Beach after a 3 hours tour

Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach- city of our birth

Lacey's Birthday

Lacey turned 23 on July 29th. Where did my baby go?

We had lemon cake and Lacey's piece was served on the Red Plate. We had homemade taquitos and homemade guacamole for dinner too. Page did a great job on dinner, it was so good!

Lacey loves Ron Weasley, so we knew this present would be a big hit

And she is really into feather jewlery this year, so she got some of that too.

Happy Birthday, Lacey. We sure had fun celebrating with you.

Mariah's Open House

Page and I went up to Livingston a couple weeks ago to attend Mariah and Shad's Open House. Don't they look happy?

cutting the cake

It was good to see friends too. (It's hard to keep table clothes on tables with the Livingston wind coming through)

We stayed for the weekend and enjoyed going to church before we went home too