Mackenzie
Kayla
Bailey is blown away!
Then Papa decided to see how his new jeep looked without the top. The girls went for a long ride with him along the coast, bought milkshakes, and walked out on the pier before heading home. It was a cool day, but a blanket protected them from the chill.
Then it is back into the pool for as long as we would let them. It was mostly cloudy but the girls still got a little sunburn on their faces. I know better but forgot.
Sunday is always a day we spend preparing Sunday dinner for our family and whoever else might join us. We sandwich in that preparation around attending meetings, sometimes a visit to our family ward and then time spent with the San Clemente 5th YSA Ward. Today we were given a new bishop since Bp Leland Bruce has just been called to be a mission president in Antofagasta, Chile. The bishop was no surprise. Since this bishopric was composed of three former bishops and had only served a little more than a year, it was a natural to make the first counselor, Craig Lark, the new bishop with the former second counselor the new first. Alan Gibby, also a former bishop, is the new second counselor. They will be very good.
We had a nice dinner together and spent a little time visiting over pie and ice cream. JR wants you to see how his ABC pie looks.
A new marine came over as JR & Casey left for a little dinner and a little counsel. He left with a new haircut and hope that the church would come back into his life. Once in a while it seems like you make a difference.
****One more birthday I want to mention: Today is my sister-in-law, Louise's birthday. I do not have the best pictures of her. I hope she will forgive the few I have saved from digital cameras.
Louise has been part of our family for lots of years. Here are a few things I love about Louise:
1. She is one of the best people I know to write letters and keep in touch with those she loves.
2. She joined the church years ago as the only member in her family. She has never waivered in her dedication and testimony.
3. She has great compassion for those who struggle or sorrow. She empathizes.
4. She has trained her children in the gospel better than anyone I know. Their family home evenings could be televised to be the example of how you do it. They have been totally consistent, I think, over all the years.
5. Louise has overcome great adversity in first not being able to have children. As she persevered and found ways to adopt their first four children, she has been blessed. On top of that she was blessed with two more miracle children that she gave birth to, but had to do it later in life than most of us. I know she is loved by our Father in Heaven because she has such a wonderful family.
6. She is such a faithful church member, keeping the commandments so diligently.
7. Along with that, she does her calling with exactness and creativity. We could all take a lesson from her.
8. She is loving and loyal to family and true friends. She reaches out to those who need it and makes sure her extended family keep in touch and stay strong.
9. Louise takes more pictures than anyone I know. She documents all the family events. Then she is awesome to mail (and I do mean mail) you copies if she thinks you would want them--and we always do.
10. Louise is always interested in your life and listens to your "stuff."
There are so many more things I could say about Louise, but it is late and the main thing I want to say if Louise actually reads this is Happy Birthday, Louise, I love and admire you!
