Indio Vacation and More

 A new week finds us in California, where the four of us head for a bunch of condos in Indio.  We stopped in Redlands to see one of the new temples in California.

We were a bit ahead of our time to get to the condo and check in so we stopped to do some antiquing. 

Soon after we got to the condos we went for a swim.

Emily had dinner the first night, and made three kinds of chicken for the kids.

She made sushi for the adults, lots and lots and lots of sushi.

It was fun to have the Texas, Idaho and Utah cousins altogether.

Holding babies was a favorite pass time.

Playing beauty parlor with Aunt Darby was also fun.

On Tuesday Elias brought his legos over for fun ...

Then it was time to get pedis .... here Brady decides on a color ... he decided NO by the way.

 Here are eight of the nine of us who went.

Briahnna and Brittany hosted a pasta and salad bar at our condo that night.

That morning Becca and Brady were talking about the dollar store, and I asked them to get me a round brush, when they went.  They said they were talking about a past experience, they were not going. But while they were out Brady ended up going to the dollar store just to get me a round brush.  How nice is he?!

On Wednesday morning Emily came down to our apartment to tell us that Sam's back had gone out and he was going to have to fly home.  YIKES

Brittany had the idea to go to the Cannabis store for some oil to check the pain.

There was an armed guard, bullet proof booths, where they took a photo of your ID ... and sort of bubble gum decor.

That was a moment to remember.

Unfortunately the oil did nothing to allay Sam's pain.

Here are some pictures of the grands ...

It was our day to cook dinner, so we headed to Cosco for salad makings and pizzas.  Spencer and Brittney came along to pick up goodies for the dinner they were making with Becca and Brady the next day.

I played zilch with the grands a couple of times.

They also did crafting with Aunt Nell.

and went to the arcade on site.

 More art projects at Aunt Emily's

Dad and I bought some legos for the kids to play with too.  Here's Zach with the frog he made.

 I loved seeing the grands playing together.

Early on Thursday morning Sam flew out of LAX so he could have a non stop flight home.  Emily had Dad go over to sleep in her condo, then took her baby, her ailing husband and her brother Spencer around 3:30 AM to drive to LA.  She and Spencer did a lot of catching up.

 Later we all gathered to go and see the Live-Action Lion King.

 Here we see Emily reenacting a scene from the movie.

 This is one of my favorite pictures of the week, and it happened because Briahnna came up behind me with her phone turned to flash light  ... isn't it perfect?

 This is 20 of our 22 grandchildren.  It was so very fun to have them all with us for this week.  I especially loved that they got to spend so much cousin time.

Movie prop setups are always fun.  Brittany took Darby to the airport after the movie, as she had a school function she couldn't miss. 

Some of us went our for some Mexican Food afterward.

Back at the condos we gathered for delicious Steak and Everything sandwiches and salad, with grilled veggie sandwiches for some of us ... and grilled cheese sandwiches for little cousins. It was delicious, thanks Becca and Brady and Spencer and Brittney.

Desert was cupcakes with a special one for Van's first birthday eve.

This guy made a one man fort.

 Charley shared the fun with her bubble maker.

My three youngest grands, ages 20, 12 and 2 months.

Magic

... and Charlie reenacts the Pied Piper.

On Friday morning, everyone but Dad and I and Zach headed back to the pool for one last hurrah.

 I love this picture of Hannah and Benny.

Here are some pictures of us all as we head home ... some of us where sleepy, some not so much.   Becca and Brady headed up the coast to continue their vacation ...  While Britt drove up Nevada and stayed in a seedy (only room left in town) motel 6.

 Davin, Bri and Hannah found some scenic country.  Spencer and Brittney broke their trip in St George with her sister, while Trevor and Nell drove it straight, with Nell taking over the wheel from St. George to Nephi because Trevor was so tired.  What a rock star.

Emily drove south east from Indio, hugging the Mexican border, on the way home ... William wanted a picture with cactus ... They spent one night on the road ... doing 2 10 hour days.

Somebody in our car was happy to get home ... about 10 P.M. He was a trooper for the whole drive, not complaining once.  It was so fun for us to get to know him better.  I just love this guy, as does his mom.  He even let me give him a kiss on the forehead.

 On Saturday we sorted out more closets, clearing room for our house sitters, when this huge storm blew up.  Its was our second of the summer.  That was something to watch.

I found this canopy in my sorting and managed to figure out how it went together ... perfect for our newly wed house sitters, don't you think?

That night we headed to Salt Lake to help these two celebrate their son Van's Uno birthday.

As did these two ...

and some cousins. (Trevor, Penny and Eva came too)

What a fun and pretty party.  Happy Birthday little man.

Afterward we ran to Saratoga Springs for some games ... we didn't get home until after midnight, and loved every minute, well I loved it most because I was Randy's partner, and he is very good at Hand and Foot and we won!  Oh how we'll miss our HoMoKins game nights.

Church was lovely, with everyone bearing testimonies ... many of them who are dealing with challenges ... I loved how often ministering was mentioned ... how these people all help and support each other.  

 After the meetings ( great lesson on Paul's travels and travails,  by Brother Clayson) I ran into Sister Cook and saw that she was talking to a lady who was wearing the same fabric ... The second gal needed a new shirt that fit well, and Sister Cook asked to see one that fit well, then went home and made her a shirt in that style ... from fabric she had one hand.  I nearly wept, but then I have been weepy all day.  

After church we took diapers to a couple of families with new babies, including the Schulzkes,  Katherine lead up our book club for most of the time we've been home.  She is lovely, and talented.  You may recall us mentioning that we saw her playing first chair cello at Music and the Spoken Word two weeks ago.  I just love her.

We headed up to work on our Come Follow Me when we got home ... then ...

The Stake Presidency came to set up apart.

and look who came to cheer us on.  We go in the MTC in the morning, but will be living here at home for the two weeks that will take ... and it looks like our visas have progressed far enough that we can fly out ... we'll keep you posted as to our departure.