Pearl Harbor

Even though we've been here before, we are both so fascinated with Pearl Harbor. During the presentation we were told 1,177 men died on the USS Arizona.

This is their burial site and memorial. You can feel a reverence as soon as you head out to the memorial.

At the far end of the memorial is a wall with all the name of the soldiers who died that day. It is difficult to describe the feeling.

Cade on the ride back. He was such a good baby that day and every other day so far.

Sunset Beach

Okay, so this last one is not at Sunset Beach, but that's okay.

Pineapple Anyone??

There is this huge maze, 2 acres and 3.11 miles of trail. When you go in, they time stamp your ticket, give you a map, pencil, and a card to trace the symbols you find at the 8 stations. Then when you leave it time stamps your card again. Okay, so . . . Corey CHEATED!! and got all 8 stations in 52 minutes. Sam and I didn't cheat, and got all 8 stations in 60 minutes. Kyle and Spencer also CHEATED and got 70 minutes. You decide and using a map is not cheating!!

La Brea Tar Pits

In case you are unfamiliar, here is a link with information, La Brea Tar Pits.

From Snow to Surf

Here we are and here we'll stay. Just a few pictures to start with.

Family Dinner

It was so good of my family to have a dinner once we arrived. I had the opportunity to visit with most of my family that lives in Tennessee. Kathy was most hospitable by letting us stay with us. She cooked us dinner and breakfast both mornings we were there, bacon and eggs, yummmm.

My cousin Tony.

 My cousin Kathy and her sister, Gloria.

Abbey and Lily, Lily is the dog giving puppy kisses.

Here are some of the highlights from our trip to Nauvoo. There were so many pics and so hard to decide.

Nauvoo Temple

My first trip to Nauvoo. I was so impressed with it's beauty. Since it is winter and really, really cold, there were very few tourists. That made it convient for us, but dang, it was really, really cold.

Rendevous at the Cultural Hall

Sunset the first night in Nauvoo.

We went to the Cultural Hall where the missionaries put on a play every night, except Sunday. At first we thought we would be the only ones there, but just before it started the place filled up.

Carthage Jail

A Late Christmas

Since we were heading in the right direction anyway, we stopped by to see Nathan, Annie, Aida, and Ariah. I haven't seen them since last summer when they came home for a visit. Aida wasn't feeling very well when we got there, but she perked right up when it was time to open our late Christmas gift. When I left home Sam reminded me to check the house one more time. I did and found our gift for Nathan and Annie. The bad news was when I picked it up, I set it back down in the kitchen and left it there. I'm so sorry Nate and Annie. I'll put it in the mail when I get home.

Each girl got a blanket. Aida got a stuffed horse in a carry purse, and Ariah got a musical donkey.

Ariah liked her donkey. If you pushed one arm it would sing ABC's, another leg would play music or sing another song.

Grandma loved seeing the girls. Aida was sweet and gave me loves and kisses. Ariah was a little less sure of who I was.

Adventures from the Road

We left home at 4:00 (yes, I mean A.M.). We were a little slow at first, but then we picked up speed. We had very good weather the entire trip and arrived safely to each destination.

Allison was in charge of the camera. We have lots (and I do mean lots) of scenery pictures from the car. I'm only going to post the ones that . . . how do I say it . . . the ones that are good. Here is our first sunrise, somewhere in Wyoming.

Now if you ask Allison, she'll say I was driving too fast for her to get the picture, the truth is . . . Allison can't take a picture to save her life. However, she did get better as the trip progressed. BTW, we are crossing into Nebraska, if you couldn't tell.

This was our first sunset, somewhere in Nebraska. The colors are absolutely beautiful and yes, Allison did take this one, not too bad.

Allison's Special Day

Allison went to the temple today. She was surrounded by family and friends. We were all so happy to share this very happy day with her. She has been such a good friend to me over the years. I'm so glad to call her my sister. I'm proud of you sis.

Here is the "girls" picture, from left, Olivia, Debbie, Allison, Mom, me, and Ramona

My little baby, did I say little??

Alan and Allen

Merry Christmas from Chad

No matter where you go, everyone loves Mickey Mouse!!

Chad at the Black Sea. Chad says that the town is not centered near the Black Sea, it is more inland. He also says the wind is terrible right now. The temperature is cold, but it is the wind that makes it really cold. Did you notice how bundled he was with Santa??

This last picture is a Muslim Temple in the town where Chad is living now.