Cado's Summer Soccer

Cado got to play in an adult league of summer soccer on his coach's team.  Those Union boys, their coach and three "great" women players rocked the league and came home CHAMPS!

Friday Beach Day

Friday we headed back to the beach once again.  Dave and I went running (because Dave thought that sounded "ultra cool") and we rented boogie boards so they could do something besides just throw that tennis ball.

 

It was still really chilly in the water but they all said once you got totally "numb" it was just fine.  Next time we will break down and rent wet suits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Universal Studios...Bad Idea in August!

We went to Universal Studios on Thursday.  The unbelievable traffic getting there should have been our signal that it may likely be packed!  It was and I guantee that we will NOT go back in a summer month ever again.  I have never seen so many people nor waited in such long lines.  Needless to say, we had to be creative when we waited for 1 1/2 to 2 hours per line!

Some picture taking entertained us.

 

The hand slapping game was used as a distraction more than once.  We noticed that when the kids started, others down the line started playing it as well.  We are thinking that it was a first for some of the oriental people who were next to us, but we saw lots of them giving it a try.

 

Sometimes, we just tried to sleep in line.

We always like the studio tour.  And that line was only 45 minutes!  Score.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

Wednesday morning we went to Huntington Beach.  The kids buried Dave and he said it was nice and warm.

 

Mariah fed the birds.

 

A little ball throwing!

 

And beach walking!  Then we had to leave to head to Lake Elsinore for more visits.

The Gonzales family was ready for us to arrive at 3 p.m.  They had welcome signs for Bo, made his favorite meal and we had a great visit.  This was the cute family that Bo, his companion and an old guy in the ward (as Bo puts it) prepared the wedding for and then they got baptized.  What a great experience!  We even saw the Ward Campout site where the wedding took place.  They all spoke English and they were hilarious to talk to.  We think they may even come visit us!

 

Bo's favorite meal.

Group picture before we left!  What an amazing family.

We visited another family that we have always known as Melody, her husband and Bill.  Melody and Bill are recent converts and hilarious.  Melody's husband is amazing and obviously very tolerant of all the missionaries who come to her house.  I have never been to a more "welcoming" place than here.  No wonder the missionaries love coming here.

 

Our second supper was filled with amazing appetizers, a huge shrimp salad, artichokes, clams and Bo's favorite rolls..

It was on a beautiful lake and the most perfect setting you could imagine.  I could go back right now.

 

Melody even had a special cake made for Bo.  She is so fun to watch.  Her expressions are priceless and evidence of her love of life and others!

 

We visited a couple other families after our two suppers and both places gave us MORE food.   We were all about ready to explode.  I have never been so full in my life, nor have we felt so much love!  What a wonderful, wonderful experience.

 

Knott's Berry Farm

We spent Tuesday at Knott's Berry Farm (aka glorified Lagoon).  It was fine and dandy.  Not too busy.  The only downside was that two of the main big ticket rides were not working.  Hum, how often does that happen?  I hear quite often!  I think they ought to work on this a bit.  Needless to say, they looked scary and I had no desire to go on them.

Mariah stayed with the lever 1-4 rides.  I'm thinking these tea cups were probably a 2!

The planes were a 3!  That was living on the edge.
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We are thankful that our kids are pretty frugal travelers.  They chose to go to the car and eat our snacks instead of eating out at the park.  Thanks kiddos.  We have trained you well.

Cado and Bo finally convinced Mariah to go on Revolution with them.

She was literally in tears!

Here is Bo trying to convince her that she would not die.

The ride.

And, by the time it was done, she was smiling and wanting to go again!  Unfortuately, this ride broke down for the rest of the day as well.  Sheesh!