The Sky

We enjoyed the company of Becky, Katie, and Brooke this past weekend.  They arrived on Thursday evening.  Friday they went to the outlets and the reason for coming here was to do a Spartan Race that was about an hour from the mission home.

Here are their clean feet before leaving for the race.  

I don't like saying good bye.  They left Sunday morning to drive to Burbank where they flew back to Utah.  They were very helpful while here as we had projects getting ready for zone conferences and Christmas devotionals next week.

So often I am amazed at what we see here in California.  

This is Thursday morning on the road by the mission home as we went walking.

Same day looking from the living room window as the sun was going down.

Monday morning we saw a sliver of a moon with a star beneath.  Something very unusual.

This morning I went walk/running on foothill.  I couldn't resist in taking pictures; unfortunately the camera does not do justice.

I am so grateful for God's creations!

Thanksgiving

Because of poor planning or I might say no planning for cooking prior to Thursday due to busyness; I got up at 6:00 to start preparing.  I needed to get the rolls and pie done before the turkey would go into the oven.  I am happy to say, it all came together even being able to work out on the treadmill.

The turkey fell apart and Dell learned a new way to carve it.  

We invited the Spanish speaking missionaries in the Camarillo zone and Ventura zone to dinner if they didn't get an invitation.  We also invited the assistants and had 8 missionaries for dinner.

Sister Felix, Hermanas Hemingway, Peterson, Griffes, Ricks, Elders Ruby, Young, Taufatofua, Turley

Last year I inserted a question that had been typed on a piece of paper wrapped in foil then inserted in the dough of the roll.  I did it again this year.  After eating before dessert everyone shared their question. It was received very well and we had good discussion.  It was good to rest a bit before pie.  The missionaries don't have hours to sit around before having dessert because they need to be out doing THE work; although the little break between was appreciated.

Hermana Ricks' mother sent her decorations and she brought them over.  They wanted President to put on the turkey legs but I did it instead.

It was a wonderful time spending it with missionaries.  

We were very happy to have been able to see almost all of the family through skype or face time.  It's a blessing to us to be able to see and talk with our great family!

At MLC on Tuesday we included discussing "The Family -- A Proclamation to the World"

Part of our presentation included pictures of us and our family.  We are so grateful for the family we have (and it continues to grow).

Hermanas Ricks and Griffes are practicing for our Christmas Devotional.  Our theme is focused on Angels.  I've asked Hermana Ricks to accompany one of the Elders and three Hermanas as they sing

 "Angles Among Us." Tuesday one of the members who has produced different projects is helping record the music with the missionaries and then will put together video and pictures of missionaries that I'm giving him.  We are so excited!

Agave Bushes

Tuesday afternoon these agave bushes were planted.  We didn't see them until Wednesday due to all that was going on.

I got an email from the FM group stating agave bushes were planted to dissuade traffic through the area.  We've only been asking for months for something to be planted there so that it wouldn't be so inviting for someone who shouldn't be going on the property.   We are pleased with the addition. 

Bosch

Out with the old and in with the new.

I was so sad when the inside of the Bosch mixer bowl on the left started peeling.  I'm not sure how old it is but it could be close to 30 years old.  I was willing to wait until we get home to see if we could replace it.  Dell went on line and found one and went a head and ordered one.  It came from the Bosch store on Highland Drive.  That's funny.  I think I should make cinnamon rolls now.

65

Dell wanted to start his birthday off with a good bike ride so he took off while I did preparations for the requested breakfast of german pancakes, topped with lemon curd (which I found a recipe for and made the night before) and garnished with raspberries.  I added bacon, eggs, and a mango smoothie.

We seem to be able to schedule golf on our birthdays.  Last time we golfed it was windy and a bit chilly.  That is how the golf began yesterday and ended up but during the middle it was beautiful.  Fortunately we had jackets this time.

We played best ball.  Our score was 86.  We had a lot of fun.

We had dinner at the Lure and then saw the new James Bond movie.  I'd say a bit intense for us missionaries.

This morning we both went riding and it was to a different area.  We saw a coyote.  We were glad it kept on walking.