Thursday last week we drove down to Huntington Beach where Holly was attending a vet conference and we had dinner together.  Two hours wasn’t quite enough but we will take what we can get.  While we were eating (Olive Garden) Brian crunched down on a pistachio shell.  He was eating a pasta dish so that didn’t make much sense.  As we thought about the menu we realized that there isn’t anything that would call for pistachios.  We deducted that someone in the kitchen was probably eating them and dropped one in.  Hello, health code violation…  Anyway, Brian finished his meal, and when the waitress picked up our plates he just mentioned it.  We weren’t expecting anything since it didn’t deter him from enjoying the meal anyway, but the manager came by and apologized and all but admitted that someone in the back was responsible.  They took a sizable chunk off the bill.  Brian felt a little sheepish about it.  We were glad we got to spend some time with Holly though. 

Friday I did a photo shoot for a customer from last year.  Her daughter is turning 16 and wanted some nice pictures up for her party November 12th.  She wanted to hire me for the party but I wasn’t able to commit to that since who knows when this baby is coming.  They also want family pictures done again at the end of November.  I will most likely do those.  We’ll see how I am feeling though. 

Saturday Serra attended a costume birthday party and we took the opportunity to get her pictures done before.  She is quite the little poser.  She is always asking me to take her picture so when I finally do a photo shoot with her she hams it up quite nicely. 

Sunday was our primary program.  I was a bit stressed about it especially when I got to church and there were only 2 kids there.  As it turned out we only had 2 kids not participate (from the same family)  one was sick and the oldest boy refused and was throwing fits about it.  We had copies of their parts and did them anyway.  We never were able to time the program in our practices and we were counting our blessings when we ended right at the exact time.  I had one small solo which is challenging when you can’t get enough breath to finish a phrase and a small talk at the end.  Serra also had a line and unfortunately it was at the end.  She was asking me through out the whole program when it was her turn.  When it came time, she got up there, grabbed the microphone and delivered her line.  She also sang all the songs with gusto getting the last word of nearly every line and filling in the middle with her own words.  It was pretty cute. I’m glad to have it done. 

Here is what you really want:  This year Serra is a butterfly.  The pumpkin is one we grew in our little patch and it is one cool pumpkin.

And for posterity sake…

August 23rd – Brian sent in his application and money to take the final real estate exam and become licenced.  We waited and waited.  The check was cashed within a week or so and still we heard nothing.  Brian contacted them at the end of September.  They informed him they were behind and barely getting to the applications that were sent at the first of September.  Wait a week and check again.  So he called this week and guess what…They LOST his application.  Of course, they didn’t lose the check but now need proof that we even sent it, along with a whole new application.  ARRGH!  Goverment agencys….

Just a quick check in while I’m on.  Brian had school stuff all day Saturday so we didn’t see him until late.  Serra spent the night with cousins at Grandma’s on Friday nights so I was by myself for the first half of Saturday.  Weird.  I put together the baby swing while I didn’t have helping hands.  Serra thinks it is great and is using it for her babies everyday until the real baby needs it.  I still feel great and have been sleeping really well lately which is a real bonus.  It’s a shame these few weeks before the baby drag on so and then fly by after the baby comes.

For the first time since July Brian had a weekend.  We got up had breakfast and he got to work.  It’s been two years since we moved into this place and there are still  projects that haven’t been finished.  I wish I was a little more capable of doing some of it since I have more time than Brian.  I know that I would not be able to do as well as Brian and it would take me twice the time.  ( And I really don’t want to do it either)  Anyway, the bathrooms were on the schedule for this weekend and they are nearly finished now.  We need some moulding around the floor and some finished grout in the splash guard on the counters and then they are complete.  He tiled the remaining bathroom and put moulding around the mirrors and installed tile as splash guard in both bathrooms.  One tile in the Master bath had to be replaced as well. 

Serra really wanted to help and Brian was very patient and let her place a few tiles now and then.  She felt pretty important.  On one occasion while Brian was in the garage cutting some pieces,  Serra took what she had learned from her Pop and put it to use.  When Brian came back up there were three tiles laid that he had not done, and the spot in the upstairs bathroom that was getting a new tile had one as well.  I saw her earlier trying different pieces to find one that fit but never saw her find the one.  If college doesn’t work out she can always learn a trade. 

I am happy we will be able to enjoy the improvements before we sell.

Conference weekend was almost great.  I was disappointed that Brian wasn’t there.  He was crossing Texas and venturing into a barricaded city to deliver to coaches.  SV and I (And the pooch)  went to Mom and Dad’s early Saturday morning and waited for the signal to come up on cable.  But alas it was not to be.  Listening wasn’t too bad just a little less space for everyone.  I enjoyed it just fine though.  I have watched it this week though as I recorded it from our DVR to a video tape for Mom and so I don’t feel like I missed anything.  I was surprised like Jeff at some of the subjects like physical preparation along with spiritual.  Maybe it’s time for Oprah’s boot camp.

Luckily Liesl had primed her children a bit on the treat table with the rule of one healthy thing for every unhealthy.  Serra joined in a bit and I actually saw a carrot and cucumber pass her lips on several occasions.  I have to say to Mom that the rolls this year were the best she’s ever done.  We enjoyed the last two, sent home with us, as an afternoon snack yesterday. 

We stayed the night on Saturday to avoid the long drive back and forth.  Serra bunked with Katrina but woke up around 4 crying.  She was fine once she was cuddled up to me with my hair in her little hands.  Matt Allen stayed over as well and had Jacob as a cuddle buddy.  I thought that was pretty funny. 

Brian was able to get an earlier flight than scheduled and Dad and I picked him up at LAX at 1:45 Sunday afternoon.  He was REALLY tired.  I haven’t seen him that wiped out in a long time.  He had time enough to sit and eat lunch and then had to head to Moorpark for a school meeting.  He dislikes doing those on Sunday but when you are dealing with a group of non-LDS-ers it seems to be the only time everyone is available.  We beat him home by about and hour and we headed to bed at around 9 pm.  An unheard of hour in this house.  Serra even fell asleep exhausted from serious playing all weekend.

I’ve been looking so forward to the fall so the weather would cool down a bit.  I am ready to not be sweaty.  Just as things started looking good, Santa Ana’s blew in and made it hotter here than it has been all summer with no cool down at night.  I am at the worst part of pregnancy where it it difficult to get comfortable at night and the heat is not helping.  It is these last few weeks that make me willing to go through birth.  The baby had hiccups for the first time that I have felt this morning.  I was beginning to think there was something odd about this creature.  I tried to take Serra swimming last week when it was over 100 here with the hot winds blowing.  We went over to the pool and they had turned the heat off at some point lat week when things cooled down.  It was like ice and I couldn’t get in for fear of going into early labor.  SV jumped in and swam around teeth chattering the whole time.  I just dangled my feet and even they never got accustomed to the temperature.

We are ready for Halloween and baby soon to follow.  Costume is ready for the V and baby bed and swing have been purchased.  Infant clothing has been sorted and laundered and there is MORE than sufficient for one baby’s needs.  Now all we need is a baby. Serra V said it is “taking too longer.”

Here are the kidlets in there dress up attire.