Billery – The Transition Begins

We switched church times this week to 9am and it is amazing to be home at noon instead of 4pm.  Anyway, we are enjoying the lull after the holidays.  Serra has been asking to go see some snow especially since she saw all the videos of cousins having so much fun.  I decided to take the girls up to the snow Friday so I could avoid doing the tax paperwork I have been putting off.  It was a beautiful sunny day and not too cold.  “Our” snow is about 40 minutes to the north of us.  We found a delightful sledding spot and found an abandoned sled waiting for us.  We played the afternoon away.  The only thing that would have made the afternoon more fun was if Brian had been with us. 

Sophia enjoyed her first ice cream cone the other day.  She sat down on the floor and gave it her undivided attention. 

Serra’s little friend Patrick was sealed to his parent last week and I took some pictures for them.  His mom is also Serra’s preschool teacher.  Brian came and ran interference with the girls.  It was really cold even though it looks nice out. 

Pudding anyone?

Sorry for the absence.  I have been up to my elbows in flu fluids.  Rosie, poor Rosie, has been hit for the second time with the flu and is in and out of the tub and changing clothes all day long for reasons you might guess.  She seems to be on the mend though. 

My other excuse is my typical xanga update time is in the morning and I have filled that spot now with walking.  We have started walking 2.5 to 3 miles a day.  Serra seems able to handle that much but not much more without complaint so I won’t push it by trying to do more.  Maren joins us when her school schedule allows. 

We saw alot of Jeff and Maren the week after New Years while Maren was out of school.  I think 3 nights that week and one afternoon.  We sure enjoy having them here.  The girls especially. 

Brian’s birthday was on Monday and we celebrated by going to one of our favorite spots – Bonnie Springs.  It has a petting zoo that we knew the girls would enjoy.  Then Brian and I dropped off the girls with Brians mom and we went to dinner.  PFChangs.  Then to a movie.  Night at the Museum.  Not bad.  It was a fun day. 

Nice horns.

Some serious burro bootay.  And you thought you had a big butt. 

I think this goose is Mormon.

I was talking to Dad as I took this picture and quickly stepped back when he reminded me that llamas spit.

Brian got a small fridge for his truck and some other booty. 

Sorry there isn’t more of Dave.  He was there, I promise.

It took me 3 times downloading this video to get it to work.  It is of pre-Christmas festivities and is really long. 

We got back from California last night at around 8pm.  We gambled on the traffic and won.  Apparently everyone was already in Vegas. 

What a wonderful weekend though.  We planned on leaving early Friday afternoon but Brian wasn’t winning as he calls it and had a lot of frustrations with work.  We didn’t get off until 5pm.  We got to our hotel (the Hyatt in Westlake which is also Brian’s Pepperdine campus) around 11 and it took us a few hours to get the girls settled down.  They had had plenty of naps on the way down.  Brian only had a few slight stress tremors as we pulled into the driveway of the place he spent the past 3 years.  We had a great room with a king size bed and couch bed.  Everyone had a nice cozy place.  One never knows when you Priceline what you will get.  We scored in this case. 

We were able to be out the door by a little after 9 the next morning.  We fed the girls pancakes at McD’s and then went to the Calabasas house to see how things were faring.  The yard is pretty sad.  Mom and Dad put so much heart and soul into making it beautiful and without that it is very neglected.  There were about 15 cards of other realtors though so it looks like a few people have been through.  It is quite amazing at the flood of memories that hit me in every corner of the house and surrounding yard.  The former Elder Dave and Serra the tall showed up then and we had a reunion in the laundry room of all places. 

I didn’t know squirrels liked oranges.  There is evidence everywhere they do. 

Rosie was so happy to be able to roam free. 

He’s home and yet not.  I think it was a bit weird for him.

Dave was looking cool in his new duds and shades and was busy with a video camera making a movie for Elder Olsen.  He says he is recording things like him sleeping in Elder O’s bed, driving his car, eating at his favorite places, etc.  Clever and slightly mean. 

We then spent the rest of the day together.  First it was to Expedition MH so they could see the improvements and say hello.  They were pretty busy on the holiday weekend so we didn’t stay long.  We then met the Kochs and Browers at California Pizza Kitchen in Ventura since that is where they were.  Had lunch, parted with the Kochs, and then met at Leo Carrillo and the tide pools.  We spent a few hours at the beach.  Two of the Brower girls showed up in swim suits.  I say!  It is warmer than Utah but not that warm.  But the kids had a blast playing in the sandy mud.  Sophia is so different than Serra.  We put her down in the wet sand and she was delighted.  As a baby the same age, Serra’s reaction was much less enthusiastic. 

Serra the younger much like her Auntie spots the camera and makes the picture more interesting. 

So many choices… so little time.

Gotta love Leo Carrillo

Strike a pose…

Rosie happy…Serra V not so happy…

Someone loves the wet sand. 

She even started painting herself with cold wet sand. 

So…what’s it like to be tall?  Do you like to squish wet sand between your toes as much as I do?

At Olsens…

We had an invitation to the Olsens for dinner so we headed there next.  They put on a nice spread for us all.  It was a great evening visiting and catching up with everyone.  Over all David has been a little quiet which is expected. 

Sunday morning we headed to church to listen to David report.  Uncle David got Mom and Dad on the phone during his talk so they were able to hear him sort of.  There were plenty other recorders going as well so those who were unable to be there will get to hear what a great job Dave did.  He was well prepared and conveyed a very sweet message about what his mission was to him.  He urged the young men to prepare and shot down and excuse they might give not to serve.  He emotionally thanked those who have helped our family and been there throughout the years.  There were many supporters there and a lot of wet eyes.  It was a great homecoming.  Tracy C came through with her camera and went hog wild.  There will be plenty of pictures.  A soon as the disc comes through.  Pictures will post.

We said goodbye at the church and headed to Santa Paula to see how our old stomping grounds were faring.  And we headed back to Vegas from there.  I will hopefully post pictures soon.  Brian is home today though so we might be occupied.  Sorry fans. 

Some have said my babies look alike.  I beg to differ.

Remember this?