Summer Fun

We had to get creative with our summer vacation this year. Our original plan (earlier this summer) was to fly to Oklahoma to spend some time at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Dale's lake property...but when airfares tripled, we had to go to plan B. Luckily, they were planning on coming out to So. Cal. for a wedding on Dale's side of the family, so they tacked some days on to the front of that trip and met us in San Diego. We had a great time! We did Sea World and Balboa Park with them, and after they had to leave for the wedding, we stayed the night on Coronado. The weather was beautiful. We did S'mores on the beach at night, and gathered tons of shells and sand dollars in the morning. Then we headed up to see the Rosells, and saw Les Miserables at the Moonlight that night. It was incredible! Now it's back to reality. Seminary started, and we picked up our new curriculum last Friday, so the school year is in full swing. Sigh. I knew it would be like this. Each summer breezes by more quickly than the last.

Jake, Uncle Dale, Jeni, Avery and Aunt Kathy at Sea World

Uncle Dale points out all the best exhibits to Coree at the science museum.

Troy and Patrick attempt to build something that will cause an explosion.


Jake tries his hand at rope spitting.


Move over Pixar...look for the trailers of Patrick and Troy's new computer animated feature at a theater near you...Chewbacca and the Attack of the Zombie Space Bears Holding Sharks (or see it on our Imperialstuarts YouTube channel!)


Uncle Dale, Avery, Jeni, Aunt Kathy, Coree, Carrie, Jake, Cliff, Patrick and Troy


Will all those people's wishes still come true if Jake and Coree make off with their coins?


I had the most intense memory wash over me as I stood here and I had to take a picture to capture it. My grandparents brought me here all the time while I was growing up...to see various performances...steel drums, jugglers, mimes, etc. This spot was actually the last place my grandpa and I took my grandma, right before I left for the Navy, twenty years ago. We set up our chairs right here in the shade to watch the show. The next time I saw her was right before she died and by then she was too weak to get out of bed. The main reason I love Balboa Park so much is the memories it brings back of my grandparents. I was so lucky to have them for so many reasons. I still think of them every day.


Avery loves Jake!


Cliff on the beach just after sunset


We had to stop and see everyone's favorite Sunbeam teacher, Sister Tenney, at her workplace. She taught both Coree and Jake. We sure miss seeing her each Sunday.


Elan, musical director extraordinaire, during "half time" at Les Miserables. She was really getting a workout waving that wand! The whole show was just amazing!


It's a small world! We told Sonia (our chapel organist, friend and piano teacher) about the Moonlight theater. It turns out she has family in the same town. She ended up getting tickets to see Les Miserables on the same night that we did (without knowing it) and they were even on the same row! Here she is with husband Fred, and her aunt and uncle.


This was so cute...I can't remember how this came up, but Cliff had said something to Deana (jokingly) about liking cookies on his pillow (like THAT ever happens!). Anyway, when we got back from the Moonlight, we found the sheets turned down and a plate of fresh, homemade cookies on the pillow. Talk about 5-star accommodations...Deana is the hostess with the mostess!


Before we headed home, Coree and I went with Deana to see her daughter Bonnie (Bon-bon) at her new apartment. The place is darling, and her kitty Rambo is adorable!