California Trip ~ Part 2

So, here is the remainder of our pics from Cali. We went Memorial Day weekend. It was cold & rainy most of the time ~ but we still fit in a lot. Here's a recap: Visited family, toured the farm & sat in on the school tours, met the farm animals, rode horse-back & tractor-rides, soaked up Grandma's wisdom & many stories of family history, enjoyed a Memorial Day bash, visited Lake Arrowhead & the property, and celebrated my 30th Birthday. It was pretty great!! Thanks to Mom & Dad, Grandma Bea and Scott & Jim for being such lovely hosts & Grandma letting us stay at the house, as well.


Us & Grandma Bea ~ It was so nice spending more time with her & Addie getting to know her a little more :) At first she was scared of her, but then whenever I couldn't find her, I could count on her being in with Grandma. She loved to spin her lazy-susan around (that holds her medicine) ~ Eek ~ and of course, Grandma would say "she's just fine, you let her be", with a smile. She gave her some blocks and hand-painted a couple, with scriptures on them. It's a tradition she's started with some of the grandkids & now we can continue it for our FHE's. So neat. Thanks Grandma!

Lake Arrowhead

We were able to go back & visit Lake Arrowhead with Mom & Dad on Sunday and attend their ward for church. That was nice. And of course we checked out the property where the house burned. The debris has been cleared but there's still quite a few trees to be taken out. It was the first time I saw it in person. Still can't believe it ~ Too weird. It's so heart-breaking, but we know that our parents will be taken care of. The Lord will provide & we know they will get settled again. I think we all hold Lake Arrowhead dear to us & will miss the peace & serenity that's there. Many great memories.

Dave digging up the only sign of life left (a carpet rose mom had planted)

Across the street

Across the street

Over-looking Lake Arrowhead

Aerial view of Lake Arrowhead

Addie trying to provide comfort, as we drove around the neighborhood

Showing the damage just across the lake from the park we always went to

                                The Cliff-hanger restaurant ~ now for sale

Riley Farm Trip

We took a trip out to Cali a few weeks ago for Memorial Day weekend. This was actually the first time I got a FULL tour of the Riley Family farm ~ including Uncle Jim's school tours (involving living history). It was REALLY cool. Here's a  little taste of our trip & what the farm is like.


















We had a combined party for Scott & my birthdays :)











Jim's neat colonial-style home


Battle re-enactment with the school tour


That's Uncle Jim on the door













Grandma Bea's home