Primary

11 of our 18 CTR 5's

I thought the day of our Primary Program would be a good time to get a picture of our entire class.  Unfortunately, since four left early, this is a smaller than normal group.  I went ahead and took this picture anyway, since there were a few kids there who missed the last picture.  Craig and I have had fun teaching this big primary class.  They are such sweet chldren and they keep us us on our toes!  It is definitely a different way to serve, but we feel like at least we are making a difference in these precious children's lives.  

Front row: Luke*, Brendan, Jackson and Hunter(with his new hair cut)

Back row: Rachel, Mara, Brielle, Kayana, Rachel, Meredith and Mia
Not pictured: Caleb, Olivia, Bailey, Leah, Piero, Ezekiel, Kenzie

*Melissa's oldest son and our first grandson  : )

HAPPY NEWS

Josh and Krista are expecting their first baby on March 7!  YAY!!!  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! This will be our tenth grandchild.  Skye is our youngest and she will be 2 in January.  Blake, Reese and Austin all turned 3 this year, so it's been awhile since we've had a new baby in the family.

 This will be a tall child - Josh is 6'4" and Krista is 5'11".  Krista has a sister who is 6'3" and brothers that are 6'6".  Plus, she has siblings with beautiful curly red hair, so this could be our little redhead!  Either way, he or she will be beautiful, tall and have a dimple in his/her chin.  I can't wait to see that little face!  Krista will have an ultrasound on October 24 and they hope to find out if it's a boy or girl at that time. 

Krista is feeling good,  she just tires easily but thankfully she doesn't have any morning sickness.  She and Josh are both so excited to be parents.  They will be wonderful!  We are truly blessed and so grateful for our precious children and grandchildren.  They are the heart of our heart and the loves of our life!

I Left My Heart in Monterey

 

We spent labor day weekend in Monterey with Josh and Krista, where Josh is stationed at the Presidio of Monterey at Fort Ord, Defense Language Institute.  He is learning Persian Farsi to become a cryptological linguist in military intelligence for the Army. This is the language spoken in Iran.  His schooling is very intense, but he seems to be keeping up his g.p.a.  He cannot miss any class time, so he is grateful for the breaks on the weekends and the occasional holiday.  

 

Josh and Krista were separated for 5 months while he was in basic training and for the beginning of his language training.  They are so happy to be together!  We had not seen them for almost a year - it was last October when we all rendezvoused in Idaho for a long weekend.  It was a treat to spend time with them and be in the beautiful Monterey area for the first time.

 Craig and I drove up the 101 and it was the first time we've ever made that beautiful drive. Saturday morning we were tourists and started off at Fisherman's Wharf.  There are seals everywhere and it was fun to watch them and the sea otters  play.

Then we went on the famous 17 MILE DRIVE  through Pebble Beach and took a few pictures.  We were in heaven with the cool 65 degree weather after our hot and humid August.  It was glorious! The coastline was very rocky and craggy, so different from the sandy beaches in southern Calif.  It was overcast most of the time, so our views weren't as pretty as it would have been in clear weather, but it was still breathtaking. 

The housing areas of Pebble Beach reminded me a little of Santa Rosa.  Very hilly and so pretty.  This fence had holes cut in it to accommodate this old tree.   It looked so cool to see this tree just growing out of the fence.


This is the Lone Cypress that is the logo for Pebble Beach.
  It's over 250 years old. 
 

On Saturday afternoon we went out to lunch at Islands and went to see the new Bourne movie.  (It was okay.  I am liking action movies less and less in my old age!)Saturday night we played SEQUENCE boys against the girls and of course, the girls were triumphant per usual. 

 

It was so much fun being with Josh and Krista for the weekend after such a long time.  They have a cute apartment and they are so glad to have their things after waiting for over a month for the movers to arrive. They have a good circle of friends and they are a great support to each other.  The husbands all came to Monterey about the same time as Josh, but they are studying different languages and are in different branches of the military.  One couple is also in their ward.  They love being in a family ward after their first two years in young married student wards.  They are in the Seaside Ward.

 

We drove home via the Coast Highway. This was also a first for us.   Even though there was patchy fog, and it was mostly overcast, the scenery was beautiful.  I especially loved the Big Sur area with the redwood trees and mountain roads, and then through the trees you can see the beautiful ocean.  We can't wait to go back!