Pura Vida: Dublin, California!

We had our own brand of excitement in Dublin, Ca while the girls' mom and dad were away in Costa Rica! Here is Miss Sofi at the Golden Apple checking out one of those musical jewelry boxes, the girls love to hang out and look at all the fun toys. Lucy was certain she could find just the "right" work book, no luck. Kaylee had her eye on the Calico Critters. We tried to get to Golden Apple the first evening I was there......Gladys (GPS Gal) was out of sorts and we just kept going around in circles doing u-turns......Kaylee wondered why all the people kept honking at us - I realized I didn't have my head lights on, whoa is me!! We went home and tried Golden Apple the next day in the day light, Gladys performed like a champ! Unpacking boxes was something we tried to do "some" of, we didn't get many emptied out, in fact this one just happened to have a little 2 1/2 year old in it!!

Occassionally a few things would go missing while I was at the Bills' home......I learned real fast that Sofi would quietly "save" things on this bottom shelf of Marisa's bakers rack!! (such as the car keys!!!)

Sunday morning was the Primary Program. Lucy had to learn her part quick, we got it from the Primary President on Thursday and Lucy had it totally memorized by Friday. Kaylee already knew her part and they both did a terrific job. Sofi was a great sport and made it all the way through the program!

Since we had Gladys, I decided going to a pond to feed the ducks would be in order. After Sofi's nap and the girls rested on Sunday I googled "feed ducks near Dublin, Ca" well what do you know, a park came up not too far, I think it was called Oak Hill Park. We grabbed the bread and headed out, cheering Gladys on!

One day I needed to get Lucy to her pre-school and I couldn't find John Knox in the GPS - Lucy assured me she knew just how to get there.....then she said she could maybe tell me how to get there and then she said she wasn't really certain how to get there, haha, I checked with information and got the address, again, Gladys to the rescue!! Lucy was happy to get to school on time!

The ducks were in seventh heaven and FLOCKED to where the girls were feeding them!! It was a fun time with the ducks, some of them even started following us out of the park!

Sofi is a very, very smart little girl. Often when I would ask her if she had a poopy diaper she would say "no way Jose"! That was her standard answer to most things - with "though" stuck on the end of her sentences.......this particular day as I walked by her in the living room and saw her hands I thought "gee I don't remember them having any chocolate to eat......" Upon further and closer inspection I determined much to my dismay that it was NOT chocolate, not even close--- yuck and yikes though, she had decided finger painting was in order!! Luckily I caught up with her BEFORE it got spread anywhere! I have to admit I was laughing pretty hard as I cleaned her up and tried to explain why this was NOT appropriate behavior haha!!

Here we are waiting at the Bart for Mom and Dad to return. The girls were so excited for their folks to be home! They really were great helpers and got along with each other the whole time I was there. We worked hard to clean up the house, they helped me fold clothes, clean out the van and tidy up their rooms. Lindsay had made them job charts and they did a good job getting things done everyday so they could earn different things.

It was a joyous reunion for the Bills family, welcome home mommy and daddy!!

What a Guy!

This sweet man, Don Benson, Randy's dad, passed away Thursday, November 6. He had just seen Pepper and was scheduled to have his rotator cuff operated on in December. He also had a case of walking pneumonia. He went to bed on Wednesday and decided not to wake up on Thursday.....oh that we all could leave this world so peacefully.

I will post a few more photos later, but just had to let everyone know what a quiet giant of a man Don was. He was forever building and/or remodeling things, even in their condo! He loved to be "doing" all the time. When his drivers license was taken from him for 3 months he bought a 3 wheel bike and rode to the church, Albertson's and even to Shopko from their home in Centerville, that trip alone was 7 miles round trip!!

He served as ward financial clerk for over 30 years and was meticulous about this job. He was also totally deaf for most of his adult life, he was great at reading lips and had a terrific sense of humor about his handicap. What he lacked in hearing he more than made up in the service he rendered to others.

I am so thankful I have this man as a father in law. I am also so greatful that he is with family and friends and that he can HEAR now! What a blessing the gospel is in our lives!

I love you Don and will miss you--until we meet again.....