Sunday May 25th Farewell

Wendy with her Father Burns Wood, her brother Ian Wood, Sisters Kathy Wright, LeeAnn Anderson & Denise Harris.  

CJ put this picture together for Wendy and I to take to Samoa.  This will help us brag about our beautiful grandchildren.  Carson is the oldest of the 17 grandkids and Rex is the youngest.  We love this bunch and expect they will grow lots while we are gone.  

This is that same group of 17 grandkids August 2013 out at the cabin together.  12 Boys and 5 Girls and they all want to serve a mission.  

some of the grandkids got crazy at the farewell party 

most of Tom's siblings and spouses.  Dave & Alison Cichy, Marilynne, Ruthanne & Ken Holst, 

Mike & April Saunders.  

All of the Wend's siblings and spouses.  Burn Wood in the middle, LeeAnn Anderson, Don & Kathy Wright, Ian & Debbie Wood, Tom & Wendy, Rick & Denise Harris

Tom & Wendy with Chuck & Sandra Saunders, Jeff & Nena Scott, Jessica & CJ Burton

Heading home for Departure

 had to stop in Yosemite on our way home - didn't have time to climb Half Dome or El Capitan but Half Dome is on the list.

 Bridalveil Falls - so beautiful

Base of El Capitan - it's a long and difficult hike just to get to a spot where you can start to climb

 El Capitan just waiting to be climbed

Water falls all around the Park, Half Dome in the distance.  It's massive when you get up close
This is a view from the tunnel as you first come into the valley with Bridalveil Falls on the right.

Wendy and I drove from Yosemite over to Napa Valley for the night.  It is a long road but beautiful country, farming, vineyards, lakes and ranching.  Beautiful rolling hills.  We spent the next few days driving up through California, Oregon, Washington and over to Spokane, then up to Invermere.  We arrived Monday evening and spent a few days getting clothes and our home organized.  We will spend time here in Invermere and over in Calgary over the next 5 weeks as we get ready to fly to Provo to the Missionary Training Centre on June 9th.  We are very excited to get going as it's been almost 8 months working on visas and getting ready to go serve.

Newport Beach Marriott - Palm Springs Desert Springs

Wendy and I have enjoyed the past week at the Newport Marriott with Dave. Lisa and kids.  We did some hiking, swimming (lots of swimming), games and activities 4-5 times a day for the kids, Crystal Cove beach, and some great relaxing time.

Our pool for the week

one of many daily activities for the kids with a sprinkle of swimming and ice cream floats each day.

Brady was interested in driving the other kids around the complex - not going to happen

Another one of the activities - shaving cream design

Breakfast at Rose Bakery one morning - yum, granola - yogurt - bananas - strawberries

 Crystal Cove Beach with the kids

Audrey taking pictures of the caves at the end of the beach.  

Golfing in Palm Springs at the Shadow Ridge Golf course.  94 degrees - Wendy has been hard to beat the past few days.  I'm down 3 strokes after 36 holes so tomorrow I will need to play like Bubba Watson

 Of course after a tough day at the course you need a great Mexican meal at EL Gallito's a family business for years here in Palm Springs just on Hwy 111.  If you are ever in the area it's a must.

Doesn't she just look like she just beat me for the second round in two days.  Watch out tomorrow.

Daily grind in Southern California

Wendy and I start our day with a long walk in the hills around Ladera Ranch.  There are many trails through the neighbourhoods as well as up and down the hills and ravines.  We try and get 10 -12 Km each morning.

We like this trail because when we get to the end we can see the beach at Dana Point.

We then jump on our beach cruisers and ride over to the pools ( about a block or so) for our daily swim

Ladera has a few beautiful pool areas, and this one is real close to Dave and Lisa home.

We have gone from 10 lengths to 44 lengths so we are getting a little better at the swim portion of our workout.

Hey, after any workout you have to have something good to eat once in awhile so we head over to Dana Point for the famous Shwack burger

I know it seems wrong but you got to admit it looks good and by the way it is good.  Yum

                          Then the afternoon gets busy with taking the boys to the pool again.

                                                   Scout activities - Carter Saunders

Then there is always homework.  Carter doing his reading assignment with Brady learning the ropes.

California Dreamin

                       Party time on Mission Viejo Lake with Dave, Lisa and Kids.

Dave and I took Carter and Brady over to Phoenix to spring training and a game with the LA Angels vs San Francisco Giants.  Great time, nice experience, I forgot how much I love baseball.

 Wendy and I spent a a few days down in San Diego and visited the Mormon Battalion history site and there in the artifacts was a sword that Philemon Merrill used on his journey as part of the Mormon Battalion.  Philemon is my Grandma Saunders Grandfather on her mothers side.  Great surprise.

We had a great day going on a tour of the USS Midway.  It was great to see the immensity of this ship and get educated on how they launch a plane and trap a plane when it lands on the deck.  The living quarters and food services were neat to see.  We had lots of fun and thought often of the young boys in our family and how much they would enjoy this museum.

some great old planes and new ones as well.

A tribute to all the sailors and to Bob Hope.

                                  The famous Coronado Hotel on Coronado Island

               Pearl of India - great old ship that went around the world at least 6 times.

Long Long beaches on south shores of Coronado Island - wonderful place.

Preparing for Samoa weather

Wendy and I have to get ready for warm weather in Samoa - 31 degrees every day with a low of 26 degrees.  80-90% humidity.  

So we are spending a month in Southern California where we can swim everyday and get some sun.

We will be able to go to the beach and catch a few rays as well -

I think Wendy is excited about this

We can do a bit of biking and walking to round out the exercise 

And of course we will need to get a bit of golf in as 2 years is a long time to not golf.  

More Tests

Here is a picture of our 3 bedroom home in Samoa.  The van has been replaced with a new 1 ton van so we have lots of room for passengers or cargo and spare beds for guests.

Wendy and I have spent the past few weeks back in Calgary getting new medicals, X-rays, Police reports and passport documents filled out.  We are grateful for the Dr's who have helped us thru the process in a very efficient manner.

We went out to our home in Windermere for a few days to pick up some clothes and check on things. The mountains have had lots of snow as you can see - it's building up everywhere.  The Valley was clear and no snow, very spring like.  We had a nice few days to relax.

Jessica and CJ went down to St. George to look for a home so Wendy and I have been the chief cook, bottle washer, baby sitter of Eli and Ida for 4 or 5 days and it's been real fun.  We took some walks, played some games, and had a special meal each night.  Saturday - Pizza , Sunday - spaghetti, Monday - meatballs, Tuesday - Tacos, Wedensday - Waffles.  Whatever rhymed we made.