The Sun Sets...

I love this picture! I took it just before we got the boat out of the water at the lake...isn't it awesome!

But this picture is more than just a reminder of a great sunset. It's a reminder to me that even though the trip home was a bit too short, the end of one thing is always the beginning of something else.

And there's always another holiday to be had!

A Long Day at The Lake

After a Sunday morning at church, Bethany's family, some friends and I went to the lake to go tubing. So much fun! As you can tell from AJ's face though, we were all a bit tired when the time came to pull up to the boat dock and head for home.

A relaxing day at the lake was just what the doctor had ordered. I think we all enjoyed resting in the sun (or shade), going for a quick walk, bbq hot dogs, and just hanging out with friends.

Best Friend...In Boston That Is!

Kendra and I always manage to fit in a weekend visit when I go home for the summer. This was taken at the end of our visit, just as we were packing things in the car to head to the airport. Visits with Kendra always feel much too short and go by much too quickly.

We had a great time catching up on life, shopping...lots of shopping, showing off photos from the last couple of years, and just basically enjoying good times with a good friend.

It's funny how the friends we made in college seem to stick with us for a lifetime. And even though since college either Kendra or I have been half a world apart, it's never diminished our friendship at all...

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Jen & her little girl Kearsten...had hoped to see them while I was in the Bay Area, but no...they moved to Southern California. And they lived less than half a mile from my sister!

Anyway, notice the family resemblance? Kearsten is the cutest little girl with a great smile! It was fun to watch her run around just enjoying the freedom of movement.

It was great to see Jen also, to catch up a bit, and just enjoy time with someone I hadn't seen in a long time. I hope we can find time to get together again the next time I'm home.

STOP...IT'S HAMMER TIME!

I really love spending time with my nieces and nephews. None of my nephews were in this shot, but then again, they weren't invited! I was staying with my sister Orlene in Orange, CA and we took 4 of our nieces for a week.

Obviously, we spent time doing a little woodwork. Their Uncle Jeff bought them each their own set of tools and helped them build birdhouses and pencil boxes with secret locks! Then their cousin Dustin got them picture frames to decorate.

On top of that, we also spent time at Disneyland, read books, played games...Twister was a favorite...and just enjoyed hanging out. What a fun way to spend a week!

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

Okay, so it's not the best photo ever taken of the Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, you can just barely make the top of it out over the trees in the background! But come on, gimme a break! Have you ever tried to take a shot of something you're seeing while in a moving car? I had it especially difficult...my friend Suz, who was driving the car, was in a hurry so we weren't exactly going slow! Haha...

I'd put a picture of Suz on here, but the only one I have was taken at the end of a long day, and we both agree it's a terrible photo! But at least it's a memory of a fun day with a great friend!

San Francisco was just a minor stop during my trip home this past summer, but it was a part of one of my favorite days of the 5 week trip.