California's Super Bloom

Because of all the recent rain - wettest winter I can remember, California is having what they are calling a "super bloom." The wild flowers across the state are vibrant, plentiful, and beautiful.

Here in the Antelope Valley, we are known for our poppies. There is a poppy reserve about 15 minutes from our home. Curiosity led me to the reserve 3 days ago. I was not disappointed in the least!

The hills were carpeted with poppies!

I found this perfect spot where I could sit among the poppies without disturbing them for this selfie. 

Poppies only bloom for a few short weeks. I am glad that I could experience their beauty before they are gone until next season. What a beautiful world God created for each of us.

Arizona Fun in the Sun

During our recent trip to Arizona, we were able to do some fun activities with Kyle's family, Cheryl & Parker, and Jared.

On Saturday morning, Alan and I were able to meet Cheryl & Parker and Cheryl's friend Jenn at the Gilbert Temple where we did a session. Jenn took this picture of us afterwards.

Cheryl's first pregnancy picture was taken there. She is 22 weeks along here.

Parker didn't want to be left out. Haha!

Afterward, we ate lunch at a unique place called the Taco Shack. It is an outdoor eating place that is sandy like a beach resort.

We had fun playing a little corn hole.

Kyle and Jared were able to do some peppering with the volleyball.

Clara and Milo spent most of the time playing in the sand.

We then went back to Kyle's house and hung out at the pool.  Although the pool was a little too cold to swim in, the kids enjoyed the spa. We got in the spa later though.

I'm so glad that Kyle's family lives closer to us now. I'm sure we will be visiting them and Jared more often now that they are only about 7 hours away. We love Arizona!

Getting Contacts

A couple of weeks ago, we made our first trip to Arizona since Kyle's family moved there. We wanted to go before the super hot summer arrived. The weather was great so we had a good trip.

The first thing we did, was stop at Kyle's new office to get eye exams - our first complete exam from him. While we were filling out papers in the waiting room, out walks Kyle and Jared. That was a surprise to see Jared there. Evidently, he scheduled an exam right before us.

I was impressed with Kyle. He is a great optometrist.

 I had previously been told that I wasn't a candidate for contact lenses. Kyle disagreed with that assessment and found some with my prescription for me to try. With his help, I was soon having my first experience wearing contacts.

I think I look so different without glasses, but that is something I can get used to.

I was surprised to see that they had a supply room full of contact lenses. That's a lot of contacts!

Dr. Quaranta is the Optometrist Kyle is working for. He built this office and it is beautiful.

The front desk

The selection of frames

The hall leading to the exam rooms

The waiting room

I was very impressed with the office and the whole staff.

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UPDATE: Kyle found out last Thursday (April 25th) that Dr. Quaranta could no longer afford having him work there. Although Dr. Quaranta loved Kyle and loved having another Optometrist to discuss cases with, he had to either let him go or go bankrupt. When Kyle started working there at the end of December, things were going great and Kyle was kept busy. But over the past month, things have pretty much dried up. There is no explanation for the lack of patients. The phones just stopped ringing. So sad! Kyle has some other things in the works, and he already works Saturday's at Costco. I'm sure things will work out for him. I just hope they work out well for Dr. Quaranta.

Twin Retreat

Anyone who has given birth knows that taking care of a baby is a LOT of work, but taking care of multiples is even that much harder. My niece, Ali Marchant, gave birth to twins (a boy and a girl) on December 13, 2018. They named them Lydia and Lincoln. 

Their aunt Amberly Aird Christensen knitted the cute Christmas stockings pictured above.

My twin sister, Jane, is the grandmother to these two cute little bundles of joy. She and her husband Ken were in Houston for their birth and stayed there for about 3 weeks to help Ali out. 

With Ali feeling swamped with two newborns and 4 other children to care for, Jane decided to go back out there to help out and invited me to go as a "twin retreat". I couldn't pass up that opportunity so off I went to Houston.

Lydia and Lincoln were just over two months old when I arrived.

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to dress up like twins for this picture. (Interestingly, we each independently purchased the same top a while ago. We must be twins!)

We happened to be there the Sunday that the babies were blessed. It was a joy to witness that event. Ben blessed Lydia first, followed by Lincoln. Ladies before gentlemen, Ben said. 

Interestingly, when Jane and I were infants, my dad didn't want to give two blessings, so he blessed both of us at the same time. I don't think that has happened very often in the church.

Unfortunately, Ali and Ben aren't in this picture, but this shows all six of their children. Both babies are dressed in white, ready for the blessing. Whitney wore her white baptism dress which I thought was a lovely gesture.

(Pictured above: Luke, Alonzo holding Lincoln, Whitney holding Lydia, and J. J.)

After Church, a number of friends that the Marchant's had previously invited showed up at their house to help celebrate. Included among those who were invited were Ali's brother Dan (a nephew on my side of the family) and David Stott (a nephew on Alan's side of the family). I just had to get a picture of us. Who could have guessed that I would have so much family living in the same ward in Houston.

 (Pictured here: David, Me, Ali, Dan, and Jane)

The day before I left, we were able to have a little get-away to Galveston. Once there, we caught the ferry to Crystal Beach. Dan was our escort that day and he brought his son Jack along.

On the ferry, you can feed the seagulls if you have something to feed them. Amber (Dan's wife) provided us with some old bagels. These birds will eat right out of your hand.

After eating a tasty Calzone for lunch in Galveston, we headed back to Houston where we were able to visit the Houston Temple. Since it was a Monday, it was closed so I couldn't go inside. Still, I love seeing any of the temples every chance I get. I can't get enough of them. They are my happy place in life.

Such a beautiful temple!

I loved the front doors and the stained glass windows!

I spent six days in Houston helping out. On the day I left, I was able to get a picture of me holding both babies. Both of them are such a joy. Ali has her hands full, but I'm sure she feels blessed to have these two new little ones in her life.