Dee and I left Tuesday night and flew to Long Beach for a training meeting. We left ALL the kids home. I don't even remember the last time I traveled without at least the baby. I was able to read a book on the plane!!!! WOW! We are only here for two short days, but it has been so relaxing and nice to have "Mommy/Daddy Time". We went to dinner after we checked into the hotel on Tuesday. A yummy place called the Rock Bottom Brewery. I had pasta with walnut pesto-delicious! Yesterday I lounged in the hotel room while Dee was at meetings. I watched TV, knitted and even took a nap! When Dee finished with his meetings, he and I went for a long walk down to the pier and saw the Queen Mary. The weather is perfect here. We had dinner on the heated patio (cozy) at Cheesecake Factory in Huntington Beach last night and called Dee's brother, John, who joined us for dessert. He was happy to see us and seems to be doing well. He even said he is planning to go to church on Sunday! :) As always, the food was great and we had two slices of cheesecake- Oreo and wild blueberry with white chocolate. YUM!
We have eaten lunch both days at King's Fish house on Pine Street. Great food and a fun little walk.
We are returning home tonight and I am anxious to see my wonderful children who I miss terribly when I leave them. I am real proud of the way they handle everything when we are gone. Yesterday morning Truman called at 6:00am to let us know they woke up to find the cow on the front lawn and the horse running on the road. Carter and Lincoln jumped on the four-wheelers and got them back in the pasture within minutes! :)
Thanks to my sister Jenny for her help with them all while we are away. I know it's not easy, but I REALLY appreciate it! And thanks to Tim for being the taxi driver. I hope you didn't drive too crazy. Yeah, right! And thanks to Amy for making sure the taxi driver knew his pick up times. And thanks to Brooke for being the adult in the house at night. ;)
I am anxious to see all my kidlets and give them lots of hugs. I think I don't give them enough hugs. Whenever Dee and I are away from them, even just on Friday night dates, we spend most of the night talking about them and how great they are and how much we love them. I am truly blessed with wonderful children!
Perry and Carisa's family were at the temple as we were walking through. A sweet surprise!
The whole gang in front of the temple. The sun was very bright and it was cold!
Our family 
Our family at the chapel after the temple tour
Perry and Carisa and kids
