October

October started off with a VERY quick trip to Redding on conference weekend. Up on Friday the 1st and back home on Sunday the 2nd. Our actual destination was Red Bluff but being that it was my dad's 66th birthday we stopped in to say hello. We got to see the Reasbecks and watch Chandler play flag football. The purpose for our trip was to witness Grandpa Bill's baptism. What a wonderful occasion it was. So very special to see Bill baptize his father, just as his grandfather had baptized him 13 years ago. The spirit was so strong. Such a testimony of the joy the fullness of the gospel can bring into someone's life. Olivia was even able to play "Come Follow Me" on her violin that she had been practicing for the primary program. After the baptism and confirmation we had dinner back at the house and were joined by Sam, Nikki and the boys. Even though it was a lot of driving for a short period, it was WELL worth it. We were very blessed to have been a part of it.

My girlfriend, Jennifer Dresser, came down with her oldest son, Jeffrey for a soccer tournament. Her mom came with her to help with the drive and her little one, Jillian. It was so fun to spend some time with them AND to watch Jeffrey play. This is what happens when you give your camera to a 12 year old boy! Gotta love him. (Among other things, I think he's practicing the ASL alphabet that the kids taught to him.)

The kids decided to forego a traditional Halloween this year and save the money from costumes to put towads a trip to Disneyland. We did get Halloween shirts and orange spray paint for their hair. They had fun class parties on Thursday and then because of Nevada day on Friday we left right after school and headed down to San Diego.

We stayed for a few nights at Bill's cousin's place. Wyatt and Brigid were fabulous hosts. Wyatt took us to a park next to the beach where we visited for a while before he headed off to work. The kids and I had brought our bikes so we took a bike ride along a trail up to the back of Sea World, where Wyatt works, across the lake. From there the kids and I grabbed a picnic lunch and ate it up on the temple grounds.

We met up with Brigid and she took us to her school halloween carnival where the kids had a
blast playing all thegames. Afterwards we went to Chevy's for dinner and then prepared a magic

show for Uncle Wyatt back at the condo. SO MUCH FUN!!! Aaron did the ball under the 3 cups and was very confused when he himself couldn't remember which cup it was under. Complete with costumes and all! Wyatt got his finger exercise with TONS of balloon animal/creations.

The next morning I awoke to this scene. The boys making delicious pancakes. I didn't know that 1 homemade pancake could taste so different from another. I now, after all my life, have a new pancake recipe. Good job boys! We even had fresh strawberries!

Saturday we spent the day hanging out. We joined up with Uncle Matt and his girlfriend Kara and went to a park. Wyatt had to work, but Brigid and Matt played great with the kids despite his recent broken hip from a car accident over the summer. He
even got a feel of what dad's deal with when Aaron insisted he needed help in the restroom. Good job Matt, you pass the test. It was nice for me to chat with Kara, something I've never been able to do up until then. Lunch was at a chinese restaurant and then dinner back at the condo. Wyatt and Brigid skipped out of previous plans to stay with us which was such a blessing. The seven of us had a fabulous evening. The kids loved

playing the Zingo Bingo game that Matt had brought as a present to Aaron. So much laughter. What a great night.

The next morning the kids and I woke up, got ready for church, packed the car and attended a local sacrament meeting. It was good to be in church. Then off to Los Angeles to stay with Uncle Bob and Aunt Deann in preparation for our trip to DISNEYLAND!

Peaches

In September, a girlfriend of mine, Syrissa, and I ordered 150lbs of peaches from a peach truck delivering from Utah. Since I had grown up with canned peaches I wanted to give it a shot. And
since Syrissa never had them growing up she was up to the challenge. We did end up selling one of the 6 boxes so we canned, froze, made jam with, and ate 125 lbs of the most delicious fruit on this earth. I bought a great new canner that...well, everyone I talked to said it was great. And I'm sure it was, we just really didn't know what we were doing. Over a period of 3 days we sliced and diced and boiled and peeled and mixed and sealed and wha-la, BEAUTIFUL SWEETNESS! I think we ended up with 15 jars of canned peaches, 12 jelly jars of freezer jam (made by Bill), and 4 gallon size ziplocks of frozen peaches for smoothies and cereal, each. The best part of it all, when we opened the first jar, I took a bite and literally felt my mom give me a hug. They smelled and tasted like my childhood. I knew my mother was smiling at me and quite proud of her "Sunshine Rae Rae". I donated all of my bought canned peaches to the boy scouts. I just can't do them anymore.