Labor Day and More!

I made a promise to myself that I was going to be a better blogger so that my blog posts are not complete novels, but I just get caught up in the flow of life and get so busy that I forget to keep things updated. Today's post will probably a long one, but from here on out I really will try to keep them short...er.

August was full of lots of crazy adventures, but now that it is September, school is in full blow, and the adventures Paul and I have are more like trying to stay alive, get things done, and still see each other every once in a while. I started teaching school on the 16th of August. With it being my second year of teaching I wasn't as nervous to start as I was last year. I felt more prepared for the year, and I felt like I actually had some idea of what my year would be like so I could anticipate what I would be getting myself into. Paul didn't start school until August 27, but our lives still felt hectic and crazy. Paul is enjoying his senior year of college. His classes are a little tough but he can do it. He is keeping himself busy with his classes, working for the auditing department at SUU, participating in the various clubs he is in, and being in the young men.

Now that September is in full swing I just have to say that all those families that both work and have kids are amazing because I don't have time to take care of my house and I don't even have kids yet!

We decided that since life was crazy we needed a little bit of a vacation. For Labor day weekend we made plans to meet Paul's cousin Summer and her husband Tyler at their families beach house in Newport, California. On our way to California we drove through a monsoon. I literally had my life flash before my eyes. In less than 3 seconds we went from light rain to 0% visibility, huge wind gusts, and pouring rain. I am so glad Paul was driving because I am pretty sure if I was, I would have closed my eyes and prayed that I would magically make it though. We had to pull over to the side of the road and wait it out. Thankfully everyone else on the road did the same thing.


We got to California with huge plans to go boogie boarding and play on the beach the whole time. But sadly on Saturday the waves were so big and scary that we chickened out. The life guards on the beach proclaimed it a yellow flag day which means be cautious in the water. We tried a few waves, but the riptide was so strong and the waves were so big that we decided our lives were more important than catching a few waves. I kid you not, the waves were anywhere from 3 to 12 feet high. More of them falling into the 10 foot category! Instead of hanging out on the beach, we took advantage of some of the down time and walked the shops and played games. We taught Summer and Tyler how to play hand and foot and we played that game seriously all weekend.

Sunday we enjoyed going to church in the Newport ward and then spent the day playing games, reading, and sitting in the sand. Summer and I spent a few hours enjoying our books by the ocean side. The boys thought bocce ball was a better way to spend their day. Summer and I attempted to play a few games with them but the boys were definitely better at bocce ball than we were. 

Monday we figured we would have more of a chance to play in the water, but when we got to the beach the waves were still around 10 feet high!  The flag had changed to red, which we were bummed about, but every once in a while a small wave would come in. Paul, Summer, and I tried to catch a few waves and we did, but they weren't as good as they could have been. We had to stand in the water and wait for a set of smaller waves to come in. It was a little scary seeing the big sets of waves come in, and wash over us, but we held strong so that we were ready when the smaller waves came in. 

I am pleased to admit that Paul and I did get at least 10 good rides on the boogie boards. We figured we would just have to wait until next year and hope that the waves will be better.

There is a restaurant in Newport that Paul and I are rather fond of. We have made a tradition of going there with Summer and Tyler every time we visit Newport. The restaurant is called BJ's. They have the best deep dish pizza I have ever had in my life! BJ's is also the most amazing place to get a pazookie (pizza cookie with delicious ice cream). Anyway, the point behind that was to tell you that the pizza really is fantastic and amazing. I mean look at that picture. The pizza is like eating pie its so deep dished! MMMM!

On Tuesday we all got up early to go and do a session at the Newport temple. It was a really good experience, and I am grateful that we took the time to visit the temple.

 We planned on playing at the beach again, but the waves were still huge, and the flag was still red. We didn't want to waist time waiting for maybe one good wave so instead we got the beach house all cleaned up and played a few games before heading home. 

Thankfully the trip home was uneventful. The weather was fine, the car drove great, and we got home faster than we thought. 

Our vacation was much needed but it has been nice to get back into the swing of our normal lives. 

Until next time!