It's Sunday evening and I'm just writing while stretched out on the couch after the 11 hour drive today back from the beach house in Oxnard, California. What a wonderful weekend we had!!!
On Wednesday, I was still firming up plans at the last minute but so glad that Don and Grant decided to come with me. Don had the stars align with some meetings dropping out at work and with Friday being Veterans Day, Grant only missed one day of school. I had planned to drive as far as St. George or Mesquite but Don took over driving while I slept and the next thing I knew, we were in Las Vegas! We drove on through and arrived in Canoga Park to surprise Aunt Eloise on Thursday morning. Great to see her and we spent part of the day napping and helping her with a few odd jobs like fixing her sprinklers and hanging drapes. She kindly took us to lunch and after we visited with Carolyn and kids for a little while before heading to the beach house that the Hunters had arranged for in Oxnard.
What a treat! The house is RIGHT ON THE BEACH! And a beautiful beach it is! It was overcast but with a full moon, still light enough for a walk with small rollers coming in. The house is owned by Michael's other Hunter cousins and really appointed well for families. Sleeps 20 and includes games, wetsuits, boogie and surf boards and just comfortable for all of us. Don and Grant got up early and hit the waves as we thought we were going to need to drive home on Saturday so Don could be at meetings on Sunday. Fortunately he got a text from the bishop who was recovering from knee surgery but was going to be able to go to church so they dropped bags and we headed for the wedding.
Almost a 2 hour drive to the Los Angeles Temple but an absolutely beautiful day for a wedding! Madeline has a wonderful family and we all gathered in the Celestial room for the sealing. A very nice ceremony and while we missed having Grandpa and Grandma, felt that we had other relatives there to witness the creation of a new family. Hayden and Madeline just "strolled ahead, confidently....." (that's the phrase he used when he just walked past the guards with guns on the Costa Rica border without showing his passport because he wanted to say he'd been to Panama). Afterwards, photos then a joint family luncheon in the rec room at the temple apartments where many had stayed the night before.
Grant wanted to see Beverly Hills and Hollywood so off we went! Drove past a lot of mansions, looked at exotic cars, walked around the Hollywood Bowel and then wound our way through streets to a horse trail that got us up near the Hollywood sign on foot with a nice view of the city. A quick drive through downtown LA and then onto the freeway with 5 pm Friday night traffic....aaarrrrggghhh! But we made it in time for the reception which was held at the beautiful home of a neighbor of the Rossell's. A wonderful setting with canopies, lights, pools, music food and heaters to take off the slight chill. A light buffet dinner of gourmet salads, soups and rolls with pie and wedding cake.
Hayden was stylishly handsome and Madeline was strikingly beautiful! Everyone enjoyed themselves, ending the evening with dancing and a send off to the bride and groom who were headed to Costa Rica for a two week honeymoon! We're all wishing them a wonderful life together and looking forward to the conclusion of the festivities on December 3rd in Raft River!
The rest of us returned to the beach where we put in a full day on Saturday. Most donned wetsuits and pounded their bodies going through the rinse cycle in pretty good sized waves! They would come in saying, "I'm done!" But then would soon be out there again. The rest of us enjoyed walks, watching the pelicans surf the wind above the waves and the occasional spotting of a dolphin silhouette inside a cresting wall of water. The weather was clear enough to see a couple of the Channel Islands. Later, Don and I went in search of the Monsanto seed plant there and then on to tour the Camarillo airport and a military flight museum. Checkin out all the angles for flying my plane in there for a few days--"you can park her for free as long as you buy gas from us!" they said.
Virginia and Paula kept us in ample and delicious food, and Paula awoke at 4 this morning to fix us sandwiches on our return. Which brings me to right now...It was a suck marrow weekend! We did a LOT of stuff--but great to be with family, especially as another new family begins. It was a highlight to see and play with little Jenny and Francie--and watch their proud (in a good way) grandparents. Check out the shot of Paula dancing with the two little girls!
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