Fun, Full Weekend

Violet and I did some PE at Vasquez Rocks on Friday afternoon, at her request. It was a gorgeous day.

We stopped for coffee drinks at San Fernando Coffee Company on the way home. 

That night, I had dinner with Christina and we saw a mystery play at The Master's University.

On Saturday, Vi got some more PE credit, taking a long bike ride with Stace. While near the mall, they came upon this hawk by a bridge, chowing down on a squirrel. Nature in action.

Meanwhile, Cora went to a big drama competition at Calabasas High with more than 60 schools, and I was able to chaperone. She took part in a musical theatre scene. Here, she is resting during this big day, and rehearsing lines with Mackenzie, who plays the second Stage Manager in Our Town.

That evening after we got home, we adults went to Fright Fest with Colleen, Rigo, Lucas, and our friends Christina and Eric.

It's always good hanging out with Lorraine-Lurane.

On Sunday afternoon, we got together with the same friends at River's End Pub on the other side of the valley. The bbq here is so good! Stace and I shared this humongous rib and sides.

Stace and Rigo drove their classics.

I found a new bread recipe that worked really well with my fresh-milled flour. Success! 

Violet and Liana went to a fun youth event at her church while we were at River's End. 

A good week!

Hiking and Car Repair

 We're back home after a smooth travel day Thursday - we took the train from Yeovil to Woking, and a bus to Heathrow. A bit of shopping at the airport, a bit of snacking, and we were on our plane and off to L.A. I was catching a cold Stace had, so it felt like a very long flight, but all went very well.

Many thanks to my dad for driving our girls around and keeping an eye on them overnight. 

On Monday, Vi and I took advantage of her new school schedule by going on a little photography expedition after class, and then a hike up the Placerita waterfall trail. 

Still a stream! This time, in October, it was full of acorns, visible on the lower left.

What a blessing this time is with this girl!

Stace repaired his MG's speedometer over the weekend and, um, had a little trouble extricating himself from the car.

He got it fixed, though!

We'll soon be changing the clocks back, but for this past weekend, the sun was rising after 7 a.m. This allowed me to get up and on the hill to see it very low in the sky. It was beautiful. 

On Saturday, Cora went to her first DTASC, or festival competition put on by the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California. She took part in a little musical number from the movie Corpse Bride. We'll get to see it early next year when they perform it for the parents.

Fun with Nan and Pop, Part II

We took Sue and Gord to Quigley Canyon for a walk, and then to The Master's University's Trophy coffee shop by the baseball stadium. It's nice doing those little things together!

A ride in the MG... Stace also enjoyed taking his parents out in his TT.

We had a weekend day in Newhall, so Pop needed a photo opp in front of Pop's fancy ice cream shop.

We got treats from Loaf bakery, and took them to Hart Park. It was a gorgeous day, so we walked from Loaf to the park.

We also spent a day in Ventura, walking around the Main Street antique shops and getting dinner at Andria's fish and chips.

On their last night with us, we went out to dinner at Stone Fire. We exchanged gifts for Sue's birthday, and Stace's too, a little early. 

Melanie had given me a similar vase for Mother's Day, where you put flowers in to create hair for the face. Sue loved it, and we managed to find a similar one in a little Newhall boutique.

Stace is making sure his Mum can smell his new watch, a beautiful gift from them for his upcoming 50th birthday.

We loved having Nan and Pop with us!! Thanks so much for spending the time here. 

Back Home - Week In Review

We got home and took a couple of days to get settled in, and on Sunday, Stace and I went to visit Colleen and Rigo at their Ventura beachfront campsite. 

What a view!

This week, it was just Cora and me at home, while Stace worked, because Violet was at summer camp with Lucas and Liana. 

While we were in England, our HOA put in this gazebo at the pool area - we are impressed!

On Friday evening. I got a call from Stace asking me to pick him up at the Home Depot, where he'd pushed his MG after it had broken down. After 10 years, this was the first time he needed a tow! 

That morning, Stace had driven it to work for the monthly Woodward cars 'n coffee morning. 

Weekend Happenings

We've had some lovely fall-like weather this week! Living here, we always appreciate an end to the heat. 

Violet has been enjoying going out on the hill to explore recently, just as Cora did when she was the same age.  She asked me to come along, and on such a lovely day, how could I refuse?

The clouds were gorgeous, as was the little girl (who's very close to my height now!).

Violet showed me that on a prior visit up the hill, she'd written in the dirt, "God is Good" and "Praise the Lord." 

On Saturday, Stace and Violet had a day together while Cora and I helped Mel with a big wedding. They went to Placerita Nature Center, for the first time in a long time.

Stace's car's battery died, so he had a perfect excuse to cruise in the convertible!

Meanwhile, Cora and I were hard at work. Cora did a lovely job decorating these chandeliers.

On Sunday, after Cora did her weekly D&D session with her friends at Green Tower, we went to Colleen and Rigo's for dinner. It was Lucas's 16th birthday weekend! Hard to believe he could be driving soon...we've known him since he was four!

Liana and Violet had fun in the back yard.

 

Trunk or Treat

 It's Trunk or Treat time!  Stace again signed up to bring his MG to Valencia Methodist for the annual Halloween fun.

Violet got her first ride in the car, sitting in the front seat!

This year, Violet wanted to dress up for Halloween as a Pokemon trainer. So, Stace went with the theme, and created some Pokemon elements. I think he did an excellent job!

Violet was happy to pal around with Melanie, who was dressed as a nerd.

Cora went around with Cami for a bit, before she had to go to karate. These girls just look too grown up!

Rigo and Colleen decked their truck out in '70s style. Groovy!

I helped out at one of the games. Another fun event in the books!

Time with Stace

 Stace and I had my parents come over to hang with the girls while we went to a dinner meeting held by the school district, to discuss goals and celebrate high test scores.

We celebrated further, by going to Chili's for a drink afterwards.

 While Vi and I were in Arizona, Stace and Cora went to a Hot Wheels touring event that happened to hit the parking lot of a local Walmart. Here's Cora with the Darth Vader car.

 Cora enjoyed some quality time with her cat... this time, outdoors. These two spend quality time together most nights, on her bed.

Cora also helped Stace tidy up the MG - they finished up the floor so he could lay the carpets he made, and then reinstall the seats.

They also watched movies and practiced karate together.