California and Grandkids!

We just returned from a wonderful week in California visiting Kim, Danny, and the kids. It was a frugal vacation since we stayed with Kim and Danny, fixed our meals there, and earned free tickets to Disneyland by participating in the Give a Day, Get a Day volunteer drive that Disney sponsored earlier this year. So really, it was just the cost of gas! We were there in time to celebrate Halloween by attending their stake's trunk-or-treat activity. We decorated our trunk in a pirate theme, played the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack from our van speakers, and dressed as pirates. It was a lot of fun. It actually took a whole extra suitcase (and a big one at that) to pack all of our costumes, plus we brought decorations for the trunk. We spent time visiting Monty's former mission area in Van Nuys, stopped at the LA temple visitors center, spent a day at Zuma beach, and went to Disneyland. Monty actually served in the Camarillo ward that Kim and Danny live in. Their current bishop was just a boy when he was there as a missionary. In fact, when their bishop found out he was coming to visit, he requested that he bring his magic trick that he used to do on his mission to show to the primary kids. The bishop was going to talk to the kids about how a good example can influence others. He said that Elder Luke was a good example to him as a missionary and really got him motivated to serve a mission. Its wonderful to see the fruits of a mission even twenty five years later!

TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Cinderella, Rosetta, and Finn the Human

Super Saiyan Goten

A pirate and Mario

Luigi and "chubby baby Olivia"

Aargh! A couple of pirates!

There be two more pirates handing out candy!

The pirates treasure trove.

HOLLYWOOD

LA TEMPLE

ZUMA BEACH IN MALIBU

DISNEYLAND

THE LEGO STORE, DOWNTOWN DISNEY