Surprise

The ROAM volunteers got together to have game night again. This time they surprised me with a birthday cake. Sadie and Emma had secretly been working with Alice Baugh to make the cake and decorate the table. What fun!!! We called it the Grand Canyon cake. It was a yummy chocolate cake that mysteriously split down the middle as it was being brought to the party.

Game Night at Orangewood

Here we are playing table games in the foyer of Orangewood Church. There are 3 other ROAM couples here in Phoenix with us. Jerry & Dorine Nichols, Phillip & Alice Baugh, and George and Vi Henry. Dorine taught us a card game called "Under Where?"

Farewell to San Bernardino

We say good-bye to San Bernardino. One thing I remember is all the different palm trees and all the "pencil trees". They probably have another name - but I've never seen them in other parts of the country. This picture shows palms on the left and the pencil trees in center and right. In the background are the mountains that encircle the Inland Valley where San Bernardino, Redlands, and Highland are - where we spent our time in November.

Trip to Downtown LA

Last Saturday we rode the Metrolink train from San Bernardino to Union Station, LA. It took about 90 minutes - stopping for other passengers along the way. It was so much easier than driving down there in our car! Below are the pictures I took - click on one and it will take you to the album page - then you can select slideshow to see all the photos larger.

San Juan Capistrano

We enjoyed a lovely day at the mission San Juan Capistrano, established in 1776. It's just over an hour's drive from San Bernardino.
This is Nina and Belinda beside the rose garden in the center courtyard of the mission.
Several lovely fountains were found at the mission. Many varieties of cactus and blooming flowers abounded.
Here are the ruins of the Great Stone Church. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812.
Here are Andrew, Lauren, Emma and Sadie in front of a giant pumpking and traditional Indian home.

Newport Beach

Sadie and Emma running from the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Can you believe we're swimming and it's NOVEMBER!

Here we are showering off and preparing to leave.


Emma standing by the entrance to the pier. Beautiful palm trees are everywhere.

Here we are enjoying the sunshine and the soft sand. Multi-million dollar houses line the sidewalk in the background.

Working at Cornerstone

We've been busy at Cornerstone. We usually are in the Ministry/Education building, which is behind the church. It has several rooms that open into the courtyard. Almost like an old motel.
On the south end of the building were 2 rooms that will be remodeled and combined into one room. This will be for the children - as a Sunday school and Children's church room. This is Scott and Steve working in the room.


Valentina and Andrea came with their mother Carmen to work on the clothes closet. The girls took a break to play Littlest Pet Shop. We're so glad there are some friends to play with.

Cornerstone Church

Here's Cornerstone Church in San Bernardino, California. Every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, free food and clothes are made available to the community.

Halloween 08

No tricks - just TREATS

We had a great time with the Deans on Halloween. The kids carved pumpkins, decorated spooky cupcakes, then dressed up in costumes to head out in the neighborhood and gather a bucketful of candy. This morning, the kids - Sadie, Emma, Lauren and Andrew spread all their candy out on the dining table and sorted it - generously sharing with the parents! We now have enough sweets to last us until Christmas.

What a blessing Belinda, Robert, Nina, Lauren and Andrew have been to us this week. As we leave today to report to the work project, we are comforted by the fact that we will be just 10 minutes away and look forward to getting together throughout November as we work at Cornerstone Church.

My Cousins

Hi, this is Sadie writing.
I have 2 cousins in Idaho. Their names are Gretta, who is 5, and Lydia, who turned 2 on October 1. We got to be there for her birthday party. Their mom is Danae, my mom's niece.

Here I am with my baby cousin Darby. She just turned 1. She lives in Kansas.

Living the good life

We've been having such an enjoyable week here at the Dean house. The kids love playing together - inside and out. I've gone shopping with Belinda and Nina, Belinda's mom. Sunday we took the girls to see High School Musical 3. Tuesday Scott installed cabinets at Robert's office. In the evening we've grilled outside, or cooked inside and ate out on the patio. One night we all relaxed in the hot tub before going to bed. Next post I'll add photos of our time here and report on Halloween in Highland.

check out the new slide show

I've just added some photos from our stay in Idaho. Click on the slideshow at the left. I hope you enjoy!

sunny southern cal

Here we are in Highland, CA at the home of Robert and Belinda Dean. Belinda gave me a tutorial on setting up a blog - so here we go!
We drove here after visiting Sequoiah National Park and Yosemite National Park earlier this week - I will be posting the pictures soon!