Photographer: David Hebble

Last Sunday we were driving by the beach. We spotted a guy holding an enormous gray camera. The lense was resting on his SUV and he was photographing/filming someone in the water surfing. I commented "Wow, that is a HUGE camera!!" So Clark pulled off at Cardiff Reef where the guy was, parked right next to him, then started asking him questions. One thing that Clark doesn't have a problem with is meeting new people. I wish I was more like him. It is effortless. If he wants to meet someone, there isn't a shy bone in his body. He will just go right up to the person and strike up a conversation. Thank goodness one of us is that way.

Clark started by saying "Your camera looks really nice!" The guy replied, gesturing to me and the kids "I think what you have right there looks nice too." (Clark told me about that later.) They talked while I chased the kids around the beach for a bit. Then Clark came up to me and said "David would like to take a few photos for us with his camera."

David Hebble was the nicest guy. He just seemed so happy to take photos, so happy to be living in California. A total optimist. I wanted to share the photos he took. He is mainly a water photographer, or that seems to be what he enjoys doing from his business card. He has laminated business cards that he keeps in a pocket on his wetsuit to hand out to people in the water. But he does all kinds of photography.

Here's his web: http://www.davidhebble.com/

Bamba's 2

Amber turned two today. We love her so much. She is loving, kind-hearted, determined, and intense.

We spent the day at the Crosby's house. Here are a couple of videos of Amber with her birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Biri!

Thanksgiving in Hawaii! Rumsey Reunion 2011

We had a wonderful time visiting family in Hawaii. Clark's parents are serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints. We spent time near BYU Hawaii and the Polynesian Culture on the North Shore.

The cousins loved being together. I feel so grateful they love and respect each other. They are lucky children.

Top highlights of the trip were: Attending the Laie, Hawaii temple, the beach, the swap meet, visiting Pearl Harbor, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. I particularly loved the "Ha! Breathe of Life" show. I did Polynesian dance from the time I was 5 until I was 17, so I really appreciated the talent that went into the show. It was stunning, amazing, and very touching.

I loved learning about how much of Oahu was developed by the church as an aid to the Polynesian people. The church set up a way for them to be educated and earn money to pay for their education. It was also interesting to learn that the Laie, Hawaii temple was built right after the Salt Lake City temple was. The people there must have been very willing to hear the gospel.

We took pictures outside of the temple so when I get those I will post them. The trip was a sweet time for the Rumsey family as a whole.

 We met up with the Thunell family at the LAX airport and sat next to each other on the plane ride. A few of the children slept a little bit.

Watching the boat dance shows at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

 

After the show "Ha! Breathe of Life" at the PCC. Taken with the show's lead performer.



My sweet mother-in-law, Merle, preparing food for the Rumsey clan and some of the students they have befriended during their mission.

Shark's cove snorkeling.

Amber loves her cousin Erika...

Post swap meet :)

 



Pearl Harbor.

   



Mathis Halloween Party

Brock, Michelle, Shay, Delia, & Lexi Mathis.

Each year our friends the Mathis' throw a Halloween costume party. They really go all-out. Brock & Michelle Mathis make an extremely talented couple. Michelle is crafty, an excellent planner, and very organized. Oh, and they live in a super cool house that Brock built.

They have carnival games, spooky decor, pumpin' music, and lots of yummy treats that the guests bring.

There were a ton of cute families that had adorable costumes. Lots of creativity and fun.

Our family was a little mismatched with 3 of us being characters from Snow White and little Ethan being Spiderman. But since Ethan took off to enjoy games, treats, and other children, we never really saw much of him during the party anyways...

Michelle Mathis with Lexi, Merrily Roberts with Manny, Me with Amber, & Kim Pierce with Gunner.

Snow White & her tasty apple.

 

Merrily & Kyle Roberts.

Me & Clark before....

and after... Bwahaha!

What Clark & Amber transformed into by the end of the night.

THANK YOU MATHIS' for having this each year and for doing a dang good job!

Picnic at J-Street Viewpoint

We love picnics. Especially Sunday picnics. It's fun to be outside with good food to eat. Last Sunday we invited our friends the Roberts family to join us. It made the experience even better. The children played together and allowed us to all visit. The evening was complete with children-tossing and a beautiful sunset.

Good Ole' Saturday Night live

My computer keyboard isn't working too great so I may have some weird grammar here. . . . Nat and I watched some old Saturday Night live skits last night. . . this was probably the best one. Sad that snl isn't the way it used to be.

Straight Talk - Stock Market by senatork

Spiderboy Turns 4!

(Click on spider-men photo to view the album.)

At the start of the summer we asked Ethan what he wanted for his birthday. He said, Spiderman costume and LegoLand. When September came near, I began to realize that we didn't have the money to all go to LegoLand. As I thought about it, his cousins kept coming into my mind. I asked him if he wanted to see his cousins for his birthday. He jumped up and said "Yes!"

Just to make sure he didn't think I was gypping him, I asked him, "Ethan, would you rather have a birthday party here with your friends? Or drive up to see your cousins, Joseph & Austin?"

His reply came quick, "Joseph and Austin."

"Would you rather go to LegoLand? Or see your cousins Joseph & Austin?"

This time he paused to think, then answered quite satisfied, "Joseph and Austin."

So, we brought the Spiderboy to Somis once more to visit some of the people he loves the most in this world.  We had a wonderful time and I am glad that we decided to do it. We're grateful for the Thunells hospitality. Conveniently, his birthday happened to be during a 3-day weekend. I guess his birthday will always be on or around Labor Day since I had him on Labor Day. Lucky boy!

Here are some photos. On the day of his birthday we went swimming, had pizza & cake, and celebrated spiders :) Afterwards, Ethan kept telling me over and over again "Mommy, I had a happy birthday. I love you."

Here's a video of him blowing out the candles.

https://picasaweb.google.com/114724869698935930118/SpiderboyTurns4?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLDq75GV84K9DQ&feat=directlink

Old Town with Davis & Shannan

From Old Town with Davis & Shannan

In Clark's family there are 6 children. From oldest to youngest: Davis, Alexis, Lauren, Clark, Adrienne, & Ford. His brother Davis and family flew in from Texas to spend a week at Disneyland. Before they started their week, they drove down to San Diego and we were able to spend a little time with them. We visited the Mormon Batallion (which has been remodeled and is awesome now!), went on a baby hike, frolicked at a look-out point, visited the temple grounds, and had dinner at Souplantation. It was wonderful visiting with them and sad to see them go.

(Click on photo to view photos from that day. There is one photo I photoshopped of Clark and Amber frolicking in the lawn.)