My New Job… I’m Up to my Teeth in Teeth!

At the end of August I started a new job at a company called Reality Engineering. They are a smaller company that created a software program called Guru which is used in Dentist/Patient education. So I create and animate dental procedures that a dentist can show a patient to help explain what will go on. I just finished animating an apicoectomy… if you don’t know what that is, look it up on You Tube… just make sure you have an empty stomach first. This is a giant leap from doing feature films but there are some pluses to this job: one, I still get to do what I like, two, it is literally five minutes from home, three, I don’t have an end date (a BIG plus in my industry) and four, they are looking to expand into more kid focused education (more entertainment based) and they want me to spear head the development and implementation. So I’m really looking forward to that… and living in the same state as my family it a big plus too.

Dora and Diego… and Boots

Derrick spent the entire month of August down in L.A. working on a 4D movie of Dora and Diego at a company called Super 78 in Hollyweird. What’s a 4D movie you ask? Well when you put on the glasses, it’s 3D. When you put on the glasses and then water shoots you in your face when the character sneezes for example, then it’s 4D. Get it? It should be out in a year or so at 4D theaters across the globe.

Off to camp.

Doesn't he look excited? (The real reason we couldn't stay the whole month with D in California - other than the fact it may have killed grandpa having us all in his house for that long!) Chad was off to sleepaway scout camp. One of his favorite (NOT!) parts of the summer! He has a great time, but really doesn't enjoy being away from home. So, here we are, at the church, 4:30 in the morning, with a backpack that probably weighs more than him, ready to go. Love you, Chad! Thanks for being a trooper!

Cruzin' along!

Bumper cars.
Eating treats. We do this a lot, it seems.

Santa Cruz beach.

Macy and I just waiting for Luke.

On our drive home, the kids and I decided to take a little side trip and stay in Santa Cruz for a few days with Donny, Shannon, Cody, Austin and Dakota. We had a really nice time, and they were all so accomodating! The kids and I went over to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and really enjoyed it. We also drove around a bit, and saw the hotel that I worked in while we lived here, Chad's first home, and some other "bring back memories" sites.

Thanks for letting us visit, and we hope that all of your "visiting" plans work out! Cody, we're excited for you to go to college and hope that you'll visit us, now that you'll be (a bit) closer! We love you guys!

Girls' Nite Out!

Rachel W., me, Rachel R., Carol and Joana - Rachel W., Carol, Joana and I have known each other since we were 7! Rachel R. joined our little group in 7th grade. What a great time!

Another fun thing I did, was head out with some girlfriends from my childhood. We had a great time! We went to P.F. Changs (my FAVORITE!), and just laughed and told stories, learned all about the Jewish religion, and just had a great time! Thanks Rachel, Rachel, Carol and Joana for such a fun night!

CONGRATULATIONS Alondra & Christian!

Probably the most special thing I did while in California was attend the sealing of one of my Young Women, Alondra, to her sweet Christian! Alondra was the only member of her family to join the church, at the tender age of 12. She had a rough time of it, but luckily was able to find a lot of love and support and was able to persevere! I admire you, Alondra, and am so blessed to know you and have you as an example in my life!!! Best of love and luck to you and Christian! Thank you for letting me be a part of your special day!

Missing shoes.

One of the other trips the kids and I took was to Raging Waters. (No pictures though, because silly me, I left the camera in the car.) We had a great time, until someone "accidentally" took my shoes! My favorite flip flops! Luckily, I can "almost" fit into Macy's shoes, so I was able to wear hers to get the car, but now it was off to the shoe store to buy another pair!

Frozen Bananas.

The primary reason we usually head to Balboa Island is so that I can get a frozen banana. D always asks me if it's worth the hour and a half drive, just to get the frozen banana. Um, yeah... it is!

Balboa Island.

Riding the ferry over to the other side, where all the rides are.
Macy and Luke at the top of the ferris wheel.

Luke, Macy, Reed, Haley, friend Liam, and Chad, on the pier

Playing in the water. Had we realized the weather was going to be so nice, we totally would've brought our swimsuits with us!

Eating treats!

So, a few days after being home, we headed back to California. Yikes! What a drive!

Anyways, D got offered a freelance job for a month, and we weren't about to send him off and not see him for a while, so off we all went. The kids and I were there with him for about a week, and while we were there one of the things we did was go to Balboa Island. I use to go there as a kid, with my mom, and it always brings back such good memories for me. I love it!