Next Stop -- Pebble Beach!

We were whisked away to Monterey on a business/fun trip for a few days. It was absolutely stunning. We were at the Inn at Spanish Bay which is right on 17 mile drive. I was looking forward to LONG walks on the beach while the guys golfed. The second day we were there the winds picked up to near 30 miles an hour! Crazy! Even crazier is trying to golf in that weather, but the guys stuck it out all day and loved it. I managed a one hour walk each day nearly getting blown off my feet when I would get to certain jut out points of the ocean. The first day the girls went into Carmel for lunch and window shopping and then we "recuperated" at the spa. It was fun to get to know all of the new people Scott is working with and their spouses.

The second day the winds were calming down by the afternoon, so I booked a horse ride. I ended up being the only one in the group so the guide and I had a great time visiting and basking in the beauty of the clear skies after all the wind. We started going through the forest area, seeing many deer and bucks, and then as we came to the top of the hill -- there was the stormy ocean. (The pictures don't capture the degree of wind and waves.) It was clear and sparkling in the sun, with heavy waves crashing on the rocks. I was in heaven!

Ahhhhh, October

It's been a fun and crazy month with a lot of travel. I have been captivated by all the different types of beauty there is to enjoy on this earth of ours. Scott and I spent a few days at the Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona. We were totally pampered with all our meals prepared and with a different spa treatment each day. In between all that we worked out and walked around the desert beauty. The house we stayed in was the "bomb". Super modern with every comfort and a view of the desert that made you feel totally isolated. The highlight was one night we sat out on the patio, outdoor napping bed, and jacuzzi looking at the stars. The resort is so dark at night and so isolated that you were able to see amazing amounts of stars.

home sweet home

Scott got a complimentary upgrade on his rental car. So we drove to the Phoenix airport (almost two hours) with the top down in 105 degree weather. It was fun at first, but then I had to put the eye gel in and shut my eyes for the rest of the ride. At least there isn't much scenery to miss in the desert!

Conference Color

A highlight of our conference weekend in Utah (BESIDES spending time with our Robby) was spending Saturday afternoon up at Sundance. We rode the ski lift up the mountain. You know how the young couples all hold their camera out at arm's length and get shots of themselves? Well, we realized we are TOO old for that photographic trick. Awful, fish eye shots!! Suffice it to say, the ride up was gorgeous. Then we went for a hike up in the mountains and took a steep trail to a waterfall (Stewart Falls). Then it was a 4.5 mile trek back down to Sundance. At every turn there was another glorious view. Amazing.

our home away from home

Our little home away from home is getting cozier all the time. It was so fun for Scott and I to be here for conference and to be able to actually focus in on the talks - next to the fireplace with the brisk fall weather outside

We are in the process of remodeling the master bathroom. I love the crisp, clean feeling of the white and gray.

Many thanks to my assistant designer/daughter Nicole for helping me pull things together (along with, of course, Alice Lane Home - our favorite shop in Utah). We have had a lot of fun decorating this small space. Nicole found the wallpaper and lamps in this room. It is so dreamy. I am really enjoying living in a small space - except for when we had 7 adults and 3 grandbabies here all at once. That got a little CRAZY!!

"Leavin' on a Jet Plane"

Looking at these two in flight gets me thinking of my boy -  flying home to us in a matter of days!!!  One week from today, to be exact.  We are waiting for you with open arms Robby!!

My happy place.   Robby-- I can't wait for you to fall in love with all these new treasures around here.

Sunset Sail

the  "fam damily"  minus Robby

Tyson -"look at the clouds over here!"  Presley - "no this view's much prettier!"

the cousins on the high seas

Adrienne and Presley Adrienne

It was SO relaxing and tranquil sailing along the coast at Sunset one night.  The minute the engine went off and the sails went up we were spellbound.

Flippin' Over Grand Cayman Island

We truly did flip over this dreamy, Caribbean island.  We couldn't get over the clear, warm, turquoise water - the creamy white sand beaches - the warm balmy weather  - and a whole week of family bonding.  That's my kind of heaven!!

Michael flipping over the boat at Stingray City

Dan ready for his Men's Journal pose

Scott chillin' with his little guy while the parents hit the sea doos

Nicole and Candice trying on the local, starfish swimwear

Elder Robb Dog

This reminds me of a Vietnam movie or something (minus the white shirt, tie and name tag of course).

I want stories behind these beautiful people.  I have stories - I just don't know which faces they go with.

Missionary bonding.  The one in the dark blue t shirt is his companion - one of his favorites.  I feel bad that most of his companions are Philipino and will not be showing up at the missionary reunions back in Provo.

This outfit is straight out of the seventies!  And do we love the short tie??

jungle fever

Only TEN weeks to go until this little one comes home.  Do you think he is going to go into culture shock or WHAT???  I keep wanting to wait until he comes home to explain what's going on in all the pictures. But for now, here are some more treasures from the field.

Cuteness

Missing my boy and enjoying up close shots like this . . . .

Look how precious this little one is.  It's a good thing Robby has three cute, delicious, funny, lovable nieces and nephew to come home to.

I just like this shot because Robby looks just like himself (thus the title of this post).

Strange happenings in Cebu

and an even stranger happening in San Juan Capistrano.  I am actually making a post on my blog!!

This dog appears to be from outer space . . . . . 

This is what suffices for a basketball court.  I wouldn't expect many ball skills from Robby upon his return . . . . . .

Notice Robby's footwear!!  He's had a lot of trouble with ingrown toenails on his mission.  Looks like he couldn't wear shoes and was trying to keep his feet dry.  Could we have tried coordinating  plastic bags??? . . . . . 

you very long

The literal translation for tall in Cebuano is long.  So, when people are practicing their English on Robby they will often say,

 "Elder Stowell -- you very L O N G !!!

When Robby is among Americans, he kind of blends in . . . .

 But since only 25 percent of the missionaries in his mission are American, most of the time he looks like this .  .  .  . 

Yep, Robby, I would agree.  You very L O N G !!!

Sharing

tangerines

secrets

kisses

cupcakes

Oh my Ojai

We decided at the last minute to start the year off right and get away for a relaxing, health-promoting weekend at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.  I had never been to Ojai and I fell in love with this quaint, scenic valley.  Nicole and Dan and Presley came along.  Michael and Candice decided it was too much to try to pack up two kids (one a newborn)  and head into the unknown.  I wish I had taken pictures off of our balcony - stunning rolling hills.  Scott and Dan golfed one morning and we each had a turn at a spa treatment.  Mine was an Ayurvedic herbal exfoliation, rubbed in with hot oil, and then soaked in with warm, wet towels.  The one hundred minutes of heaven were topped off with a foot massage and a hot oil scalp massage.  Now that's the way to start the new year - freshly exfoliated and moisturized!!

The thrill of the trip was a guided bike ride 16 miles down to the ocean.  There was a beautiful bike trail, the weather was crisp and sunny.  The last few miles going against the wind I was starting to feel it. The theme song of Rocky was playing in my mind as we came around the bend and saw the ocean waves glistening in the sun.  Love it!

The best part was when they picked us up in a van and drove us back up the mountain.  Now that's my kind of bike ride!