Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend Steve and I spent some time together in California. Steve's sister Lora lives in Corona with her family and we were able to go visit and spend time with them. We had a blast! Friday the weather wasn't the greatest so we spent time inside. We played the Wii for awhile - I kind of kicked Steve's butt...even though it was my first time! I loved the Mario Cart game - we are thinking it would be fun to have one now. We also went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie. Saturday the weather was better and so we headed to the beach. We spent time in Newport Beach and then Huntington Beach. It was a great day to be out in the sun - my head got a little burnt - I didn't think to cover my scalp with sunscreen, oh well. Sunday we spent the day at Disneyland. It was pretty crowded but we still managed to have a good time. We went on the Screamin' roller coaster 4 times - it was Steve's favorite ride and I loved going with him because he giggled like a school girl the whole time. By the 4th time I was done...started feeling a bit queezy. Monday we drove to San Diego with Lora and her family. Steve's parents, grandparents, great grandparents and brother are all buried at a cemetary in San Diego. It was nice to go and visit their grave. Afterward we enjoyed a picnic in the park and walked around some museums and just enjoyed being outside. Steve's nieces loved taking pictures and are quite the models...Steve isn't so bad either. Thanks to Lora and her family for letting us stay with them. It was fun to meet them and get to know them.

Lunch at Disneyland

Us again...

Just me this time...California Advenutres...

Steve and the Loders (some of them) in front of Steve's parent's grave.

Don't ask!?!

I wish we would have been smiling, oh well...BTW, my ring finally came in and you can kind of see it in this picture!

Steve and his nieces posing for the camera - Katie, Steve, Stephanie, & Kelsey

Steve and Katie striking a pose.

Kelsey, Katie & Stephanie and some weird statue that we thought looked cool.

Stephanie

Kelsey

Katie

Katie again

Weekend in San Diego

Steve came into town on Friday to hang out with me for the weekend. We had a fun time together. I was glad he wanted to come down (even though we are going to LA next weekend!) 10 days away was just too long. Friday night Steve took me to a nice restaurant - Fish House Vera Cruz in Carlsbad. Steve had halibut and I had salmon - it was very good. After dinner we went to the Oceanside boat harbor. We walked around the harbor and enjoyed the warm night and beautiful scenery.

Saturday was HOT! We spent the day in San Diego - we went to Sea Port Village and walked around - after sweating to death we went for a drive over to Coronado. Steve hadn't been there for quite awhile. We went and walked on the beach - it was really crowded but so beautiful. I love the ocean - it is just so amazing. Saturday night we went back to the Pier in Oceanside where I had gone earlier in the week. I was another nice night on the beach.

Today, Steve showed me where he grew up. We drove to Fallbrook and had lunch. It was fun to see Steve's old stomping ground - he's been privileged to see good ol' WV - so I returned the favor. It was just nice to drive today though - it was another day in the 90's. We walked around the Carlsbad mall, did a little shopping and had dinner at Pat & Oscar's. Steve left after that and is currently on his way back to Utah. Thanks for spending the weekend with me Steve - I would have been slightly bored without you! I love you!

Here are a few pics from the weekend.

More Training and Coronado

We continued training today. The day seemed to go by fast. It's good to get to know people better and feel like we're getting a handle on what is going on. Here is one of our cute instructors - Shel. She mentioned an op note she had recently read where a man had torn his meniscus by doing the Electric Slide. There were a few in the class that didn't know what the Electric Slide was...she demonstrated. Takes me back to the church dances...such good ol' days!

After the training, we headed to Coronado...or at least that's what we thought. I started noticing signs on the freeway like "Guns are Illegal in Mexico" and then "Last exit before International line". Needless to say, we missed our exit off the freeway and almost ended up in Mexico. It provided a good laugh for all though. Once we headed back up North we couldn't believe we missed the BIG bridge that takes you over to Coronado. We finally made it there and enjoyed some great pizza at the Village Pizzeria in Coronado. The pizza was huge and we all had plenty to eat. It was fun!

Pictures on the Pier and Mission buddies

So, I mentioned that I was going to the Pier in Oceanside tonight to have dinner. As I was walking on the Pier toward the restaurant, staring at the beautiful ocean, I hear "Sister Knighton?" I turn around and I had passed Elder Keller and Sister Handy - 2 fellow missionaries from South Carolina. It was so fun to see them and chat for a bit. Matt & Ashley were enjoying some time away with their family. They have a beautiful daughter who is 4 and almost 1 year old twins (boy & girl). It is such a small world sometimes. I just love meeting up with people in the most ironic circumstances...it's always fun. Here are a few pics - it was a beautiful night!

Training in Carlsbad, CA

I arrived in Carlsbad, CA last night to attend some training for my work. I flew into San Diego with a group of 12 people from Provo. The weather was not the best last night - pretty chilly and rainy...but today it has been absolutely gorgeous. Last night, we met with the company providing the training at the Melting Pot...can I just say delicious! Jenn, Jenn & Kellie, we so need to go there again! It was a long dinner but good to get to know everyone. I got to my hotel room last night and crashed. My hotel room is really nice. It's like a mini-apartment. It is very nice having some room to move around since I will be here for quite awhile. We attended our first day of training today. It was basically a review today of things I knew but interesting to see the dynamics of different people and learn better ways to teach and educate. I'm looking forward to tonight. We are going to have dinner on the Pier in Oceanside at a restaurant called Ruby's. I will try to post a few pics a little later. It is beautiful and I am enjoying my time away...only missing people a little bit!

Moving and Unpacking...

is just no fun! It is exciting to be in my new place but trying to unpack and organize all my junk is not the funnest part. I moved all of my stuff into my new place last Saturday - thanks to all of my wonderful family & friends who helped...it was so appreciated! I've been working all week to get things unpacked and organized but it's hard trying to find time to do it all. I must say that I absolutely love my new place. It is wonderful to be able to live in a new home. I have truly been so blessed. I'm looking forward to doing this all again in about 4 months when we move Steve's stuff in... I'll just be re-organizing again!