A Swell Weekend

 

Labor day weekend was swell...

in every sense of the word.

Newport Beach had massive swells.

Part of the peninsula even flooded.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the surfers brave the waves.

There was something so calming about those huge waves hitting the sand.

 Everyone was silent -

just watching the waves crash.

And then...

as fast as the swell came -

it was gone.

Like nothing ever happened.

The ocean will never cease to amaze me.

We spent some time with a Dani Bree and Daron Young who were in town 

and had a blast talking the night away.

 James declared this as his favorite new do.

The three greatest things about James...

He likes my hair on top of my head - no makeup - and flats.

Now that is swell!

 We had the most wonderful dinner at our bishops home on Lido Island.

We adore our bishop and new ward family.

They are warm and welcoming and wonderful.

One of the many reasons why I love the church...

no matter where I go I know I will find a home and rent-a-family.

As soon as we walked into our bishops home I noted the large room filled to the brim with boxes.

Our bishops wife then declared how she LOVES holidays.

I then declared how I LOVE holidays...

and therefore LOVE her.

We talked scarecrows, St. Patricks green pancakes and Christmas.

It was swell.

And then we drove off their little island to this...

I have to admit something.

I never thought I would say this -

but for the past few weeks I have been deeply worried 

that I would miss the seasons in northern Utah.

{gasp}

As much as I complained -

there is something glorious about fall leaves and {some} snow.

BUT as we drove off the island on Sunday night I realized there are seasons here...

I just have to look for them.

An orange sky and fog in the mornings.

This is new.

This is a change.

And fall is coming.

And that is swell.