Argentina Adventures

We left Buenos Aires, headed out to the pampas and the land of the gauchos. On the way out we stopped at the city of Lujan to see the big, and I mean BIG, cathedral. The two towers are over 350 feet high. The reason this cathedral is located here in this small town relates back to the 1600's. A cart was carrying a terra cotta statue of Mary and the cart broke down on this site. The owners of the statue thought it was a sign that a cathedral should be built here.
The terra cotta statue is shown above. This basilica is said to be the most important Catholic shrine in Argentina. Pope John Paul II said mass in this cathedral.
Moving further on, we went out to San Pedro, where Evan spent 8 months of his mission. This was the estancia (ranch) that we stayed in. The view from the porch is lovely as it overlooks the Parana River. We had the whole casa to ourselves.
We met up with the Maru family, the people that Evan was closest to in San Pedro, and we had a great dinner at the San Pedro Club Nautico on the river. We are grateful to the Maru's for "adopting" Evan when he was in San Pedro.
Gavin really enjoyed their kids (Franco, 12, Toby, 10 and Dafne 7) and played with them all the time. Here they are shown in the back of the van on our way home from dinner.
We got up the next morning and had hot chocolate out on the terrace, with the Parana River in the background.
The meat in Argentina is very flavorful. Evan wanted to have an "asado" at our estancia so we bought 15 pounds of various meats (including some blood sausage - I was not a fan of that) at the carniceria.
Gavin brought the Maru kids some light sabers. One of Gavin's favorite toys is the light saber that his parents got him and he thought that some other children would enjoy them also.
Just before the big asado, we drove out to the highway and picked up cousin Jeannie who had just flown into BA - and navigated the bus system to get out to San Pedro, which is two hours away from BA.
Brad and Evan did a superb job with the barbecuing of all the beef and vegetables.
Gavin and the Maru children built up a huge appetite playing Star Wars with their light sabers out on the lawn.
In addition to the Maru family, we had the two elders currently serving in San Pedro come to the asado.
What a great feast we all had!
Enjoying the asado - Great food and wonderful family and friends!
After dinner, we all went into town for helado (ice cream) - and Jeannie, Evan and Gavin played on the toys outside the Heladeria.

Argentina Reunion

Here we are at the mission office picking Evan up.
Trying to load all of the luggage in the car.
Enjoying our first meal together at Pizza Donna.
Evan taking Gavin out on the town.
Reading a story with Uncle.
Temple in Buenos Aires (they are enlarging it).
When Evan and Donna first met up at the airport.
Our favorite restaurant in BA - Bonjour Pizza.
We went down to Caminito to see the colorful houses - and Evan and Gavin posed for us.
Brad was caught doing the tango in Caminito, with Auntie in the background getting ready to tango.
Some of the colorful buildings in Caminito.
Gavin wanted to shake this man's hand.
Donna and Evan in front of the Bombonera, the stadium for the Boca Juniors, Evan's favorite soccer team.
Inside the stadium, that seats 55,000.
All of us, in front of the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada.
In front of the Cabildo, where the treaties for independence were signed.
The Obelisko on the Nueve de Julio, the widest street in the world.
The elections for President are going on this weekend, and this was a vehicle with a speaker on it carrying the President's message.
Evan giving one of his favorite companions, Elder Tidei, some Jelly Belly jelly beans. Elder Tidei is Argentine.

Fleet Week in San Francisco

Last week, Grammie, Grampie and Stephanie flew to northern CA to attend Fleet Week on the Coast Guard cutter ORCAS. The night before, we had dinner at Erin and Jeannie's apartment on Polk St. Cousin Ne was able to join us for an Octoberfest dinner in the city.

Earlier in the afternoon, we were enjoying a beautiful view from the rooftop of their apartment as the Blue Angels were flying over the city in their practice drill. Can you see them flying in formation with Marin Co in the background?

On Friday, we were treated to gorgeous weather as the ORCAS patrolled, keeping pleasure boats out of the no sailing rectangle on the Bay. One of Jeannie's friends on the CGA softball team, Laura Hutchinson, is the executive officer on the ORCAS.

The Snow Birds, from the Canadian Air Force, also practiced their formations. Can you guess what they are making? A heart!

Jeannie and Stephanie on the stern of the ship with the Golden Gate Bridge. Did you notice the BBQ in the background?

Blue Angels flying over Angel Island! Thanks to Jeannie and her friend Laura for arranging our wonderful day on the ORCAS.

This Past Week in Our Life

Alana was home this past week for her placement break from law school. She had plenty to do, including taking engagement pictures. These two pictures with the swans were taken at Meg and Danny's old condominium at Lakeview Terrace. Coco and Gavin went and had a great time seeing the swans.
Steve and Alana enjoyed the swans also.
On Friday night, it was movie night for some of the ward kids at our house. Megan prepared a pasta dinner and the kids watched "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs."
It was a big night for Grammie and Grampie this past weekend when they were honored with an award for being Duarte Philanthropists. Ian flew in for the event so we had 4 of our kids here, shown with Stephanie and Steve (can't wait for Evan to be home in a couple of weeks.)
The Education Foundation that honored Grammie and Grampie had their annual dinner at The Village Restaurant and of course there had to be a belly dancer. . .and Uncle Jim was caught dancing with her. We had over 220 people for the dinner.
Here is one of the family tables.
All of Mom and Dad's 4 kids were present for the award.
Ken Bell, current school board member and good friend, presented the award to Mom and Dad.

Rocky Mountain High - Colorado!

These girls are just excited to be out hiking in the beautiful fall colors!

Last weekend, Dan and Helen flew to Denver to spend some time with Allison, her roommate Kim, and Ian and Annie. The weather was just perfect for a weekend in the mountains, to hike and see the spectacular aspens changing color.

We stayed at a rustic place called the Hand Hotel in Fairplay, CO. It's a cute bed and breakfast with each of the rooms decorated in a different theme depicting life in the old West. Here we are enjoying happy hour on the back deck with sweeping views of the Rockies.

Ian suggested we venture to Alma, CO which was about 15 minutes from Fairplay. We had dinner that night at this interesting saloon, billed as the highest saloon in the USA! The food was excellent at this local hangout.

The next morning we met Ian, Annie, Kim and Leah, a friend of Allison's at Kenosha Pass at 10,015 ft. for a 5 miles hike through changing aspens trees. What a glorious day to be outside enjoying the countryside!

When we returned, we made tacos for dinner with the group and enjoyed sitting out on Allison and Kim's front porch for this warm evening.

A favorite ice cream store very close by Allison's new apartment is called Little Man Ice Cream. After a long day hiking, we deserved a break with one of the yummy flavors called Salted Oreos. After church on Sunday, Ian and Annie invited us to their apartment for a tasty dinner with Lane, Robyn, Whitney and Nathan, Annie's family in Denver. Many thanks to Allison and Kim and Ian and Annie for their gracious hospitality in Colorado. It sure is beautiful there!