My JellyBellies: Beach Buddies

This past month Wes got a call from some good friends of his-- those kind of life-changing friends that you love forever. Meet Norm Biehn and Will Dillworth. They were missionaries in Yreka when Wes was seventeen. Will and Norm showed Wes the gospel could be, not just a spiritual way of life, but a fun and very happy way of life too. They became friends to him as they served in Yreka, friends that leave the hand print of love in your heart long after they are gone. They came to our wedding in San Diego in1997, Will and his wife travelling all the way from Idaho. That meant a lot to Wes and me. We didn't have many at our sealing-- thirteen to be exact (including us). What a blessing it was to have Will and Norm and their wives there for us. What fun it was to find out two years ago that Norm's family lives just down the freeway from us in Corona! So, when Will's family comes down from Idaho to vacation in Cali, we try to get together. This last month we took a trip to the beach and had a wonderful BBQ together at the Biehn home a few nights later. What a fun and relaxing time we had. The kids had fun too--kinda hard not to when your with a posse of ten kids!
So, before moving on to the string of pictures, I have to add that I had a fabulous time. Can Collette and Chris come move into my ward? I need two great friends like these ladies! Thanks for hosting and treating us Chris, you are an amazing hostess and a great chef. Not to mention what a great mom you are. Thanks for sharing your tips with me. You are inspiring and can I say I just fell in love with you? I hope we get together again sometime. And Collette, can you come around and keep me going with your cheerful, bubbly conversation and your tender love to all around you? Knowing some of your path of life these past years--you are a rock! Thanks for that example. We love you guys!
Okay, enough of the embarrassing mushy stuff . . . on to the pictures:

Here is the infamous trio: Will, Norm, and Wes. Did I mention it was rainy? At the beach. In June! Who checked the weather for this day? It was cold!

You can tell the kids didn't care what the weather was like. Ryanne was so excited she ran straight into the surf in her long pants, shorts, T-shirt, and sweater before realizing she might want to get undressed down to her swimsuit! She came out and took off her pants and sweater and then ran back in again, forgetting to take off her shorts and T-shirt. Silly girl.

Norm's boys Tayler and Ryan waiting for the next crashing wave.
Tayler was such a gentleman all day.

Cecilia and Shelly kept standing backs to the waves and plugging their noses while holding hands. Then they would crash down under the next wave and come up giggling and shrieking.

Pardon my bias motherness. I probably have too many pictures of Elias on here.

Sigh, a mother's weakness is her littlest child. Here he is making tracks.

Goofy face!

Boogy-boarding was the hit of the day.

There were some large waves coming in when the tide started back toward the beach.

Here is Ryan finishing off a good ride.

Leah wants to know where all the water went!

Will's wife Collette-- is that a look of terror or did she just get salt in her mouth?

She looks happier here-- she and James had a screamin' good time bringing those waves in! What can be better to an Idaho kid than the beach?! We love the beach!

The sun has parted its way through the clouds at about 2 pm and the guys are contemplating getting wet.

Wes: "Um, how do you hold this board thingy?"

Norm: "Just watch the pro; I'll give you some lessons boy!"

Will elucidating the best path from sand to water.

It took them a half hour of planning to actually get themselves wet!

Finally charging into the icy surf.

"Raaaaaahhhhh!"

Norm ridin' the sea.

James the Handsome strolling through the sand.

Elias got burried.

Elias and Bradin are digging for dinosaur bones.

James: Master Architect.

All the kids from all three families in order by their age:

Bradin, Elias, Leah, James, Shelly, Mckay, Ryan, Cecilia, Ryanne, Tayler

(Do you know how long it took Wes andI to get these kids lined up?)!

The kids are all taking lessons from Tayler (the great scouter) on how to build a fire.

Kickin' back with Mom and Dad.

Ryanne and Cecilia loved hanging out together.

Ryanne remembered Cecilia from two years ago when they first met.

She asked often about that "really sweet girl from Idaho--what was her name? Is she going to come and visit me again because I really liked her." She was ecstatic to get to hang out with Cecilia again.