2025, September 29-October 5

We were grateful to come together as a family this week to celebrate Grandma Owens' life. 

Emily framed this photo of Granny and Papa that, judging by the kitchen, is some 30 years old. How the time does fly.

Eliza has been experimenting with digital photo editing on her phone. 

She thought it would be interesting to try out a fake nose ring on the way to the airport. Thank you Alicia for the ride!

Landon showed us how you eat Panda Express. One giant mouthful.

Even though our hotel had a lot of ants who for some reason they liked the kids' luggage, they had nice Talavera/Malibu tiles around the property.

The day finally came where we laid Grandma Owens to rest. What an interesting phrase that is. For the living the day is anything but restful. The service itself was beautiful. We are grateful that so many wonderful family, neighbors, and friends came to give Sue a well-deserved send off.

Original Tommy's is always good for the soul. Not always good for the intestines. But sharing this with our kids was enjoyable.

Fish was a friendly cat. She took quite a liking to Dad and Landon.

Eliza had a fun opportunity to ride with Alie at her lesson in Moorpark. It was a little windy, but it was a beautiful day for a ride. Sawyer, Eliza's other cousin (Hallie's sisters child), came with us.

We have been on the hunt for new boots for Eliza. Boot Barn for the win!

Landon became the chosen one by at least two cats (Max is the dark one).

The kids had a lot of fun playing with Mollie the dog. She is great!

We had the opportunity to meet Les, Mike's cousin from Arizona. Grandpa Owens was was quite a bit younger than his siblings. Less looked up to Gma and Gpa O as a teenager and had a lot of fun reminiscing with him after the funeral.

Mike went back to the cemetery to check on the grave after things settled down.

Don't tell anyone Hallie's favorite store is Aldi and that she had the chance to go while in California.

Landon is always up for some fun.

More pictures from Alie's lesson.

Eliza saw a cool piece of art on a gate on our way to the lesson, so on the way out we had to stop and take a picture.

Who doesn't love these gas prices! Not us. That is why Hallie didn't go there.

Mike with his great smile. Alie snapped this one. It is good to see the smile even though the days are hard. He made a griddle sandwich from eggs and some of the food people brought over to share. Alie didn't quite know what to think of this deliciousness. 

Hallie took Sawyer and Eliza to Padaro Beach Grill in Carpinteria. The food was amazing as usual. It was more windy near the ocean. Hallie remembered eating at the counter along the train tracks. No barstools this time. We still had a great time.

Hallie realized recently that she doesn't have many pictures with Carly, so she got a girls' picture. 

After heading back to Papa's we figured it was time to move an extra refrigerator out of the house. Haydn and others made a quick job of it.

While out, we bought Mollie Halloween-themed dog pajamas. Doesn't she look cute?

Saturday the four of us got in to our Sylvie and headed north. At a potty stop we had to take some selfies with Pinkbox donuts and maybe have one or two.

Mike headed on to Missoula on Sunday, and the rest of us went to Grandpa and Grandma Maygren's for dinner. Bryce, Elise, Lily, Chance and Penelope are here visiting. Kai is always up for a car ride and to meet a new friends. Kai and Lucky warmed up to each other. During dinner we had to separate them. How cute are they?

Safely back in Missoula, Mike saw members of the deer herd near his home. On the way home from the Maygren's, the other three saw deer too.