I wanted to post but was going to wait until Di or Amy send me the pictures we took over the weekend, but who knows when that will be- so I will just post them later.
We drove to St George Thursday morning, arriving about 12 noon. The drive was uneventful and nice and quiet (we all traveled in Ray's truck and everyone but Ryan and Ray slept most the way). We enjoyed appetizers and good visiting with Di, Rich, Lindsey and Seth while the kids played with Trinity and Lily. Faith loved being the big girl with 2 younger ones to follow her and play. Cameron was happy to play games on Amy's laptop. We took the kids to a park to feed the ducks because the weather was so nice and we wanted to get out for awhile.
We had a delicious turkey meal with all the trimmings when Adam got up about 400 PM (he had worked the night before and was going to work that night also). And, of course, we enjoyed pie and ice cream a little later. We were all quite satisfied. We talked about the black Friday sales and thought for a minute about getting up early to go, but that was quickly dismissed.
So, after sleeping in a little on Friday and another delicious meal (2 different crepes), we went on a trail down to the river and then up a mountain. The weather was brisk but sunny and beautiful. When we got home, we divided up and the guys went to look at RVs while the girls and kids went to the mall to see Santa and just window shop (no serious shopping for anyone). We also went to a neat new park in town and to Wal Mart. Lindsey, Seth and Lily had gone up to Provo to visit friends for the day and night.
That evening we went to a house in Berry's neighborhood (member of bishopric) who decorates his house to the fullest and does a lighting ceremony with cookies, hot chocolate, music, etc. It was beautiful and the kids loved it. Then we went to the temple to see the lights and visitor center. When we got home we played some cards and visited more.
Saturday morning we hit the road by 8:30 AM and headed home. But we made a stop in Las Vegas on the strip to just walk around and see the sites. I also wanted to check on a wedding chapel for Cami's upcoming wedding. It was a worthwhile stop. Cameron and Faith wanted to stay in Vegas to see the sites but there is too much to see... So after stopping for a lunch break & fuel, it was back on the road. We got home around 5:30 PM, early enough to unpack and relax.
I was able to finish one book I had been reading all week and then start and finish another short book on the way home. I highly recommend this one, "The Christmas List" by Richard Paul Evans. Perfect timing too, when I got home the library was on the answering machine telling me that the book I have been waiting to read for about 1 month was now ready for me to pick up.
We got to see Adam and his daughter Trinity and Danielle, Scott, their oldest daughter Jessica and youngest son Kyler. The rest of their kids were at their mom's house. But it is always fun seeing everyone.
As you all know, Di and Rich are the perfect host for anyone visiting and we sure enjoyed the food and the company (We love you guys) So, needless to say, this Thanksgiving was a perfect one and a nice intro to the Christmas holiday. Hope everyone had fun also.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Just catching up...
For those who don't check FB daily, last week I was able to take a trip to Washington to see my grandkids. Diona's close friend from Sacramento lost her husband to a sudden death and Diona needed to go to be with her and help her with funeral arrangements and all. Since Ric was out on the sub, Diona called me and asked if I could come babysit. Of course she had to twist my arm to get me to agree... So she took care of all the details and the next day I flew into Seattle, met her and kids at the airport, took the girls and keys to the car and she and Seven boarded their plane. Actually, we got to spend about 1 1/2 hour at the airport before they had to leave. And Seven was wide awake and very happy watching his sisters play around.
Diona, ever thoughtful, had put the directions to home in the Tom Tom for me, had made a delicious chicken cacciatore and had it cooking in the crock pot for us, and left me lots of notes with phone numbers, directions and such. The drive home was the worse. It is about 1 hour drive and it was raining cats and dogs. I had driven the Pilot before but was still nervous about it (trying to find the wipers, lights, etc while driving...) and the freeway was actually flooded in spots. I, of course, had dressed like I was still in Blythe, sandals, capri pants, no jacket. But we made it home and enjoyed our time together. The girls were so helpful and we did fine all week. Ric got home late Tues. night and worked Wed & Thurs, but had Friday off. The girls get out of school early on Thursdays so we all went for a nice drive to see some sights that day. Friday, Ric and I ran some errands and "shopped" for my dream 5th wheel and truck. I spent my days at Michaels, JoAnn's, Target and such since I don't have access to those places. And I read 2 books on the flights and there. Diona got in LATE Friday night so Ric picked her up alone.
I flew out Sat at 1:00, so we got up to a sunshine day and took the ferry over to Seattle. The girls and Seven enjoyed that. We had about 1 hour at the airport together also. It was a nice way to end the trip. My flights were all good (4 planes all total and always managed to have an empty middle seat). I was picked up at airport by Ray, Ryan and Cameron and Faith and that was a treat also. Faith dressed up to come get me and she made me a darling welcome home card declaring her love for me and stressing how much she missed me.
I forgot to mention that the Sunday I was in Silverdale, it was stake conference. We were lucky to have from the Presidency of the Seventy, L. Whitney Clayton. The conference was great and went with the theme of eternal families just carrying on the primary theme. The speakers were great and I was so lifted and inspired by this meeting. The stake primary had put together a packet with puzzles, word searches and questions to answer and the girls enjoyed that. I had looked online intended to attend a 9:00 meeting at that building so I was surprised when I got there at that time, there was already a string of cars in the parking lot, attendants packing in the cars like sardines. I found out it was stake conference at 10:00. I have to admit I had forgotten that stake conferences could be that big. So, here we were an hour early and we couldn't find seats in the chapel. And the girls were looking forward to going to their classes and didn't quite understand why we were sitting for so long.
But now that I am home, it is back to reality. I have not only driven the bus again, I have also helped out in the office since the driver trainer is out for awhile with surgery. It was good to be back in Faith's classroom, her teacher was grateful to have me back too since I like to take home papers to grade or cut out stuff for her. The kids in Faith's class are a fun group too. Tomorrow I am a chaperone on Cameron's class trip. We are going to Oak Glen (about 3 hours away) to hike and learn about nature. Oak Glen is famous for apples and has lots of little shops that sell yummy goodies. We used to take the kids there when they were little.
We are going to St George to have Thanksgiving with the Berrys. We are anxious to meet Danielle's baby boy Kyler. Adam will have Trinity there and Seth, Lindsey and Lily will also be there. We are looking forward to see the fall colors and the temple lighting ceremony. Amy and kids are going with us.
I forgot to mention what went on at home while I was gone. Ray had been named driver of the month of March 2009 and so he was up for nomination for driver of the year for Southern California. He and Ryan attended a nice banquet, he got an embroidered jacket and a plaque but did not get the driver of the year (there are at least 20 trucking companies with 12 drivers each in the competition). And then the very next week, Ray got to be part of the Conway pit crew at the Phoenix Int'l Raceway Truck Nascar Race. He got a racing shirt and all kinds of comp stuff and really enjoyed the experience. He had done this before for winning a contest and now he won another contest and got to do it again. Ryan also got to go to the races but didn't get the pit experience. I'm sure there are pictures somewhere which I will post when I figure out where they are.
That about wraps it up. Until the next time....
Diona, ever thoughtful, had put the directions to home in the Tom Tom for me, had made a delicious chicken cacciatore and had it cooking in the crock pot for us, and left me lots of notes with phone numbers, directions and such. The drive home was the worse. It is about 1 hour drive and it was raining cats and dogs. I had driven the Pilot before but was still nervous about it (trying to find the wipers, lights, etc while driving...) and the freeway was actually flooded in spots. I, of course, had dressed like I was still in Blythe, sandals, capri pants, no jacket. But we made it home and enjoyed our time together. The girls were so helpful and we did fine all week. Ric got home late Tues. night and worked Wed & Thurs, but had Friday off. The girls get out of school early on Thursdays so we all went for a nice drive to see some sights that day. Friday, Ric and I ran some errands and "shopped" for my dream 5th wheel and truck. I spent my days at Michaels, JoAnn's, Target and such since I don't have access to those places. And I read 2 books on the flights and there. Diona got in LATE Friday night so Ric picked her up alone.
I flew out Sat at 1:00, so we got up to a sunshine day and took the ferry over to Seattle. The girls and Seven enjoyed that. We had about 1 hour at the airport together also. It was a nice way to end the trip. My flights were all good (4 planes all total and always managed to have an empty middle seat). I was picked up at airport by Ray, Ryan and Cameron and Faith and that was a treat also. Faith dressed up to come get me and she made me a darling welcome home card declaring her love for me and stressing how much she missed me.
I forgot to mention that the Sunday I was in Silverdale, it was stake conference. We were lucky to have from the Presidency of the Seventy, L. Whitney Clayton. The conference was great and went with the theme of eternal families just carrying on the primary theme. The speakers were great and I was so lifted and inspired by this meeting. The stake primary had put together a packet with puzzles, word searches and questions to answer and the girls enjoyed that. I had looked online intended to attend a 9:00 meeting at that building so I was surprised when I got there at that time, there was already a string of cars in the parking lot, attendants packing in the cars like sardines. I found out it was stake conference at 10:00. I have to admit I had forgotten that stake conferences could be that big. So, here we were an hour early and we couldn't find seats in the chapel. And the girls were looking forward to going to their classes and didn't quite understand why we were sitting for so long.
But now that I am home, it is back to reality. I have not only driven the bus again, I have also helped out in the office since the driver trainer is out for awhile with surgery. It was good to be back in Faith's classroom, her teacher was grateful to have me back too since I like to take home papers to grade or cut out stuff for her. The kids in Faith's class are a fun group too. Tomorrow I am a chaperone on Cameron's class trip. We are going to Oak Glen (about 3 hours away) to hike and learn about nature. Oak Glen is famous for apples and has lots of little shops that sell yummy goodies. We used to take the kids there when they were little.
We are going to St George to have Thanksgiving with the Berrys. We are anxious to meet Danielle's baby boy Kyler. Adam will have Trinity there and Seth, Lindsey and Lily will also be there. We are looking forward to see the fall colors and the temple lighting ceremony. Amy and kids are going with us.
I forgot to mention what went on at home while I was gone. Ray had been named driver of the month of March 2009 and so he was up for nomination for driver of the year for Southern California. He and Ryan attended a nice banquet, he got an embroidered jacket and a plaque but did not get the driver of the year (there are at least 20 trucking companies with 12 drivers each in the competition). And then the very next week, Ray got to be part of the Conway pit crew at the Phoenix Int'l Raceway Truck Nascar Race. He got a racing shirt and all kinds of comp stuff and really enjoyed the experience. He had done this before for winning a contest and now he won another contest and got to do it again. Ryan also got to go to the races but didn't get the pit experience. I'm sure there are pictures somewhere which I will post when I figure out where they are.
That about wraps it up. Until the next time....
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