It's What We Do.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Three weeks of fun family togetherness

I can't believe how well our three weeks with everyone here went. Even hazel was such a fun addition to the holidays and fun.Some Highlights were all the meals together at home and in resturants and such special christmas activities. I loved the Live nativity with my folks and Celia. Christmas Eve was pretty special with Jason and Robyn coming over. I loved that we plays Hot Seat{a game my friend gave me} and that we express what we were grateful for. Christmas and New Years were fun too. The grandparents came over and we danced to Just Dance to pass the time and it was so fun. So full of games and running aorund in so many different cars, like the cybertruck and Emmy's new red Lexus. There were hectic things to like Spencer's washer on the fritz again and Emmy having the stress of closing on a house, but we all did well. I'll never forget these times and how grateful I am for tese beautiful people and their visit.

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Emmy's Birthday and Thanksgiving

I'm so glad we visited Emmy, Jordon and Joe for Emmy's Birthday. We made it over the pass with no problem weather. It was nice to be out of town for the big election day and we had a grand time hanging out with each other at Emmy's. Brian and I had the whole basement to ourselves and we were to blessed to not have to get a hotel. The Minky store was a highlight and hit with the christmas music going and the great discounts. Emmy finally got a hugs blanket and one Minky in crimson red. We ate lunch at the Red Iguana and it was so good. We were thinking we wanted to go hiking in the canyon by Payson, but by the time we got to the site, it was almost dark and the trail was covered in snow! I guess hikes in Utah are only for summertime. We got to visit for five days and I missed pickeball. When I got back to my routine, I went a little to agressively and threw out my back somehow. Most of Novemeber was me trying to get my back back in a healed shape. I feel so much for those who have chronic pain, it is a hard thing to bear. I'm doing much better now, but I'm glad November is over and that makes me more careful when doing things to take care of myself. Joe came for Thanksgiving and I'm so glad. I picked him up from SFO and we had the best clam chowder by the bay with all the Christmas decorations which was so cozy and such great ambience. Some higlights were going out to eat with Joe at Al's and getting good pizza. We got a free carrot cake since the waitress spilled water on the guys. Thanksgiving was fantastic with the grandparents on both sides and Scott cutting up the turkey. It was impressive how it was carved. Jason and Robyn made it later that evening so it was about 11 people spread through two meals on Thanksgiving. I felt so happy and Joyful to give at the Giving machine this year and last. Charity brings the spirit like nothing else. I'm glad we have all the happy family times mixed in with the challenges of life. Spencers washer is broke once again and there are always mishaps and dramas going on. I just trust in the Lord, do what I can and try to have a good attitue and everything works out. Joe and I had fun on Black Friday and I still need to wrap all those wonderful gifts. The holidays are great and I want to spend them serving others, being grateful, and staying cozy wrappied up in my Minkys.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Holiday feel Early

Emmy and Jordon came to visit right around General Conference time. It was so much fun having them around. We did so much fall stuff, played so many games and ate some great food. It really did feel like it was Thanksgiving time. Rah Rah even brought us guacamole and we did a puzzle. Apple hill with the grandparents was a lot of fun. The donut grandpa got was the best and everyone was impressed. I loved going up the hill and how nice and cool it was with clean air and a nice little pond there to watch fish jump. I love nature so much and its even better when the wildlife is mixed in with it. We went Bishop's farm too. The girls loved the hay ride the best. Emmy picked a pumpkin and pulled it off the vine. It has been a long time since the girls and I went there, so it seemed extra special. At Home, I cooked and cooked and had two attempts at tri tip steak and I think it went well. Joe and his masterful cooking on the grill was missed, but we made do. I'm glad I could bring Emmy to relief society and pickelball so she can see how it looks to do my routines. Emmy, Celia and I also went to a concert in Sacramento. It was Celia's first standing only concert, but she did great and was a trooper. I love the energy and fun that comes from seeing bands live and I'm glad to keep sharing that with Emmy. Overall, I feel like we got a prethanksgiving in before Halloween and I'm so grateful for that.

Monday, September 30, 2024

Changing it up

There have been quite a few new activities or an increase in them in my life in September. Pickleball has increased to 5 days a week and I love that. At home, I realized that we had a lot of games in the garage and have been trying to get organized and orderly with that, Mainly selling them on Ebay. I'm surpised at the interest. There has been another car repair and a trip to Tahoe with my folks and a desire to go see a highschool football game are other things I've been up to. Bri and I watch NFL, but it seemed fun to go check out Friday Night Lights so I did. Just in our neighjboorhood, I went and saw some friends and enjoyed a interesting game with so may touchdowns and a fight! The cheerleaders were pretty good and the whole experience brought me back to the days of fall and football in High School. I think one game is enough, but it was fun to go and see something I hadn't in quite some time.Tahoe with the grandparents was very short and sweet. I came and we went on a sunset cruise. I've been wanting to go on the lake and see Emerald Bay from the water, so that was really nice.The cruise was windy and more social than I expected, but I loved all the beautiful sites and experience. We used the amentites at the Ridge and I won in bingo, lol. We ate at my favorite Italian resturant and enjoyed all the normal sights of Tahoe. I came hom after just a few nights. Duty calls and everything seemed to pull me back to reality, so I put out a few fires and was grateful for the time inthe clean peaceful area of Tahoe. I drove my Audi and was glad it was all fixed, just in time for the Van to need a new radiator. That is fixed now and I think things will be good for a while. Even the washing machine troubles with Spencer's house has been resolved for a while after an uncountable amount of loads washed this month. I don't mind the new additions to my routines. I have to remember to take time for the other ones. I didnt make Ward Temple Night, but I went to the temple on a dfferent day. Celia is started at BYU Pathway Worldwide and she is embarking on a growth journey,so I'll do that with my own things.

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Maui Wowie

Wow, Maui was different from the other Hawaiian Islands I've visited. It was much more windy which turned out to be my air conditioner. We had a great time at the Sands of Kahana and loved our beach access. We all swam in the ocean and some of us snorkled a lot! The shaved ice was a hit, but not as much as Joe Steak almost every night! Each of us got to do what they wanted on certain days and a lot of activities and relaxing happened. I love that we had a lovely trip with good weather and all made it home safely before Hurrican Hone swung by and hit the big Island. The road to Hana was met with mixed reviews, but theres no doubt the beaches and shoreline is the highlight of Maui. The church service was up there too in term of memorablity and strong impressions. This time on the island was louder and more humid than I am used to, but it gave me even more appreciation for where I live and the comforts of home. I will never forget the beautiful fish and turtles I saw, what a wonderful memory.