Colorado!

I had such a great time in Pagosa Springs with Bill and Bev.  They had rented a condominium for the month and hanging out with them for three days was so great.  Especially nice was spending time with Penny again.  She is truly one of the best dogs I have ever been around.  

Durango Train Ride

Bill got tickets for us to take a train ride from Durango up to Silverton.  The train we rode on was 150 years old and went about 25 mph but the scenery was stunning.  It took four hours to get to Silverton and then we had a two hour pause to have lunch and shop.  I happened to sit next to a woman from Temecula and we had a great visit there and back.  If you ever decide to take this train bring some pillows.  The seats definitely weren't made for comfortable sitting for 8 hours!!  

Project

I take my camera just so I can get pictures of my travels and in spite of that I didn't get one picture of all
of the grandkids when we were together.  Thanks to Aunt Cathy she got a picture of the project that we were working on while I was there.  She had a chair she got from Deseret Industries and we started taking it apart while I was there.  It was a much harder project that I remember my previous reupholster jobs being.  The chair is beautiful and the fabric Aunt Cathy picked is really nice.  It took me, Bruce, Uncle Bill and Aunt Cathy much of the day to take the chair apart.  I especially appreciated Bruce who stepped in to help me when I started running out of steam.  He definitely knew how to pop staples (a bunch of them) and didn't quit until it was done.  I felt bad I had to leave her with figuring out how to put it back together!

Grandkids

Although I didn't get pictures I have to say that spending time with many of my grandkids was a special treat.  Uncle Bill and Aunt Cathy invited everyone over on Sunday for dinner.  It was so much fun listening to the various conversations.  On Monday I took Meg and Lincoln out to lunch because Meg had a church assignment and couldn't come in the evening.  I invited Lincoln along because he had a morning class and was available.  Uncle Bill joked when I left to get them that I have the two quietest grandkids.  In spite of that we had a really nice visit.  In the evening we met for Mexican food and it was so nice to hear them all talking and laughing with each other.  There isn't any better sound.  A special treat for me to was meeting Ellis' "friend" Lexi.  Brigham brought Hailey who is so nice and so good for Brigham.  May I just say that Brigham and Ellis have exceptional taste!!!

Road Kill

When driving alone you do many things to keep yourself alert and aware of things around you.  On this trip I counted road kill!  Believe it or not it was an interesting activity.  From Colorado to Utah and then back to Arizona I saw 7 deer, 2 coyotes, 1 lion (not sure what kind but it had the coloring of a lion in Africa which I knew wasn't possible--but it sure looked similar to that).  I saw a black cat of some sort but it was about the size of a coyote.  There was one bird lying on the side of the road with another bird standing by it not knowing what to do.  I smelled a dead skunk long before I saw his mashed body on the road.  I also saw about 4 smaller animals that I couldn't identify.  As morbid as this sounds it was a greater activity to keep me alert and grateful that I hadn't hit any of them!

Thanks Great Uncle Bill!

Just before I left on the trip to Colorado I got a call from my brother Bill telling me to be sure and take lots of bottled water in case I was stuck in the desert on the drive.  I did as he suggested and was grateful when I came upon a three car accident just south of Lake Powell.  The road was closed for almost 2 hours and so there I sat.  Three ambulances arrived, several highway patrolmen and a clean up crew got there about 25 minutes later,  At that time the people who were injured were taken to hospitals, the cars were dragged off the road, and the glass and other debris was cleaned up.  Fortunately, the temperature was in the low 80's or that would have been a very painful two hours!  I took a picture of one of the cars.  It is amazing that all the injuries were minor.

Dinosaur Discovery!

 

All this time we have thought dinosaurs were extinct but the truth is that they are alive and well and living in southeast Utah.  They have evolved into a beautiful shade of blue and in trying to be incognito they are wearing sunglasses and hats so people don't notice them!  In respecting their desire to remain anonymous I won't tell you where I saw this fine fellow!

Side Trip

A number of years ago Grandpa and I went to see Bryce Canyon.  It was winter and everything was absolutely white.  I don't think I have ever seen anything as beautiful as that.  We said that the next time we came that way we'd stop and see what it looked like in the summer.  That never happened.  As I was driving back home I decided I would do what we had wanted to do some day.  It was packed with people hiking, biking, camping, and sightseeing.  I drove to the spot that we had gone to before but when I got there I  realized that I wouldn't be able to get up to the lookout because of my knee.  I drove to another spot and was able to get out and take a few pictures.  When my knee is better, and I make the next trip to Utah. I am going to try again!  

Home!

This is what I found on my counter when I got back to Gilbert.  Jane got out the Scrabble game and left me a note!
 

California Visitors!

On Saturday morning I had a wonderful visit with Beth Andreasen and then today I had a another treat when Pam Smith came for a visit.  I don't have a lot of friends but those I do have are absolutely the best!  Thank you Beth and Pam for coming to see me.  

Happy Birthday Graham!

 5 Years Old

Everything about you is fun.  You have expressions that surprise me every time you speak.  You have such a tender heart and also a curious nature.  You are a super hero but I haven't quite figured out which one.  I love your imaginary brothers especially the mean one and the weird one you tell me about.  It is fun watching your grow up and I suspect you have lots more surprises ahead for all of us!

Utah Update!

 I can't wait to see this project completed.  Not because it has taken so long but every time I see an update I am stunned by how beautiful everything is turning out.  Aunt Cathy has outdone herself in her choices!  The first picture is the chandelier that will be over the dining room table.  The second is the lights and fans in the family room area.  The third and fourth are the lights over the island and you can see the sinks and plumbing is now in and looking good.  Aunt Cathy will be getting the backsplash on Monday and hopefully that will get installed soon.   

First Job!

 Congratulation to Jeremy.  He started his new job at Culver's this week.  Not bad for a 14 year old.  I would think his big smile and desire to do his best will serve him well as he becomes a valued employee!

Ice Cream Party!

 Meg and her roommates had an ice cream party this weekend.  It looks like they made some masterpieces!

Katie & Meg!

I found this cute picture today and had to share it.  Katie started her five week internship at an urgent care in Lehi this last week.  As you can see this picture was especially appropriate to share.  I'm so proud of you Katie.  You will do a great job with your innate  compassion and sweet countenance.  

Before and After

When we were in Utah we saw a big project Aunt Cathy tackled to redo the stair railing.  I thought you'd like to see the finished product.  Amazing!

Check Off Painting

The house is now painted and looks really nice.  Electricity comes next and then the sink and plumbing.  When the paper is removed from the floor I think they can start moving in furniture and have a beautiful new addition!

Happy Birthday Brigham!

 19 Years Old

What an amazing man you are becoming Brigham.  You are such a hard worker and you seem to be able to do anything you set your mind to.  I am so proud of you for the decisions you have made and look forward to seeing where you will serve your mission.  I appreciate your quiet strength Brigham and see great things in your future. 

Duncan's GRAND Adventure!

 Duncan and Uncle Christian went to Duncan's first quorum adventure on Wednesday morning.  They, along with other deacons and leaders spent three days hiking, camping, swimming, and canoeing at the Grand Canyon.  Uncle Christian was convinced that he was going to die on the hike but gratefully,  he survived and lived to tell about it.  I think Duncan has found that he is a person who loves hiking and came back looking forward to the next hiking trip.   

Pictures!

 While Perry and Ellis were home they had an opportunity to do a photo shoot in San Diego.  

Girl's Camp 2021

 Ruth, Jane, and Aunt Amy enjoyed 3 days of girl's camp this year.  They had a great time and actually so did I as I was able to spend their time away with Graham, Eden, and Duncan.  I love that they go to the same camp that I went to when I was a girl.  I definitely want to go see it after all these years.  It definitely sounds like some improvements were made!  This is Ruth's last year and of course with her sweet nature she made the best of her time there.  This year she was one of the Youth Leader's and from an unbiased Aunt Amy she outdid herself.  They all came home exhausted but with smiles on their faces.