Thursday, May 31, 2012

James and I decided that since I he wouldn't be back until late on our anniversary that we would celebrate on Saturday.  I decided I am going to make him a special dinner so I went in to Walmart to buy the ingredients.  I am going to make Pork Chops with Apple Stuffing.  It's a receipe  that I got from Tricia when I was in Texas.  Note to self: Take less trips to Walmart.  Every time I go I spend at least $100!

I came home and put some boxes downstairs and unloaded a couple of boxes.  I realize how out of shape I am.  Just going up and down the stairs I was so out of breath!  Starting on Monday I am going to start walking again. 

I watched Giada and the Barefoot Contessa and Paula Deen on the Foodnetwork.  I went to bed at 9pm.  I was very tired and I do miss James!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

After reading our scriptures and having prayer and reading from our Victoria Holt novel, James left for Chandler,  which means I will be here alone until he gets back on Friday evening.  He is going down to help Alex Braddock with his Eagle Scout project, to clear off Nathan's lot, and to finish cleaning his office.  I could have gone with him but I wanted to stay here and get some things put away and to enjoy the quiet and beautiful surroundings.  I also watched several episodes of America's Got Talent.  I am fascinated with Sharon Osbourne's hair.  Don't ask me why.  Boy you sure have to watch alot of hokey acts to see a few that really reflect some talent.  One of my favorites was a father and daughter who sang together.  The girl had a wonderful voice.  They are street performers and it would be wonderful if they could become more successful.  The audience and judges also loved them.  Howard Stern is the new judge taking Pierce Morgan's place.  I didn't think I would like him at all, but he has some redeeming qualities and I like him better than Pierce. I also like Nick Cannon, the host.  The show is goofy, and I don't know why I watch it.  I guess I just keep thinking I'm going to see some real talent.  I also watched So You Think You Can Dance which is still in the tryout phase.  I got a kick out of the Ninja twins and was surprised when they turned them down because they were a couple of years over the age limit.  I wonder if we have seen the end of them.  They were very popular and highly entertaining.
Stacy called today and said she was taking Paul to the hospital because he was very sick.  The doctor's think he might have chron's disease or an ulcer.  He went home but he has to go see a specialist.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Emmy's 7th birthday is on June 4th.  On my last two trips to Walmart I have been gathering items to put in her birthday package.  Here are some of the things I got that she said she wanted:
A Junie B. Jones book, puzzles, bouncy balls, swim goggles, a swim tube and some water toys, silly string (4 cans), and Jolly Ranchers.  Here are some things I put in that she didn't ask for: a beach towel, a young girl mystery book, a whoopie cushion, a yo-yo, and a card game.  We mailed it at the Show Low Post Office right at 5pm.  James mailed it priority mail so it would get there on or before her birthday.  I hope she likes the things I got her and that she has a wonderful birthday!

Since we were in Show Low we decided to have dinner at Licano's.  James ordered the special of the day, 3 chicken tacos.  He ordered them soft and I warned him that they would be on flour tortillas.  He said if they were he was never coming there again.  They were.  I wonder if he won't.  I had the green chili burro enchilada style.  It was good but nothing compared to Burger House's.  All in all we decided we like El Rancho's in Pinetop better.

We came home and watched the Sherlock Holmes DVD I got James for our anniversary.  We watched two episodes and have one more to watch.  My favorite was "The Hounds of Baskerville."  Both Stacy and Jared love this show.  James and I liked it but we like "Downton Abbey" better.

Monday, May 28, 2012

I took Joshua, Evan and Max on one last Ranger ride to Chocolate Lake before they left for home.  Joshua is going home with the Trezise's.  Joshua was surprised to learn that it isn't really chocolate that is in Chocolate Lake.  He was also sad to hear about the cow that got stuck in the mud.

It was so quiet here after everyone left for home.  Here are some pictures to remind me of the fun we had and how much I enjoy these cabin visits by my children and grandchildren. 

This is a picture of Max and Ian trying to teach Evan how to play Uno.  It was quite entertaining!

Part of the fun of the cabin is enjoying good food together with good company.

Puzzle time and TV time are important too.

Getting Josh to sit down and eat is always a challenge.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

I am proud to say that all who were at the cabin attended sacrament meeting today in the Vernon ward.  I love my family! Because it is a holiday weekend the ward was filled to capacity.  We were in the overflow area.  The topic for the meeting was conversion and obedience.  One of the speakers had just returned from serving in the army and his testimony of obedience was powerful.  I am glad Joe, Alex, Ben and Max were there to here it.  Evan and Josh were there too but I am not sure they heard or understood anything.  After sacrament meeting there was a mad dash to the car by the rest of the family while James and I stayed for Sunday School, Relief Society and Priesthood.  After Relief Society I went up and introduced myself to the Relief Society presidency and gave them my phone number.  I am anxious to get involved in the ward.  It is hard to go from a ward you have been in forever where you know everyone to a ward where you know so very few.

This evening we had a family home evening here at the cabin.  First the kids roasted marshmallows and made smores.  Next Joshua led us in singing his favorite Primary song, "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam."  I told the story from Sister Ardeth Kapp's book about the two neighbors Mr. Brown and Mr. Jones and we talked about doing kind things for others, especially those who might not be kind to us.  Next James talked about conversion and personal revelation and shared some personal examples from his life.  It was really good.  During the lesson Alex mentioned the speaker today in sacrament meeting and what a good talk he gave.  I love the gospel!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

We woke up this morning to the wind blowing about 50 mph.  I feel sorry for all those people who are camping for the holiday weekend.  For us in our nice warm cabin it is just a minor inconvenience.
Some of the things we did today:  Went on Ranger rides, did some target practicing (mostly Alex and Ian), took rides to Chocolate Lake and a new discovery "The Village."  Worked on jigsaw puzzles, (mostly Sheri and Kim), watched TV, played cards and other games, and went for walks.  Sheri and I walked over 3 miles.
We also went into town and did some grocery shopping and stopped at Little Caesars to bring home some pizza for lunch.

Ben caught a caterpillar.

Joshua, Evan and Max loved going on Ranger rides.

For dinner I tried a new crockpot receipe I got from Marci Coombs's blog.  It's called salsa chicken and it was quite delicious served over rice pilaf.  All in all in was a good day in spite of the wind.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Joshua got up this morning and said: "Today is the big day!"  When I asked him what he meant he said: "It's the day we go to the cabin."  I guess it's settled then, Joshua is going to the cabin with us.
I spent the morning packing the car and truck and cleaning out the pantry and the refrigerator.
It was afternoon before we were ready to go.  We were so loaded down we looked like the Beverly Hillybillies.  James left room in his truck for Joshua, Max and Evan.  Sheri, Ian, Alex and Ben came up later this evening and so did Kim, Brian and Joseph.
We had to stop in Fountain Hills for a drink because the boys were thirsty.  For awhile between Payson and Fountain Hills it was bumper to bumper traffic.  James kept calling me and telling me we should have gone the other way.  There was a ton of traffic but another reason for the back up was there was a car that caught on fire.  We stopped again in Payson to eat and then I stopped in Heber to get something to keep me awake as I was falling asleep.  We did finally arrive at the cabin.

This was the last day of school for Ben and Max who go to Bright Beginnings. Earlier in the month  Ben and his friends went to a science symposium in downtown Phoenix where they won first place for their studies on water. They have been doing experiments all year and when they did their presentation they got first place out of 29 teams from all over the state.  We are very proud of Ben and his team!

The symposium was sponsored by the U of A.