Wednesday, August 21, 2013

This morning's sunrise

I made a trip into town today.  It was overcast and the sky was full of lightning.  I went to the bank to deposit money, CVS, and Walmart.  It was 75 degrees when I got home.  I grabbed a bite to eat, fed James some dinner, and drove to the church to pick up kids for tonight's activity at Fool's Hollow Lake.  

Trenda Wilhelm, Kilee, LeeAnn, and Tyler Hunsaker all rode with me.  Trenda and Kilee put these pictures on my phone:

Kilee and Trenda

I love these crazy girls!

We stopped at Little Ceasers to pick up pizza and then met at the seminary building.  Brother Allen helped Diana Curtis and I hike over the rocks to the place where the kids swim.  The kids had fun swimming until it got too cold, then they ate pizza and the donuts I bought at Walmart today.  It was a fun evening.  Mayber next time we should start a little earlier.  Tonight we met at the church at 5pm.

Those who came:  Trenda, Shelly, Jordyn, LeeAnn, Kilee, Maddie, Kelly, and Hope.  Girls leaders: Diana Curtis, Kaeli Nicoll, Denice Hall, and myself.  Young men: Glenso, Aaron, Tyler, Rusty, Jackson, Talon, Jace, Kendall, and Westin.  They had four leaders: Brother Allen, John Wilhelm, and Clint Pope.

It was a fun evening!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

James needed to make a trip to Demming to take to Alisha and Cindy.  I thought I was going to have to take him but Terry said he would.  They left around 6am.  Thank you so much Terry!!

Sheri stayed home from work today so we could spend some time together.  I was so grateful.  We watched the August 13th episode of SYTYCD which included the all-stars, Kathryn, Melanie, Comfort, Twitch, Robert, Neil, and Brandon, just to name a few of my favorites.  So happy I got so spend some time with Sheri.  I left around 11:30 for home.  I got as far as Fountain Hills when I realized I forgot to pick up the tools James asked me to bring.  I called him to see if he wanted me to go back and get them but of course he said no. 

It was so good to get home.  I crashed on the couch and watched Master Chef and Project Runway.  James called and said he and Terry would be here around 6pm.  I though Terry was going to spend the night with us so I put clean sheets on the bed downstairs.  Terry dropped James off, had a bite to eat and was on his way back to Chandler.  Wow!  That's alot of driving in one day.  I guess Cathi wanted him home. 

James collected some money and felt like the day was a success. 

Monday, August 19, 2013

I was up at 1am to wish myself a happy 65th birthday.  By 2am we left for Scottsdale.  James wanted to meet at Troon North where he is starting a job this morning with the superintendent Brad Andersen, and with Lloyd who is running the job.  I waited in the parking lot while they had their short meeting, then we headed south to the IHOP in Chandler for breakfast.  I took these pictures while waiting:

A beautiful morning on the desert.

I had a spinach and tomato omelet with hollandaise sauce.  James had ham and eggs but he was disappointed because his piece of ham was so tiny.  I should have taken a picture.

James had a meeting with Zaki this morning while I went to the house and sorted through our pile of mail. 
My driver's license expires today.  I thought I could renew online but not so because I had to take the vision test and get a new picture.  I had a lunch date with Karen Schneider today at 11am.  Karen bought my lunch and gave me a gift, a book entitled "Becoming His, A Daily Journey Toward Discipleship."  We had our regular fare, the sourdough bread with butter, coconut shrimp with the mango slaw, and a chocolate sundae for dessert.  Karen is such a good friend and I am so grateful for her in my life.

After lunch I went to the MVD and waited for two hours to get my new license.  Wow!  I look so old in my picture! 

I went back to Stacy's to change clothes and then went to Sheri's where James was waiting. When Sheri got home she and I went on a food run.  We went to Pizza Hut and picked up a pizza for the boys.  We then went to Sauce and got dinner for Ian and James.  Sheri and I got some bruschetta which was delicious!  We also stopped at Gigi's cupcakes and indulged.

This evening everyone, except Paul, Adam, Jared Adam, Trina, and Jared's family, came over to celebrate my birthday.   Sheri had a banana cream pie because she knows it's my favorite, and cupcakes for the kids.  Here are some of my gifts, not that I needed any, being with my kids and grandkids is really all I wanted.  Tickets to see SYTYCD on tour in November.  Going with Kim and Sheri.  James gets to come too!  Gift cards to Cheesecake Factory and Chili's.  Thanks to everyone!  It was a fun evening.

We spent the night at Sheri and Ian's.  Ben gave up his bed for us. 

Two broken limbs, and two of my favorite people.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

I got up early and read my scriptures and put a roast in the crockpot.  I ironed James's shirt and set his clothes and shoe out for him.  Jared gets his kids ready and goes to Church with us.  Darrel and Trina left early because Trina has to work this afternoon. 

Cory Seymore from the high council, and his dad Daryl were the speakers in our sacrament meeting.  The topic was marriage.  In other news, Sean Hunsaker is our new ward mission leader.  He will be great! 

Jared and his kids stayed the entire block.  I helped Anna find her class while Jared got the other kids settle in their classes.  I introduced Anna to Alice Wilhelm. 

During Sunday School we talked about the sacrifices made to build the Nauvoo temple.  Jared was right there with us. 

During Young Women Kaeli Nicoll taught a lesson on "Qualities of Righteous Women and Mothers."

After church we had a big lunch before Jared's family left for home.  We had BBQ beef sandwiches, macaron and cheese, pasta, beans, and salad.

After lunch James took a nap, Jared & Tricia took their kids on one last Razr ride, and I cleaned the kitchen.
I made a visit to the clubhouse at the request of Anna and Emmy.

Anna and Emmy gave me my birthday gifts.  A candle and some lotion.  Two of my favorite things.

After we said our goodbyes James and I watched The Walton's and Cedar Cove.  We have to be in Scottsdale tomorrow by 5am.  I talked James into leaving at 1am tomorrow morning.

 Jared and Tricia playing ping pong.

Sky at sunset.

Rain in the distance.

Ominous clouds.

Love the clouds!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Darrel got up at 5:30 this morning and took Rowan, James, and Jackson fishing at Chocolate Lake.  I don't think they caught anything, but that was so nice of him to get up early and take them.  Thanks Darrel!

Jared got up early and went to the temple.  I wanted to go with him, but James wanted me to stay home with him.  He's said that the new film is awesome.

Emmy and Addy loved playing ping pong.  I bought different colored balls and they gave all of them a name.  There was Gumdrop(pink), Lucky(orange), and Lemon Drop(yellow).  Lemon Drop died today because James Hayden hit him too hard.  The girls decided to give Lemon Drop a proper burial.

Lemon Drop's final resting spot.

Ping pong pals.

Everyone went to the ski run today except for James, Molly, Ruby and me.

Grandpa getting some hugs from two cuties!

Grandpa getting a fish hook out of Ruby's shirt.

Molly looking at my plants

Molly and her sly smile

Ruby on the run.

Two sweet little girls!

The plan at the ski run was for all the adults to rent bikes and mountain bike down the mountain.  Tricia brought her own bike (Titus) and was the only one who actually rode a bike.  It cost too much to rent bikes so Darrel and Trina rode the left, but it was cold and started to rain so they went to Greer.

 At the top of the ski run.

Tricia, mud, and Titus

When everyone returned from the ski run, Anna went to the clubhouse where she has spent most of her time and they younger girls went flower picking.  Here is a bouquet Cassie Barney brought to me:

Cassie's bouquet.

In other news today:  Rowan, James, and Jackson played poker.  

Emmy, Anna, and Addy played Five Crowns.

 Girls and Five Crowns, Jared and the Ipad.

Again, Jared cooked dinner, teriyaki chicken which Tricia had marinated, rice, and grilled asparagus.  Darrel did the dishes for the second night in a row. 

Addy and Emmy had such fun together.  They found a walking stick and named him "Nick the Stick."  Also, Emmy says she wants Grandpa's walker when he is finished with it.  She wants to do arm lifts on it so she can be buff and strong.  

Molly and Ruby cover their legs in bandaids because their legs had "itches" from walking in the grass picking flowers.  

Molly said to me: "Grandma, do you have any pretend babies?'  I think she meant baby dolls.  

James helped Rowan put his Lego set together.

Just hangin' out.

Friday, August 16, 2013

 Darrel says he saw a bat last night.  Oh great!

I had a doctor's appointment at Dr. Moffat's this morning at 9am.  Becky Skousen, a member of our war who works for Dr. Moffat, called it my "welcome to Medicare" appointment.  Before I left home I made two dozen cinnamon rolls.  I also made some oatmeal for James.  I got behind a logging truck going into Show Low and it made me late for my appointment.  I don't like logging trucks and I especially don't like getting behind them.

I like Dr. Moffat.  He wrote me a prescription for folic acid, metoprolol and hydrochlorithiazide.  Went to Walmart to fill my precriptions and did some shopping while I was there.  I saw Jared and Darrel doing their shopping too.  I got a three month supply of pills and it cost me $94.96.

On the way home I stop at Panda Express for some lunch, the dry cleaners, and to get gas.  I make James a grilled tuna sandwich for lunch.  After lunch everyone wants to go to the Pit and the Swing.  We take both ATV's and my car.

Fun at the Pit

Meeting of the minds.

Trina, Ruby, and Molly

Fun at the Swing

Found the memorial near the Swing

Waiting for a turn on the Swing

The Swing was fun for most of the kids and for Tricia.  Rowan wanted nothing to do with it but Ruby loved it.  Jared's kids had been before so they knew what to expect. 

When we get back from the Pit and Swing Trina and I take Rowan, Molly, and Ruby to the Vernon Park.  While there we end up finding a horse that the kids wanted to pet.

 

Jared, Tricia, Darrel and Trina got away for a few minutes to take a Razr ride without the kids.

Back at home Ruby and Molly decided they wanted to practice up on their fishing skills.

While Jared fixed burgers, hotdogs, and salmon for dinner, Darrel played a "Match" game with Ruby.

Jared fixed the food, and Darrel did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.  Such good boys I have!!

After dinner we had a little excitement or what I like to call "Batmania."  Trina said when she was using the restroom upstairs a bat came to visit.  She was freaked out but apparently so was he.  He squeezed under the door and went into the bedroom.  The quest was to remove this bat immediately.  Trina had a broom downstairs and Darrel one upstairs.  The poor bat didn't have a chance.  Darrel ended up swatting him to the ground.  We put him in a bag and James Hayden took him outside and released him.  Hope he doesn't come back.  Tricia took a video on her phone and all you could here was little girls screaming.  Did I mention that Stacy Barney and her three kids came to join us this evening?

I love this picture of our home in the mountains.  I love the clouds and beautiful green grass, and the trees.