Friday, November 13, 2015

James and I went to town today to donate to Show Low's Community Fast.  We left our donation at Chase Bank.  Before going home we went to Panda and got some lunch to take home.  James got Shanghai beef and teriyaki chicken and I got orange chicken and sesame honey chicken.  

I am having a hard time getting motivated to do anything.  Al I want to do is watch Christmas movies!  Today I watched "The Santa Suit", one I had seen before and "An Ice Sculpture Christmas", a new one this year. 

James went down on his Cat and tried to fill some of the holes in our road.  

Sheri posted this funny picture of Roxy, their pet chinchilla on Facebook:

  Look at those tiny toes!

ISIS strikes again in Paris.  This time at six different locations.

Glenn Beck says this is the beginning of

World War III.

What I don't understand is why the United States allows ISIS to have training camps in our country.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Idaho

James went to his job this morning while I slept a little longer.  When he came back he fixed us some oatmeal for breakfast.  

Cathi turned the radio on for the dogs so while they are gone today the dogs won't feel lonely.  

I left a little after 9 for home.  My first stop was Sonic for a drink, the Sam's Club for gas, and then Costco to spend the rebate they sent me for $87.  I bought their delicious filet mignon steaks, already made stuffing, and already made and cooked scalloped potatoes, a pressure cooker, and a recharge stick for my phone.

Let's just say that I spent more than $87.   
I left town around 10:30.  James is ahead of me, which means he will be the one turning the water on.  That's okay with me!
I stopped at the Circle K in Star Valley and got a turkey and cheese sandwich and a Big Hunk candy bar, something to sustain me going up the mountain.  I made it to the cabin around 2 p.m.  James had the water on, the heaters turned up, and had built a fire.  Thanks honey!

Our fireplace insert keeps our home nice and warm

I plopped myself on the couch to catchup on my T.V. watching.  On "Dancing with the Stars", Alexa and Mark get two perfect scores and then go home based on last week's performance.  

James and I watched a Christmas movie on the Up channel, "Rodeo and Juliet."  It's fun to watch a new Christmas movie once in awhile.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Happy Veterans Day!

It's time for us to go home but not before Ruby has had breakfast and gone for a swim.  She loves to jump off the lifeguard  chair into the pool and spa.  While she was waiting for us to get ready she watched cartoons.  Studio C wasn't on.

We stopped at the Shell station on Orangewood and Harbor for gas and then got on the 57 freeway to the 60 and then to the 10.  Traffic wasn't bad.  I think Kim and Brian left a little while after we did.  

When Ruby asked "What's for lunch?" we figured we should stop.  We stopped at the Jack-in-the-Box in Indio.  Ruby said she had never been to Jack-in-the-Box.  She ordered the chicken nuggets with fries and ate everything.  She said she is not allowed to go to McDonald's because her mom said.  She also counts to 20 every time she washes her hands after going to the bathroom because her mom told her too.  I hope she continues to be obedient!

We got Ruby home around 5pm.  Her mom and dad and Lola were the only ones at home.  Rowan was at Evan's and Addy was at a friends.  Darrel and Trina were just getting ready to go pick them up so Ruby had to get back in the car again.

James and I both agree that going on this trip with Ruby was a blast!

Lola enjoying her M&M's

On our way home James and I stopped at Mimi's because I had a coupon on my phone for a buy one entree and get the second one free.  The only catch is that you have to order two drinks, which we did.  James had the turkey dinner with stuffing and mashed potatoes and broccoli and I had roast beef with mashed potatoes and broccoli.  Both meals were delicious, but I couldn't finish mine so I got a to go container.  I also took home a pumpkin spice muffin that I will have for breakfast tomorrow.  

Cathi and Terry were set apart this evening by Bishop Wanlass as indexing missionaries and will work at the old Tri-stake center in Mesa.  They will serve 8 hours on Thursday and Friday each week and will serve for a year.  They will be awesome!  They start tomorrow morning.

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Ruby at Disneyland

 Ruby and Grandpa

 We love our Ruby!

I cannot say enough good things about this little girl.  She was such a joy to be with.  She never complained and was excited and happy about everything we did.  We are so grateful we had time to spend with her and get to know her better.

We forgot and left her Cinderella costume in the car, but she did not complain although you could see she was a little disappointed.
As we entered the plaza on Main Street we saw Donald Duck and either Chip or Dale.  I know Chip has a black nose and Dale the red, but I couldn't tell for sure what color this guys nose was.  Of course Ruby wanted her picture taken with them.

 I think maybe it's Dale!

We also had to get a picture by the Christmas tree.

Sorry about the random guy in the background.

 This girl is pretty amazing.  When we first entered both parks they gave us a map.  Ruby got her map out and wanted to know where everything was and how to get to it.  At one point James couldn't find his way back to the corndog hut in California Adventure where I was waiting for him and Ruby, and Ruby showed him the way.

Ruby with her map, and yes that's grandpa in the background

on the phone! 

The first ride she wanted to go on was Splash Mountain.  As she and grandpa were in line I was sitting outside the ride on a bench when Joe, Alex, and Michael walked up.  What a happy coincidence!  I told them that Ruby and Grandpa should be coming out in any minute.  They decided to wait for them so they could go on the ride with Ruby.  She got to ride twice and never got wet but Alex came back soaked!

We wanted to go to the Haunted Mansion but the boys were headed for the Matterhorn.  We said we would catch up with them later because that was a ride Ruby wanted to go on. 
After the Haunted Mansion I asked Ruby if she wanted to go on Pirates but she didn't.  She wanted to get right over to the Matterhorn.  The boys met up with James and Ruby and they all got to ride the Matterhorn twice because the attendants couldn't get someone out of on of the cars.  While they were all enjoying their ride I was eating popcorn and drinking a diet coke.
Our next move was to meet Kim and Brian at the Village Haus restaurant in Fantasyland for lunch.  Ruby had a fun time being with the boys.

Sorry the picture is blurry but this is the only

one I got of Ruby with the boys.

After lunch we all go our separate ways.  Ruby, James and I ride the train and Buzz Lightyear while they are waiting for their fastpass on Star Tours.  We took Ruby to the Tikki Room because she said she had never been there.  I am not sure how much she enjoyed the show but she loved the pineapple soft serve ice cream.

She loved Thunder Mountain and the Toon Town Roller Coaster.  

 

By 3 o'clock I was back on Main Street saving a bench for tonights parade which starts at 8pm.  There was an interesting lady on the bench next to me.  She was talking to herself.  She started saving her bench before I got there.  

As soon as Kim and Brian showed up James said he was going back to the hotel.  We took turns saving the bench.  Ruby and I went to eat at the Plaza Inn.  

She loved their pasta with marinara sauce.

I took Ruby back to stay with Brian and I went to get a blanket for her.  It kept her cozy and warm during the parade and the fireworks show.  I also bought myself a Minnie hoodie.

Kim took Ruby on Buzz Lightyear and I took her on "It's a Small World."

Small World all lit up for Christmas

Finally it was time for the parade and fireworks.  The parade was amazing!  The best I've ever seen here at Disneyland.  The fireworks were spectacular!  After it was all over, the park was closing and we joined the hoardes of people leaving the park.  Little Ruby had to be exhausted but she never complained and just kept walking.  I held up her blanket so it wouldn't drag on the ground.

James picked us up in the parking plaza.  Ruby had talked about going swimming, James made a mistake, the pool is open from 6am to 12 am, but she was too tired when we got back to our room.  She didn't even put on her pajamas, but went right to bed.

 

 

 

Monday, November 9, 2015

Ruby is ready to go!

Kim and Brian get in to California Adventure an hour early today.  We have two day tickets but our are not Hopper tickets so whatever park we choose for the day is where we will stay for the day.  We chose California Adventure.  Brian and Kim met us at the Cars Fastpass station.  We all got Fastpasses for Cars between 2:30 and 3:30.  Since Soarin' over California is closed, this is my favorite ride in C.A. 

The first ride Ruby wanted to go on was Goofy's Flying School.  Brian doesn't like the ride and neither do I so we waited down on the ground.  We were going to take a picture in front of the Mickey Ferris Wheel but we were in a hurry to get to the Little Mermaid ride and we forgot to go back and take the picture once we were finished on the ride.  After the Little Mermaid ride we all went over to Tower of Terror.  Everyone rode on it except me.  Ruby knows no fear!

Kim and Brian went over to Disneyland to have lunch with the three boys.  We started looking for some lunch.  Ruby had a pretzel and then we all went on Monsters, Inc.  We made our way back over to where they sell corndogs for James's and my lunch.  While there Ruby and James went on the Jellyfish ride.  Ruby said it was like Tower of Terror only really boring.  

Ruby loves to have her picture taken.  Here she is with Mickey

and Walt Disney.

We rode on the Ferris Wheel, non-rocking thank you, and then Ruby and James rode on Grizzly Rapids.  After the ride they went in the gift shop and got Ruby an owl necklace.  She must have picked this out on her last trip because James said she knew exactly where it was. 

Throwing pennies in the lucky fountain.

Back on Main Street Ruby and I got some ice cream and watched some street performers.

 Such a cutie and so much fun!

 As close as she could get without actually being in the show.

When it was time to go on the Cars ride James realized he had lost his ticket and fast pass, so I gave him mine.  After the Cars ride James, Kim, and Brian went on California Screamin'.  Ruby would have gone too but she is not tall enough.  

As we were leaving Ruby ran in to some Disney celebrities.

 Old Mickey, I believe?

Ruby is not shy with the characters

We missed the picture when Minnie rubbed noses with Ruby.

Roaring Twenties Minnie

On the way back to the motel Ruby asked: "What's for dinner?"  We drove along Harbor Blvd. until we found a Subway and stopped for dinner.  

Back at the hotel Ruby wants to go swimming.  James took her down to the pool but soon they were back.  James said that the pool was only open from 6am to noon.  I said, "I don't think that can be right", but by then Ruby had lost interest in swimming.  Instead of swimming they went down to Happy Hour.  We wanted popcorn but got Goldfish instead.

Ruby's winning smile!

My feet really bothered me today.  I decided to take a warm bath and then James rubbed my feet with Deep Blue.  I felt so relaxed that I went right to bed after family prayer and putting Ruby to bed.

She loves sleeping on the hide-a-bed couch with her stuffed animals.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

 

Enough said.

James had to get up and go to work this morning for a couple of hours.  It's the first time I can remember him working on Sunday.  The doctor's office where he is working will be open tomorrow so all of the painting has to be done.  He finished in time to come to church with me.

All of the North America Southwest Region participated in a satellite broadcast today.  We attended in the Chandler West Stake Center.  Our little friend, Brooklyn Leib came and sat with us for awhile.  She was in our Primary class when we were here earlier in the year.

Brooklyn on a day she styled her own hair.

Before the broadcast began President Ken Johansen, the Chandler West Stake President, spoke.  His topic was "How to Worship."  He shared the example of the Zoramites and their false means of worship as recorded in Alma 31.  He then quoted from D&C 93 on how we come unto the Father and worship Him through the Savior's name.  In D&C 59 it says we must bring forth sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit as we offer our oblations unto the Lord.  Pres. Johansen also quoted from the book by Brother Callister that Laura and Cathi are reading.  It is called "The Blueprint of Christ's Church."  Brother Callister asks the question: "Do we want to be entertained or do we want to sacrifice.  Sacrifice - Service - Sacrament.

Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy: "The Virtue of Simplicity"

Elder Robbins gave examples of simplicity naming the Articles of Faith, The Family Proclomation, the Living Christ, and the Gettysburg Address.  All things should be done in wisdom and order.  We need to focus on the basics and not look beyond the mark.  We should not overextend ourselves.  We should ask ourselves, what is sufficient for my needs?  We need to be content and grateful for what we have.

Sister Linda S. Reeves, 2nd counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency: "Repentance"

Alma's counsel to Corianton.  Corianton repented.  

"Don't let your sins define who you are.  Become completely clean."  Stacy says that Joshua repents every night when he says his prayers.  What a good example he is! 

Elder Lawrence Corbridge of the Seventy: "I am the Bread of Life."

Where will I be in _____ years.  Take heed that no man deceive you... How can we avoid deception?

Five Primary Questions we must ask ourselves.

1.  Is there a God?

2.  Is Jesus Christ the Son of God?

3.  Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

4.  Is the Church of Jesus Christ the Lord's church today?

The three methods of discovery are scientific, analytical, and divine.  You can't prove a positive by discounting a negative.  Truth is established through revelation. 

If any man shall do His will then he shall know His will.

Elder Oaks: "Put the Lord first in your life."

The strength of the Church is found in it's individual members.  

Jesus's way is Heavenly Father's way.  

Do not neglect temple work.

Moroni 10:4 - with real intent and a sincere heart is critical.  Ask questions with a desire to follow through with commitment.

Befriend nonmembers.

Youth are the future of the Church.

Basics - Scripture Study, Prayer, partaking of the sacrament and keeping our covenants and the commandments.

Are we active in the gospel or just active in the church?

We should be so very grateful for the Restoration.  

Love the sinner, not the sin.  Ended with his testimony.

We came home and ate some lunch, went by James's job then headed to Mesa to pick up Ruby for our trip to Disneyland.

Ruby was so excited.  Here is how she entertained herself during the long drive to California.

Using my new selfie stick

She also watched Cinderella on my phone until the battery died.

When my phone was available she used James's phone to watch segments from Studio C.  She also looked through his pictures.

 Every few minutes she would say: "Are we almost there yet?"

We stopped at the Sizzler in Banning for dinner.  This is one of the reasons I don't like to travel on Sunday.  Brian, Kim, Joe, Alex, and Michael stopped too.  

Brian and Kim are surprising the boys by staying at the Grand California Hotel which is a part of the Disneyland Resort.

 If you get tired you don't have to leave the park

to go back to your room.

Take the monorail to the hotel

Rooms with a view

We stayed where we always stay, Embassy Suites, Anaheim South.

Not too shabby!

The atrium where breakfast is served and

the lion roars every hour.  The lion was

right outside our room.

Ruby loved the hotel and was pretty excited about the lion.  I was so impressed with Addy!  She packed Ruby's suitcase and had all of her outfits in baggies labeled: Monday's clothes, Monday's pajamas, Monday's swimsuit, etc.  Amazing.  I want her to pack for me!

 Such a good idea!

   

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Sheri's quote of the day:
"It is our duty to improve each day.  And look upon our course last week and do things better this week; do things better today than
yesterday." 
-Lorenzo Snow

 Switzerland

James has to be finished with the doctor's office he's working on, on Monday.  He has very little help, right now just Lauro and Bob.  

He is a little concerned because we won't be here on Monday so he can finish up.  

I went to Ruby's last soccer game this morning and then afterwards went to Joshua's, Rowan's, and Evan's game.  Both of our teams lost.

 Ruby on the field

 Ruby with her trophy

Unwrapping the trophy

Lola goes exploring

Ruby went with me after the game to take my car back to Cathi's and leave it so James can take it in to get the tire fixed.  We rode back with Sheri and the boys, Rowan, Evan, and Joshua, for their game.  Rowan and Joshua spent the night at Evan's and I don't think they got much sleep.  They all looked a little tired.

Darrel, Addy, and Lola joined us at the game.  Trina has been called at a counselor in the Relief Society and she had to go to a funeral.

After the game Sheri dropped me off at Terry & Cathi's.  

 1533 S. 108th Way, our new home

away from home.

James and I went to pick up my car at Discount Tire.  They couldn't fix the tire so they gave us a new one.  We drove the car straight to Sears to get the oil changed.  It took over three hours.  

I took a nap and James went back to work because he is under a deadline.  Lauro and Bob were both tired and left.  James took Alex and Ben to help hi for awhile.  

At 5:30 we went to pick up my car.  The guys at Sears say I am missing a motor mount but we don't want the to fix it, we will take it to Erik later this month.  

We stop at the Jersey Mike's on Chandler Blvd. for dinner.  We both go to Sam's Club to get gas and then while James goes back to work I go shopping at Walmart for our trip.  

James comes home and says he didn't finish and will have to go back in the morning.  I cannot remember a time he has had to work on Sunday.  He also had to email a bid to Darrel before he could go to bed.  

A picture of Alexis and Michael at a Cross Country meet.  Alexis got first place and Michael got fourth.