Back Home with the Grandkids

Utah Trip: Days 6,7,8

Del came back from his mom's on Tuesday night, so Wednesday was our family 'remembering our Utah days' day.  Del, Kathryn and I went up on BYU campus to the bookstore, where we bought a few things and just enjoyed seeing all the students.  Then we took a drive up the Provo Canyon and did the loop around Sundance and Aspen Grove.  It was stunningly beautiful - we took pictures of all the leaves and tree's turning colors - and the colors were vibrant - yellows, oranges, red and greens.  Bridal Veil Falls was so pretty - as was Squaw Peak and the river.  I love the pictures we took of each other.  We even called Kylie and the kids while we were up there so we could face time with them and they could see everything we saw.
When we came down the canyon, we decided to drive past our old house in Lindon and then we went to Purple Turtle, the local ice cream joint and got ourselves some favorite ice cream cones.   It was fun to see our old stomping grounds and share some favorite memories.
Thursday was another game day for BYU - it was late Thursday night and we watched it on tv...Such a close game, but yet another loss for BYU.  So sad to realize our whole football season had changed.
Friday, Kathryn drove us to the airport and we flew home,  I forgot to mention that on Thursday night, before the game started, Mike and Rachel, with mom and their children, stopped by Becca's house to say hi and see Becca's new house on their way to the party that was being held for Rachelle, who was opening her mission call.  I was the only one who guessed Argentina - and I was the only one who was right.  Bah, what now?
Anyways...good trip.  Busy - saw a lot of people and did a lot of things. But I was glad to be home.
A little confusing feelings for me - mixed emotions about LOVING the feeling of everyone being LDS and BYU fans in Utah - in the stores, at the restaurants, at the game, everywhere we went, I liked that most people were LDS and it was like 'safe'.  a 'safe' place.  But then I liked coming home to Texas where my children and grandchildren are..and trying to figure out how to combine the two places.  I was a little displaced the first few days I was home - kind of pensive and thinking a lot about how I could have the feeling of Utah IN Texas..combine the two.  I haven't quite figured it out lately, but I will.
Nice to look at the pictures and remember the fun time we had.  Nice trip.

Utah Trip: Days 4 and 5

Del left Sunday night to go up to his mom's place in Logan, to work on some genealogy, while I stayed in Orem to spend time with Kathryn and my sister's.  Monday, I spent the day with Kathryn, taking her shopping to get her some new clothes that she was needing and a few other things like make up, under clothes and then me, some BYU things - t[shirt, pajama bottoms and sweats, flag and then a tie for Dr Camp.  It was nice to spend time with Kathryn and meet some of her co-workers, see where she worked and then play games with Lance and Becca at night.

Tuesday, Kathryn had to work, so Rebecca and I went over to my mothers to help my sister, Rachel, do her monthly cleaning of my mom's house.  We got there before Rachel did and had a lot of the cleaning finished by the time Rachel got there.  So when Rach got there, we did the last hour of work before we had a nice lunch and FUN FUN talking about just everything.  We laughed and giggled like little kids - we cried too, talking about each of our trials and hardships - mostly Rachel expressing some of her concerns over one of her children.  We talked with mom about how she was doing since dad's passing.  She's doing remarkably well, coping with her loneliness, but handles dad's absence really well.  She shared some things she hadn't shared with others and it was nice to hear her perspective on some things and feelings she had experienced at the time of his passing. It was REALLY a nice visit with the three of them...

Off to Utah With My Sweetie - Days 1-3

Del and I decided a few month ago, that we needed to have a nice get away together.  We thought about where we could go and what we could do, but when it came down to it, we wanted to go see our mothers, see a BYU football game and see Kathryn and other siblings.
So, it was a trip to Utah the beginning of October.
We went the weekend of General Conference, leaving on Thursday and getting there that night.  We stayed at Lance and Becca's house, which was really nice and fun - First night was just dinner, playing games and catching up after not seeing them for 10 months.
Friday was GAME DAY.  BYU against Utah State.  BYU was favored to win - and we were going in undefeated 4-0 with our quarterback in the talk of the Heisman Trophy and our team playing fantastic.
We all went out to dinner beforehand to Los Hermanos and had a great time and good food, with our waiter being super fun with us.  We had to walk a bit to the stadium after parking back at Nate's apartment, but we had a lot of energy and excitement in anticipation of a great night.  I loved being there.  I loved the spirit and seeing all things BYU - posters everywhere - fans everywhere- and just a lot of excitement in the air.  Our seats were good, in the South end zone - and within the first minutes of the game, our wonderful quarterback ran it in to the end zone for a touchdown.  But, a few more plays into the game and our quarterback was out of the game with a broken leg, being taken down from behind.  You could feel the change in the stadium - it was so deflating.
We lost the game.  Our back up quarterback was ok, but he wasn't Taysom Hill...and everyone knew it.  We got home late from the game both tired and disappointed.
Saturday and Sunday were spent watching and listening to General Conference.  Del went to his brother, Lon's place and I stayed at Becca's.  Sunday, we both went over and watched Conference with my mother - so good to see her and visit with her and hear about her recent trip to Europe with my sister Sheila and her husband Steve.  Conference was wonderful - and after conference, my Utah siblings and their families, along with many of my nieces and nephews and their children, all came to mom's house for a big family dinner - A great family time - lot's of talking about our families and our joys and trials.  I was so glad that Kathryn had come with her friend Cam.  She liked seeing some of her cousins and family.
I'm looking forward to going back and reading some of the talks from conference.  There were a few that really touched me and the spirit bore witness to me of the importance of their message.  I don't want to forget them.  So I will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Ensign and then taking some serious time to study and ponder some of it's messages.

Preston turns 4

No pictures.  I left the picture taking to Kylie.  So do I have a single picture to document the special day??  Not a one.  For Jordan's birthday either.  Makes me sad.
Del and I gave Preston a new bike for his birthday.  But it was set aside by the excitement of all the dinosaurs he got too.  This child LOVES dinosaurs.  He is so adorable to watch playing with all of them - I think he got about 20 new ones.  I made him cupcakes for dessert and I put one small dinosaur on top of each cupcake.  Preston loved that.  Then all the plates, cups, napkins and decorations were dinosaurs too.  Preston was in heaven.
So glad he had such a wonderful day.
He makes for an adorable 4 yr old - sure love him.

It's Time For Some Football!!

One of the first games of the season was BYU against University of Texas Longhorns - which, are, of course, our sweet neighbors.  You know, the neighbors that played the sneaky trick on us by putting fake eggs out in our chicken coop when they first started laying??  Yeah, THOSE neighbors.
Karma - the Saturday morning of the game, I went out and plastered their front flower garden with BYU signs I had made the night before.  They appreciated the joke and the friendly rivalry, of which we won hands down.  BYU is going to have a great season...
I also have a new football buddy - Yes, we welcome our newest little cougar fan, Emerson.  And he really does love to watch football on tv.  I think he likes the colors of the uniforms and all the movement.  Fun to have a fellow fan to cheer with me.

One Yr. Anniversary at BLISS

One of the fastest years EVER.
I can't believe it's been a year back with Dr Henao and I just couldn't be happier.
She brought me roses today and a gift card for a massage.  She treats me so well and I just love working for her here at Bliss.
I look forward to many more anniversaries in the future.
Happy Anniversary to me!!