Emma's Most Excellent Adventure

  On Saturday afternoon, we were on Facetime talking with Emma and her family and I was describing David's birthday cake that was being made for the next day.  "Chocolate with oreo cream cheese filling, and on top - pieces of Snickers, Rolo's, kit kats, kisses, and chocolate chips.  Emma said, "Don't talk about that when I can't be there to eat it!"  But two minutes later . . . it was a spur of the moment decision to have Emma come and spend a few days.  And since she is eight years old and can now travel alone, and I was off from work for the week, everything fell into place.  I picked her up at LAX Sunday morning.  She was a trooper and went to two Sacrament Meetings with me, plus Primary.  AND -- it was Papa's birthday.  So she enjoyed being here for that.  (And getting two pieces of cake.  "Your mom's not here -- have another piece!")

Enjoying her morning green smoothie.  Fancy, of course.

On Monday, we went shopping for new clothes.  And then to the Westover's for some pool lounging. And then a stop at Yogurtland for FHE.

Tuesday and Wednesday found us at the beach.  Papa came down for his lunch break to play.

Papa and Emma

With very little surf, it made for great swimming.  They even had a seal join in the fun.

Wednesday morning we got up really early and collected sand dollars and sea shells at the beach.  And then we went to Chick-fil-A for dinner that evening.  She enjoyed her peach shake and waffle fries the most.  After dinner, we did mani/pedi's.  Pink zebra on her fingernails and leopard print on the toes.  Chic.

She wanted a new haircut, so we spent Thursday morning at the salon. 

Then it was off to the mall to see Ice Age in 3-D. 

After a quick lunch at home and saying goodbye to Papa, we left for the airport.  It was WAY too crowded and she boarded the plane as soon as we got to the gate.  No time for a teary good-bye.

Her family missed her a lot, but she sure enjoyed her time with us.  All too soon it was over.

We've decided that this is a good tradition for our grandchildren.  As soon as they are 8 years old and able to travel alone, they should plan to spend a few days here with us.  Spoiling is our job and we're happy to do it.

Thanks for coming Emma.  We love you!

Birthday

Had a great birthday today

 Melody made me an amazing cake

 And she can dance too

Aspen Grove

First things first:  Tyler needed his wiggly front tooth removed.  Four days later, he had me pull another loose one.  He got one dollar from me each time and the tooth fairy came also.   The kid has a good gig going.

 

Adam was able to be with us for only 24 hours.  On Sunday, both he and his cousin Nick gave a five minute overview about their missions.  (Nick had just returned from his mission 10 days earlier.)

We took this picture the first day there.  The next day, three people had to leave.  A few days later, eight more joined us.  David's parents are front and center and then each of their children and their families are wearing a different colored shirt.  (The 8 more that joined us were our own children and grandchildren.)

 Benjamin joined us on Wednesday, along with the rest of his family.

 The Wirthlin Clan.  Emma, Spencer, Cheri, Tanner, Tyler

 David did the high ropes course.  Impressive.  Doesn't he look ruggedly handsome scaling that wall?  Even better than Spiderman.

 This is the closest we got to having our whole family together.  We'll have to photoshop Adam in for the print for the living room wall.

 Man, I love these people!  (our shirts say:  Hales Angels)

 The Hales Clan.  Jessica, Laura, Benjamin, Michael, Chandler.

This was a long day for them.  They flew from Orlando and got to Aspen Grove around 3:30 on Wednesday.  They adjusted from eastern standard time pretty well.

The Byram Bunch.  Michael, Carly, Matthew.  They arrived Wednesday morning.  After being in a car seat for way too long, (Phoenix, by way of Vegas) Matthew was happy to be spoiled by grandparents and cousins.  And his parents were more than happy for that too.

 The Three Musketeers.  (and Papa)  So thrilled to have their picture taken.

 The Binky Brigade.

Waiting for the closing ceremonies.  (P.S.  Did you know that if you put a baby's binky in the powder of a Lik-a-Stick pouch, they like their pacifier even more?  Um, uh, me either . . . )

 Jessica, Emma and I went to the dance on the last night.  We had fun!

Grandkids.  This is what it is all about.  And with them all scattered around the country now, photos like this are even more special.  They are the sweetest things.  

Our own children were (are) the greatest, but grandchildren . . . goodness - don't get me started.  LOVE YOU ALL.  Thanks for coming to play with us.

Black & White

I spent most of the day yesterday redecorating the guest room.  It was time for a change.  I had a few of the "accessories" already, but they needed to be painted black.  So while they dried, I went shopping to get the bedding and more black fabric.

While at Bed, Bath & Beyond - looking for something to use my 20% off coupon on - I saw the cutest blinged-out wastebasket.  But I wasn't willing to spend that much ($50!), so I got a cheaper one and then blinged it myself when I got home.  (Please say you can see it well enough in the photo.)

I have been off from work all this week.  (Obviously.)  Let's see . . . what to do today . . . .

Memorial Day Weekend

This afternoon I took the shuttle bus down to the Hermosa Fiesta Fair.  Yay!! -- the official start of summer!  I bought this ceramic switch plate to go in my bathroom by the new vanity.  Yeah, I know.  You're shocked.

 And then this afternoon David finished the remodel in the guest bedroom.  (Well, almost.  Still need to redo the baseboards now.)  I had black and white sheer curtain panels that I was planning to use for a party next year, (yes, you read that right...NEXT year) but decided to put them up since this room needed the window treatments sooner than later.  So now I either have to go buy black and white bedding to match, or buy a different color of curtains.  Or just leave them because I'll get busy with other stuff.

Life goes on

We went to Fremont to watch these three kids while their parents were vacationing.

While Papa repaired bicycles, Tanner was right there "helping."

 We decided to remove the door in the downstairs guest bedroom and replace it with a window.   So the afternoon after Mormon Helping Hands day, the construction (deconstruction?) began.  As of today, (May 19) it's all done.  I got a room-darkening blind for it, but now I need to shop for window treatments.  And decide what color.

 Yes, I actually bought this new toilet seat.  Love it!  David didn't mind either.  So there!

 Three weeks before Girls Weekend, I got David to help me decorate for the luau theme.  (Is he a great husband or what?) We put all the wall decorations up on Monday night with painters tape.  Then Tuesday morning we put it all up again (drats!) with staples.

 It ended up taking me three weeks to decorate my house.

 The "spread."  We started the festivities off with food.  Best way to start a party.

 These three little guys got to come this year.  Benjamin (one year old in July), Tanner (2 in July), and Matthew (one in August).

 My train kept them entertained.  As did the palm tree with pineapple lights.

 Me, Michelle, Laura, Kami, Carly, Cheri

 My friend Hilari came over one evening to teach us a hula dance. 

 Saturday morning we helped out at the Revlon Run.

Getting these three to hold still for a picture was like herding cats.

So this past Monday, I undecorated the house.  It looks kinda boring now!  And today David painted in the guestroom, so it looks great.  

Looking forward to summer.

Aloha 'Oe.

The trips continue . . .

We are finished with our traveling. At least for one month. On March 17th we were in Las Vegas for my nephew's wedding in the temple. Mason and Shelby make a cute couple. Below is the photo booth they had set up for their guests. With props.

Emma, Michelle, Kami, Lauren, me, and Katie
The next week we were off to Phoenix to see Matthew. (and Carly, Michael, and Adam) It didn't take Matthew too long to warm up to us.

Apparently, I'm the only one he will cuddle with. He's a smart little kid that knows the way to his grandma's heart. I can SO be bought and bribed.

Last weekend was our semi-annual trip to SLC for General Conference. We had a wonderful time. All of the talks were wonderful and the music was too. The picture below is on Temple Square looking towards the sky bridge linking the new City Creek Mall. It's a pretty cool place.

We joke about how we "checked off the boxes" on this last trip. We drive from home to St. George the first day. Here's our list of what we do, where we go, or where we (me) shop:
1) Tai Pan Trading Easter stuff!!
2) Krumpets Decorations - on clearance.
3) Cheese Factory in Beaver. Yummy curd.
4) BYU Bookstore I shopped while David donated blood. Bought fudge.
5) BYU Creamery on 9th. Famous chocolate milk.
6) WalMart in Orem. I wish we had one here that was this awesome.
7) Plaza Hotel. SLC. Within walking distance of everything.
8) Deseret Book. David bought a book. I bought candy. (Am I the shallow one in this relationship??)
9) City Creek Mall Wow. Creeks, waterfalls, fountains, fish. Water galore. Oh - and shopping.
10) General Conference Awesome. We went to the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning sessions.
11) Priesthood Meeting Shopping A sacred institution. A tradition for 30 years. Went with my sis-in-law and her two girls. Fun!
12) Dinner at J.B.'s after Priesthood Mtg. Us girls get there a few minutes early and order for the guys. The guys and the food arrive at the same time. Efficient! Tradition. Even Michael called us and said, "You're at J.B's, right?
13) Driving to Vegas and spending the night before getting up at 5:00 the next morning to drive home. This time, we had snow the whole way from SLC to St. George. Made it a little more exciting. I think we prefer "boring."

We get a few weeks at home now before more planned trips. Ahhh. Life is good.

The last month

At the beginning of February we went to Fremont, CA to see our grandkids and for Emma's 8th birthday and baptism. She was lucky enough to be baptized ON her birthday.

We spent a day in San Francisco at Pier 39.

Emma and Tyler

And then a couple of weeks later we went to Orlando to see three more grandchildren and to celebrate MY birthday. And by the way, all of these children had their parents there too. But let's be honest -- the grandchildren are the draw.

Jessica and Chandler at the park. (Notice how our granddaughters just know how to pose?)

Ready for church.

When I left the house this morning to go running, the full moon was so big and bright that I grabbed the camera on the way out the door. It was beautiful down at the beach. But then, it's always beautiful at the beach.

And in a couple of weeks we are taking a trip to Phoenix to see our grandson Matthew. He is missing us terribly. At least that's what I keep telling him to think. So stay tuned . . .