Soccer games

Rick got home Saturday at 11:30, actually to the airport, then catch an Uber to So Jo. The soccer games started at 10, so I went with Scott and Treena, then Rick met us at 1pm, just in time for Stella's. When the kids were home and doing their activities Rick and I loved to go to everything. It's so much fun now to be able to attend the gkids.

Aladdin

Rick and I had tickets to take Macy to Aladdin last Thursday. Unfortunately, Rick was in Slovakia for the week. Scott hasn't started with Praxair so he agreed to go with us, using the extra ticket that was Rick's.

I don't like musicals but found this one absolutely amazing. The dancing, the songs, the costumes, the sets, the lighting - it was all just so much better than I expected. We had great seats, cost $75 a ticket, which was a good price, since this is the Broadway touring company.

Keto Salt Lake Conference

The first ever Keto/Low Carb High Fat Conf was last Fri and Sat. Rick and I went to it. Very inspiring, made me even more of a true believer. It was fun having Rick there with me, he is a good husband who agreed to support me.

Lots of speakers of some note in the Keto/Low Carb world. One that I particularly wanted to hear was Ivor Cummings the Chemical Engineer from Ireland. He was out in the lobby just as Rick and I were getting ready to leave for Stella and Macy's theatre performance. I spoke with him for a minute and got my pic taken. Fun.

I have discovered that this WOE (way of eating) is easy if I will just have no sugar and grain carbs. They are too addictive and get me off track too easily.
Here's to my new commitment.

Rained Out

I set my alarm for 5:50am so we could get up and go to the sunrise outdoor Easter service. When we got up it was raining, not sure if they cancelled, moved indoors, or decided to carry on. Rick and I went ahead and got ready, drove there, and it was indoors. It was no longer raining, but when they made the call to go indoors they wouldn't have known it would quit. The Pastor was directing everyone in the church. Rick and I decided to drive up the mountain and watch the sunrise, which was mostly obscured by the cloud. Very pretty. I love nature.

We also drove by the outdoor sunrise service on 9000, also moved indoors but we were later from being up the canyon and watching the sunrise. Still, I think they moved indoors also.

It is nice and fairly warm, not cold as was the case for the past 2 years, due to the cloud cover. The clouds are beautiful, looks like someone took cotton balls and carefully hung them in the sky.

Our family members are coming over at 5pm for the Easter dinner. Hope it's still not raining and nice outside so we can have a small Easter egg hunt with the kids. I have the plastic eggs ready with some candy; if it's cold or raining we'll just do it downstairs.

Yikes...

...the month is half over and only one post. Since I started this back up my goal is at least one post a week.

Soccer games for the squirrels last Saturday and today. Always fun to attend. Macy scored 2 goals last week, saved a bunch of would-be scores as keeper, and Stella was 1/2 second from scoring. Hattie enjoys running on the field. Rhett loves crawling on the grass and eating it and yelling at Papaw to hold him.

Rick just got back from Mexico City. He is so tired of traveling and nonsense with work.

Tomorrow is Easter; we are hosting a dinner with the Upstills,et al,  Braden and fam, and us, of course. Beautiful weather the last few days. Rick and I are going to the sunrise service I have attended for the last 2 years - supposed to rain. I hope it holds off and we can get in a beautiful service. I love being outdoors, in the garden area, at the foot of the mountain with the sun rising over it, listening to music and hearing the sermon.

Rick has finished the "room of my own" downstairs. Really impressed with his work. The carpet was supposed to laid yesterday but the carpet place ordered the wrong one. Then he was going to lay it at 7 this morning, but his son was sick all night and this is Easter weekend with lots of activities. So Monday morning it is. Yay. I'm looking forward to organizing myself.

Cheryl was staying with Braden and seeing her newest grandchild and the others, and came over and spent a morning with me. So much fun to see her. Wish we could get together more, but we are both busy with kids, gkids, and just life.

Ferris Wheel at Scheels

Paige and Fam were going to Scheels and asked if we wanted to meet. Rhett was too little to ride the Ferris Wheel, but the rest of us had fun. Kincade went looking at stuff, Rick watched Rhett and took pics.

This little cute face cannot be denied.

 

Nor this one.

 

Old enough to ride by themselves now.

 

"Please don't fall out."

Rhett's 1st Birthday

Last night was the birthday party for Rhett's 1st. His actual date is March 26, which is Tuesday. That little guy is so cute, as Jason says, if someone could squeeze out his cuteness into a bottle, it would sell for a lot of money.

His little mouth got covered with the frosting, but otherwise wasn't quite as excited about the cake as we had hoped.

 Rick plays a game with Rhett, putting his hat off and on and each of their heads. Rick has done that with all the gkidz; Stella said you need to get Rhett his own hat - voila! the perfect birthday present. And of course, Kincade loves the Jazz.

This little tricycle contraption is a 4 in 1: It has the push bar in back to make it a stroller, umbrella, and other amenities, and eventually can take it all off and just be his first trike. It was cold outside, but this little guy loved it. I have a feeling he's going to want to be outside all summer.

Spring Weather

This week has been beautiful Spring weather in the high 50s. Last Mon or was it Tues? we got 4 inches of snow. The leaves are budding on some of my trees, the spring bulbs are 4-5 inches high. Percy and I have been going on walks everyday.

With Daylight Saving Time it stays light later in the evening, which is nice. Still, I don't like it. Just choose a time, on or off, and stay on that. Mom used to complain about it and I didn't see the big deal. Now I do.

Babysitting Gkidz

Rick and I are loving being here and watching the gkidz grow day by day, which we have never gotten to do before. I have been here more than Rick certainly, but even for me it's so much fun to dash over for an hour or evening or afternoon.

Rick was just certain that Rhett was saying "hat" last night, I think he was also. Paige came home and we were telling her, Rick said hat and Rhett looked over where the hat sat on the table. When we were leaving I said goodbye to Stella; Rhett said Buu and waved his hand for his bye. Paige, Rick, and I looked at each other in amazement.

Stella is growing into a young woman before our eyes. Macy is so independent, has a plan and wants to do everything for herself. Hattie is just adorable.

Snow Storm in March

Hopefully this is winter's last hurrah, at least here in the valley.
Rick was supposed to leave for Indy at 8am, yesterday they cancelled both flights, he rebooked. Got up this morning, they had cancelled his Dallas connection due to 100mph hurricane like winds. That was all it took for him to decide it was ill-omened. Plus the upper Plains states were expecting 2 feet of snow. I'm sure some of that will hit Indy.

Scott was going to stay overnight with me, plus I was having a ggrrl or two staying also. I'll put it all on hold until he leaves on Sun, which is when he replanned his trip.

Skiers should be happy, and we all should appreciate the extra moisture for the hot, dry summer which will come.

St George Condo

A couple of months ago Kincade made arrangements for a condo in St George; Rick and I, Scott and Treena, and Paige and Kink and their family were going to go and enjoy some warm weather.

It was last weekend, Scott ended up not being able to go because of work. That left an empty room, so Rich, Cathie, and Casie came down instead. It was a fun weekend, did rain some and not as warm as usual, but a good time. We swam in the pool, hot tubed on our balcony, hiked and played in the sand dunes, and hiked on the red rocks above the city.

It made me realize how much I do like St George and how much I miss going there, especially to see my mom and spend time with her. She lived there close to 25 years and loved it. Definitely her second home. The below pic is of Rick, Yvonne, Stella and Macy on the rocks above the city. Mom took us there many, many years ago and I love to return and climb. So pretty.

Macy has always liked hot and spicy food; she was obsessed with Taki's Hot and Lime taquitoes. Rick bought a new chip and now that's her new fav. I told her to take a pic of it so I could make sure I bought them again. She not only took a pic, but a video. Love her personality. Love all their personalities. Each of the gkids is unique and special and bring this to our family. So much fun to see Rhett as his personality takes form.

One Year Hiatus

I was searching for the church I went to for the early morning sunrise Easter service, and completely unexpectedly, my blog popped up on the search engine. I read thro the blog post of 2 years ago and it make me realize how much I miss not keeping up with this record of my life. It was a kind of journal for me.

Here goes again...I'm not going to try and make up for the year I missed, but will instead just pick it back up from this date.

Jason and Justin arrived on Thursday at 10am and Rick and I picked them up. We went to Harmon's for lunch with their soup and salad bar (a Jason and Justin fav), back to our house in Daybreak, then down to Paige's to see Rhett. Rick stayed because he had a work phone call, plus was picking up Ashley and Chris (whose flight ended up being delayed).

Stayed at Paige's until the grrls got there, then left, as Thurs night is their crazy busy night. Everyone got in the hot tub later, not Scott, he hurt his back at work and the heat is not good for it right now, needs ice.

Friday it rained, Jason, Chris, and I took Percy for a walk anyway, quite cold with the rain and blowing wind. Justin and Ashley had to work until 12pm. Paige and Kincade came down, we all chatted and enjoyed each other's company.

Saturday Kincade brought the kidz down while Paige went to Gordon Wilson's funeral. (Sad note, he had developed Alzheimer's about 9 years ago, soon after their 2 missions. It was a celebration of his life.)

We all went to Dunford's for donuts, then J2 took the 3 grrls to Target to pick out General Doll clothes, which they loved doing. The four left to go skiing, Paige was meeting them at Sundance. Scott couldn't go because of hurt back, he's still walking funny. They got home from skiing at 9:30, straight to the hot tub.

Sunday Paige and crew came up, Scott brought food, Rick grilled, and I fixed sides. We talked, played games, played with the squirrels and Rhett (really need to come up with a name for the four of them as squirrels no longer seems to fit). Scott took the squirrels to the gas station for treats, which they love doing.

Rick started his first airport run with J2, Paige and fam left, as did Scott and Treena. Percy had been home in his crate and needed out time, he is not usually in there any long than 3-4 hours. Soon it was time for second airport run; I was sad on the drive home, it was such a busy and fun weekend.

 

 

 

 

COPA

This is the theatre, dance, music place that the ggrrls go to. It is quite expensive, but they have enjoyed it. Last Sat they had their Winter performance, luckily I was here and got to go. I met Paige and Kincade, we went out to lunch (delish place called Guru's), and then to the 3 hour performance. It was great.

Rick to Utah

Rick got here on Thurs late, plane was delayed 45 min or so, finally got to bed just after 1am.
Construction meeting with Simon at 10am on Fri. It was fun and quite useful. Really enjoyed the walk thro the house, Rick and I are getting quite excited about getting moved here.

We left the walk thro, hustled over to Stephanie's house to pick up Hattie. Paige and Kincade were already gone, driving to their St George vacay with 6 other couples. Got some lunch, then back to their house waiting for Stella and Macy to get home from school.

Stayed overnight, it was nice to spend the time with the ggrrls.

Busy day on Sat with the ggrrls, went to 2 parks. When we came home, we couldn't get the garage door opened. Luckily I had brought my key. Rick looked in and the two springs had broken. We let Paige and Kincade know.

Rich and Cathie came and got the ggrrls at 6, we went back to the townhouse.

On Monday Rick offered to set up a garage door fixer and we got the ggrrls from the Upstills, then to the house in time for the repair guy.

Paige and Kink got home at 4, we stayed chatting until 6:30 then came back to the townhouse. We got up this morning and went to see the grrls before school, tried to see the builder John (we still need to chat with him).

We are going out to a late lunch with Scott and Treena. I'm staying another two weeks, then home.

Flu and colds

Lots flu and colds going around. The little squirrels I think were the incubators, but really, we could have picked it up anywhere, there's so much. It might even have been Scott, who's been hacking since Thanksgiving.

The list is long:
Justin
Treena
Rick
Kincade
and to lesser extents me, Jason

Here's hoping to a better New Year when this is over.

Macy bday

Macy's birthday is Jan 3, so last night she got to choose where to go eat and she choose Costa Vida. Paige and Kincade like Café Rio better, but this place is good. She opened she family presents also. I brought mine; with Stella I waited until the larger family party on Sunday but with Macy I let her open last night. Mainly because I only got her clothes and thought she might like to start wearing them to school today and tomorrow.

So much fun being here in Utah and getting to do all the family/ggrrl stuff that I have missed out on.

Rick and I will miss Texas and Chris (for however long he stays) but it will be so much better being here in Utah with Paige and family and getting to see the little squirrels all the time.

Hattie and her smile

Excitement

Christmas

Christmas Activities for 2017

 

Thurs Dec 21                                    Chris arrives 11:57pm

 

Fri Dec 22                                          Jason and Justin arrive 10:08am

                                                            Park City

                                                            Temple Square 5 or 6pm with Paige family

 

Sat Dec 23                                         Rick arrives 11:20am

                                                           Gingerbread Houses with Paige

                                                           Played games

 

Sun Dec 24                                        Church with Paige around 12:30pm

                                                       Boys went skiing for 1/2 day

 

                                                            Christmas Eve dinner, skits, readings at townhouse

                                                       Nativity play with everyone

                                                            The guys are in charge of food, yummy

 

Mon Dec 25                                      Brunch, Open presents at Paige's
                                                           Dinner at Upstills 4pm

                                                            Chris departs 7pm

 

Tues Dec 26                                      Jason and Justin depart 10:00am

Wed Dec 27                                      Rick departs 3:30pm

It was a fun but quick 5-6 days. I miss everyone. Lots of pics on the photostream, not going to try and post any here.

School Christmas Programs

So happy I could be out here to watch the ggrrls Christmas programs. The older ggrrls started at 1:15. I got there at 12:30 to get good seats - still chose the wrong ones! Cathie was there, Rich had to work, as did Kincade, Paige had to take Hattie to Preschool, so no Hattie, Paige came just before it started, and Scott made it, he didn't work until 3.

Then over to Preschool for Hattie's. Of course my ggrrls are the cutest and the mostest. This pic was taken at home after all the programs.

Christmas decos made out of candy around So Jo

I need to find out who is making all of these, they are very complicated and fun looking. Lots of time and money, lots of artistry.

Jack Frost was out last night

I woke up this morning to fog and frost. So pretty. I needed to run out to Smith's at 8am and had to scrape the windows and let the defrosters do some defrosting. Absolutely gorgeous. But chilly at 23*.

I didn't have a scraper (no need for one in Texas!) so I also went to Walmart and got a short scraper and a long one with brush.