My trip to Utah

I was able to spend a couple of days with Kim and Alanna on my recent visit to Utah. It was fun to spend individual time with each of them as well as the time we spent together. Kim and I were able to go shopping at the outlets in Park City. We visited, played games together and went to lunch. She took me to Alanna's where we stopped at Tai Pan to look around a bit before Kim had to head back home for work the next morning. I went into Alanna's class on Fri. morning and helped correct papers before I headed to the airport to get Karen. That afternoon Craig & Sue, Shonie and her children and Kim met us at the motel. It was the beginning of our annual Race for the Cure event. RACE FOR THE CURE Craig and Sue brought pink hats for everyone to wear. Our pink attire is growing and growing. It was fun riding Trax into Salt Lake and getting there early enough to take advantage of all the freebes. We were asked to pose for photographs by the news and the event people. We were asked if we were a team and if so what was our name, that got us thinking that next year we will register as a group and our group name will be "Team MandM. (M and M standing for Momma and Mary) In Mom's memory. We plan on handing out little packages of MandMs with a note that say's thanks for walking. They also asked why we walked. As I thought about that, my answer would have been for my Mom, my sisters, my 3 daughters, daughter-in-law, and 3 granddaughters and all the women in my life. I hope this is a tradition that I can participate in for many years. My biggest hope is that some day there will be a cure for this diease. Later that day we all headed to the park where we could just relax and visit. Susie and her family came to visit. It was fun seeing everyone. Some of us made fools of ourselves as we played "curses". Then we all went to Texas Roadhouse for a great dinner. Thanks Alanna and Eric for buying my dinner for Mother's Day. (yes, I had the roadkill, since Alanna said it looks like me:) MOTHER'S DAY: I was able to go to church with Alanna and listen to the wonderful lesson she gave the YW on honoring their Mother's and other women in their lives. We then got Karen and Kim and headed to Smithfield. This was the first time I have been there since Mom's funeral. It was hard for me to go but knew it would be much easier with Karen, Kim and Alanna with me. We enjoyed the drive there, (thanks Alanna for taking us) as we noticed the many changes in Logan since we had last been there. Sue has been so special at keeping Mom and Dad's grave decorated so nicely. It was such a beautiful day with a bright blue sky. It was so peaceful being there and remembering Mom on Mother's Day. I miss her and Dad so much and was surprised at how close I felt to them while we were there. Afterward we drove past the house and was very pleased to see it in such good condition. The new owner is taking good care of it. It did seem strange to just drive by and not get out. I pictured Mom being in the kitchen baking bread waiting for us to arrive. I could see Dad sitting under the tree enjoying the cool breeze and sunshine with Skipper by his side. Thank goodness for memories and for the knowledge we have of seeing them again. CITY CREEK MALL: Alanna took Karen and I to the City Creek Mall that is just across the street from Temple Square. It is a beautiful upscale mall with water fountains, creek and a small waterfall. The fountains are beautiful as they spray to music. It was so peaceful and calm as we watched the fountains and walked along the creek. It was so neat to walk out of the mall and see the temple across the street. I'm sure that Chrismas time will be magical with the decorations I'm sure they'll have, along with the decorations at Temple Square. It was a fabulous week and it went way to fast. I cherish the time I have to spend with my children. I love the girls week as we like to call it. Jen, you were missed tremendously. I look forward to the time we can all live closer so it is practical for all to attend. It was hard to say goodbye and head on back home. But the memories and the hope for next year makes it possible.

Trans-Siberian Orchastra

Dad found out that the TSO was going to be in Eugene, OR. so he called Curt to see if him and Suzanne would like to go. Since Suzanne wanted to I broke down and said I'd go as well. Brandon and Heather were going to go but Brandon had to work so Mike and Carrie bought their tickets and went with us. We all met at the hotel and went to Subway for dinner just in time to get to the concert. I had talked to Suzanne and asked her if she knew any thing about them and she said no. I told her that the last time I went with Gary I told him it was too loud, too long and too bright. She said maybe she'd better bring earplugs, sunglasses and a book. I thought that was a good idea.The first half of the concert is good because they tell a story and it's pretty interesting but the last part just goes on and on. Dad, Mike and Curt loved it. Us girls would have all been happy if it would have ended right after the story. It was fun being together and we enjoyed our visit with Carrie and Mike as we drove there and back. Carrie found out that there was a Vodoo Donut shop just a couple blocks from our motel, so we walked there for breakfast the next morning. They had unusual donuts, such as: bacon, fruit loops, dirt donut with oreos on it etc. Dad got the dirt donut and I played it safe with a glazed old fashioned.

Time with Karen In Wenatchee

Karen wasn't going to be able to meet in Salt Lake for the Race for the Cure because Katy was suppose to have their baby that week.  So she came up here instead.  I picked her up at the airport and we headed to Wenachee for a few days.  Thursday night they had a girls night out with special shopping downtown and a reception.  It cost $20.00 to sign up for that so we thought it would be a fun thing to do.  However it ended up being a waste of money and we didn't even go to the reception.  We did enjoy being together and had lots of laughs.  On Fri. we went into Levenworth and looked in all the shops.  The first shop we went to we found our prized purses.  I looked at Karen and said, "If you get one I will."  So we ended up buying what I call my traveling bag.  I told Dad that it's big enough to hold everything we need like a camera, my Kindle my wallet etc. and he could carry it.  His reply was it looked like a Mexican purse.  (can you believe that?)  We asked the lady at the shop to take our picture then she took one with her camera to put on their facebook.  Yup! we are on their facebook. (I guess that makes us famous) Sat. morning we headed back to Seattle and went shopping at Ikea until it was time to say good bye as Karen headed back to AZ.  It was such a fun sister time.  Thanks for the memories, Karen.

Catching Up

It has been a while since I did a new post.  So this post is just random events that we've had the past few months. 
Then end of Feb. I was able to fly to Jen and Joel's for a visit.  It is so much easier to surprise the kids that I'm coming so Jen doesn't have to hear from the younger kids, "when's Grandma coming" every day.  Sammy decided that they were going to airport to look at planes and he told the kids to look out their window and watch the planes.  All of a sudden I hear Joshie yell, "It's Grandma."  All the way home the kids were chatty and excited to tell me all about the things they had been doing.  Thomas and Spring were able to go to a friends house after school and we picked them up from there.  Spring answered the door and was speechless and just stared at me for the longest time.  Finally Thomas came and saw me and when he said "Grandma," it caused Spring to respond.  It was pretty funny.  I was able to spend special time with each one of them which is always fun.  I loved going to band practice with Thomas.  I am very impressed with the band program.  I had lunch with Spring and got to work in her classroom.  Sammy and I went shopping together.  They younger three had special one on one with me at their house.  At first Gideon would turn his head everytime I would talk to him.  It didn't take him long to warm up to me.  It was a fun week and I always look forward to the time I can spend with them.  Jen and I had time to visit as well as she helped me with Alanna's Christmas gift. (yes, I'm already starting) The time went way to fast and I was on the plane heading home.


I've tried to have Isaac and Lydia over one at a time.  I was able to take Isaac for a hair cut, let him fingerpaint and then he made a butterfly wall hanging for his Mom for Mother's Day.  When I had Lydia we made cookies and she she made her butterfly for her Mom.  They each know they get a turn and look forward to their special time with me.  At one visit Isaac said to me,"Grandma I love spending time with you."  That made my day.  I love spending time with each of my grandchildren.


Alanna and Eric were able to come up for a fast visit in March when Eric's brother got married.  We picked them up from the airport on Fri. then went to lunch.  Brandon and Heather came to visit with them.  We all went to Blueberry for frozen yougart before I had to take them to meet Eric's parents.  It was a short but fun visit.

A Little Piece of Heaven

My all time favorite place to go is to In N Out. Today, since it's Mother's Day, I decided to splurge. I wanted to remember this trip so I had Alanna and Karen take pictures.

HEAVEN- just beginning my dinner. Check out the SMILE on my face

YUM!  This is the best place ever!  I am their biggest fan!

Anymore in the bag???  It can't be all gone yet.

I am now a proud owner of an In N Out T-shirt too!  It's what I've always wanted! :)