A Quick Trip to Provo

I had originally planned to fly to Provo last weekend so that I could meet Krista's Mom, Terri, who was flying out from Kentucky for the week to find a wedding dress and make other wedding plans.  Then, when I found out Josh was playing an intramural basketball game at BYU all of a sudden Craig wanted to come with me!  Since his flex day was that Friday, he only had to take a half day off on Thursday. I was able to bank my plane ticket to use another time and we were off.  We left after preschool on Thursday and stopped in Cedar City to have our taxes done at about 9 p.m.  We have the best tax guy and the dearest friend --- Thanks Brian for waiting for us!  Then we spent that night in Parowan at the home of the mayor.  It was snowy off and on all weekend and the mountains were so pretty it looked like a painting. 

Friday morning we took off first thing and hit nasty weather in Beaver county, which was a little un-nerving since we were driving our little jeep liberty.  We made it to Provo safe and sound and rendesvoused with Krista and her Mom and roomates at a bridal shop in the University Mall. It was so great to meet Terri and that Krista is so adorable!  She is so tall and slender (size 4) that EVERY gown looked gorgeous on her.  She had narrowed it down to the top 7.  I left with the girls (Terri, Krista , and her roomates, Sarah and Ashley) to have lunch and look at another shop while Craig opted to eat on his own and hit Barnes and Nobles with all the lovely gift cards he received for Christmas.  Krista narrowed it down to the top 2 dresses, so we went back to the mall and she found the perfect dress.  Terri was staying with friends in Mapleton, and we were all invited there for dinner that night. 

After dinner it was back to Provo to watch Josh's basketball game where we got to see my nephew Danny Jacobson and  meet his girlfriend, Alaska, AKA Danielle Cluff .  It was so good to be in a gym again and watch Josh play!  We have missed those basketball years!  On the way back to the motel we stopped at Sonic for a fresh lime and that lovely bally ice!

Criag and I stayed in Provo at the Travelodge on University Ave It was a bargain-  nice and clean, comfy king size bed and a yummy continental breakfast.  Even though it's  older, it was a great place and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.  After a visit to the Cotton Shop (my favorite quilt shop in Provo) we met Josh at his store (Shape Up) in Lehi and he gave us the tour.  Then I dropped Craig off back at the motel for some quiet time with the Olympics and his new books (I believe a nap was also involved) while I met Krista and Terri so we could finish up some wedding shopping.  When we went in the mall about 1:00 it was sunny and clear, and when we left it was a blizzaard and I got my first taste of driving in the snow. This is what it looked like out the window when I parked.  .  .

After we finished up shopping we all got together for dinner at Red Robin, where I had my first crummy Whiskey River Burger because they insisted on cooking it well done. So sad.  It was a quick trip but it was so good to spend a little time with Josh and Krista and see how happy they are!  We miss our little Joshy!  It was also weird to be in Provo for the first time since Ben & Jamie have moved and we missed them all weekend long. 

We had planned to drive home Sunday morning but the weather was bad so we waited for the roads to get cleared and by then we would have been stuck in the Vegas traffic coming home, so we stayed in Parowan another night and had a yummy dinner and a nice visit with Mom and Dad.  We got home Monday afternoon and now it's back to reality.  I can't believe the month of February is already coming to a close!!!

Another Disneyland Day

Melissa wanted to go to Disneyland one last time before our passes expired (and we maybe take a break before renewing them this time. We're thinking about holding out until fall or maybe even later). After all our rainy weather last week, it was nice to be outside. It was perfect weather: low 60's and sunny! It was a beautiful day. That means not cool enough for sweatshirts and not warm enough to sweat and melt and have to put up our hair up in clips. A new experience for us!

Not only was the weather perfect, there was no crowd at all. We were actually able to have our picture taken in front of the giant floral Mickey at the entrance. . .

. . . and in front of the castle! Even though we were all blinded by the bright sun, it was too good of a photo op to pass up! Notice how cute Melissa looks in every pictureMelissa took both the boys on the rockets, but it was a little tricky getting Dylan to follow directions and scoot up . . . .

. . . . . so Melissa could get her long legs in the jet and then strap them all in.

They did it! It was amazing that there were no lines. While they went on the Buzz ride I fed Austin his bottle. We only waited 10 minutes for the Peter Pan ride which I got to ride on with the boys and Melissa went with Austin. We ate lunch in Fantasyland. It was nice to eat outside where there were tons of tables. Melissa and the boys walked right on to the Carousel before we headed over to California Adventure for the Monster's Inc rideAustin was such a good baby, he even took a nap for over an hour and a half in the stroller. Such a sweet boys

Just as we noticed the closed sign on the Monster's Inc ride, they opened it back up so Melissa and the boys could walk right on it! Too cool.

Just as they were coming off the ride (I waited with sleeping Austin) I noticed Mr. Incredible and signaled to them to hurry for the photo op

His pal Frozone was there too

And Peter Pan! He was so cute with the boys. We have had such good luck with "nice" characters that make it extra special for the kids.

Then just as we were leaving we spotted Goofy! The boys were so excited to see all their favorite characters from their favorite movies.

We couldn't have asked for a better day. Luke noticed the "L" in the CALIFORNIA sign. He must have a great preschool teacher!

 And of course Dylan wanted a turn!

Such sweet brother! We walked right onto the tram to the parking lot, too. On our way out we even scored the front row where you don't have to fold up the stroller!

Dylan was out before we even left the parking garage! Did I say it was a perfect day???

JOSH & KRISTA ARE ENGAGED!!!

Last night Josh proposed to Krista Huckvale and she said YES!!! We are so excited and so happy for them. Cirlce June 5 and save the date. More details to follow : )

JAMIE THE WONDER WOMAN!

The year of 2010 began with a big change for us, as Jamie and the kids left to join Ben in Waynesville, Missouri where he is in training at Ft. Leonard Wood. Originally, he was going to be in Missouri until the end of February, and when his class was extended to the end of March, Jamie made up her mind right then and there that she would just load up the kids and meet him there. They got this news on Monday, January 4, and she left the next Monday, January 11!!! Once Jamie makes her mind up, just get out of her way and watch her do her magic. She is amazing!!!

So, that little fireball got online, found a house to rent, mapped her route and planned to drive 6 hours each day, and made hotel reservations in advance. The remainder of the week was crazy getting things packed and washed and ready to move and travel with a 3 year old and 11 month old in a car for 4 days.

The most difficult part of the move was having to give up their beloved dog, Roxy. She is truly an amazing dog, ( and I am so not an animal lover) but with the moves ahead of them and the uncertainity of what Army life will bring, it was for the best. Jamie put the word out and in a few days Melissa found a home for her with one of her friends. Jamie took Roxy to the new home the day before they left while Kaylee was napping. Although it was difficult, Jamie feels so glad that Roxy has a new family that adores her and they keep in touch with texts and emails. Interestingly, Kaylee has not mentioned Roxy once since then. It will be a sad day when she realizes her puppy is gone, but until then, no news is good news!

Their stops were Flagstaff, Arizona; Santa Rosa, New Mexico; and Oklahoma City. The third day was a bit challenging for her but all in all it was a good trip and everyone survived. Check out their blog at ben-jamie-kaylee.blogspot.com for more details. She packed every belonging into the car, with just enough room left for the 2 kids and she put the cooler, food and diaper bag in the front seat. These pictures do not even begin to show how full that car was, but you get an idea! The car has a dark tint on the windows so I couldn't get any other pictures.
We are so glad that their little family is together that it has helped us not to miss them quite as much. I keep thinking I hear Blake waking up upstairs, Kaylee playing or I expect Jamie to come walking through the front door. It's been way too quiet, but I think we could get used to it! We are just so glad we got to spend the last 5 months with them. I finally finished Blake's quilt --- I got the fabric in April and it's been cut out since August. [brown minkee on the back and flannel on the front] It was so nice to sew again [after being lazy for so long] and I got it done in the nick of time!

My Grandmommie

My sweet grandmother passed away just 10 days before her 97th birthday. Her health had been failing and it was a blessing when she passed away after being in a care center for over 5 years. The thing that was difficult for me was realizing that it had been over 20 years since Grandaddy passed away. It doesn't seem possible that they have been apart for that long. What a comfort to know that they are together at long last! Because they were from Texas/Oklahoma, we always called them Grandmommie and Grandaddy and thought how special we were to have them AND a Grama and Grampa!

My sister, Suzy, and I visited her in November and her eyes were so bright. We were so happy that she recognized us. Aunt Sharon later told us that was her last good day. What a huge blessing that was for Suzy and I!

The funeral was last week, so my parents made a quick trip down here, arriving on Tuesday, attending the funeral on Wednesday, and returning home on Thursday where Dad had his first Parowan City Council meeting.

I loved this beautiful poem my cousin, Gayle, read at the funeral. I don't think I've ever heard it before, and it was perfect. It was titled Life is Eternal but I also found it listed as Gone From My Sight or A Parable of Immortality, by Henry Van Dyke:

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,

spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts

for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a

speckof white cloud

just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mastand hull

and spar as she was when she left my side.

And, she is just as able

to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"

There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready

to take up the glad shout:

"Here she comes!"

And that is dying...

THE HONORABLE DON LANDES

On January 4th Dad was sworn in as the Mayor of Parowan, Utah

He won both the primary and general elections by over 60% of the vote!

WAY TO GO DAD!!!

Mark Bryant came up with the following slogans:

VOTE FOR LANDES... HE'S THE GRANDEST!

VOTE FOR LAND-ASS...HE'S A BAD ASS! : )
VOTE FOR DON...HE'S THE BOMB!

No wonder it was a landslide!!!