Phoenix Spring Visit 2022

We wanted to get to Scott's before it got much hotter there.

We decided to drive this time to see what that journey would look like.

We decided to cut the drive in half and spent the night in Albuquerque.

Here's my driver.

 I have not been taking as many pictures lately when we go visiting. 

Sometimes I feel like I'm taking pictures and not being in the moment.

Action picture in the kitchen. Fajita night. YUM

Saturday night Scott was performing in his Stake's music concert in the park. Every time this train came by, Fred would walk with the boys up to see it. They are so fascinated with trains.

It was shady and perfect weather for an outdoor concert.

Saturday morning we all went to Evan's t-ball game. It was hot on the field for the team, but Jess and I found some shade. Thank goodness!

This marble set came in the mail the day we arrived.

It was very popular!

Scott is the coach for Evan's t-ball team so he recruited Fred to be First Base Coach.

Evan looked very official in his uniform. 

On Sunday night I received a message from Janene Barrett in Bremerton. She said she was cleaning out the Primary closet at the Stake Center and found this hat. We were all rather stunned at how it was even possible for us to miss that Scott returned home without his cub scout hat. 

Janene and I sent messages back and forth for a while. She said she would mail it to Scott.

Then on Monday, I received another message from her.

Apparently, we are worse parents than we thought. 

She found his Webelos hat too!

So much fun was had with that turn of events. 

We had such a good time.

Graham finally warmed up to us and that made a big difference.

We didn't feel so useless. 

It was a long drive home. We hit heavy rain and traffic jam in Colorado Springs.

It felt good to get home after all of that driving.

Totally worth it!

March stuff

I bought $10 tickets to the Lamb of God.

I honestly expected it to be a snoozer type performance.

Lots of soft music that would put me to sleep.

WOW - it was nothing like that.

Beautiful music and lovely voices. 

There were about 7-10 characters dressed in performance black that portrayed

the people in the scriptures covering the Crucifixion. 

It really was amazing. 

We invited our new friends (that we hope to do more stuff with)

to come with us. 

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory first. 

Most delicious cheesecake ever!!

Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake!

During the month of March we had quite a bit of snow. Fred offered to drive me to and from work. I was more than happy to let him do that. Not so much because I was afraid to drive in the snow, but getting out of work at 8 or 9 PM and having to brush snow off the car - Terrible experience.

Scott and Jess and the boys took a vacation to the Bremerton area. I asked if they could stop by the Tahoma National Cemetery and take some pictures of the headstone for Mom and Dad. The headstone, of course, was not complete when we had Dad's services. The finished headstone is so beautiful. Even more so because of the flowers they took for display. I was so grateful for their willingness to do that for me.

We went with Shannon and Brian's family to see the Harlem Globetrotters. Very entertaining. Shannon tries to take the kids to some type of sporting event each month. We will try to tang along with them for those.

So those are our March highlights!

 

February Events

This month was full of cold temperatures and snow. Fred was a prince to take me to work and then pick me up because I'm a little chicken about driving in the snow. The temps have been single digits. The last few days I've driven the Subaru to and from work and did okay. Not really any fresh snow so I was brave. Fred driving me is a very strong love language for him. He is always looking out for my safety. 

Fred and I went to see The Wizard of Oz on stage. It was really so good. I'm always amazed how spot on the actors are compared to the original actors. In the Pace Center Theater there is no bad seat.

We made some progress in getting the living room in order. I got both curio cabinets set up. I couldn't remember how I had things arranged before, but finally got them how I like.

I'm not done here yet. I have stuff to put on top. 

We decided we wanted to have really nice temple picture in the living room. We had to decide which temple we wanted to hang up. The Los Angeles, Seattle, St. George and now Denver were our choices because they are the ones we have/will attend during our lives on a regular basis. LA and Seattle Temples are actually quite plain and we never developed a fondness for St. George - So Denver was the winner. We ordered this print of the Denver Temple.

Since I left my job in January of 2021, I've gained 20 lbs. Between that transition and honestly all the stress related to moving and planning our new living space, I've been super stressed. When I went to my doctor and we talked she suggested I take something to take the edge off. So I'm back on an anti-depressant. I was feeling on the edge of anger all the time. So the rest of the story is I have decided to join the Optavia Program that Krista Radeke has been so successful losing weight on. I just have not been able to get a handle on losing the weight. It has affected me in every aspect of my ability to settle here and be comfortable with myself. I've not been comfortable being my usual outgoing self. That's a problem for me. So here are my two before pictures. 

So this brings us to today.

Let's get caught up

 We enjoyed an early Christmas Celebration with Scott and Jess and the boys. 

A very fun evening was at The Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale. I hope we do this every year from now on. It was the perfect event for adults and children.

Scott and Jess did a special evening reading by candlelight. The boys really like this. I appreciate their efforts to do these important and meaningful activities even if it is a few more years before the boys get more out of the words that are read than the excitement of the candles. I know they do hear and internalize some of what they hear. 

Always such good and healthy food when we visit. I enjoy it so much. I really love how Scott and Jess work on their health as a team.

I bought tickets for the Nutcracker so we girls could make a night of it.

I hope we do this every year. 

Shannon's family eats at IHOP every Christmas Eve.

I like the tradition. This year Brian's parents were here so it was a big night.

In the middle of the holidays my special forever friend Joy Abbey passed away. The funeral was held in Logan Utah. We made the trip to Corinne's to stay a few days. Shannon flew in so we all made the drive up the canyon. It was really so nice to see Howard, Melody, Melissa and Jared. This is a special family to us. So many memories. Even though it was a sad reason to get together, it was joyful just the same.

We went to the National Western Stock Show for something new and fun to do. It was a good time. It's amazing that these cowboys risk their lives riding the bulls and bucking horses. Eek

I snapped this picture because we have one just like it when M was little at the Children's Museum in St. George doing the same thing.

Some of these cows were so pretty. Big Brown soft eyes. What a creature.

First Part of December 2021

Blake and Marissa created Family Movie Night.

We have held it four Sundays now.

We are provided a ticket each week showing what movie we will see.

Each week the production takes on a new dimension. The kids set up check in tables and now menus for what treats are available. Last night dinner was provided. Things like nachos, chips and cheese, nuggets, yogurt to name a few. Then there were sides, drinks and treats. All prepared by the kids.

It is a very fun tradition. I hope we continue to do it. 

Marissa has also created a chart for Family Home Evening. 

We all take turns with an activity, treats, song, dinner.

 I think it's a moving target as far as what we do. 

We finally arranged to go back to St. George to pick up our stuff from Sharlotte. We drove I-80 to avoid road closure and so it made driving to Corinne's new home first. It was a shorter day too.

After spending the first night there, we drove the rest of the way to St. George. We picked up our stuff and were able to spend the night at our previous Bishop's home. We also went out to dinner with Ken and Jan Harris. We had to go to Zupas because they don't have one in Colorado. Also hit Arctic Circle for our favorite Moose Tracks Shake. Colorado does not have Artic Circles either. 

Fred finally took me to the Creamy on the way back to Corinne's. 

I've been waiting for years to try it out.

Another spill down the front of my shirt. Happens almost every time I eat.

The return trip to Corinne's for another night with her family. The boys opening their Advent calendars.

They also opened the Usborne Advent Calendar that Jess sent them.

Very cute little books to read each night before Christmas.

Garrett played a little concert of Christmas songs for us. He is very good.

Spencer also took a turn. Both boys are doing so well with their music.

 I'll post about our trip to Scott's in a few days.