Cabo Memories

A few months ago we decided we wanted to get away from the cold and spend a little time somewhere warmer than Edmonton. We remembered how lovely Cabo San Lucas, Mexico was last year when we went with Mark, so we decided to go there for out week vacation.

 

We invited Doug's sister, Rhonda, and her husband Jim to go with us. It as an exciting time planning to go and Jim was particularly happy to be there away from work for a week.

 

 

We had a very relaxing time, doing a lot of reading, but each day we would get out for a good walk around the area.

 

 

 

We went swimming and snorkelling one day near Pelican Rock Beach. It was a beautiful ride out to the beach in a 'glass bottom boat'. Rhonda stayed on the beach and read and tended our stuff, while Jim, Doug and I went snorkelling. We saw so many beautiful fish here, tangs, parrot fish, trumphet fish,and others...so fun!

We cooked most of our meals in our condo kitchen, we can get good food and groceries from the local supermarkets that carry very American type foods...and Costco is nearby! We did have fun trying out a few local Mexican restaurants.

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed our week in Cabo, and especially spending time with Rhonda and Jim. Just being in a green, warm environment really gave us a good boost.....we hope to get back there again!

 

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Dinosaurs and a Birthday Dinner

We've had a fun week celebrating Doug's birthday, he was born on his mother's 25th birthday...so each year on January 27th we celebrate Doug and Helen's birthdays together! This year she made him 2 dozen homemade cinnamon buns...he was in Heaven!! Our sweet dog, Rachel, turned five, so Doug shared a bun with her!

We took Helen out to dinner on Saturday night to Montanas Restaurant, and had a great time. Lindsay and James and Rhonda and Jim joined us and we all laughed so hard when the 'horns' went on Grandma and the whole restaurant sang to her... she was a very good sport!!

Earlier in the week Jon called and asked if we would like to join them on Friday in Drumheller, they were going to the Tyrell Museum with the kids. They wanted to meet up and celebrate Dad's birthday. So, we got up early on Friday and drove 3 hours to Drumheller and pulled in just as Jon and Tiffy arrived! It was so fun to see them all again! The museum was awesome!! It was so funny to watch Josh and Ava, especially when the dinosaur 'roared'...they weren't sure what to think!

Before long Ava was just a trooper...checking everything out and looking at each of the dinosaurs very carefully, especially the size of their teeth!! There were so many different kinds of dinosaur fossils, were all very impressed!

 

Joshie is walking on his own, and really tries to run everywhere! It is so fun to watch him just take off and go...it sure makes it easier for Tiff. He just wandered all through the museum and once in awhile would stop and play with some display he found at his level. He is sure starting to look like a little boy and not a baby anymore!!

We are standing in front of a dinosaur named 'Black Beauty'. It was discovered several years ago by two men out fishing on the nearby Red Deer river. They found what they thought was a small fossil, and as it turned out, this massive dinosaur was eventually unearthed!! So amazing that these great massive dinosaurs roamed right under our feet!! Of course that was 10 million years ago...

 

 

 

Looks like this dinosaur is coming over to take a bite out of Tiff and Josh...no way...he's mine... says Tiffy!!! Wow, we could almost imagine being surrounded by snorting, hungry dinosaurs!! We really enjoyed learning about their history here in Alberta and throughout the world.

The Tyrell Museum has the largest display of fossils in the world... It was so interesting, even the kids loved it! We had alot of fun together...and now we are all dinosaur experts!

It has been a great week, and I am so happy to be married to a man that doesn't seem older, but is always very kind and wise! He continues to be a wonderful example and friend to his children and grandchildren!!

 

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Christmas Fun with Family

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, we spent the weekend before Christmas with Jon and Tiff and Ava and Josh at their home in Calgary. We went down on Friday night and took Grandma with us. Doug and I and Grandma were able to enjoy a Temple Session in the Calgary Temple on Friday.

Then on Saturday Doug, Mark and Jon went skiing and Grandma and I babysat Ava and Josh while Tiffany took some time off to 'catch up' on a few needed things! While we waited for everyone's return we made Christmas pizza pies!! After dinner we exchanged gifts and had so much fun watching Ava and Josh play with their toys!! We really enjoyed ourselves! We came back on Sat. night to teach our classes at church on Sunday.

As Christmas grew closer, Mark came home, and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time together with him and with Linds and James. They slept over on Cristmas eve, and we read the Christmas story together, and ate lots of munches! We had a really fun Christmas morning. I gave Doug a new pellet gun, and he was very excited about it!! We had a lovely Christmas day, enjoying good food and fun! Doug got me a new watch!! It's funny how excited we still get for Christmas morning...

 

Lindsay and I managed to get James, Mark and Dad some 'speeders' gift cards, which they loved and used over the Christmas holiday! It was so funny watching them race the cars around the track!! It was truly the perfect gift for them!

 

 

 

On Christmas Day, Doug and I flew down to Phoenix and spent a week with Cam, D and their three little girls...we didn't stay in Phoenix, however, and we drove up to Flagstaff Christmas night! Cam had planned several activities for all of us during our three day stay in Flagstaff. Thursday we got up and did some Christmas shopping for the kids. That evening, we rode on the Polar Express train, and saw Santa and we even received a shining silver bell!! The weather was really bad and we got caught in a bad snow storm on the way home, but we said a few prayers and made it home OK! The next day we enjoyed playing together in the hotel room and eating food that Cam had graciously brought in for us from a nearby store, it was fun to be 'holed up' in a hotel room with the kids! We were never up early enough to catch the free breakfast becuse it was finished by 9 AM!!

That evening we were actually transported to Santa's workshop in the North Pole...it was really exciting to be with all of the elves!! We got to visit with Santa and he was so kind!!! It was a wonderful evening, especially because it was our 34th wedding Anniversary!

 

The next morning we were so lucky to see Santa again and to have breakfast with him!! He really likes pancakes and syrup! We loved the buffet breakfast and ate until we were all very full! We then headed back home to Phoenix.

 

 

We spent several more days in Phoenix playing and relaxing...we watched movies, played with the new toys and even made a 'Rice Crispy' train...it was delicious!! Before we knew it, it was time for us to fly back to Edmonton...it was hard to go, but we kissed everyone goodbye and off we went back home!

What lovely memories we have of our Christmas 2012! It's all about families and the love we feel and share together! The greatest gift we received at Christmas was to see our children and their families growing in the gospel, in their desires to be and to do good! Our lives are very blessed!!

 

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Another Trip To Utah...To Bury My Mother!

Well, it has been a very eventful week. Last Friday as we were preparing our American Thanksgiving dinner, we got a call telling us that my mom was in the hospital. She had developed phemonia and was in serious condition. The doctor started her on antibiotics to help her, but it wasn't enough...soon enough...and by Saturday morning at 6:00 AM she had passed away. I am so grateful that I went down just a few weeks ago to see her with Kevin and Karla.

Little did I know that we would be back and burying her just three short weeks later!!

Doug and I quickly shuffled our work schedule for the next few days, talked with family and arranged a funeral date. We then booked our flights and headed to Utah!

We arrived in Salt Lake on Saturday evening and met up with Karla and her family. So good to see them again, and they always make us laugh, so it was good to be there!

Sunday morning early, Doug and I went up to Salt Lake City to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and to hear the 'Spoken Word'. What a wonderful experience, and to feel such a sweet spirit there. It was very good for me to be strengthened by the power of their music. When they sang "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again", I cried and cried, but it felt so good. I really am happy for my mom and I know that she is in a happier place now!

Sunday afternoon after church, Karla and I went over and cleaned out mom's belongings from her room at Orem Nursing and Rehab. Everybody was so kind there, saying how much they loved Gloria. We donated the majority of her things back to the nursing home. Karla had done such a good job of keeping current pictures of her family on her bulletin board...it was sad to now have to take them all down!

Karla, Bryan, Doug and I met with Berg Mortuary on Monday morning and they were tremendous!! They helped us plan this funeral every step of the way. Karla and I chose her casket which was a beautiful light burgundy color, with a lovely satin pattern inside. We thought she would like it!! Karla and I then had the privilege of dressing mom in her Temple Robes. Karla did her hair and I painted her nails...it was such a sweet experience to serve her in that way. She looked so beautiful!!

The viewing and funeral took place on Tuesday, November 27. It was so wonderful to see and meet with family that I hadn't seen for several years! My mom's sister, Aunt Betty and her husband, Clyde came with their son, David and his family. My father, Larry, has 3 living siblings, and they came...Gene, Paul and Marie with their spouses. Arlene and Ron came as well, and Brad's wife Michele and their daughter, Wendy and little Burton! Plus several cousins that knew my mom from years ago. It felt like heaven, with this grand reunion! So wonderful! I'm sure mom is having her own reunion as well.

 

The funeral services were short, but sweet. Kevin and Karla spoke and shared sweet memories, and then we sang John Denver's,"Country Roads". Kevin played his guitar and Karla and I joined him on the chorus... So fun!! Then I spoke sharing some thoughts and memories, and Doug followed up with a short spiritual message. I felt a special spirit there during the service, and I really think we gave a great tribute to our mother!

We then followed the hearse out to the Provo Cemetery, where she has a beautiful burial spot in the 'Angel Garden'. It was a lovely day, with the sun shining and the mountains creating a beautiful backdrop! We gathered together and bowed our heads as Kevin dedicated her grave. It was so good to see him in that "patriarchal role" blessing our Mother's grave. What a great experience!!

While we were in Utah we were able to go to Salt Lake and see the Christmas lights on Temple Square with Arlene and Ron. The lights go on forever and are gorgeous! The Tempe was beautiful shining so brightly through all the Christmas lights!

I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life, what would I do without knowing that I will see my mom again? It is so appropriate that she is buried in the 'Angel Garden'. I so look forward to that day when I will be reunited with that 'Angel Mother' of mine!! She had a difficult life, but through it all she gave to her posterity her example of great faith and perserverance!!

 

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Our Baby Boy Turned 33!!

Wow...it is hard to believe that 33 years ago today I had my first baby, a darling little boy. What a joy it was to finally be a parent!

And what to name him, hmmmm.....well we thought it should be a significant family name. Doug had his father Murray's name as his middle name so we decided to follow that tradition and name him Jonathan Douglas.

 

What a fun, gregarious little guy he grew to be, so cute with his curly blond hair! Today that little guy is grown up and is now 33!! So hard to believe how fast time flies. And that Doug and I could actually be the parents of a 33 year old!

To celebrate with him on his 'birthday weekend', we drove down to Canmore on Thursday night, and Jon met up with us on Friday morning so he and Doug could go skiing together at Sunshine. They had a wonderful day of skiing, lots of fresh snow and sunshine and no lines!

 

 

I spent some time relaxing and did a little Christmas Shopping in Banff. It is such a neat little town to roam around in, so many quaint little shops.

Jon and Doug returned safely, I was a little worried as this was there first trip out the season. Jon had to drive back to Airdrie and be the daddy and pick up the kids from day care!!

 

On Saturday we drive into Jon's place and met up with him and Tiff, Ava and Josh. We went out for Japanese food for lunch and had quite a good time watching Josh eat 'pickled radish' and 'pickled ginger'...and Ava particularly liked the Miso soup! It is always an adventure going out to eat with a three year and a one year old. So fun! These are times never to be forgotten. It was great for us to be with Jon and see him now with his own little 'babies'. There really is a 'Circle of Life".

After lunch we went back to Jon's place and he opened his birthday gifts. He was like a little kid again, opening his presents with excitement and having his kids 'helping' him. Josh loved the bumper cars Jon got and once he got his hands on it he wouldn't let go...a small battle ensued between Josh and Jon as to who was going to be the first one to play with the bumper cars.

This was also a very significant day for Ava because she got her very first pair of glasses on Saturday. They look so cute and she can see so much better!! She loved playing her dad's birthday harmonica.

Jon looks kinda bushy with his 'Movember' beard and mustache. It's now so soft, Ava loves to touch it and runb her hands along her daddy's face.

 

Josh is almost walking!!! He takes about three steps before he reaches out for something to support him. I give him two weeks before he is running!! He has gone from a baby to a toddler almost overnight!

Well, we left jon's around 5 and met up with Mark for dinner. He is doing good and actually beginning to enjoy his teaching job!

We left Calgary around 8:00 pm and drove to the cabin. We stayed overnight there to check on everything and make sure all was well. It was so beautiful there with the snow framing the cabin. It was so peaceful and quiet...a wonderful place to sleepover!

It was wonderful to celebrate with Jon this weekend, and even though he is getting older...we aren't!!

 

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To Utah...for family, food, and fun!

Several weeks ago I was beginning to think that it was time for me to go to Utah again. I love driving down to Utah to visit my family, but it was getting late in the Fall and I wasn't sure I should go. I mentioned the trip to my dear friend, Eileen Hallett, and she said she would be very happy and excited to go with me...her daughter moved to Utah last February!

Well, that was all I needed to go...a good co-pilot! So we set a date to go, and looked forward to it with fun anticipation! We left early Wednesday morning (on Halloween), stopping by Doug's office to say good-bye to everyone. Lindsay was working that day, and gave us some delicious homemade pumpkin muffins for our breakfast!! It was a great way to start to our trip!

The weather was a little snowy as we drove through Red Deer and into Calgary. We had arranged to meet up with Eileen's daughter, Leslie, at a designated meeting place, but she got slowed down by fog!! She finally made it, and we had a great visit...she brought us a delicious lunch! She has a catering business, and had made us some wonderful food! Eileen had brought a cooler with sandwiches...so we had a great feast all the way into Montana!!

We managed to drive all the way down to Butte the first day, a very beautiful drive, especially through the 'Gates of the Mountains' along the Missouri River. We arrived just as it was getting dark. We settled in and watched the news in our hotel room about 'Hurricane Sandy', as well as what was happening with the election!

Thursday morning we started on our way again, but first enjoyed the hotel's complimentary breakfast of pumpkin waffles! It was a beautiful day in Montana, fairly warm and sunny, perfect for driving!! We arrived in Bountiful at Arlene and Ron's condo around 5:00. P.M. Eileen's daughter, Monique, met us to pick up Eileen and we enjoyed visiting with her!

It was good to see Ron and Arlene again, I love their condo in Bountiful, it is always fun to meet up with them there! They are both doing so well, Arlene is walking 3 miles everyday, except Sunday...wish I was doing that! Ron's health is so much better now, they bought a cute little trailer for their property up in Logan Canyon.

Friday morning Arlene and I were up early and off to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. There we met up with Eileen and the three of us had a special 'training meeting' on the new program 'Family Tree'. It was great to be able to ask questions and receive one on one help with the church's newest family history program! The temple, just across the street looked beautiful!

Friday afternoon, Arlene and I returned to Bountiful, and had a lovely dinner with Michele and Bobby and Brian and Julie. Brian and Julie had come all the way up from Logan to Bountiful for their granddaughter's baptism on Saturday. It was so fun to see them again, they slept over and we had a lot of fun catching up on our families and everything!

Saturday morning I left Bountiful and headed down to Provo. I went to see my mom at Orem Nursing and Rehab. We went out together and had milkshakes and drove up Spanish Fork Canyon. It was so good to be with her again! She doesn't say much these days, but sometimes her eyes can really communicate what she is feeling. I left mom at her nursing home and drive over to Karla's house. Karla's son Justin and his wife just had their little boy, Miken Dale, last Monday...so they were very excited, this is Karla's daughter Erika with the new baby!

Kevin and Joeen drove up from St. George on Sat. afternoon, it was so wonderful to see them again! We all gathered at Karla and Bryan's, and with their kids, Jace and Erika, went over to Justin and Chelsey's home for a BBQ...and to hold that new baby! Sunday morning, we went up to see mom and to get a few pictures. She was so happy to see us all there together. The next day Karla and I had a great meeting with mom's caregiver's at the nursing home and came away very happy to know that mom is being taken care of by wonderful doctors and nurses!!

Monday at noon I drove back up to Salt Lake City and picked up Eileen and we started home to Canada! We made it all the way up to Great Falls that night, and saw the most breathtaking sunset in Idaho on the way! Tuesday we continued our trip home and arrived here just as the American election results were starting to come in. It is a very interesting time for the U.S.!!

I am so glad that I took the time to go down to Utah and to see my family there. I love them dearly, and it means so much to me to actually see them, and know how they are doing!! I also watched some great American football, and had a little Mexican food... It was a great trip!

 

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