The Slow Poke Returns

Yes...I'm talking about myself. It's not quite as fun posting nearly a MONTH after the fact, but here I am. Although....I AM having fun remembering the wonderful time we had on our little trip. For some reason life just keeps getting in the way of my being able to post.

We took all the newlyweds to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings...aren't they all so cute? Well, all except Jacob...the young man in the blue striped shirt closest to my camera. We came upon Jacob walking down the street as we drove into Rexburg...he's in our ward and just returned from his mission in Brazil. I drove by him AGAIN the next day as he was walking back to his dorm from the temple. We took pity on him...he is all alone...so we called and invited him to come with us.

One of the things some of us girls did was we went shopping at a store I had heard about...Real Deals. It turns out it was practically next door to Jon and Brit's apartment. We walked there...it was a beautiful day. Brittany liked this fun wreath so we bought it...it's just plain white, so we found some fall leaves and also christmas berries so she can change it for each holiday.

Ericka and I stayed up late each nite so we could visit after my day with the newlyweds. I did have a few minutes to stop by the house on Sunday so I could see Brooke and her family who live nearby.

Brooke has four kids. They are the ages my kids were when she babysat for us! Where has the time gone?

I got to go to church with the kids since we ended up staying an extra day in Rexburg. It was so fun! Brittany had put in a pork roast the night before and the rest of the newlyweds and moms all came over after church for a yummy potluck dinner. We visited and played games and had delicious apple pie and ice cream for dessert. I must say that the new wives are pretty impressive cooks!

Jon and Brit's little apartment was PACKED...and I mean...wall to wall...at one point. Jared Crain stopped by......he spent years over at our house playing with Jon (and Josh) when the boys were little. I mentioned him before. His family is in New Hampshire (I just blogged about his mom a while ago) and he's going to BYU Idaho too. So fun to spend time with him too:)

Everyone had gone on Sunday night and I had missed out on getting a picture with the kids....AGAIN! Then, we realized one of the moms had left her cell phone at the apartment...so when she came back I was FINALLY able to get a picture. I was so happy!! Brittany was as cool as a cucumber in this pic, but the very next morning she had to get up and drive with Jon to Pocatello so she could take her national certification exam for Recreational Therapy Management. She passed with flying colors! Congratulations!!

Brittany fixed up their table with the scarecrow and pumpkins (I gave those to her in September when they were here) and the sunflowers from the wedding. It looked so cute!

Ericka took some time off Monday so we could spend some more time together....she took me here to the Rexburg Tabernacle and Teton Flood Museum. Richard told me these tabernacles are quite common. They were built to bring communities together so the saints would have a place to socialize. We even got a private showing of the inside since Ericka knows the woman in the museum.

Sadly, our time came to a close and we had to go home. It turned out to be a blessing that my car had problems. Melanies Rachel ended up having a scare with her new pregnancy so she ended up staying in Rexburg for the rest of the week. June, Yvette and I headed home after I picked up my car in Idaho Falls. We got a very late start home...but the 12 hour drive went by quickly and all was safe and sound as we arrived home in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. I just have to think of this beautiful House of the Lord and am so grateful to Him for blessing my life so richly with the love of family and friends.

PIZZA with the Newlyweds......

We wouldn't let a small thing like a broken car stop us from having fun...would we?? We arrived in Rexburg just in time to meet all the newlyweds coming home from work/school. We toured most of their apartments, starting with Tyson and Rachels (June's son/Melanies daughter)...then we moved on to Jeff and Rachel's apartment (June's OTHER son and different Rachel...yes...her son's BOTH married Rachel's this summer. Jon and Brit weren't home yet so we went to visit Andrew and Chelsey...Jon's missionary companion and college roomate for 2 years who ALSO got married this summer.

We decided to get pizza so we could all eat together...we ended up at Jeff and Rachels apartment. Jon, Jeff, and Andrew all live in the same complex, but their apartments are in different buildings...Jon and Brit's apartment is on a different street and they are in different wards.

Andrew and Chelsey...they couldn't eat with us because Andrew was performing in a choir concert that night....wish I could have gone, but we were too busy eating pizza:)

I mainly took this to show the pizza boxes....but also to get a pic of Jeff and Rachel (sitting on floor) Jon and Jeff have been the best of friends since middle school.

The other Rachel (Tysons wife....are you confused yet??) sitting on the floor, Megghan...Rachel and Brits old college roommate who had just driven into town (so we insisted she join us)....AND June.

Melanie made me give my camera up so we could get a picture together....I'm sure glad she did. Poor Melanie ended up being very sick most of the entire trip with a bad sinus cold.

See what a beautiful sight I passed each day as I travelled to my friend Ericka's house to stay?? What a special spirit Rexburg has with this majestic building overlooking the entire town.

More to come....stay tuned:)

On Our Way......

June, Melanie, Yvette and I headed out at 1:00 Thursday afternoon. My car was PACKED to the brim with our luggage and goodies for all our kids. We drove and drove until somewhere in the Blue Mountains of Oregon....I think it was Baker City. We filled up the gas tank and stopped for dinner at Subway...which was attached to the gas station.

We arrived at Twin Falls Idaho around 11pm....we lost an hour just before we reached the Idaho border. We had a fun nite at June's son Steven's house (Steve and Jenny graduated together)....sleeping in their very spacious basement. I was awakened the next morning by my sweet little Sadie Mae who was calling me from her home in Utah. We had a nice visit with Steve's wife Emily and their little boy Colton...Junes grandson. She was so happy to see him.

Since all of our kids were either in class or at work and most of them wouldn't be free until late afternoon, we went to lunch with Steve, Emily and Colton....to Cafe Rio. Lunch was yummy!

Here we are 4 carefree and happy women....excited to be on the road together. After lunch we were on our way again.....

Idaho is certainly is NOT a picture of loveliness like the Pacific Northwest....but it did have it's own kind of beauty. We were in awe of these wind turbines....which are plentiful in eastern Oregon and Washington as well....but we got so close to them in Idaho. They are HUGE!!! I forgot to mention that somewhere along the Blue Mountains the night before, my check engine light had come on. Lucky for us it was off this next morning and we were going along just peachy. Just before Pocatello, when we stopped at a rest stop, my car was a bit slow to start. Was it my imagination??

The gas tank was nearing empty and would not allow us to get all the way to Rexburg, so we were forced to stop for gas in Pocatello. As I went to start the car after filling up, my imagination became reality, when the car would not start. I immediately said "PRAYER!!" Right there I petitioned the Lord for help to get us to Rexburg so we could at least be with our kids and find someone to look at my car. Our prayers were answered....the car started! But as we were driving I had the thought to have one of the mom's with a smart phone to look up the nearest Hyundai dealer in Idaho Falls.....30 miles from Rexburg and our kids. THANK GOODNESS for smart phones....they are very handy to have!! We were able to get right into the dealer, by now it was around 3:00pm. They knew immediately that it was a small part in the starter. Good news...they could fix it since it was still under warranty...bad news, they would overnight the part and we could be on our way Monday afternoon. Meaning, we would all have to take an extra day off work.

Yvette knows me well....me and my camera. She told me to hold onto my car and act very sad....don't I look pathetic??? This dealership was AMAZING!!

Not only did they fix my car for FREE...they gave us a loaner car...a very expensive $32,000. loaner car with seat warmers that was fun to drive. They took care of us so fast we were on the road in less than an hour and arrived in Rexburg in time for all the kids to get home from work. So sad....we were going to be forced to spend an extra day with our kids. Stay tuned.....

Crazy Moms Road Trip Part 1

So...A few weeks ago my friend June and I decided to go visit "The Newlyweds" at school. She has 2 sons that got married this year....and they just happen to be with Jon and Brittany at BYU Idaho. We got busy making some fun things for them for fall. This is a story of our trip from the beginning.

June found this really cute scarecrow on Pinterest...something I have only recently discovered. It's made out of a cereal box. We modified it for us...like wrapping it in brown paper bags instead of spray painting it. We figure since the kids are not settled and will be moving around they could enjoy this, then unwrap it and it it when fall is over, eat the cereal, then throw the rest away.

June also found this idea on Pinterest...frames with decorative paper and letters cut out with the cricut. we are going to make them the other seasons too....summer, spring and winter. They all have 6 letters so then they can rotate for each season.

I made up these fun baskets for Jon and Brittany AND Andrew and Chelsey. Andrew and Jon were on their mission together and have become close friends. Andrew and Chelsey also got married this summer. All of our kids are friends and do things together all of the time.

Just had to post this....such a cute brownie mix I found...love the box! We are having a very fun trip....it has been full of unexpected surprises and lots of fun. I would post more now...but we are having a yummy dinner with all the newlyweds in a few minutes so I have to go. Stay tuned.....

Fun at Applebees

Had a fun day today as I went to lunch with good friends. My friend Stephanie moved to New Hampshire nearly 13 years ago. We get to see each other now and then, a few times even running into her in Rexburg at BYU Idaho during mothers week...... something they no longer have (boo hoo.) Even though she and her husband never planned to be back east so long, seems like it was meant to be. Now her oldest daughter Shelby lives here, so lucky for all of us Stephanie gets to come back to see her. Jon and Stephanies son Jared were inseperable as little boys...Jared stopped by to see us a few month ago.

 

Shelby just had an ADORABLE baby girl.....only 1 week ago! With this being her fourth baby she is getting around really quickly (AFTER a C Section no less). Stephanies daughter Mallory who was friends with Jenny drove in from Rexburg with her husband (she teaches school in Rexburg)...stopped by to say "hi"...and mainly to see and hold her newest little niece. The baby is being blessed tomorrow at her other grandparents home since this is conference weekend....and because the other grandparents are headed to Nauvoo Illinois to pick up their daughter who has been on a mission for the church there.

It was fun catching up and seeing everyone. We went to Applebees...yum yum.

My good friend June was also there....I know they were probably cringing that I was taking pictures...but they were good sports. Fun Fun....

Evergreen High School Class of 1963

Last weekend Richard attended his 50th....yes I said....F-I-F-T-I-E-T-H Class reunion. His best friend Joachim has been after him for years to go. The thing is, Richard only went to Evergreen for one year...his senior year. His family had moved that year. He felt he didn't know that many people and the ones he did...had all died. STORY: Our niece Julie (Who recently passed away herself) was married to Frank, who had gone to Evergreen with Richard. When we would see Frank he would say "Hey Richard...remember so and so?" Richard would say yes. Frank would say.... "He's dead" .....then Frank died!

 
Joachim had come to America from Germany when he was about 14. His sister had married a returned missionary that had served in Germany. His sister and her new husband came to America then later sent for Joachim and his mother. The boys became fast friends in their senior year. Through the years they went to Clark College together, served missions about the same time, double dated, worked on church projects together. Joachim was always finding jobs to be done. They helped to build the first stake center in Vancouver (there are now 4)...and after the Mt. St. Helens erruption they spent the whole night cleaning the church parking lot from all the ash that fell. When Joachim ran for Clark County Accessor (he lost) Richard worked on his campaign (is that why he lost??) Joachim recently won a landslide election (of one) as mayor of the tiny town of Orting Washington. He is married to Jeannie, and he has 3 boys.

Neither Jeannie nor I had any desire to go be around a bunch of old people....ha ha!! I did tell him though, that if he had any ideas about meeting up with any women he just needed to remember that they are all approaching 70....and that he had a young chick of a wife at home!! He wasn't really all that thrilled to go, but I told him to make the best of it....after all it was costing $50!!

Just like with our kids on the first day of school, I had "the boys" pose on the porch for pictures. If it were not for the fact that my house is literally torn apart and in chaos for our flooring installation tomorrow, I would post a picture of Richard in his cap and gown. I'll try to remember to do it later after things settle down around here.

I was mildly surprised to hear that Richard had a great time. They even asked him to say the opening prayer (something people from that generation did) because the minister who was scheduled to do it wasn't able to make it...and they heard he was a Mormon:) I'm so glad he had a good time with his very dear friend. Last Story: Our kids all graduated from Evergreen as well. It was always a proud night for Richard at the homecoming games. They would place markers on the ground for the different decades so that the alumni could stand in their decade. Richard would proudly stand in the 60's decade...there were very few of them. Last year he wanted to go stand in his rightful place, but we didn't even know when homecoming was. Maybe next year dear......

Can it Get Any Crazier Around Here????

Honestly....As if we are not busy enough around here. Not only are we in the midst of taking care of Grandma and Aunt Ellouise....shopping for cars...3 weddings...Richards 50th class Reunion (will post about that soon)....chilling with our newlyweds (very fun I might add)...I have gone back to work (not to mention Richard has never STOPPED working)....we need a few more projects. REALLY?? Josh has been HOUNDING his Dad about building a new shed for years! So began the building of the shed after we got home from Utah 4 weeks ago. Notice that there is also new fencing in the front and side....YEP...Richard and Josh did that too.....earlier this summer. AND....see our beautiful new gutters that we had put on this summer too? I was not crazy about the shed being on this side of the house...and Sis, if you are wondering....yes, it is to code....I kind of like it here now. This side of the house has been a disaster for years...full of weeds we could never keep up with ever since Richard added onto the house 8 years ago.

Today they got the roof on. Still needs shingles and as you can see a few other things. BUT WAIT....There may be no time for that. We have new flooring for all 3 bathrooms being installed on Saturday....THIS SATURDAY....which means we need to buy THREE new toilets AND we need to paint the downstairs bathroom, which has not been painted for like 15 years. Tonight we were out toilet shopping and getting paint swatches. Aren't you all so lucky I have so much to blog about??? OH....and next Monday...new carpet for all THREE bedrooms. I'm really not trying to kill off my husband...HONEST!!!!

"The Purchase"

Josh has been working at the Portland International Airport since May. He has been saving his money to get a car. After going around and around on what he wanted he decided to look at Toyota 4 Runners. He and Richard looked at a few before they decided on this one. They ran the Car Fax and had it inspected and then made an offer. After several days of going back and forth on price it finally happened.

I got to go with him to pay for it and get the keys. Here he is at the car lot.

It was cutting it close to get to work.....He had to run home to change and then headed off to work.

It took him a few minutes to really look at all the gadgets......

And off he.....

went!!!

There were a few things that the inspection found...he needed new front brakes. On Saturday after the newlyweds left he went to the Auto Zone and bought the front brakes that needed to be done...

Richard worked right along with him, but he did it all himself. Congratulations to Josh on his "Purchase" We are so glad that he has his very own wheels now:)))