Our visit to Chicago and Iowa

A couple of weeks ago Randy and I took the opportunity to go and visit Elsha, Tyler and Ian.
We flew into Chicago and stayed the night. The next morning we ventured down town to see some sights. We rode the train into town. It is not like TRAX, here in Utah. We saw Buckingham Fountain in the park. It truly is a beautiful fountain. We saw some crazy art work in the park including the "Bean". We walked a bunch! First we were going to go to the Art History Museum but Randy decided he would rather see the Natural History museum. (that was at least a mile away) So off we walked. When we got there we had a change of heart and decided to back to the Art History Museum. So we walked back. The art was fantastic! However, we didn't have much time to spend there so we just got to see a fraction of the art. We grabbed a Chicago dog (yum) and then we rode the train back to our car and were off to Elsha's. I was the navigator. We didn't have a problem.( how can you fail when it is nearly a straight line to the freeway.
We had a wonderful time visiting Elsha. Tyler took us to the Hospital and gave us an interesting tour. It is great to hear him talk about what he is doing. Elsha pulled out all the stops and fed us some of her best food. I was given the opportunity to give Ian a haircut. He was so cute with his long curly hair I sort of hated to cut it. When we were finished he was so handsome. The high light was playing with Ian, and seeing him grow. He is such a bright and delight some boy. (No favoritism here) We went to the park one cold and blustery day. G-pa had fun helping Ian dig in the sand. He loved my purse, from the phone to the "measure tape" and the lip gloss (it is fun to open it and pull it out and put it back in the tube, it makes a kind of squishing sound.) There was even a treat or two. We also took a ride to the Amanah Colony. They are a truly industrious group with great skills. The food there is wonderful. On Sunday, Ian had a Easter egg hunt. He was so cute carrying his basket and finding the hidden eggs. But I really got a kick out of him eating his cottage cheese at dinner. Don't get between that boy and his cottage cheese! Every night we had kisses and hugs. How I miss those, and the little wave of his hand as he goes upstairs to bed. I loved watching him play with his "tar war guys," his light saber, the blocks (Ian saying "Oh no! It's going to blow!") and him singing his favorite songs. I didn't want to leave. Those kids live to far away for my taste. But they are doing so great. I'm very proud of each of them.

On our way to the airport we decided to see if we could find where Randy's Grand and Great-Grandparents were buried. We had the address and surprisingly we didn't have much trouble finding it. We drove through the cemetery on the off chance that we would see their name. We didn't but we had a phone number so we called. No one was there but Randy left a message. We drove through again and Randy spotted a cousin's name and decided to get out of the car and walk around. So I got out and headed the other way. With a short prayer we started looking. Just as my phone started ringing Randy found his great-grandparents then walked over one row and found his grand parents. It was the sexton calling telling us where to look. Randy was thrilled. We took pictures of all those graves and some of the cousins. When we got home Randy found that he had a name that was missing! All in All we had a great time! I'm ready to go again.

The Good Doctor

This past weekend I had the opportunity to be in our High School Play. It was Neil Simon's', "The Good Doctor". First I have to say that I did not volunteer. I was on stage for a total of 7 minutes. My partner was a seminary teacher Brother Red. He and I played two older people that have lost our spouses. We meet in a park and in due time wonder if we are to old to fall in love again. We also wonder if it is worth exposing our hearts to take a chance on love just once more. Our part was the only part in the play that had a set time and singing. It was fun to do and I would do it again if asked.

I was lucky enough to have the support of the family including my dad and Kelsey. Aubrey and Lauren may have wanted to duck out at the intermission but stuck it out. As I looked at the pictures taken that night I realized that it may not have captured Randy's complete interest.

Valentines Day Lasts and Lasts

How many of you know Randy?... I thought I did but was surprised by receiving a dozen roses at work on Friday. Randy delivered them himself. Then on Saturday (Valentines Day) He watched "Singing in the Rain" with me! (His Idea!) He had never seen it before. When you watch musicals you come to expect random singing and dancing. Randy was so funny, he would say,"I don't get it. What does this part have to so with the story?" (I can see that his musical education is very lacking. I will try to get him to watch more musicals and then maybe he will "get it") With his investment of the dozen roses has come a real interest to make them last a long time. He has been taking them out to the garage every night. And I must say that even after over two weeks later they still look great! It is kind of fun, nearly every night Randy brings them in on his way into the house and says, "Look what I got you!" Valentines Day everyday for over two weeks! Can't top that! Thanks Honey! I love you too.

Lauren has a Birthday!

I am not a very faithful blogger. It has been nearly a month since I posted an entry. That being said ... Lauren had a birthday January 31st. We had a great time bowling even though none of the bowlers were very good. We did laugh a-lot. Then we went our to dinner. Laurens' first choice was to go to the Olive garden. However, there was an hour and a half wait. We were not to interested in doing that. We crossed the street and went to Macaroni Grill. The food was great and the singing was wonderful and there was only a 45 minute wait! We were all so full that we couldn't eat cake but you can't have a birthday without blowing out candles. She received some great gifts and some not so great but all were given with love and good wishes for the next year. Happy birthday Lauren!

Potatoes

Last Thanksgiving we were given some of the best potatoes we've ever had. Jon and Stacie brought us 50 pounds of Idaho spuds! I haven't sent a personal thank you card. I hope this will suffice. Now that I am trying to be a blogger I thought I'd give this a go. Tonight we had my favorite! French Fries! Thank you Jon and Stacie for hauling potatoes for us. Yummmm these were delicious!

Randy's Birthday

Last Sunday we had a wondrous thing happen. Randy had a birthday. We had chocolate cake with all the candles. Randy tried to get warm off the flame. It worked pretty well because there were so many. He received many gifts: 3 new shirts, a black sweater vest, Twinkies. Hostess powdered sugar doughnuts, a Harbor Freight gift card, Oatmeal cookies up the ying yang, Monopoly (the card game) and another card game. Debbie (his sister) and Kelsey came over for the festivities. We had a great time. Instead of being gloomy on his birthday he was very cheerful and we all laughed a lot and had a great time, even though he is really old. Happy Birthday Randy. And many more!

Snowed in Utah

Today is Friday, the day after Christmas. Between last night and this morning we received about 17" of snow. Needless to say we aren't going to go shopping at the great after Christmas sales. Randy and Aubrey have been out shoveling twice already. I usually go shopping on Fridays. We are down to 1 gallon of milk. We may have to stretch it out until we can get out of the subdivision, or we may have to dip into our food storage.