BEN AND CHARCIE STAY ON THEIR WAY HOME

It's still smokey here in the valley. We went to the gym Monday and Tuesday and the smoke made it possible to stare right at the sun. 

Not sure when  thie air is gonna clear up but I'm sure it will eventually. We just feel so blessed that our home and community have been free of fire. I feel so sorry for those who have lost their homes and belongings. So terribly sad. On Monday, the Primary Presidency had a meeting to discuss the Primary Program that is coming up in September. Jan is leaving Thursday for an Oregon vacation on the coast and I will be gone the following weekend. So, after our meeting, I told the sisters that I would get the program all typed up and ready to hand out parts this Sunday. SO, Tuesday, I was on my computer most of the day. I got it all typed up and children and teachers assigned to various parts. I ran the rough draft over to Jan for her approval and she called and said it was perfect. The only thing I had wrong was the spelling on one of the boys name. I fixed it and then ran off programs for  all the adults. Then I ran off the parts for the kids and got them cut out and ready to hand out this Sunday.

We were relaxing and watching TV later in the afternoon, when I got a text from Charcie. They were on their way home to Warrenton, and they had spent the morning on a river, tubing. They were sunburned and tired. I was so glad to accommodate them again.   They arrived about 7:15 in the evening. We were visiting when I heard the doorbell ring. I looked out the window and could see a fella with a bunch of pizza's. I couldn't see his face. Tony got the door and it was Rick and Wendy.  I was so happy they stopped to visit. They had made arrangements to sleep at a motel, but they stayed, and we had a great visit for about an hour. We ate pizza and salad. Both Rick and Wendy were pretty tired, so they said their goodbyes and left for the motel. I sure wish I had a home with room for others to stay.

I got a picture of Rick and Wendy before they took off. Charcie was outside with us so I told her to get in the picture too. Love them all so much! I have the most wonderful family members.  After they left, we went back in and visited for a bit. Ben was tired too and Gabe was not feeling very well so they went to bed. 

Little Abraham was sure wound up. I thought it was because he had been in the car for so long but Charcie said it was so unusual for him to be so wild. He is the cutest little bugger. 

Dianna and Gideon were so cute. They played with their tablets and each other and were good to be quiet so their dad and brother could sleep.

I got a cute picture of them all (minus Gabe) 

Tony went to work on his puzzle and Dianna said she would help. She said "I'm  an an expert at this."  lol We got such a kick out of her. She told me she wanted quesadillas' for breakfast.   Around 11PM, we decided to go to bed. Charcie got the rest of the kids to bed but I guess little Abraham was so wound up that she didn't get much sleep. When Tony and I got up the next day at 7:30, we tried to stay as quiet as possible so the kids could sleep. Ben and the kids got up around 8:30. I did have tortillas, so I made cheese quesadillas, scrambled eggs, raisin bread toast and grapes. Dianna was thrilled. As a matter of fact, ALL the kids ate them.  Ben said Charcie asked if she could sleep as long as possible because she'd been up half the night. The kids and I played with SnapChat on my phone for quite a while and they all got such a kick out of it. 

Even Abraham was entertained. 

Dianna loved all the silly faces it gave her. Soon, I gave up my phone to the kids,  and I helped Ben take all the bedding, air mattress and what not to their car. 

Before they all left, I got a few pictures. The sun was out and they were having a hard time looking at the camera. I got s good one though. All but the little guy . lol

Then one with Mom and Dad but then the sun was just too much! lol It was wonderful to have the kids stay again. They were such a joy to be around. And they are so well behaved. Love them all so much.

A SURPRISE VISIT

Sunday morning, Tony had an early meeting. I had some time to kill before I picked up Lynn for choir practice. I had made the tennis shoe die cuts earlier this week so I decided to figure out a card to put them on, while waiting to leave for church.

I got two done and they will be used for birthday cards, since the background paper says happy birthday. lol

I added a sentiment inside the card. It was all I had time to do before going to church. I picked up Lynn and off we went. We had a good practice and then we sang the intermediate song for Sacrament meeting. The speakers were awesome and it was a super good meeting. Primary was fun but two of our teachers didn't make it to church so I pinch hit in one of the classes. The lesson was on ESTER and little Jeremiah Day was visiting. The Day's used to be in our ward but moved to Boise. Jeremiah knew the story of Ester so good, he practically taught the lesson. It was awesome. After church was over, I took Lynn home to pick up her cantaloupe.  Then we went to our house and I'd made Zuppa Toscano soup, garlic bread and a jello poke cake. The cantaloupe was a nice side. After eating, I cleaned up the kitchen and Lynn and I went into the back room to watch COME FOLLOW UP, and Tony had an Elder's Quorum meeting. Lynn and I finished the program and then I tried to get The Chosen playing but it had a bad echo and I didn't know how to fix it. That's the trouble with having five remote controls and not knowing how to work any of them! Grrrrrrrr. So, we closed our eyes and snoozed till Tony finished. Then he came in and we watched

THE IMPOSSIBLE. It was a good show. Tony took mom home and then we watched AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. While it was playing, I got a text from Will, my nephew who just got married on Saturday in Idaho Falls. He and his bride Hannah were on their way to Astoria and wanted to know if they could spend the night with us. OF COURSE!!!!

We quickly blew up the air mattress and made a bed for them. When they arrived, we had a great visit. I fed them soup, garlic bread and cake and apologized for it not being the RITZ but they were grateful for a place to stay and the food.  We went to bed around 11 PM. We got up this morning at 7:30 and have been puttering around the house waiting for them to arise. lol I know they were exhausted with the wedding, reception and all so we are letting them sleep. 

I came up to my craft room and made three more cards. A little different layout because the tennis shoes wouldn't fit on the 5x4 card base. I don't have a sentiment for them yet but will work on it later. 

The kids finally got up around 9:45. They were easy to feed. They only wanted cereal. lol We gave them some snacks for the drive and some water bottles and then I got a picture of them on the front porch. They make such a cute couple!

They had been driving Hannah's car but it broke down at Burley yesterday. It was going to cost them $500 plus to rent a car to drive the remainder of the way. She got in touch with her dad and he was able to finagle a deal with someone he knew and they got this little SUV for $65 bucks!!  NICE!

And off they go!   They are headed to the Baltic's for 10 days tomorrow. That is where Hannah served her mission and she wants to share that with Will.  I am so happy they stopped and stayed the night. I was so happy to meet Hannah! Love those kids!

THE LAST FOUR DAYS

Wednesday,Thursday, Friday and Saturday were pretty busy.  Of course we went to the gym each morning. We did our walking and visiting with Pat.  She waited for us on Wednesday and walked with us after we finished our temple day. We only did an endowment and then 5 initiatory each so were able to walk by 3 in the afternoon. Thursday we went early. We did our exercise at 7:30.  After we finished, we went and picked up Lynn and took her to quick care. She had a swollen arm and it was red and burning. We thought she had been bitten by a spider but it turns out it was an allergic reaction from some weeds she had pulled out of her garden. After her appointment, we ran to COSTCO and picked up an antibiotic for her. We took her home and then Tony took me home. Then he went to his dermatology appointment. When he got home, we ran to the post office and then to my eye appointment. I was getting checked to see if the Xdemphy had cleared up the eye mite problem. It had! YAY!

Then when we got home, we cleaned up and took the Jarretts 

to lunch at Chick Fil A.  SURPRISED??  lol They had given me a gift card for $50 dollars when I cat sat for them. I told them it was way to much and so when we used it, they were going with us! 

So, Thursday was the day. It was fun and we all enjoyed a good lunch. After, we ate, we went to COSTCO and Tony bought them an ice cream cup. They each got one but I just took a couple of bites from Tony's because it's way too much ice cream for me.  We both bought some groceries while we were there and then we took them home. We came home and relaxed and watched some TV.

Friday, we went back to the gym early again. When done, we came home and I did 3 loads of laundry while Tony checked on his mom to see how she was doing. Better, thank heaven. We decided to watch a movie on ANGEL while I folded clothes. We watched 

DEEP WATER HORIZON. It was pretty intense. Scott got back from El Paso and came over for a short visit and to drop off games he is getting rid of before he moves.

We are going to use them for gifts when we play the BINGO GAME at the family reunion next July. The Vern Berezay family is in charge so Scott and I have been planning some things. Now that he is moving to Utah, he had to bring over the games that he got from Pam at this years reunion. We'll store them. I've made an afghan, and 6 boxes of cards and I also had a couple of nice hose attachments for sprinkling. We should have a good supply with all the games. 

Scott got up early this morning and drove to SLC. Jill and Scotlyn are already there and they are flying to California to celebrate Jill's 50th. Tony and I got up at 4 and got to the temple for an early prayer meeting and then we officiated the 6 o'clock session. We were training the Hansen's this morning. 

After we got home, we changed and went to the Poulson's for the Primary Pool Party. Jan made a ton of goodies, and we had a pretty good turn out. 

They have a beautiful yard and the pool was wonderful.

The Bishop came with his kids. Eleanor and Wesley

The Winter kids came with their mother. We were happy to see them.

The Bishop had fun tossing little Wesley in the air.

I think he enjoyed the water as much as the kids. I know the mother's who came with their kids did. It was HOT!

The party went from noon to 3 and they kids enjoyed the water and the goodies.

This is Lou Winter. He and his sister Cara were there with their mom and he brought his kitten. He even put it in the pool. Poor kitty.

Little Sammy Williamson and his mommy had a great time. 

Sister Millward brought her sister in law and she had 3 kids. 2 were old enough to be in the pool so when the mother was in the pool with the older 2, I held the baby. He's was 7 months old but a real chub :)

Jan's daughters, Brittany, Sydney and Gentry were there with their kids too.  Adelaide brought her friends as well.

I caught little Oliver in mid air. lol

At 3, we started clearing the pool and getting ready to call it a day.

Sister Millward holding her sister in laws baby. See, he's a chunk!!  

Little Kit was fearless. She would jump off the diving board into the 9 foot pool without floaties and she would swim to the side.  I was impressed. Her 2 older brothers were there too. Around 2:30, Sister Millward took Coulter to baseball tryouts. Jed and Kit stayed and we kept an eye on them till their mom got back. It was a fun day. The Primary kids loved it and I think the parents did too.

A VISIT FROM THE WISCOMBE'

While on our way home from Bear Lake, I got a text from Charcie, my niece. She asked if she and her family could stop and spend the night with us on their way to Yellowstone for a family reunion and then her brother, Will's wedding in Idaho Falls.

    OF COURSE!!

We hadn't seen them since my mom's Memorial and we were excited to have them stay. They got her at 8:15 Monday night.

I couldn't believe how tall Elizabeth had gotten. She is 12 and taller than her short old fat Aunt. lol

I had made them dinner so they all came in, got settled and ate. I made Mac and Cheese for the kids and we had roasted vegetable's and baked chicken. Ben and Charcie are on Keto.

Little Gabriel sure looks like his grandpa Rick, my youngest brother.

Little Kate is getting those long lean legs like her mom and dad. 

The kids watched ZORO after dinner. They had started it but didn't get it finished so Ben asked if we had it. SO FUNNY, cuz Tony had watched it recently, so it was still on the counter by the TV.  Little Abraham watched BLUEY on his screen.

Gideon and Kate

Gabriel aka Gabe

Ben was also working on his iPad while the kids watched the show. He watched too and explained some things to the kids. We stayed up till midnight visiting and catching up. They are such an incredible family. The children were so well behaved and we absolutely love being around them. They ALL slept in the back room. They had 2 girls on the big long couch, little Diana on the small shair, Gabe on the bigger chair/couch and Gideon on an kid air mattress they brought. It was like a blow up car. So cute. We got up at 7:30 and I cooked sausage links and scrambled a dozen eggs with cottage cheese and melted cheddar on top. We also had grapes and milk. The kids got up, ate and packed up again. 

I got a picture of them on the front porch before they took off. We were both so glad they stopped. I invited Traci over and she was going to come when they thought they would be here at 6. But they got away later than expected and forgot about the time change so when it got later, she decided not to come. I didn't blame her. She's a working girl. They may be stopping again on their way home next Tuesday so if they do and it's not too late, maybe Traci will be able to see them then. Scott and Jill might be home by then. We'll see.

ONE MORE DAY

The kids came home on Saturday and stopped at Twin Falls for some lunch at Subway. Deedra sent me a text and said something is going on here, there are cops all over the place and we saw one with a gun. Then we find out about the shooter at the IN & OUT BURGER. Man, I'm so grateful they didn't eat there. So scary. We went over to Lynn's when they arrived and played games. Sunday they went to church with us and then we had pizza, carrot stix, olives, chips, etc 

We got some family shots before the kids left for home.

And one with Gramma GG.

Deedra and her dad. We appreciated these kids so much for sharing their vacation with us. It was so generous of them and we had the best time.  They are great kids and wonderful parents!