Utah Vacation

We recently returned from a wonderful week in Utah.  Bethany, Morgan and I set off on my first road trip on June 12.  First stop- Phoenix and a visit with Mom.  While there we also were able to visit with Andy and his family, Kathy and Randi Sue.  Tuesday we traveled to Provo Utah and our long awaited visit with Alison.  Wednesday, Alison had to final exams to study for and take.  While she was busy finishing her semester the three of us wondered around the BYU campus.  In the evening Alison and Bethany played a round of golf in Orem.  Morgan and I played miniature golf.  Afterward, Morgan got behind the wheel of our car and just drove around town.  The plan was to drive anywhere and everywhere, then type the address of my hotel into the GPS and head for "home".  On the way we pasted the Provo Temple and the MTC.  With more time to pass while Alison and Bethany finished their golf game we parked the car at the hotel and walked around Provo.  We found SAMMIES, a shake and burger place.  Shakes in Utah are not the same as Arizona milk shakes.  They are more of a thick soft serve ice cream.  Always eaten with a spoon, never sipped through a straw.  At SAMMIES they serve a pie shake.  1/3 of the cup is filled with soft serve ice cream, a slice of pie is added, topped with more ice cream and then mixed together.

I asked Morgan before we started our vacation adventure what she wanted to do in addition to visiting with her sister.  Morgan's response, "Go to a temple everyday."  Thursday Alison had one more exam.  While she was testing Morgan and I went to the Provo temple.   

   

 That afternoon the four of us went to Mount Timpanogas temple.

Friday was Oquirrh Mountain Temple. 

On the way back to Provo we stopped in Lehi for a late lunch at Emmett's and Ethel's. (Burgers, fries with Utah fry sauce and Utah "Shakes") Since we had a late lunch, when dinner time rolled around we just walked over to the BYU Creamery on Ninth and had ice cream for dinner/dessert. YUM!!!!

Randy was able to take a little time off from his work and join us.  He awoke very early on Saturday drove to the Tucson airport and boarded plane.  We picked him up in Salt Lake City with the plan of doing baptisms at the Salt Lake Temple.  Sadly, when we met him at the airport I realized that I had left his Sunday clothes at the hotel in Provo.  We decided to go clothes shopping.  Randy is a quick shopper, but we were all getting hungry.  It was time for lunch.  We programed the GPS with the address for Ruth's Diner.  Drove through Salt Lake City and up emigration canyon road, pasted "This is the Place" monument, pasted the zoo and into the parking lot of Ruth's Diner.  Ruth's was featured on the food network.  I enjoyed a Reuben sandwich, Morgan and Randy had sausage sandwiches, Alison, baked mac and cheese.  Bethany had the pulled pork.  It was all delicious.  The pulled pork had a Pit BBQ smell and flavor.  We plan on eating there next year after Alison's graduation.

 In the afternoon we were all able to go into the Salt Lake Temple.  What a blessing to have a family that wants to attend the temple.  Randy and the girls were able to do baptisms for family names (provided by Mom.  Thanks!) 

 Alison, Bethany and Morgan were sitting patiently in the temple waiting for their Dad when Elder Christofferson walked by, smile and waved!  After the temple session we walked around Temple Square and took a tour to the Conference Center.  The girls could not resist getting a picture of them standing with (a picture of) Elder Christofferson.

 Sunday we attended church services with Alison.  Alison's request was that her Dad give a chocolate dipping lesson.  After church they made peanut butter balls and cake balls.  The three girls took the treats and attended Ward Dessert Night.  Monday it was time to head for home.  But before leaving we took Alison grocery shopping and enjoyed breakfast in Orem at Joe's Cafe.  The food was wonderful.  My request was that we not waste our eating out money on chain restaurants.  We were not disappointed.  Joe is a very friendly person.  The food was good ole home cooking!  He spices his biscuits and gravy much like Randy with plenty of pepper.  Just right!  The omelet, loaded with bacon, onion, peppers and mushrooms was more than Randy could eat.  Alison took our leftovers home with her.

 It's a LONG way from Provo to home.  We checked out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on CD from the library before leaving Sierra Vista.  We got through most of the book.  Some people missed parts of the book due to "snoozing." 

 Morgan was the only person that Randy relinquished the wheel to during the drive home.

 We stopped for lunch in Kanab at a cute little place called Three Bears Creamery Cottage. Still in Utah, still Utah type shakes.  All the menu items had storybook names.  We would also eat there again. 

We stopped at the Dam in Page and walked around the visitors center.  (I had a picture, but was distracted by a phone call while working on this blog and didn't get it added)  Randy really enjoyed this visit.  I was a little uncomfortable there. I am afraid of heights, or is that depths? 

So glad that we were able to visit Alison! 

Since returning home Morgan has finished Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows and watched five of the movies in preparation for the soon to be released final movie!

Sports

" Sports do not build character.  They reveal it." -Heywood Hale Brown

I went to the drag races with Randy on Friday and Saturday.  Kathy was there and I enjoyed visiting with her.  Randy was able to make several passes while we were there.  At the drivers meeting on Friday Randy learned that he would need to disconnect the "throttle stop"  (one of the computer controls).  He wasn't sure how this was done and called Mark.  Mark talked him through the procedure, but during this time there was a call for first round qualifying.  Randy missed that round.  Call for second round qualifying comes on over the loud speakers.  Randy heads to the staging lanes and I go to the stands.  A little later Randy joins me in the stands.  His car had run out of fuel on the way to the staging lanes.  By the time he got back to the trailer got fuel and filled the car it was to late to participate in Round Two.  Round Three went off with no problems!  He made two passes during the race and went out Second Round. 

 Randy filling out paper work before the race.

After finishing with his race he went over and spent the evening helping with Ron's car.

 Ron, Eddie and Randy

 We arrived at the track about 1pm on Saturday.  Randy made passes during both qualifying rounds with no problems. 

We headed over to Ron's pit to visit and help until Randy's race. He asked me to listen for his call. It was VERY NOISY and I didn't hear anything until they announced the Third and Final Call! oops. Randy quickly ran to get his car and I headed to the stands. A short time later Randy joins me in the stands. Randy had left the car with the battery charger on. When he went to get the car the battery had failed to charge and the car would not start.

I am sure that Randy was deeply disappointed that he was not able to race, but he never spoke a negative word.  Randy is a man that does not get angry or loose his temper when things do not go well.  He always controls his words, accepts the circumstances and moves on.  I LOVE this man and am grateful everyday for his self-control, kindness, optimism and willingness to deal with and work through whatever situation comes his way.  (And he's cute too!)

Fun Family Weekend

We had a great weekend filled with wonderful family time.  Saturday Randy and I spent the morning "projecting" around the house.  We took a mid-morning break and attended a baptism.  After lunch it was back to projects.  Randy was washing trucks and I was in the kitchen.  I really don't like working separate these days.  I put aside my project and went outside to help him.  Truck washing quickly became a family activity when Mark and family stopped by for a visit. Grant and Cami quickly joined in.  What fun! 

Grant and Grandpa working together

Cami

Grant imagining that he had the hose.

S'mores in the afternoon. 

 It was to hot for Grandma to want to build a fire, so I brought out the steno can.  We enjoyed toasting marshmallows and Cami enjoyed the chocolate cookies.  (Yes, that's my frost damaged grapefruit tree in the background.  It has started sprouting a bit of new growth on the branches.  Time will tell if we keep it of dig it out) 

Morgan, Ruth, Shelby, Cami and Grant

After trucks and s'mores it was time to head back to the church.  Randy and I attended an Eagle Court of Honor.  We then headed to Marks where Randy helped him remove a transmission from one of his projects.  I played with grand kids :) 

Upon returning home, it was time to complete my kitchen project.  Tamales!  Thanks to Shelby and Morgan it was quick and enjoyable work.  Tasty too.

Sunday was wonderful.  My Primary lesson went well.  I am trying to improve my teaching skills and recognize direction from the Spirit.  The scripture stories for the lesson came from Luke 15.  The lost sheep, lost coin and Prodigal Son. The purpose of the lesson was to help each child have the desire to help those who are less active return to full activity in the Church of Jesus Christ.  During the lesson I felt impress to share that my Dad had chosen to quit attending church when I was about their age.  I was always hesitant to invite him to church activities.  When my oldest daughter Shelby was to be baptized I was so surprised when my Dad came.  I greeted him and expressed my surprise and pleasure that he was there.  His response was, "Of course I came, Shelby invited me".  I told the children that they are often better at sharing the gospel and inviting others to church than adults are.  How grateful I am the the example of children.  How I regretted not extending an invitation to my Dad to attend church with me.  Later that afternoon Randy was telling me about the combined 5th Sunday lesson.  It was about President Monson's counsel to reach out and rescue those that are lost.  The bishop compared saving lost souls to the rescue efforts of saving the trapped miners last year.  I smiled when Randy told this story.  My Primary lesson also had a story of a little boy lost in a cave and the efforts to rescue him.  I'm amazed at the similarity of Primary, Priesthood and Relief Society lessons.  

Sunday afternoon we were able to go to Life Care Center and be home taught.  Our home teacher, Brother Smolen recently had surgery and in currently living at the care center.  He shared the conference message from Elder Lynn G. Robbins, What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?

That night Bethany arrived home for a visit. 

Monday, Mark and family came for a visit and dinner.  We played in the yard, went for a walk, made chocolate cake in a mug. (The recipe that Heidi shared.  We added a quarter tsp of baking powder to the original recipe, divided the batter into four custard cups and microwaved the cakes for ONE minute.  Topped the hot cake with a scoop of  ice cream. It's a grandma's dream!)   Randy and Mark made Jalapeno Poppers, grilled Ribs and squash,  baked beans, and cheese potatoes.  In the evening Randy, Bethany, Morgan and I went for a swim at the neighbors.    We missed Alison not being with us, but before going to bed we made hotel reservations and purchased Randy's airline ticket to Utah.  We will be with her soon!  I love my family and the times we can be together.