Family Dinner

I woke my dad up early this morning and then we hit the road. We said goodbye to John and Renee last night. I didn't set an alarm, but I always wake up early. My dad wanted to stop by these statues on the way out of town. His friend Bruce Couch had told him about them. Bruce went on my dad's last church history trip with him. My dad has been their home teacher for years. My cousin Rozie is married to Bruce's brother. Anyway, we have never seen these statues before and they did look beautiful.

 My dad getting a closer picture

 Should I leave my dad and say I forgot he was taking a picture?

I was on a tour with my dad when he asked me to get out of the bus to take a picture of the new Kansas City Temple. I did what he asked and watched as the tour bus drove away. My dad claims he 'forgot' I was taking a picture.

I made it home in time for 10:30 church, which was great. We had dinner tonight at Steve and Shannon's house. All of Mike's siblings were there. Lisa is flying back to California tomorrow. Crazy Aunt Mona came, and it was great to see her. Her husband George is in the hospital right now. He had a really bad accident and they don't know if he will make it. He has hundreds of titanium plates in his face right now. Holly & Josh and their kids also came over. So fun to talk with them. One of her girls, I think one of her twins, was awesome at Code Names. She said 'revere' and got four picks. I can't remember what they all were. Things like revolution and horse. It was great.

Jorja hung out with Weston and Michael for a long time. Michael gave her a talking to about some of the boys she has liked in the past and it was awesome. Shannon wanted to take a serious picture of us posed the same.

Weston, Jorja, Michael, Stephanie

We were at Steve and Shannon's house until late. Such a great time! Sherry, Lisa and Michael were there pretty late too. Jacob and Weston are leaving on an HEFY trip on Tuesday. Jacob is going to Ecuador and Weston is going to Zimbabwe. Steve and Shannon will be empty nesters for a few weeks... so they are going to Hawaii.

Weston & Jorja

Crazy Aunt Mona's High Tea

I begged and pleaded and was finally able to convince my kids to walk a mile and a half with me to go to breakfast.  Mike and I went to the Bear Paw years ago with the Kaylors.  I still remember it.  The walk wasn't bad.  Preston and I ran most of the way.  Breakfast was delicious.  Mike was teasing me for ordering oatmeal when there was a ton of delicious things to try.  I couldn't make up my mind, and I wanted to try the oatmeal.  The granola on top was my favorite.

On the way back we stopped at the St. George Tabernacle.  Preston liked the star chairs.  He wanted to play musical chairs and you were out if you weren't sitting on a star chair.  There were tours going, so I wouldn't let him play that!

Preston

 Jorja & Stockton on some steep, historic stairs

 Jorja's new friend

 Jorja by a lock gate.  Not quite Paris . . . 

I loved watching my family walk home.  I am so lucky!  It would be perfect if Maysen was here with us!

Jorja, Stockton, Mike, Preston

 Jorja & Stockton

We packed up and headed to Mona's house planning to get there at 1:00.  As we drove out of the RV park I noticed that the invitation said 3:00.  Whoops.  We stopped at a store and bought a few things then parked in a church parking lot.  Mike slept while the kids played catch outside.  Jorja loved that! We made it to Mona's at exactly 3:00. Mona's kids were all there.  Mona had all these fancy little sandwiches. Tons of different kinds.  She was pretty excited about it.  Steve and Shannon got there before we had to leave.  Here is a picture of the blood relations.

Mike, Holly, Mona, Alan, Cynthia, Steve

The kids were troopers because they didn't know anyone.  They didn't complain, but were ready to leave after we were there for a couple of hours.  Jorja checked my email on my phone and noticed that there was no email saying softball practice was cancelled.  She wasn't too happy with me.  I did get her all cozy on the bottom bunk with headphones and she watched Sandlot for the first time.  She liked that. Mike and I split the driving today.  I did a lot better on the way home.  I was much more confident.  We got home just after 10:00.  Maysen did perfectly fine without us.  She had to drive herself to her group meeting.  She hates driving, so this forced her to drive.  It is nice to be home in our cozy bed with my entire family near me!  What a great life!

Preston's lizard friend