So Much Life

Hello, hello!

I'm recovering from a really bad case of the stomach flu (I guess) yesterday and figured that since I'm still feeling a bit peaky I'd sit down and talk about good things with you.

Today just happens to be our 31st wedding anniversary; incredible! And what a lovely 31 years it has been. Love this man of mine more each day!

May 22, 1986 - So happy together

Three decades later . . .

December 25, 2016 - Still so happy together

 Grey hair, wrinkles, a bit more weight but upright and taking nourishment! Everyday is an adventure.

Speaking of adventure . . . March 18th our family was blessed with a new addition, great grandbaby #5 for us! Here's how he's growing:

Text from new mom Brittany announcing the birth.

Great Grandpa, Granddaughter Brittany, Great Grandson Dawson (one day old)

April 18, 2017 - One month old with his first toy and quilt made by me.

April 30, 2017 - First visit to grandparents and great-grandparents Allred (one month, 12 days old)

May 18, 2017 - Two months old. Bright-eyed boy.

We are so very happy to have this little boy in our lives. Although we don't get to see him often enough, we do get regular updates from our very thoughtful granddaughter via social media anyway. There is one good thing to be said for Facebook and Instagram and cell phone texting, I guess!

While on the subject of great grandchildren, I was missing the three Arizona greats and so took myself to them last month for a short (three days) visit. I was originally going to fly down but then got to thinking of the hassle of getting to the airport, security checks and waiting at the airport, and having to get picked up, so decided to drive the 683 miles from home to Queen Creek, with a stop in Flagstaff. I left on April 4th and arrived in DaviJo and TJ's driveway at about noon, April 5th. DaviJo got me settled in before TJ got home from work and the three children got back from school. I took a short nap and then went outside with a cold drink to soak up some Arizona sun - glorious!

The kid's backyard - wow!

Me and Easton having a hug in the sun.

Once the kids got home, the busy-ness began! It was Lucas' 6th birthday and what he wanted for his birthday was to go the Phoenix Suns basketball game on Friday rather than have a party. Aubrey had softball practice and Lucas had basketball practice, so TJ took Aubrey and DaviJo, me, and Easton took Lucas. I had made a special shirt for Lucas which he wore for practice.

"I'm not a little kid anymore - I'm SIX!"

Unfortunately, there was no chance to get photos of everyone together but I just tried to keep up with the craziness without getting in the way! I had made shirts for Aubrey and Easton too.

Softball shirt for Aubrey, dinosaur shirt for Easton, and basketball "6" for Lucas. 

Thursday, the 6th, DaviJo and I went shopping for fabric to make a First Lady Dolley Madison dress for Aubrey for a school event in May. It was no easy thing to find a pattern that would duplicate an 1800's dress for a ten-year-old but I figured I could finagle something. We found a pattern and fabric on sale at Joann's and then took ourselves to a local restaurant, Queen Creek Olive Mill, for lunch and a glass of wine. Very nice! Thursday evening was a softball game for Aubrey so the whole family loaded up and went to that; Aubrey's team lost and there was a little meltdown but after we got home and the parents had a chat, things looked brighter. The kids went to bed and DaviJo and I had a glass of wine out by the pool - perfect way to relax and put me right to sleep.

Friday I spent cutting out the dress, reading to Easton, hanging out with DaviJo, and napping because that evening I was home alone with Aubrey and Easton while TJ and DaviJo took Lucas to the basketball game. An active ten-year-old and four-year-old are a bit much for this old lady but we managed alright with a visit to McDonald's, making Easter bunny bags, and watching a movie which I cannot recall but looked like The Flintstones but wasn't. 

Saturday morning TJ cooked breakfast, I hugged everyone, and headed back to Tooele. I got all the way to Panguitch, Utah, by 5 o'clock and didn't feel at all tired, just wanting to be home, so I just kept on going. Clare texted and said that there was a storm brewing and to be careful and sure enough, when I got to the turnoff west at Meadow, the skies had darkened and big raindrops were falling. I hit the turnoff at Eureka right as the rain turned to snow and all the way to Tooele, it was a whiteout but I slowed down and white-knuckled reaching our drive at about 9:30. Here's how it looked here Sunday morning, the 8th:

By Sunday night, all of this (except on the mountains) was melted.

I want to share a few more things but will save those for later. Looking forward to an anniversary dine out this evening. :)