Trip to Jerome for Mom's Birthday/My Birthday

What a great weekend! Ginger flew to Salt Lake and I picked her up on the way to Jerome Thursday evening. It was nice to spend time with her and catch up on her life. Shayla was going to meet us in Jerome. It was mom's birthday so we had planned on spending the weekend with her. We took mom out to dinner at Janitzio Mexican Restaurant in Twin Falls for her birthday dinner. Tracy and Sarah were able to join us too. Such a fun time! Dad was still driving the beet truck so he wasn't able to come.

Friday morning mom, Ginger, Shayla and I played 9 holes of golf. The sun was out but it got colder as the morning went on and of course, the Jerome wind didn't help.

After golf we went to Twin and had soup and sandwiches at McAlister's and then went to visit Grandma. She looked great! She is so funny. Judy was in the room with her so we got to visit a little with her as well. She took the picture for us. I wish we could have gone inside to give her a hug!

Ginger, Shayla and I decided that we wanted to take mom to get her nails done. We knew it would not be something she would want to do but she went along with us. We were just going to do manicures since we figured mom would not let anyone touch her feet. She just had them paint her nails with a clear coat so she was done way earlier than we were so we talked her into trying the pedicure. She ended up loving it! Yay!

She definitely deserves to be pampered!

Mom clear, Ginger Orange, Shayla dark purple and me light purple/brownish.

The best was when we got home and dad said, "I didn't marry a painted lady." Ha! We assured him he did not. So funny.

Saturday we woke up to about 10 degrees colder than Friday. We took a walk through Jerome to see all the changes. We walked to up to the high school and then by Kayla's old house and by Debbie Schvaneveldt's house back to moms. It was cold!

After getting ready for the day we headed back to Twin again to meet Judy for lunch at Elevation. It is always fun to be with Aunt Judy.

We didn't even plan our coordinating outfits. Ha.

We said goodbye to everyone and Ginger and I headed back to Salt Lake. Ginger stayed the night at my house. It was fun to wake up on my birthday and have her there. I went to sacrament meeting while she got ready for the day and then I made breakfast burritos before taking her to the airport. I wish we could do this every year!

Justin had my birthday pie waiting for me. 

We left the candy on the porch and watched a movie downstairs. Hope did not leave my side. I think she missed me.

Week 10: He made it to North Dakota!

  Elder Parker has arrived safely to the great North Dakota Bismarck Mission! We are so thrilled to have him. Thank you for sending him to us and for all you have done to help him prepare for this very sacred service. We love him and we're looking forward to serving with him in this the greatest cause!

President and Sister Camp

The next day we got a message from the mission office letting us know where he will be serving. He has been assigned to labor in Sidney, MT with Elder Mortensen and Elder Meccariello.

Park City Weekend

 Kayla, Sherrie and I had planned a get together in Park City this weekend. We were all so excited! Kayla really needed the getaway. Life is just really tough for her right now. The plan was that she would fly to SLC Friday night and would stay at my house. Saturday we would get up and do an early hike. We would then meet Sherrie who was also flying in Friday but going to stay with her sister Tonya that night. Kayla's parents have a time share in Park City so we would head up there and spend the  night and then they both would fly home Sunday afternoon. Well, Sherrie made it to SLC but Kayla's plane kept getting delayed and was eventually cancelled. We were all so bummed and I was so sad for her. Sherrie and I decided to still meet up for a little bit on Saturday. She was going to stay at her sister's for the weekend. We still had the hotel for the night so Kayla told me to take Hannah for a mother-daughter getaway. It was really good to see Sherrie. Kayla and Sherrie have stayed really close but I have just started to get to know her again. We drove up to Cascade Springs and took a little walk. The temperature was perfect and it was really pretty.

Then we went to lunch at Seven Brother's Burgers near the base of the canyon. The little street the restaurant was on is so cute with all the umbrellas overhead.

We finished off our visit with Dairy Queen blizzards in honor of Kayla. It was so nice to catch up.

That evening Hannah and I headed up to Park City. The hotel room was so nice! It was a double suite so it had a regular hotel room with two Queen beds, a little kitchenette and bathroom and then had a huge family room area with regular kitchen, bathroom and a gas fireplace you could turn on with a switch. On both sides of the fireplace there were little seating areas where a small kid could sleep. As if that wasn't enough, it also had another bedroom with a king bed, bathroom and a huge soaker tub. We walked down Main street looking in windows to see if there were any shops we would want to go to the next day and ate at a Mexican Restaurant. It was pretty good. We then went back and went down to the hot tub. We ended the night watching a movie. 

The next morning we checked out of the hotel and walked over to The Bridge for Breakfast. I was excited for Hannah to try it since it is my favorite in Park City. She really liked it too. She had a pancake and potatoes and I had French toast and bacon.

We stopped at the outlet malls and did a little shopping and then headed home. 

While we were shopping Charlyce sent me this picture. Wilson had gotten out of school early to have lunch with Isaac and say goodbye.

It wasn't the weekend I had anticipated but it was a really good weekend anyway. It was fun to have some time with just me and Hannah. I got home in time to have a nice evening at home with Justin celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary.

Video Call with Isaac

Isaac finally called! It was so good to see his face. He looked SO happy. He was very excited to tell us everything he has been doing and learning and is ready to head out to North Dakota.

Millie and Hope

Hannah and Jacob came over today. Millie is getting so big already. Hope is still sure she does not like her but she will tolerate her if she gets a treat!

Pictures from Marianne

 I love my updates from Marianne! "Hanging with the boys tonight. Dinner, Chameleon, and we watched The Best Two Years - He loved it and recommended you watch it too. I did tell him he could tell you himself. Ha. We have really enjoyed your boy. Such a quality young man."

She also sent me a video of him trying to learn this song on the piano. She had to be sneaky so he didn't see her. Good thing you can zoom in. I love that he wrote in what all the notes are so he can play it easier. It is a really beautiful peace. 

Isaac week 8

 I got pictures from Marianne and an email from Isaac today! Dave, Isaac, Marianne and Caleb went to Top Golf. Marianne said they finished in that order with Dave having the best score. 

Isaac is doing great. He is feeling ready to get to North Dakota and hopefully to Japan soon after. It has been fun to see how much he has already grown. Here is one of my favorite parts of his email:

"I want, no.. will be the companion that everyone I'm with will remember as being the companion that helped them reach their full potential. I am here and ready to do whatever God desires of me, and have a great time doing so regardless of the situation. Self-conversion is an important part of missions and I will do all I can to accomplish the vision God has for me and never look back with the thought that I could have done better."

He was able to watch conference with Gabe and they had a Sunday afternoon photo shoot on the trails behind Marianne's house. I love that they had this time together while they are both doing at-home MTC.

Heugh's Canyon Hike and Gardner Village Witchfest

 Last year Tammy and I hiked up Heugh's Canyon a little late in the Fall so we wanted to go earlier to see if we could get more vibrant colors. Well, we waited too long again. Actually, we just had an early storm. We did see some colors but also some snow!

That evening, Justin and I went to Gardner Village. It is a cute little historic area of South Jordan that used to be Mill. It still has many of the cute little structures on the property that are now shops. One of the bigger buildings is now  restaurant. Every year they hold a Witchfest. The whole area is decorated so cute and of course, there are witches everywhere. People will come dressed up as witches too. It was fun to walk around and enjoy the cool evening air. We ate at a Mexican restaurant and ended up buying a picture to put downstairs in the now guest bedroom (Isaac's room).

One of the shops had this sign in it. Oh how true it is! Ha.

Thankfully, the picture fit in my new car. We totally forgot we didn't have the van and we would have to be worried about getting it home.

Applies, Wilson and Fall Colors

 I got three great texts today with pictures. Marianne sent pictures of Isaac helping to peel applies, Charlyce sent a pictures of Isaac and Wilson enjoying a meal they made together and Hannah sent me a picture of her and Millie from their walk in Provo Canyon. It was a good text day!