Thanksgiving in Utah

After departing from Bryce Canyon, we made our way back to the 15 freeway to travel north up to Bluffdale where my sister Pat lives. We arrived about 6:30pm to find sushi (yum!) and pizza waiting for us. Sally, Chris, Katie and the "Moms" arrived about 15 minutes behind us. This is my great-nephew, Avery. He is 3 years old now and finishing up being potty trained. So cute! And this is Avery's mom, my niece Desiree. The next morning which was Thanksgiving, we arose early to be at Pat's gym by 7am. She is a member of a new gym called Lifetime Fitness Center. I hope they build one in our area someday. It is very impressive! Pat, Sally, Desiree, Lauren, and myself started with the treadmills. After that, Lauren took me to the free weights and a couple of machines to work my upper body. Then, back to the treadmills. After about 2 hours, we returned home to prepare for the dinner Desiree had planned for us. Lauren kept the troops occupied with reading. Jared took in some football games. Pat set the table.

This cute little puppy is a labrador mix that strayed into Pat's yard. They tried to find the owner (OK, they didn't try very hard) but to no avail. She adopted the puppy and named her Poppy. She is about 4 mos. old and chews on everything. No, Lauren, I do not want a chocolate lab, please rid your mind of that notion. Desiree worked so hard and fed us with such a wonderful gourmet meal. It was Outstanding! She is a wonderful cook! Lauren had such a fun time playing with Avery! She looks so natural holding a child. Maybe one day....... We took the opportunity to pose the sisters and daughters. Then we added Grandma and Jared to the picture. Too bad Lex wasn't with us. This carrot cake was one of the 5 desserts Desiree made for us. Kylie, Katie, and Avery watching "Cars" along with Poppy.
You know the meal was wonderfully satisfying by the contented looks on people's faces. This was a great day! Everyone was tired but happy! Friday night we went into Salt Lake City to see the Jazz play the Lakers. My bro-in-law Larry and I. One of us rooting for the correct team! The game was close all the way into the 4th quarter. Then the Jazz came back and beat the Lakers. Oh well, it was very fun! Saturday morning, we got up early to get on the road and drive all the way home. Yay!

In the End, I Want to be Standing at the Beginning with You

Warning: This blog may get mushy.....leave now if you aren't sentimental!
The first time I laid eyes on "HIM" was when our churches combined for a weekend youth retreat at Seal Beach. Tall, Dark, Handsome, and a million-dollar smile. My heart skipped several beats! I was too young to date, but when our churches merged.....we began to hang out with the same group of friends.
We attended high schools that were cross town rivals. He played on the basketball team, sang with the choir, was a drummer, and marched in Drum and Bugle Corps. I sang in choir, and marched in the Scarlet Chevalier Drill Team. That must be why we enjoy parades : ) We dated for a short time during high school, but discovered that we were in different places in our spiritual journeys....so broke it off. Paul graduated and began college courses at Fullerton Jr. College, I was a senior when we attended bible study at our dear friends, Jim and Nita Wyatt's home. Jim and Nita had been my mentors for a few years, discipling me in my christian walk and letting me stay at their home on many occasions. I babysat their 3 year old twin sons, Gary and Daron. It was when Paul had asked God to show him who was the one for him, that he looked up and saw me in my white angora sweater. (yeah, it was the classic line: God told me we should be together ). We began dating the summer I graduated from HS. There were many activities that Paul and his family enjoyed that I hadn't experienced. Fishing was one. Yes, He has always had a passion for fishing. Camping was another activity his family enjoyed. I went to Yosemite with his family more than a few times. I began my freshman year at Biola College and we continued to date. I lived in the dorm at Biola, but spent every weekend home. We dreamed and planned our future together and on December 6, 1975, I married the love of my life! By the way, my wedding gown was worn originally by my mother in law when she married my father in law in 1947. It was an ivory colored, heavy-weight satin. Bea was very thrilled to have me wear it and I had to add about 6 inches of lace to make it long enough. Shortly after we were married, we bought our first boat and began spending lots of time taking trips to the Colorado River. Not long after that, we bought a truck and besides using it to pull the boat, we enjoyed driving it out to the desert to 4 wheel the hills and dunes. In 1977, we bought our first home. A new home in Ontario for $45,000.00! It was around 1400 sq. ft. and had a big diamond shaped backyard because it was in the "corner" of a cul-de-sac. The picture is of me looking out the kitchen window. The bridesmaid photo was taken at my best friend's wedding and that was the day we picked up our first puppy. A black and white springer spaniel that we named Jasper.
From 1980 to 1985 we had our family. Three beautiful children: Lauren, Jared, and Alexander. Our family fit right into our activities. They grew up going to the river, desert, and wherever we decided to travel. God has greatly blessed our years together and for that we are extremely grateful. The last two photos are from our recent trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Thirty-One years of steadfast love for God and each other! Happy Anniversary my Love!

Bryce Canyon - Day 2

This morning, we woke up and packed our belongings for check out. Paul and Jared were hankering to "drop a line" even though everyone we had talked fishing with, had said the bite was over for the season. Jared was done with hiking and most definitely biking, so the decision was made to part ways. They would drive to the Sevier River to fish after dropping Lauren and I at the Fairyland Trailhead. We had a good breakfast @ Ruby's & got dropped off. I was anxious to get down among the hoodoos after seeing them from the rim of the canyon the day before. The day was slightly cloudy, so we weren't hot and the colors were vibrant. We had a wonderful time hiking and talking of many things. Under the spell, we became "one" with the hoodoo.The guys struck out with the fishing. They checked with the people fishing, and discovered nothing being caught so they didn't even throw a line in : ( They drove back to Bryce and waited for us to climb out of the canyon at Sunrise Point. We hopped in the truck and pointed it towards the 15 fwy. Time to head to my sister's house in Bluffdale. What a wonderful 4 days!!

Bryce Canyon National Park

After a great night's sleep at Ruby's Inn, we arose to a chilly, frosty morning. Our agenda was to survey Bryce Canyon. The visitor's center was the first stop. We consulted with the friendly ranger there who advised us to drive all the way to Rainbow Point and then make our way back, stopping at each viewpoint. This seemed like good advice, so off we went. Bryce is such an amazing place! An array of pink sand castles fill the valley interspersed with beautiful trees. The sandstone structures that fill the canyon are called "hoodoos". "Hoodoo" means to cast a spell. At Bryce Canyon NP erosion forms an array of fantastic shapes we know as hoodoos. Surrounded by the beauty of southern Utah, hoodoos cast their spell on all who visit. We were certainly under their spell as we shot hundreds of photos. This one is called "Thor's Hammer" This is a natural bridge formed by rain and frost erosion acting from the top of the rock. After spending the better part of the day driving through the park and taking pictures, we were hungry. We left the park to drive back to a restaurant we had seen on the highway touting buffalo burgers, however, it was closed so we made our way back to an cute little restaurant called "Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant". We enjoyed elk burgers, yummy french fries, chili, and warm blueberry pie with ice cream. Mmmmm! Back to Ruby's Inn to settle in for the evening and watch some movies.

to be continued...