Mississippi and D.C.

So I have been to Mississippi and Washington D.C. and back. It has been a long time since I have been on an airplane and now I feel like almost an expert. Thanks to a prescription for air sickness (lets here it for the patch) I almost enjoyed the many flights.

So Nikki, Maddie, Sadie, Jack and I left Spokane at 6a.m. the morning of July 16. Sadie had one short moment of feeling sick but the sprite took care of that. First stop was Denver, then to Oklahoma City, then Huston and then to Jackson. Four separate planes and one very long sprint to the next plane in Huston (we made it ) and not one car seat,or piece of luggage was lost. I really think I should write someone and say job well done. Damon and Matt where at the airport to greet us and a very welcome sight they where. The girls did really well flying. Sadie slept the last two flights due to the Dramamine.

First stop was the apartment. A very nice and big place. Three bedrooms with each room having its own walk in closet. Great for storage. This picture is the building from the parking lot. Their place is the second floor but on the other side of the building

I love the trees there - they are Crap Myrdal trees. In case you where wondering. One thing Damon learned is that he never wants to be on the second floor again. EVER! Matt and Da unloaded the truck and Matt put the beds, table and stuff together. The Elders quorum did come and help with the piano and big stuff. Matt left on the 18th and I started playing with the kids so that Nikki and Da could unpack. As you can tell be this next picture - you don't want to be a box that needs unpacking when Nikki is around - yes , this is the knife she used.
Their apartment is bigger than what they are used to and so they have the room they need for all their stuff. Just a couple pictures of the inside.

This is the living room, french doors to the little deck.


The girls room has enough room for both beds and all the toys. The closet has the dressers and toys also.

The kitchen with laundry room in the back. They got front loading machines as you can see the washing machine door is open.


This is the pool they can go to. Perfect for families-the deepest point is 4 and a half feet deep. Maddie is a fish. The water is a little warm , since it was 100 degrees outside. But still refreshing when you get out. You don't need a towel.

One of the first things we did was go to the campus and check out Damon's new office. This is the building his office is in.

Really nice people there and the girls even found a lady that had jelly beans. What more can you want?

Well, as all good things must come to an end -I had a blast being a part of the Damon and Nikki family - I think the girls where ready to only have two parents by the time I left. And more important it was time for their lives to get back to normal in their new home. So after allot of tears on my part - (as I tear up even now) I take off on yet another plane to see Cristy.

One very big airport is Baltimore/Washington International and Cristy was still able to find me. I am very glad of that. It was late and we just went to her place and crashed. Nathaniel was already asleep - he was running a 101 degree fever - so we just aired up the mattress and went to sleep. About 2a.m. the air left the mattress and I slept the rest of the night on the floor. I must have been tired cause I slept.
This is the walk way up to her front door - that blue door you see. Lots of squirrels running around - one of the neighbors puts out peanuts. They too are on the top floor. You can just see their balcony in this picture.

This is standing at the front door looking in - yes it is small but perfect for the two of them. Very cute and this is actually the only picture I'm going to show you. Bug Cristy to post some more on her blog.

After that first night we went and stayed in Cesar and Susan's home. They went to Mexico for the week and offered their home for us to use. NICE!!!! They are the greatest people. Cristy and I went to the temple on Friday -I almost couldn't go because I lost my recommend - glad my bishop was at home working on his computer. While we where there we met Uncle Chucks brother and sister-in-law there. It is a great story - ask Cristy about it. Then off to the sights of D.C.

We spent Saturday morning with Robbie and she took us to Great Falls Park - National Park? Anyway it was great - great hike and great views.

I think my hair frizzed more in D.C. then in Jackson. But all in all - it was a great time touring the nations capital and playing tourist. We even ate at a great Italian restaurant and all the while poor N was home with a fever. On my last day I was able to finally convince N to go to the Dr. He got some antibiotics and by Wednesday he was back to work. We all want to know if he caught this on his honeymoon? Will we ever know?

I have been asked over and over - if I was glad to be home? A very tough question actually - was I glad to be away from part of my family? NO! Was I glad to be home where I have two weeks of yard work to catch up on? NO! But- I guess I am glad to be with the rest of my family and be in my own bed - so yes, I'm glad to be home. But I look forward to doing this whole trip again. Maybe Matt can even join me.

Silverwood

Fun times in the sun. When the family gets together it is always fun. Well, I think so....So with Cristy on her honeymoon in Jamaica - we couldn't be outdone - off to Silverwood. A local theme Park with rides and water for a hot day. Damon with his family, Nikki, Maddie, Sadie and Jack. Mandy with her family, George, Georgie and Grayam. Grant and Liz and Darren. And we were joined with friends Liz and Dave and their kids Kenzie, Haily, Greg and Connor. Matt is at work, it is Wednesday. I was there too but I'm behind the camera - a great place to be when in a bathing suit.

First, we got a cabana, a covered 10x10 space with a locked storage and a small fridge that didn't really work. but a great home base. Suits on - time to hit the water-

Uncle Darren takes the girls in and oops forgets his cell phone is still in his pocket. How long does it take for a phone to dry out? We will let you know....

Grayam will play with this stream of water but no other...too much splashing.

Uncle Grant gets all of us wet.

Damon was brave enough to go on the steep slides...not me.

Even baby Jack was having fun. Such a cutie pie!!!!

After the water park - on to the rides and Garfields summer camp. Grayam in the tree house.

Georgey and Haily in the Dumbo ride. Always a fun time.

Nikki and Sadie on the run away train.

So, what do you do with five children when the grown-ups are on the big roller coasters? Make your own ride out of a wheel chair. Georgey, Sadie, Haily, Greg, and Maddie. Who said they have a hard time sharing?

The panic plunge is about to begin- look out George and Liz. What goes up....

Must come down..sooner or later..
I think Liz liked going up better. We started the day at 11 in the morning and ended the day at 9 at night. I think we all had a great day - I know I did!!!!!!

Cristy is Sealed to Nathaniel

Well, here it is the day after and I must say yesterday (even though it was verrrrrry hot) was a great day. My Cristy is married. Nathaniel is a great guy. Temple ceremony started at 1:03 p.m. pacific daylight time and they where sealed at 1:09. Short, sweet and all the important things said. I think Mandy won the crying award. Although we all shed a few happy tears.

She was beautiful. The funny thing that happened was that during the picture taking at the temple, the sprinklers went off. If we weren't in our good clothes, I think we all would have run through them, it was 96 degrees out there (according to my car). But Cristy heard the start up noise, screamed and started to run - she lucked out and one sprinkler head was pointed the wrong way - otherwise she would have gotten it.

Nathaniel and his father Cesar.

Grant, Matt and Darren - always serious.

Here is C n' N listening to a very touching toast from Cesar. (Georgey is having too much fun running around) There was a ring ceremony - I had to walk down the aisle so I don't have any pictures of this but it was conducted by Bishop Johnson, my home teacher. They had all the nieces and nephews that were old enough, participate. The best was Georgey - he didn't like everyone looking at him so he covered his eyes as he walked with Maddie and Sadie. It was great and sorry I don't have a picture.The food was great.

A little dancing.

Throwing of the bouquet. New sister, Carly caught it. Georgey got the garter.

Then off to Jamaica. We had allot of help cleaning up and it really didn't take that long to pack everything up . But boy was I tired. It was a great day!!!!

To Cristy - I love you lots, tons, gobs, bunch and to Nathaniel, take care of my little girl and welcome to the family.

Shower time !!!!

Cristy gets into town and Mandy throws a shower. Perfect!!! We played - Who knows Cristy better - Friends or Family? Family just barely Won -

Mandy served a great spread. Mexican food with personal water bottles. Brooke, Rachael and Christy-O helped her. And Cristy got to see allot of old friends.

But of course the main reason for any shower is the presents --

A big thank-you to everyone -
Here is Cristy with her grandma - my mother - I just like this picture for some reason. Anyway it was a great night. Mandy you did a great job. Now the next day is getting ready for more party's on Friday before the wedding on Saturday. Since I am not sleeping that well, I figure I'll keep this up to date. If I am not up to date - figure I finally got a great nights sleep.

I was totally surprised !!!

So, it is a little dark but I got another trophy! It took me 51 years to get a trophy and now I have two in two months. Oh, yeah - I got third place in State Competition. I really didn't think I did that well, but I didn't stink as bad as everyone else. My roommate took first - so that means that Lakeland School district just walked over the rest of the state. My boss loved that.

Now on to the important stuff - Cristy and Nathaniel's wedding in four short days.

Not much happening----yet

So I hate it - or rather - I am disappointed when I check a blog and it is the same old thing. I know things are going on but what? Well, right now in my life - I am in preparation mode.

Preparing for State competition. (Stupid road-e-o) And preparing for the wedding. Getting the yard fixed up as best I can and all the other plans that go along with it.

We moved Damon and Nikki yesterday. Moved them into our shop and basement. I was very impressed as to the preparation that those two did. We arrived in Pullman around 10 am and we had them packed and cleaned by 1. In Coeur d'Alene by 4:00 - we even stopped for lunch. Not a bad day. Their big adventure is starting. This is stop number one before the big move to Mississippi.

I'll have pictures and more news of the many fun things to come this summer - right now I'm sewing, cleaning, studying and practicing for all the big events to come.

It only took 51 years

After 51 years I have earned a trophy. I competed in the "region 1" School bus safety competition and I took second place. I was shocked. I have been practicing for the last 3 weeks or so. Driving that bus through cones of all sizes. I am really sick of parallel parking that thing. I really think something should get easier the more you do it but that is not true. Sometimes I can park that bus and other times I ram everything in sight.

I know most of you didn't even know that something like this even existed- don't worry no one really cares except bus drivers - even some bus drivers don't care. What is involved? Glad you asked - there are 10 driving skills put to the test and one written exam that is 40 questions. Twenty-five questions of general laws for school bus drivers and 15 questions about the bus equipment. Do you know what system the "pitman arm" is associated with? I do!

This next picture is me trying to remember that I know what a "pitman arm" is!

The driving test include: Back up alley - basically backing into a driveway that is about two feet wider than your bus and not hitting the cones on either corner and placing your back bumper in a one foot "free" zone. You also have to be centered. Points off for every inch you are off. Piece of cake - possible 50 points - I got 26. I never said I got a great score.

The offset Alley - is just that - pretend you are driving down an alley that is the length of your bus and then curves to the left one bus width and goes straight another bus length. Without hitting anything. I hit flag and got a score of 43 out of 50

The railroad crossing is just that - we have allot of legal things, stop, look, listen, and you can't forget any of them - a possible 75 and I got 75.

Straight line is 5 groups of tennis balls placed in a straight line - the balls are 4 inches wider than your back doles. You can't drive over any and I didn't 50 out of 50.

Diminishing Clearance is an alley that starts with 12 inches wider than your bus and ends only 4 inches wider. Can't touch any flags - oops I did 30 out of 50.

Right turn sounds simple but you have to put your rear tire in a specific spot. You are only given about 8 inch variance. Harder than it sounds - I got a 30 out of 50.

Curb line is parking your bus the easy way. Just pull in straight park close and pull out without hitting the "cars" on either end. Points off for not getting close enough. I got a 50 out of 50.

Parallel Parking is my one event I hate the most. You have a space that is 4 feet longer than the bus and you have two back ups to get in. For the first time in competition I didn't hit the curb. (that simple thing takes away all possible points) I was excited. I got a 44 out of 50.

Elementary Student loading in the ninth skill. If we mess this up , well, we stink. I got a 50 out of 50.

Last is the stop line. You stop the bus with your front bumper directly over a specific line. Points off for not getting close enough to the line and zero points for going over. I got 25 out of 25.

That is it I had a total of 572 out of 675. Not the greatest score but 35 points ahead of third place and first place had 605. I need to do better on the written test. Why? Because I did this silly thing I am now going on to State competition. Yes, folks this thing goes all the way to nationals.

And this state thing is the Monday before Cristy's wedding. I just really need more stress in my life.
This is me before competition -" I want one" They are so prettttty. Mandy said - "see the trophy - be the trophy"

I was really shocked that I took second place. When 4th and 3rd was called, and I wasn't them -I figured I didn't even place. Shock!!!
I got one - my very first trophy. (And to my kids I don't count a "letter" for my bowling years in high school - a trophy.) NOW ON TO STATE!!!!