Nothing beats FAMILY

Mom, Dad and Doug left yesterday just before 1:00 pm and by 1:30, I was missing them. I loved having them here for a week, and the week unfortunately went by too quickly. While they were here, I didn't have the feeling that we lived hundreds of miles apart but felt as if we were a family together all the time. I don't know if they felt the same way as I did but I sure did LOVE having them at my home.

Mom made it up the steep stairs to the attic numerous times and checked the blogs and got comfortable. I had to smile when I saw Mom lying on the floor against the lovesac. She doesn't look her age NOR does she act her age. I missed seeing her get up off the floor though...

Doug had gone to Costco down in Orem and met the artist of some puzzles (Dowdle) that we both own and have enjoyed. Doug was like a groupie and talked with him for about 15 minutes and from what Doug told us, really enjoyed the artist's sense of humor. (According to Doug, Alana stated that he was the funnies person she has met-the artist, not her Dad...) Doug was sold and bought some puzzles. My family received and early Christmas present and are now owners of a puzzle of the Utah Governer's Mansion. We of course had to put it together that night. Doug was told that it could be put together in 1.5 hours and with all of us working on it, fighting for space, we were able to do it in 35 minutes.

There's a technique and we flipped all the pieces over and divided the pieces by color and did the edges first. I was told that we needed Auntie Sharon with us because she has a specialty when putting together puzzles. I can't remember what she does though.

Somehow Blade had the last two pieces in his hand and had the honor of putting in those last pieces.

Thursday night, I came home from work and was pleasantly surprised to have my Dad's ribs cooking! That's alot better than going out to eat! Unfortunately, Dave got called into work and wasn't able to be with us as a family that evening. While we were waiting, Doug used all his knowledge with technology and the newest services and got us online with Angie, Mike, Brylie, Tyken and Erika in Hawaii (who just got back from "the beach"). Like Doug mentioned, it's like the Jetson's era and seeing the people as you talk with them, and you see yourself in the bottom corner. I'm amazed by all this technology and what can be done. I was and still am amazed but, apparently my Dad wasn't as amazed...okay he was but he was just tired at the end of the day.

This is what we saw on the monitor, minus Blade's reflection.
Still enjoying the visit with the "Hawaii" bunch.


Another pre-supper activity. Playing the Wii.
Grandpa couldn't get the hang of how to use the control (like me, it must be genetic) and Blade had to show him how to use it. Grandma got the hang of it, she's pretty good at bowling!
Now all we need is "smellavision" so that everyone can enjoy the aroma we were experiencing as the ribs cooked.


And the part just about as good as eating the ribs is that there were LEFTOVERS!

It kept getting better and Mom and Dad gave us another early Christmas gift and there was a new shiny kitchen faucet waiting to be installed. Installation was included in the gift because Doug installed if for us while his "best friend" supervised his work.Dave got home just before 11:00pm and "assisted" Doug.The "before" faucet with the broken handle.
The "after" faucet in all its' beauty and soap dispenser. AND what's interesting is that we are such a Costco family as a whole, that Doug and possible Sheila, have the same faucet!

Doug found great deals at NPS and bought himself and Dave matching shirts. You can't go wrong with black shirts and you can't go wrong with nice quality shirts for $2! (or was it $3?)

Nicole and Chay were at school when Mom, Dad, and Doug left for home but Blade was there to enjoy every last minute of their stay. Blade was shy at first when they arrived but it only took minutes before he was showing Grandpa his "tickle me Elmo" and sitting with Grandma to draw with the stencils she brought. It touched my heart to be able to see Blade so comfortable with Mom and Dad. Grandpa kept telling Blade to pack his things so that he could go with them and Blade just said, "he's so silly".

You can't beat the next two pictures...

"I love you too"

Blade tossing the basketball with Dave while they waited. The secret to a good pass seems to be keeping your eyes tightly closed...

The world as seen by Blade. I'll have to post some of the pictues that he takes. Sometimes, okay often, I get my camera and I'm surprised by some of the pictures that are on my camera.

Mom and Dad with their faithful and loving chauffeur.

The dearest people in my life... How do I thank them adequately for all the love they have given me and for all the things that they have done for me while growing up and continue to do for me and my family. Mom and Dad started with honest, hardworking parents and went on to achieve successful careers, kids that are pretty decent and remain close to each other, wonderful friends, a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father and a love, faith and dedication for Church and family that is unbeatable.

I LOVE YOU MOM and DAD!

I miss you and you bring tears to my eyes as I think about my love for you and all that you mean to me.