Go with Jo

my dad would be 90!

2012-01-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

my dad, gerald...jiggs to his friends was one of the most generous people i have ever known, (tom, was the other one)....he gave and gave and taught me that great principle....i was so lucky to have him as a dad...he had the best sense of humor and loved a good joke...he had great knowledge and loved to pass it on (lecture) to us during dinner!! he was smart, loved the game...the game of business...the sport's game....any game...he loved the 'odds' of beating the other side...he coached our wards basketball and softball teams for years and years...and it was almost like a pro team...golf was his passion...and he dressed the part....i remember his bright red pants that he wore...he had huge goals and he pulled it off....he owned the utah jazz, he owned the canyon racquet club, and he owned and built the jeremy ranch among other things...but, i think his greatest achievement was marrying my mom and raising 4 amazing children...which of course, i am one of!! i was blessed to have him in my life...love you forever!! enjoy your birthday golf game with mom and tom!!!

Christmas

2012-01-10T00:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve.....family, friends, food, and a special visit from 'you know who!'

Christmas Day was filled with gifts, more food, toys...the next day brought Willie and Kelly and family for a whole week!!!

The cousins played...there was running, screaming, laughing...we went to the beach with our gorgeous weather...we went to the zoo...we went to Catalina...we saw the old Mullin house on Catalina...went a on sub ride...played in the sand and water....

the holidays were fantastic!!! I got to see all my special loved ones...couldn't ask for a better Christmas!!

pre christmas festivities

2011-12-24T12:21:00.000-08:00

russ and kristen had a fun 'ugly' sweater party last night...there were goodies, lots of ugly sweaters, white elephant gifts...firecrackers....a great time...i'm decorated to the hilt...just need to make food for santa tonight...merry christmas to all!!!

thanksgiving

2011-11-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

holiday in utah:

slc...a little snow...some clouds...some beautiful days

family...playing with the grandkids...talking to them...enjoying being with them

friends...hanging out with my buddies...always alot of fun

t-day....alot of work...but, soooo worth it!

movies....shopping....relaxing....

a great getaway!

house project

2011-10-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

(the before...i guess i only take pictures of my house when it's decorated)
(the actual work)
(finished)

i've had a huge project going on since last may....and it's done!!! i'm soooo tired from all that work....just kidding...i didn't do much of anything, except watch!! but, we changed the outside of the house...from a little cottage style house...to a classic Mediterranean house...i love it...it was a long summer...all my guests, visitors and neighbors had to deal with dust, noise, hammering, jack hammers, huge messes...what else? just about everything...trucks, sand, and more noise...but, it turned out fantastic! thank you, thank you..mike and all your great subs...we covered the front walk way and turned it into a little covered porch...with a front gate...the biggest thing we did was take out the step up into the house and step down...took out a couple of walls and made the entry just open...changed the driveway to pavers...put new windows and doors in...built a new barbecue area...it turned into a bit more of a project than i thought...at the end of may when i asked mike if it would be done in july for the wedding...he gave a startled look...like you're crazy!! and i was...so, here it's end of oct...and we're done!!! yippee! i'm thrilled with the outcome...the only thing is...i'll miss my friends...all the work men that have been hanging out...maybe they'll come by and say hi!!

utah fun

2011-10-30T18:41:00.000-07:00

last weekend i was in utah for nick and shayla's wedding...what a fun time! we got together with so many friends...i love these weddings 'cause we get to see everyone! the best part is my family all made the trip to the wedding also! so, my project before they came was to make a couple of little playrooms in the basement...they were a huge hit! the kids had fun playing dress-ups...playing in the little tent...playing with the little kitchen...they loved it! guess i need to make one down at home...all in all it was a great week...

hard to beat

2011-10-15T00:55:00.000-07:00

it's hard to beat a day like this...
park city boutique...best find...kathy's chocolate...
kamas....best restaurant...high mountain drugstore..
it's award winning hamburgers and malts...and fun stuff they sell...
heber city...fantastic art show...beautiful paintings, sculpture and ceramics...
gorgeous mountains to drive through...picture perfect day...
fantastic friend to be with...
loved the day!!!

make it work....

2011-10-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

so, i ordered some patio furniture online, for my front porch...didn't realize it would come in a box and that i would be putting it together...it wasn't too bad, except for a few of the holes that were not lined up....hmmm, that took some work, to get them to work...but, finally...finished product!! doesn't look too bad...

flew the coop and where did i land??

2011-09-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

slc....lunches, kids, family, friends, dinners, shopping, hot, beauty, mountains, relax...
colorado....family, fun, mountains, bikes, rivers, gondolas, hikes, green, beauty, cool, dinners, exploring, rain, swimming, stories....
slc....more lunches, more friends, more family, birthdays, visits,more kids, hot summer days and nights, movies, more of everything.....
what a way to fly the coop.....

flying the coop

2011-08-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

this summer was crazy with people at our house....all the rooms were full...lots of action going on at all times...it was really fun...but, as you know, all good things come to an end...russ and kristen moved into their new house...they are getting settled into real life (that actually happens in two weeks when school starts), kerry moved back to utah for school...she was excited to go see her friends, although most of them seemed to have shown up once or twice this summer...shem left on his trip...met up with andrea....nick and shayla left the week before...so, i'm down to sophie, sadie and gracie...i'm an empty nester...which is sort of weird...so we'll see how it goes...since they flew the nest, maybe i should also! where should i go????

birthdays!

2011-08-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

from june until august we have 7 birthdays in our family....so we get to have alot of fun parties....this week was willie's 31st birthday and today is kerry's 22nd birthday!!! hip hip hooray!! my kids are the greatest and i'm so lucky to have them in my family....willie is such a fantastic man...he is smart, funny, handsome, a great husband and wonderful dad..

kerry is so beautiful...she is artistic, a fashionista, so

much fun to be with...she is full of life at all

times...it's a party when you're with her....i am so

blessed to have such a great family...we have a

great time together...i want them both to know

how proud i am of both of them....love you guys...

big day!

2011-07-25T00:19:00.000-07:00

last week was the big day for russell and kristen!!! and the lead up was just as fun..willie and kelly arrived the monday before and went straight to disneyland...they met kerry, emma, kelly and jeff and the kids for a couple of fun-filled days...then everyone came back for the festivities at our house...last minute details...fantastic days...a little bit crazy with all the kids running around...on thursday we had a rehearsal at the ranch where the reception was held...it's such a beautiful spot...can hardly believe it's so close...and such a secret! afterwards we drove around the property and saw the llamas, the buffalo, the zebra, camels and horses...the kids loved feeding them...friday was the big day! it was a beautiful day...russ and kristen were married in the los angeles temple...it was beautiful...they were so happy...afterwards we had pictures and then quickly drove to the saddle rock ranch...trying to miss 'carmageddon' which as we all know...didn't really happen...that was a blessing! the ring ceremony was beautiful...moms came first down the aisle, then bridesmaids and groomsman...and then the kids...uh oh...willie and i realized that no one was watching the kids after we left! they were the hit (after the bride and groom)...gavin came marching in carrying the ring pillow...then kate, owen, tommy, charlie came running up behind...and lexi, after wandering a bit made it back on the path also...it was so cute...they looked darling...the dinner was amazing...started dancing right away...the party went on and on...everyone had a fantastic time...it was really gorgeous...on saturday we all relaxed at our house with a swim party with many of our close friends...it's always so much fun to be together...it was a great weekend...i'm so thankful that so many of my family and friends were there to share it with us...i just wish i could have visited with everyone, just a 'bit' longer...thanks for making it a great day!!!

this and that

2011-07-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

this and that

it's been crazy the last month...and it doesn't seem to be letting up! after my trip to idaho and utah...got right into the last minute prep for youth conference...it was fantastic and alot of work! we (bonnie, larene , me and many helpers) cooked and cooked, making all the food for the conference....then i came home that saturday night to russ' birthday...he was celebrating with a barbecue...then, we had another barbecue on sunday for kelly's birthday....then, 3 days later it was kristen's birthday...so alot of parties that week...then topped it off with a barbecue for the 4th of july...which was really fun...we had everyone bring a great dish...so we had sooooo much food...then we had alot of delicious desserts, plus a smore bar...it had about anything you could think of to make different types of smores...topped that off with wonderful fireworks...a really fun day...we've been having alot of guests this summer...about every week someone new shows up...it's been really fun to have the house so full..the inside and outside is crazy..they are working on the house still, everyone is just trying to keep out of each others way and every morning we have a great wakeup call!..so much fun, but when it's finished it will be great....right now i've got kelly and jeff's kids for the weekend...the one weekend that the whole house seemed to have emptied! so, i asked emma moller to come and help me with the little angels!!!! she's been wonderful...the kids love her! thanks emma...we've been swimming a ton, the weather is so beautiful, movies, the kids are just playing...trying to stay out of the construction workers way!...so, now we come down to the countdown of the big day for russ and kristen! only 6 days until they tie the knot!!! woo hoo! willie and kelly arrive on monday...and the party starts!!! or maybe just continues!!!

zumbox

2011-06-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

russell works for a company called zumbox....what is zumbox? it's an online postal system that sends digital postal mail, based on your name and street address...what does that mean? when you sign up for zumbox, you can manage all your mail online (pay bills, make notes on mail, store them forever etc...)....follow this link to sign up and you might win!!! a million dollars, an ipad, bills paid for a year...so try your luck...it's free!

oops!

2011-06-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

so, in my previous post, i said that we went to boise last weekend..so, this is the story behind that trip....on wednesday, larene, kerry and i drove down to the airport...i was driving....we pulled up to the curb of the airport...my car has an automatic car lock button...i pushed it so we could all get out....larene hopped out and went to open the backend...as i was getting out and shutting the door...larene said, it won't open...sooooo, kerry pushed the button again...BUT, that locked all the doors!!! uhoh!!! the car was locked, no extra key...and the car was running....the curbside checkin guy came, the president of american airlines was walking by and tried to help, cops came....no go...the doors were not going to open...i called triple a...after 1/2 hour the guy showed up...in the meantime the curb guy checked us in, and was giving us a running time of how long we had left before missing the flight....while waiting i also called land rover...asking if they had an 'onstar' type option...no luck...and...they said, you will not be able to unlock the doors....so the triple a guy tried....no luck...the curb guy is saying 2 min...so, i'm saying...break the window! so 3 tries later....a shatter and glass everywhere...kerry reached in and unlocked the door...we grabbed our bags...kerry was sent straight to land rover...we ran to security, begged to be put front of the line...and ran for the gate....and...we made it!!! what a way to start a trip!

whirrrrlwind

2011-06-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

'tis the season of weddings, parties, weddings and more weddings...last wednesday larene and i flew up to boise to landon cooley's wedding...we went a few days early to visit and help out alison...we had a great time seeing boise, helping out with the wedding and most importantly, catching up with each other!! the wedding was beautiful...vanessa was a gorgeous bride, landon, a handsome groom...good times! on saturday, kerry, abby moller and i flew down to slc...polly and her girls threw russell and kristen a shower...it was especially fun because kelly and willie, kelly, jeff and kids and of course, russ and kristen came...it was so much fun to see the cousins...it's always a great time when we get together...it was a quick visit, everyone leaving today...but a nice short time together...thanks, pod....

happy anniversary!

2011-05-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

7 years ago kelly and willie started their life together.....

look what they've accomplished!!!

happy anniversary!!

timeout...

2011-05-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

this last week we've had whit visiting us...so it's been a fun 'play' week...yesterday we drove down to visit kelly and the kids...we started off at bruxie's a great little restaurant in the city of orange...what a cute little area! the restaurant is delicious...they serve everything on waffles! so it's hard to beat that....we then dropped the boys off to play and we girls took a little shopping trip...southcoast is hard to beat...we had a fun time...charlie loved it and was so good... a little jewelry, purse...a few toys...sunglasses...and she was all decked out...and ready to roll! we finished off the night with a crepe...just to remember paris by! kerry added to her outfit from each store..we saw prom dresses made out of paper..they were beautiful...kelly and charlie modeled for us.. what a fun day to be together...

freedom

2011-05-02T22:56:00.000-07:00

i've been lucky enough to have been traveling the world for the past few weeks...i'm really blessed that i was able to do that and to have such a great time with 'the girls' that came with me....this morning i heard that osama had been killed...he was someone who would like to take that freedom away from me and everyone else....so after 10 long years...hooray!! we are so blessed to live in our great country....go USA!! because even though i love to go to foreign lands....i really love living here in beautiful America!!!

on a lighter note....these are some funny and sweet tweets i read:

jperrotto John Perrotto

They should have captured Bin Laden alive and made him continually go through airport security for the rest of his life.

emzanotti Emily Zanotti

Leave it to America to upstage a royal wedding... :)

misconstrue Richard Melo

This weekend is straight out of Shakespeare, bookended with a royal wedding and the death of a tyrant

jimformanKING5 jimforman

9/11 widow on my flight. In tears. Comforted by entire cabin. Life altering event to see.

jimformanKING5 jimforman

Cheers erupt on flight as POTUS announces death of Bin Laden

jimformanKING5 jimforman

Many soldiers on my flight. Passengers shaking their hands. Lone naval officer now getting praise as we learn seals carried out attack

fairytale

2011-04-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

how could i not mention the royal wedding!! london has been set ablaze with the festive spirit...flags are everywhere...pictures of kate and william...wishes for their happiness are on the buildings...what a fun, crazy time...there are soooooooo many extra people here...that's pretty crazy in itself...but, it's fun to experience all the happiness..

12 hours in london

2011-04-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

we got up way too early for a vacation and drove to marseille to the airport...our 'tom tom' navigation could not figure out where it was, so luckily kerry was up to the challenge and got us there!!! yea, kerry! jumped on a plane and flew to london...we got to our hotel, had a delicious brunch (i'm showing the special hot chocolate glasses they had)...we then took the bus tour to show ashley london...for only having the afternoon and evening, we did pretty good...did the tour of most of the city...stopped and shopped a bit...as we were driving in the theatre district, the girls thought it would be fun to see 'the phantom of the opera'....so we got tickets for that....the show was great...one of my all time favs...brings back lots of great memories...after our show, our cabbie took us around a bit...we wanted to go past buckingham palace and most of the roads were closed...but he found one that was open...he was a fun guy to talk to...those taxis guys know everything about the city...he says it takes 4 years to become one, because of all the knowledge they have to learn...so, tomorrow our great trip ends..we are very sad...and have decided to extend it! we thought no one would mind if we just went on traveling...oh, i wish!!!

country drive to gordes

2011-04-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

gordes....what a gorgeous place!!!

the girls playing while I figured out where we were going!

roussillon and the drive back to aix

today we had a wonderful last day in france....we did a bit of shopping down the street from our hotel, then watched the royal wedding....and then took a fantastic drive...we drove up to the village of gordes which is in the luberon part of provence....what a fantastic view......we could hardly believe the view as we drove up the mountain...the village is high on the hill and overlooks the fields of lavendar (they aren't yet in bloom) but i'm sure it's amazing when they are....we walked around the little village, had lunch, shopped around....then, i wanted to go to roussillon but was having a hard time figuring it out with the 'tom tom' navigation....that's when kerry and ashley were bored in the car....finally i gave up and told kerry to be the navigator...so in the first few turns we were lost...and all she did was laugh! finally we got on the right road...it was only about 15 miles...but, in that time period a wild rainstorm hit us...it was lightening and thundering, then it started hailing! it was wild...there was fog...all sorts of craziness....we got to roussillon...so glad we made the effort!!! it was amazing...the dirt there is ochre (red) color...so alot of the buildings are that color...then we took a nice drive back to aix...so many of the little villages made us gasp in delight!!! our favorite day here....so a wonderful way to end our time in france!!

st. remy

2011-04-28T13:54:00.001-07:00

today we drove through the countryside to the beautiful town of st. remy....it's a little town and easy to walk around...so we walked around the town....it had beautiful little buildings...after lunch we found out the shops are closed for siesta...so we waited for a while until they opened...they were worth waiting for...very cute and quaint...we had a nice drive back until the outskirts....we had such a huge rainstorm....it hailed even...as we got out of the car, we were soaked in about 3 minutes...so we went in, dryed off and watched tangled since there are no english stations on tv...it was a nice, easy day...we had dinner at the hotel in the little restaurant and have been sitting at our table for about 3 hours...it's the only place we can get wireless...and as you can tell....we're addicted!!!

aix-en-provence

2011-04-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

today we said goodbye to kelly :( and boarded the train for aix-en-provence...or southern france...a beautiful ride in the countryside...when we got into the station...we had a bit of a problem finding the rental cars..they moved them and left no messages about where...but, we did finally find our little car...we drove to our beautiful little hotel...it's an old villa and so pretty and so french! while waiting for our room to be ready we had a little french lunch of an omelette and salad...so 'french'! our room is so pretty...you walk into a little living area with a terrace outside, then walk downstairs to the bedroom that also has a terrace...we walked down the hill to town...it's a cute little town, tiny little streets...just very quaint...a bit of shopping (i found the famous macaroon cookies we were looking for in paris, was going to bring them home but they need to be refrigerated...so you can look and i'll eat them), dinner and back to the hotel...tomorrow we'll go exploring!

shopping in paris

2011-04-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

today, our last day in paris, we decided to do a little shopping!

we walked and walked...went to the champs elysees to see all the fun stores...we had lunch at a sidewalk cafe...at little tiny tables...shopped in some stores...found a few favorites..had a drink at louis'....and generally just wandered...a nice, but tiring day...that shopping can take it out of you!

easter monday in paris

2011-04-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

today was a busy day...kerry, ashley and i walked to the louvre this morning thinking we would get in....surprise, surprise...it was easter monday...i.e. holiday in paris!!! the line was really long...so back to our hotel we went...we picked up kelly and went to the eiffel tower where we had lunch at the jules verne restaurant...it was so fun to eat in the tower...it is a great restaurant..pretty fancy..they had set the table with teeny tiny forks and spoons, which were never used...guess we didn't order correctly!....the food was delicious...afterward we went out to look at the sights...it was a gorgeous view.....from lunch we hopped on the red bus tour which took us around paris...we stopped back at the louvre, but, this time had prepaid tickets and walked right in....yea!!! we saw the mona lisa, venus di milo, winged victory....etc.etc...but it was really crowded so we left and went to notre dame cathedral...that's fantastic to see...from notre dame we went to the sacre couer cathedral...i've never been there before because it's a bit out of town...it's on a hill looking over paris...gorgeous!!! walked around a bit, found a taxi to take us to moulin rouge...that was disappointing...not what we were looking for...so after seeing that we headed home...a long but great day!!!

paris

2011-04-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

we arrived in paris this evening...went straight to the eiffel tower...made a new friend....had a crepe....went on a boat ride...and walked, walked, walked...tonight we had to say goodbye to kristen..she leaves early tomorrow morning...:(

brugge easter

2011-04-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

we're back to our story: on saturday and sunday we were in brugge...it's such a beautiful little city...we went for a boat ride on the canals...they call it the little venice of the north...the weather was beautiful..like summertime...we walked around the city, did a little shopping...bought delicious chocolates..belgian, of course!! we went on a little carriage ride, we saw different parts of the city this way...it was so interesting...a few facts of note...the city tax collector used to tax the people on the number of windows in their houses...the more windows the richer you were...some of the houses had a window, then a window boarded up....that wouldn't be counted...there is a convent still operating that opened in the 1500's...the clock tower rang it's bells last night and pretty much all day long today for easter...there are 21 churches in town...20 of them catholic and 1 protestant! now we're on the train to paris....it's kristen's last night...tomorrow we'll have to say goodbye to her....:(

happy easter!

2011-04-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

a break in the regularly scheduled program:

Happy Happy Easter!!!

brugges

2011-04-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

today we took the train from amsterdam to brugges belgium...it was a very pretty ride through the country...brugges is a small little city...easy to walk around...it's like a little fairytale...the buildings are so pretty...so much detail in them...it's really fun to see...so we just wandered and looked around...shopped a bit...had some fun...we took pictures in all the cute little doorways that we found...tomorrow we will explore more throughly...it's beautiful...tonight at dinner there was a little procession for easter...pretty interesting...fun times!

kuekenhof

2011-04-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

on thursday we go up early and went to the van gogh museum, that was fantastic to see his amazing paintings...then went to the trainstation and jumped on a train to keukenhof to see the beautiful tulips...the flowers are so wonderful to see...keukenhof is a huge garden that is only open from end of march until end of may when all the flowers are in bloom...i never knew how many varieties of tulips there are! everone of them gorgeous....we took the train and then a bus to get there...out in the dutch countryside..after we walked around the gardens we rented bikes and went for a little ride in the country...that was really fun...i haven’t ridden a bike for a long time...luckily i haven’t forgotten how...while riding we saw the beautiful fields of tulips...so many colors...it was quite a site...took the bus, train, taxi back to our hotel...we were exhausted and spent a quiet night in the hotel....friday onto bruges which is in belgium!

touring amsterdam

2011-04-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

today kerry and i went to the airport and picked ashley up to complete our little group..we didn't give her much down time, but took off to explore the city as soon as we got back...she was a great sport..even though i'm sure she was exhausted from the flight...so we walked down and caught a boat to central station so we could take the boats around the city...afterwards we rode the boat to the anne frank house...that was an amazing thing to see...to imagine them living for 2 years in that house...unbelievable! strong people...we then walked and walked and walked and ended up at the riiksmuseum...that is a fantastic place with rembrandts and other famous artists...afterwards we took the tram back to the city center where we walked in the famous 'red light' district...during the day it's not bad...we saw china town...and then found a little fair with a huge ferris wheel and other rides...kerry and ashley went on the swing ride, kelly, krisen and i went on the ferris wheel which was fun...unless you're kristen and afraid of heights...the view was amazing...we had a great dinner at an argentinian restaurant...had a crepe at the fair for dessert...came home exhausted!!!

amsterdam

2011-04-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

this morning we got up and drove back to belfast...after driving a couple of days, it felt almost natural...we made pretty good time. got to the airport, said good bye to marty and dee and checked in for our flight to amsterdam...the airline would only let you take one item on board...kelly had to empty her purse out so she could put her computer in to carry it on board..we arrived in amsterdam to beautiful warm weather...hope it holds! it is a beautiful city...we walked down through the city for about 20 min. to an area where there are alot of restaurants etc...we ate at a pizzaria...that took forever! we waited 1 1/2 hours before we got our starters...oh well..you win some and lose some...walked back along the canals..tomorow we'll see more of the city..can't wait...

monday in portaferry

2011-04-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

today we have been in portaferry...we slept in and missed breakfast...this is the type of hotel that they know exactly what you’re always doing....they made sure to tell us tonight to get up earlier! we met up with marty and dee and took a wee little drive...we went up to windmill hill...it’s an old windmill and has a gorgeous view..the hills are so beautiful and green...also beautiful yellow flowers called brose...we then drove to different cemetarys looking for mary mullin’s grave...we didn’t find it, but found the graveyard...it was cool to look at the different headstones....they are so old and intricate..we also saw st. patrick’s church...went to the town of greyabbey...had lunch at a little pub...we dropped marty and dee at the library where they went to do some more research..we drove back to find the sign of the ‘wee damn road’...when we got back to town the girls and i took the ferry to strangford so they could also see the republic of ireland..it was a very fun day...driving back to belfast tomorrow and then on to amsterdam!

portaferry,ireland

2011-04-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

this morning we got up, ate our porridge, an oat cake and took a taxi to the airport...we met kelly and kristen there and got our car...our large 7 passenger van would not hold 6 of us with any luggage at all....so we rented a smaller car, loaded up and off we went..kelly did a great job driving after just getting off the plane from LA...it was a beautiful drive down the peninsula to portaferry...this is a small town that the mullin's great, great grandfather immigrated from in 1850...we are here to do some family sleuthing...trying to esablish a few things, find a grave or two...it should be fun...portaferry is a cute little town...after checking into the only hotel in town, we went for a walk around...kristen was feeling a bit tired so she took a wee nap...the town is pretty small, has the obligatory castle, cemetary etc...after our wee walk, kerry and kelly opted for a wee nap...marty, dee and i took the ferry over to strangford...it turns out that were then in the republic of ireland...so in 5 minutes we were in a different country! the view was beautiful...the sky was blue, the water even bluer...our wee ride was alot of fun...if you've noticed, i've picked up a new word..."wee"...they say that and "yous" all the time...there is even a road called "the wee damn rode"...pretty cute....so off to bed and more adventures tomorrow...

belfast, northern ireland

2011-04-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

on thursday night, kerry and i left los angeles (after a nervous ride to the airport, (bad traffic) for jolly old england...we landed, found that i had forgotten to book our luggage to belfast, so, in a rush, we went through customs, retreived our luggage, went upstairs to check in for our flight, found that our next plane was in a different terminal, found the train, took train to terminal one, checked in, went through one check point, then security....finally got to our plane with 5 minutes to spare!!! whew!!! so, we finally arrived in belfast...right after getting into our room at about 7:30 pm, we saw marty and dee walking down the street...we went to dinner, came home and collapsed...today we took a tour of belfast...you know, belfast and northern ireland has had it's wars...they are called 'the troubles'...it's been going on for hundreds of years...and since about 1916 in the last go around...the catholics vs. the protestants...it's all about religion...we toured around the areas today...we saw a park of murals...they show different aspects of the troubles, starting back in the 1600's...a really cool one is of the sniper...it's an optical illusion...his gun is trained on you, no matter where you stand...we saw where the protestants live...the peace line, which is the dividing line between the two groups and the catholic area...kids go to segregated schools..everything is separate...so interesting...belfast is a neat city, not huge, easy to walk around...we are staying near queen's college, so there are alot of students...belfast is where the titanic was built...they are very proud of that...they say, it was great until the 'english' took over the ship...haha...after our tour we ate lunch at a little sandwich shop, then we went to a mystery book shop...that was fun...just full of mysteries...took a little nap...had some chinese food...alot of those in town...now...to bed! tomorrow we pick up kelly and kristen, then the 6 of us are driving to portaferry where the mullin family originated...that is why we are here in ireland...dee is doing some research on the mullin family for us...so we are tagging along to the 'old' hometown!!!

me, myself and i

2011-04-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

how many times do you say the word I, me, my mine etc? we are all self absorbed...we are doing what we have or want to do...it's our lives so that's how it goes...it's my wedding, my trip, my day, my way....my, my, my,...i'm not writing to lecture..it's cause i'm on that path...i need to stop and smell the roses..
we need to look into other's lives...think of others...read someone elses blog, talk about someone else...ask how a friend is doing instead of immediately talking about yourself...be aware of the world...be aware of your daughters accomplishments...of your son's worries at work, of your friends dreams....think of others...do service for others...get out of yourself...or myself as the case maybe...but, i've gotta go...i have to go spend time on me!!!

adventures

2011-04-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

if you saw me walking down thousand oaks blvd...i wasn't lost...no, russ, kristen and i went on a little adventure....today we went house hunting for the two of them....it was fun to see what they might be living in after the wedding...then we went to dinner at p..f changs...that's always great...and afterward we went to a chinese foot massage....we had to split up because one place could only take 2 people...so i went to one and they to another...it was the best $20 that i have spent in a long time...i was instantly transported to china...so, that's a great deal! the massage was fantastic...i think i'm going to have to try all the places out around the conejo valley...that will be a fun job!!!

2011-04-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

APRIL FOOL'S?????
yesterday i got an early april fool's surprise....i'll tell you the story...last week my dishwasher wasn't working...on monday i called the dishwasher repair man...he said it was the outlet that the dishwasher was plugged into...yesterday, i called an electrical company and they sent over a guy...he said i needed a new outlet and decided to check the box outside...he showed me that the wires hooked into the fuses were all burned and needed to be replaced...for the price of $3000! for that price i decided to get a second opinion....and aren't i glad that i did....my friend sent over an electrician that was more trustworthy...he looked at the box and showed me that the wires were only burned on top...not all the way around like they should be....the first electrician had burned them himself! can you believe that? he had me worried that my house was going to burn down at any time..i also learned that the price of the job would be $500! so grateful for friends i can count on and an electrician that is not trying to make a 'fool' out of me!

Happy B-day!!!

2011-03-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

me, tom and our dog schatzi at halloween

Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday dear Tom...Happy Birthday to you!!!
It's my brother Tom's 60th Birthday!!! love you and wish you the best of the best...if you want to read all about him...go to my sister's post at http://travelinoma.blogspot.com/

home movies

2011-03-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

tonight russ and kristen decided to watch our old home movies....hope she wants to stay in the family after watching those! but, i loved it....seeing my babies again...the one we were watching started when kerry was 3 months, russ 4, willie 9, and kelly was 11....so much fun to see them jumping around, crawling, riding their bikes, birthdays, a little attitude and alot of silliness...i miss those days!! it was great to see my dad playing the piano and both he and my mom singing the old family songs...and tom being the funny guy i married...so glad to have those memories...only a few more tapes...and hours and hours to watch...where did russ and kristen go???

dreaming....

2011-03-03T15:13:00.000-08:00

these are some amazing pictures taken from the air...

the amazon...want to go here

denver suburb...been here

capetown, south africa...done that

grand bazaar...turkey...so much fun..

palm island, dubai...amazing

copenhagen, denmark...
didn't see this...

would love to go to rio

or portugal

hope egypt settles down soon...

live here! unreal....

Shall i pack? or just keep dreaming?

marching on....

2011-03-02T00:37:00.000-08:00

march came in like a lion today....it was beautiful, but chilly....for a few hours the sun warmed up the cement and all my animals enjoyed laying outside...it was pretty cute to see the dogs and the cat loving the hot patio....the year is marching on....faster and faster...so, my thought for you is to stop and smell the roses...enjoy the coolness of the day...the flowers that are blooming...the snow on the ground...it will be gone before you know it...enjoy the moment...enjoy your life...be happy always!!! that's my thought for the day...

loads

2011-02-28T20:32:00.000-08:00

"It's not the load that breaks you down,
it's the way you carry it.”
Lena Horne

happy valentines

2011-02-14T17:36:00.000-08:00

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

engaged!

2011-02-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

(picture from kris' mom)

we had some exciting news around here last weekend! russell and kristen got engaged...they were so happy and excited...i'm so happy for both of them...

must be cold!

2011-01-13T00:09:00.000-08:00

for all of you living in the cold!!

just what you need...

hawaiian holidays

2011-01-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

good times, great friends, gorgeous place....you can't go wrong!

christmas in hawaii

2010-12-28T00:32:00.000-08:00

good friends, good times...christmas night party...beach with the kids, surfing...

pool time and spa....drives...great dinners...oh, and rain...but, what's a little rain when you're in the

relaxing mode? we did have a crazy dinner at macky's shrimp truck...the downpour started right as

we got there...they ran out of shrimp so the mollers didn't get any...but, what i had was fantastic...worth all my fantasies while

i was at home :) but, the lightening and thunder was unreal...then movies at our villa...so far...so good...

thoughts from the grandkids

2010-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

over the weekend i had 3 of my grandchildren visiting....this is what was said:
we were unwrapping christmas lollipops for my candy jar...and as each one was upwrapped the boys licked each and every one.they said they had to taste everyone to see if they tasted different!..so if you come to my house...stay away from those lollipops!
also...i was calling them 'suckers'...gavin set me straight...jojo...they are lollipops...not suckers!
the boys also helped me put some little lights on the front hill...jojo....put the lights here...not there...they had definite decorating ideas...gavin also was talking about his very 'cool' skinny jeans...he told me that if he had a tuxedo jacket, a black tie, that it would make his jeans look super cool...charlie has found a new place for her paci..she puts it down her shirt...too bad there is nothing there to keep it there! she gets very upset when it falls out...best thing about the kids visit...when owen runs in to my room and climbs in bed every morning...love those hugs and kisses!

to grandma's house we go!

2010-11-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

we had a great week...i flew up to slc on monday where willie, kelly and their kids met us...it was a busy few days getting ready for thanksgiving...tuesday we had the storm of the century, that sort of fizzled.....on wednesday we took a break, went out to the moller's to welcome nick home from his mission! what a fun time that was....he looked great...mom, dad, everyone was so happy...a few tears of joy from kerry...thursday was a fun time...then, picked up russ at the airport on the way home.....the fryers, j.p and kit joined our family for a feast...everyone contributed something to the table and it was delicious...we played cards afterwards, ate a bit more...just had a fun time visiting with family and friends...kerry was happy...all her best buddies are back..the kids snowboarded, we went to the movie, saw friends and family..just had a fun time being together....sunday we had the huge storm, finally...drove out to nick's homecoming...got everyone off to the airport...and just like that....it's over! what a great time....

what a zoo!

2010-11-18T17:45:00.000-08:00

we had a fun time at the zoo the other day! which ones should be in cages?

an attitude of gratitude

2010-11-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

what are the words that make you feel gratitude?
family....kids....grandchildren....friends...joy...smiles....a home....love...beautiful sunsets...happiness....seeing the beauty of the world.... blessings...life itself...being with my loved ones...the gospel...good health...safety...fun...kindness....faith...opportunities...
'The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.' Eric Hoffer
'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' Gandhi

think of the word the fill you with gratitude....and be grateful everyday that you have them in your life!

halloween!

2010-11-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

celebrating Halloween in great style!

falling for fall

2010-10-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

i had a great long weekend in utah....it was so beautiful...the leaves were just the perfect color...the weather was rainy and cool...and actually snowed yesterday...i had a great time with danece on friday...hanging out and shopping...talking...saturday i went up to kathy's for the big boutique...it was fun to see my sisters, nieces, friends etc...they did a great job and had a successful time...driving up the canyon was so beautiful...sunday, we went back up for a delicious dinner with the fryers and a fun time playing cards...monday i got to hang out with kerry, whit and jason...then had a fun dinner with my brothers and sisters...so, all in all...a nice little get-away!!

broken

2010-10-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

my body has a broken thermostat!!!!

and i'm sure you know what i mean!!!

gratitude

2010-10-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

i loved pres. monson's talk on gratitude today during conference...made me start thinking how many things i'm grateful for...i have so much in m life...i've had such a wonderful life...so far...i know it will continue...i'm so blessed...my greatest blessing is my family...they are the best thing in my life...it's great to be with my family...they are so talented, smart, fun...i'm very proud of each and everyone of them....and my grandkids are the best ever...i'm sure they are the smartest and cutest kids ever!!! i also have the greatest friends ever...i'm so lucky to have such fantastic people to be my friends...they are my confidants and keep me going when times are tough...i also have wonderful brother, sisters and sisters and brother in laws...neices and nephews...i have just been so blessed...it is wonderful to know that i have so many people on 'my side'...if i wear out one person...i can call on another! so thanks to all of you for being in my life...love you all...

aunt cammie

2010-09-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

a great lady passed away today...tom's aunt cammie...while she was a wonderful mother, sister, daughter, aunt...she was also bonnie blue butler in 'gone with the wind'.she was also the voice of 'faline' in 'bambi'..i'll miss cammie so much...she taught me much over the years...her life wasn't easy...she had many setbacks, but she perservered and went on...she had a wonderful sense of humor...i loved to read her stories that she wrote of her childhood years...she told stories of kissing rhett butler on the cheek...and her many experiences making that great movie...we were all blessed to have her in our lives...love you...

Feels good

2010-08-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

In Utah, my garage is a dumping ground...for everyone and everything....you can't imagine what's in it...couches, chairs, tables, bookcase, a kayak, snowboards, baby stuff, my parents old stuff...you get the picture! Today, Kerry, whit and I cleaned it! We can walk in it! It's wonderful. One of those little things that make such a difference! So you better not get it dirty!! I'm talking to you!

party times...

2010-08-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

it's the weekend...it's been the weekend for about 8 days now...i've been in utah playing with family and friends...it's been so fun...came up last thursday and met up with cousin mare...we don't get to see each other too often, so it was very fun....friday was a girl's day, danece, alison, larene, kelly, kerry, shannon, kristen and carissa and i went to see the parade of homes, lunch and alot of talk!!!..my kids all arrived on thursday night and friday night...i love it when the whole family is together...it gets pretty wild, crazy and loud, but what fun...the little kids love to play together...it's the greatest..on saturday we got to go to tayler and nathan's wedding...that was a very fun wedding...alot of good friends were there...it's a big reunion..on sunday we got together for a little more reunion time with good friend, getting everyone together and catching up is alot of fun.....the family left day by day until kerry and i were left alone...pretty quiet...this week has been alot of lunches out, dinners out, moving kerry into her new apartment.(and as a sidebar...little owen broke his arm and elbow after he got home...had to have surgery last night and is home recuperating right now :(((....)speaking of reunions...tomorrow night is my 35th high school reunion...that should be a great time....a few more day of fun...i still have a birthday party to attend, seeing some more friends...then, home again....

kerry

2010-08-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

my beautiful baby is 21!!! how can that be...let me tell you a few things about her...21 to be exact..
1.beautiful
2.loyal
3.friend
4.fun
5.artistic
6.happy
7.adventurous
8.surfer girl
9.traveler
10.fashionista
11.spiritual
12.loves disney
13.auntie
14.sister
15.daughter
16.athletic
17.smart
18.hard worker
19.smiler
20.reader
21.brings the light into my life
love you so much ker...happy day and year!

who's turning the BIG 30?

2010-08-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

with his idol...mr. T!

always a great cook

leadimg the way, always

styling!

willie and his 2 best buds....tommy and owen

it's Willie!!! i can't believe he's that old!!! once again, i say, i'm not old enough to have these old kids....willie is a wonderful 30 year old...he has accomplished so much...willie has so many wonderful talents...as you can tell from the pictures...he's always had great style...even as a young boy...he's athletic, smart, handsome, funny...a great husband, a great father and a wonderful son...i am so blessed to have willie in my life...have a wonderful day and a fantastic 30th year!!! love you always

newport beach

2010-07-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

the last few days we've had a mini-vaca....russ and i came down to newport beach and kelly, jeff and kids joined us...we've been staying at the beautiful pelican hill resort...we weren't able to go to italy, so this is the closest we could come...the resort and villas are fashioned after beautiful italian villas...they have a gorgeous circular pool which is the largest in the world...at the villa pool, they have a pool that's a quarter the size, but still huge...the kids have been swimming every day...even charlie loves the water...gavin and owen went to the kids club on saturday and loved it...we went to the 'kids' club for adults...the spa...it was fantastic...on friday night we had dinner at the hotel, saturday jeff suggested this fun jamacaiian restaurant...the owner, eva, took great care of us...it was delicious..on sunday night adam and ashley met us and we ate at the grill at the golf course..on monday we had delicious indian food...and topped off the week with 'despicable me'....it's been a fun few days...i could stay here looking at the ocean for alot longer...

yummmm

2010-07-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

start off with a few bunches of bananas....slice, put into
food dehydrator...cook about 18 hours...and......

you get delicous dried bananas!!!! not like those gross banana
chips...these are a little chewy and really addictive!!!

domestic goddess

2010-07-18T00:54:00.000-07:00

last night i made strawberry jam....in the process i found out that my two youngest children (who aren't that young) don't remember that i did this...guess i've been 'off the domestic' wagon for toooooooo long...it made me think...as the kids got older, i stopped doing things that i did alot when they were little...probably the biggest one would be cooking! i guess i figure...why cook, when half the time no one is home? i used to do alot of things, i guess because i was home all day with young children and i had to keep busy or i'd probably kill them! not really, but, you know what i mean....let's see...what did i used to do....cook, bake, can fruits, make jams, dry foods, sew, make crafts, paint, decorate and refurbish furniture, read, try to garden or at least keep the flowers from dying... i used to drive, drive, drive, it seems like i wouldl get home and then a child would call and i'm ready to be picked up! loved it when cell phones came around!! saved me alot of trips, back and forth....i love to decorate and make things for my house...then, i'd clean, clean and a little more cleaning...so, that's a bit of what i used to do you guys (k and r), then, we'd go to the park, the beach, the tennis club, or friends for you guys to play and have fun......back in the day that's what we'd do...i felt like we had family night--all day and night..we were always together...and i loved it...sooo...what did you other moms do? what don't your kids remember? i swear, kerry doesn't remember half the places we've been or done...sometimes i wonder 'why did i do this?'...i'm finding mine don't remember much...so, i'll just have to keep reminding them! that will keep me busy...

jam

2010-07-17T00:40:00.000-07:00

start with these
clean 'em up nice
end with this!!! yummmm!

celebrations

2010-07-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

(bearded guy was in the video they had to watch)

birthday presents
4th of july

the last few weeks have been really busy...we celebrated russ' birthday at the sky diving company, waiting until the sky cleared....it didn't, so then we came back last friday and they were able to celebrate russ and kristen's b-days by doing the big sky dive!! they loved it and want to go again...a couple of days later we celebrated kelly's birthday with the family....and then to top it off...it was the 4th! we had a really fun barbecue with my family, the meru's, the lefevre's, the pollocks, seek and his fiancee bree, aaron...and even our old neighbors wes and lisa showed up...it's always fun to get together, to watch the fireworks, see the kids run around...it's fun to see everyone grow up, but still love to be together...it's a great sight!

Free Hugs in Sondrio, Italy

2010-06-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

love this!! we all need hugs!!!

russ and kelly

2010-06-24T23:41:00.000-07:00

guess what we're celebrating this weekend? that's right...russ and kelly's birthdays! russ turns 25!!! tomorrow...and kelly is turning 32 on sunday! when did my kids get older than me? haha...well, i'll show you pics from the big days a bit later...this is the start of our birthdays in summer...we go until aug 5th...ending with kerry's...so happy birthday to you both...love you soooooo much...

playtime

2010-06-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

i think i forgot how to be a mother of small children...i was given the opportunity this week...and wow, i'm tired tonight...kelly and jeff's kids came to visit...and did we have fun...they are such fun to be with, but, i've forgotten about all the work involved...i had little charlie sleeping with me all week...she sure like s to snuggle...snuggle me right out of bed! between her and sophie, i didn't stand a chance...sophie felt she had to sleep on the other side of charlie, i guess to protect her...but, i had to keep her paws off of charlie...we swam and swam and swam...those boys love to swim and are fishes...gavin was learning to dive...his belly flops didn't sound so great, but up he'd come and try again...owen wasn't into the diving but he loves to be in the pool...we saw 'toystory' also, they loved it and so did i...gavin is also 'in love' with russ' friend kristen...i think he would follow her anywhere...he was trying to get her to have a picnic with him...told her that her hair is pretty, wanted a kiss! what a cute thing to watch and kris is a great sport...all the babies love her..they jumped on the tramp, watched movies, played with kerry and russ, and just kept really busy....so they went home this afternoon...the house is so quiet after having them here...it was a fun few days...and my hat's off to you kel...you do a great job, day after day...be glad you're young and can keep up...

Good Things to Come

2010-06-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

these little messages are always great...they give you something to think about..just click and watch!

Good Things to Come

youth conference!!

2010-06-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

it's been pretty crazy in the last week...was up in utah for a big wedding, then zipped home on thursday for youth conference...it turned out great..the kids loved it...on friday 8 am we all met at the church, assigned families and took off for malibu where we met with the fulcrum people...they have a camp that teaches problem solving, team building, group communication...at the camp they have a ropes course which includes a jacobs ladder, faith leap, high wire crossing, rock walls...they also played games on the ground...it was fun time for everyone...at the end of the day we had dinner at the park...they changed, came back to the church for a talent show and dance...we were all beat by the end of the day...i was working at making food for the conference so that kept us really busy...saturday we had classes, a service project in the afternoon, a big dinner, then a testimony meeting...everyone seemed to have a great time...after cleaning up, we crashed!! i could hardly walk on sunday...my feet hurt pretty bad...but, luckily i've recovered...it was well worth it!

more fun

2010-06-15T23:49:00.000-07:00

a great day! slc...laying out with some (not all) of my besties....lunch with them....pick up russell (barely)....dinner with some of my favorite family.....and more favs...our close friends... the whole reason we're up here...to celebrate a great wedding...can't wait...

flag day is june's day

2010-06-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

today is my mom's birthday...i wish she was here for me to give her a big hug...but, instead i'll just say a few things that she taught me...mom was a giver, always working hard helping others...she would make delicious dinners ( i think that's why tom married me, hoping i would cook like her) and then she would be jumping up and down serving everyone...i had to cure tom of 'that' idea immediately...she was artistic...she loved to sew clothes and would make the most beautiful dresses for all of us...she was a painter, she liked crafts, she made a beautiful home...inside and out...it was warm and gracious and lovely to look at...she was willing to do just about anything...from killing spiders to going golfing with dad to shopping with the girls...mom was alot of fun to be with...she was a great listener...i could call her with all of my problems and she always had great advice...she was always beautiful with a gorgeous big smile...i'm so lucky to have her for my mom...i just hope that i can take after a few of her many wonderful ways!

what was lost, then was found

2010-06-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

we had a little drama today...russ took the dogs, sadie and sophie out for a run...
they went to the top of the mountain...on the way back, russ was in front and the dogs
were behind...sophie showed up, but sadie didn't....so, he ran back to look for her...but, he never did find her...
when he got home and told us we then went looking...kerry and her friends hiked back up the trail, a runner
saw her but she was gone...russ and i drove over to the end of the trail where i dropped him off and he started looking again...i drove to another trailhead...everyone looked and looked...russ ran 15 miles looking for her...so about 5 pm i went to the store and was starting to think that sadie was gone...it was very sad...driving up the street from the store i was on the phone when halfway up the street, THERE was sadie! walking up the street with her tongue dragging! i was soooo happy...she hasn't moved since! so, thanks to all those who searched for her...i'm glad she knew how to get home...who knows where she went...she came home the opposite way of leaving...i'm glad she made it back...

summer

2010-06-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

summer time, summer time....my favorite time of year! it started for me back in april when we went to africa...but, for our neck of the woods it's starting this week with the end of school...so what's your plans for summer? i have weddings, youth conference, holidays, birthdays,concerts, movies, weddings, birthdays, weddings, did i mention birthdays? we have 6 birthdays in 6 weeks...that's just the family...then there are friends and extended family birthdays...so, that alone keeps me busy...then there are fun things like the beach, the pool, laying out in the sun...you get my drift...visits from the grandkids...pool parties...park days, i love summer and just barbecuing with friends.4th of july with the fireworks....just having a wonderful time...can't wait...and it usually goes way too fast...have a great summer! what's your favorite thing in summer?

home away from home

2010-06-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

ker and i just got back from 9 days in utah....it was a fun time...so fun in fact, i stayed an extra 3 days....we went up for memorial weekend...to see dave as he returned from his mission...heard him speak...he was great...we had a fun time with friends and family...i was able to see most of my favs up there...that's why i needed so many days...too many people i want to be with.....the weather got better every day..the flowers are in bloom, the mountains are green, it's beautiful! it's fun to hang out and have no commitments....is that why i like to travel? no place that i "have" to be? anyway, it sure is fun and hard to come home...although, as we drove along the coast, stopped at neptunes net...it wasn't too bad!!

have you ever?

2010-05-27T00:29:00.000-07:00

this afternoon after my big last day of bowling for the season...then running errands all afternoon...i came home, was on the computer...and then basically crashed on the couch for a little nap...that was at about 4 pm...next thing i knew the phone was ringing at about 6:20...answered...woke up some more...thought, where are the kids...i'll just watch some tv until they come home....about 2 min. later i realized that i needed to be at the church...RIGHT THEN! uh oh...i was dressed in a flash...out the door...luckily had good traffic to westlake...and made it by 10 to 7!! in time to put my decor up and help a bit...and luckily was there to say the closing prayer!! lucky for me that phone rang!!

tv

2010-05-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

so, in between my daily 'life'..i've been catching up on all the shows that i missed while on our trip...so, i've been 'off the grid'....i had to be caught up for the final shows! a few i've been watching....24, it will be so sad when jack is gone forever...lost...the same for them, although, i won't be quite so mixed up! glee will still be there to cheer me up...and modern family for some laughs...so a few more days of questions...then summer where it's hard to find something to watch...

mothers

2010-05-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

Today is Mother's Day...and i had the best mother ever...my sister marty wrote a some wonderful thoughts about her here, she is always in my heart...i love her so much and think of her daily...i also have a daughter and daughter-in-law that are fantastic mothers themselves...i am so proud of both my kelly's...they are raising darling kids...they are in that busy, busy, never have time for anything stage...but, they do it beautifully...my hats off to both of them...i know how hard it can be...but, the rewards are the fantastic children like mine....so, on this day, i'm so blessed with the different mother's in my life...love you all...

Grown don't mean nothing to a mother. A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown? What's that suppose to mean? In my heart it don't mean a thing.

~Toni Morrison, Beloved, 1987

"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth.
- Erma Bombeck

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

“No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.”
-Sarah Josepha Hale

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” -Marion C. Garretty

"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence in human society. Her caress first awakens in the child a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. Thus in infancy and childhood she implants ever-directing and restraining influences that remain through life."
- David 0. McKay

Always be nice to your children for they are the ones that will choose your rest home.

Phyllis Diller

Have a great Mother's Day!

wrap up....

2010-05-09T00:30:00.000-07:00

i've been home now for a few days...trying to get over jetlag...read all my mail...unpack...all those fun things that you have to do...but, i keep thinking about the amazing sights i just saw...and to wrap up our trip, here are a few thoughts...what gorgeous country is in africa...it's huge, alot of empty land..the parts we saw had alot of bush, trees, and alot of water...the water in mozambique in the ocean was unreal...what a beautiful color of turqouise...victoria falls was unreal...so much water everywhere!!..we also saw the most amazing animals there...we saw a pack of wild dogs, a coalition of cheetahs, a troop of baboons, a herd of elephants, a pride of lions, a journey of giraffes, an implausibility of gnus, a pod of hippos, a crash of rhinos, and a dazzle of zebras....those are pretty fun, aren't they?...we also saw huge swarms of insects,and maybe waaaaaay to many spiders, which are everywhere!!! a flutter of butterflies, a host of sparrows, a company of parrots, a mustering of storks, a convocation of eagles, and a committee of vultures...we were also able to meet some of the nicest people...they trully made us feel welcome in their country...it's always so interesting to talk and learn about another culture and country...it's fun to eat different foods...we had croc (not the best), alot of antelope (pretty good), fish, crayfish, ostrich, the best granola, and of course biltong which is really just beef jerky...they love it and serve it with everything...we flew on all sizes of planes...the smallest was a 4 seater, 6 seater, 10 seater, and a helicopter...right up to a jumbo jet...cured any fear of flying in small planes or with pilots that aren't yet 20. and then kerry and russ flew off the bridge, without a plane!!...and then, this is a big one for me...i traveled with a bag weighing only 33 lbs.!!! i always overpack...and now i know...it can be done!!! it was a fantastic experience...and i wish i was still there...luckily we only saw part of africa...so, we'll have to go back...can't wait!

bazaruto days

2010-05-05T00:26:00.000-07:00

bazaruto island, mozambique...we are on a beautiful island, just off the coast...yesterday we flew from joburg to vilancous where we then got on a smaller plane to fly to the island...it’s only a 15 min. flight here...what a beautiful place...the indian ocean is so clear...today we were swimming in it...it’s so nice and warm and like i said, so clear...i could see my footprints as i walked along....there are shells all over the ocean floor...no waves to speak of...it’s so calm and serene...the island is really a large sand dune...they actually have a hill where you can ‘dune board’...the snorkeling and diving is some of the best in the world...today we just checked out the resort, enjoyed the sun...they speak portuguese here...guess that’s who settled it originally...a relaxing end to a great trip...

today is monday, yesterday we just laid out again in the hot sun...it was a gorgeous day..so not much happened except for us turning pages to our books..today we went out on a little speed boat..we went out to paradise island (it’s a deserted island) which is about 30 min. away...we snorkeled in the gorgeous water...it was perfect temperature...there were so many beautiful fish, striped yellow, black and white, fluorescent yellow, spotted, big ones, little ones, tiny ones...the coral was pretty also...brown, pink, purple..really pretty...afterwards we landed on the beach where we just laid out again...they had a picnic lunch for us and we just lounged around for a few hours...very fun...when we came back kerry and russ went horseback riding on the dunes...i was a little to lazy for that...another perfect day in paradise!

today is wednesday...yesterday we started our long journey home...we left bazaruto at 12:30ish...they aren’t ever really sure when you’ll leave...a 15 min. flight to vilcanous, then we flew to joburg, a 2 hour flight...then we had a wait of 4 hours and just arrived in london after a 10 1/2 hour flight...now have another layover of about 5 hours...so we’re hanging out in the virgin clubhouse...which is nice...kerry and i went shopping...since there really was nowhere to buy anything on our trip (lucky russ, didn’t have to carry much), all our shopping was in the airport...so our last flight home...it’s been fantastic...to see so many wonderful sights..the beauty of africa is amazing...we are so lucky!!

eagle island

2010-04-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

yesterday we left khwai river...before leaving we went on our last game drive with leopard..he was driving pretty slow, then heard that there were some lions spotted somewhere, so we took off...we went into the bush and it's crazy when you go into the bush here...they drive over bushes, trees, anything that gets in the way...thought we were goners at certain points...but, we never saw the lions...just paw prints...so, we flew down to eagle island...it's in the middle of a ookorngoo delta...surrounded by water, so instead of drives you go on boats...last night we saw alot of hippos...our guide got us pretty close to them....the way they go under the water and pop up is sort of scary and creepy...and they move fast also...speaking of hippos, i guess at night they sometimes come up by our tents...we heard them leaving this morning...we saw baboons in the trees by our tent..early this morning we went out in the boat, then went to this area where they have mekora boats or canoes...we got in them and went into a more shallow area of the delta...i love it when they say 'keep your arms, hands etc. in the boat, the reeds are sharp and can cut you'...then, as we floated, there were so many reeds hitting my face and body...plus all these knat flies that are all over...spiders, webs, we saw teeny tiny frogs..yesterday we found a green one on the boat, about 1/2 in. the kids named him pogo...when we got to another island we got out and went for a hike...it was cool, we've seen the animals, but, now we were on the same level...we saw a tree full of baboons...they all came down, staring at us...the oldest and biggest wast about 10 ft. away from us...then we saw zebras, wild beasts, and impalas...we saw temite hills that are taller than russ...plus they go down in the earth another 30 ft....we were told the locals dry the termites, grind them up and eat them! yuck...so, it was a fun morning..right now wer'e going on a helicopter ride...so more later!

this afternoon we went for a helicopter ride over the delta...it was beautiful...the delta is formed from a river, that’s like the arm, then the delta is the fingers...from the air it looks like there are many, many golfcourses...but, it’s really all marsh lands...the water is so clear...we saw hippos and you could see every bit of them...we saw giraffes, wild beasts, zebras, impalas, elephants...it was really neat to see them from the air...after brunch we went to the pool since it was a gorgeous day...in the afternoon for our game ride we went on a party type boat with another couple from australia...it was fun to talk to them...they were also at our last lodge...they are on their honeymoon...he surprised her, until they were going to the airport she didn’t know where they were going...it was a nice time..we saw alot of hippos, eagles, other birds...then, back and after about an hour...dinner...they feed you alot in these camps...early morning tea or hot chocolate at 6 am....after the game drive...breakfast/brunch, after the free time...lunch/tea, after the night time game ride, dinner...non stop, plus they give you a snack on the game drives...this camp has been fun because of the water aspect..only problem, so many, many mosquitos!! my feet are a mess!!! oh well...that’s the price you pay....tomorrow after our last game ride we’ll fly to a little town called maun, then catch a flight to joburg...then onto mozambique the next day!

well, we made to joburg...took a plane from eagle island to maun...then to joburg...tomorrow our last stop...bazaruto...

khwai river sun/mon

2010-04-26T03:50:00.000-07:00

today was a slow day....started raining in the night...for being the dry season, we’ve sure had alot of rain! we were supposed to get up at 5:30 for our game drive...but, it was pouring, then kerry started throwing up...don’t know if she has the flu or if it’s from eating something...so, we all slept in...she’s been sick all day...they’ve been very helpful...they gave her some pills, then a shot to stop the vomiting...so far it’s helped...so i’ve just been hanging out with her...we also had 2 big spiders, and now a squirrel in our room...guess we are camping! i can hear hippos outside...that’s fun...it stopped raining about 12 so russ went on the afternoon game drive...hope he sees some animals...well, more later...

russ saw a big herd, maybe 50 elephants on their drive...he said is was fun to see so many...today is monday...kerry is better...we all got up for the game drive..it was a bit slow...our guide, leopard, says it's because of the rain, the animals don't have to come to the watering holes...but, we saw elephants, croc, lizard, eagles..a cool hippo skeleton, jackal...we also saw a village..houses are made of tin cans and mud...a big truck was stuck on a wooden log bridge, guess it was too heavy...leopard says people camp in the park...they have tents that open on the top of their cars and they sleep up there! that's all for now...

botswana

2010-04-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

today is saturday the 24th...we woke up early and drove to the border of zambia, it’s on the river...it’s a border that has 4 countries...zambia, botswana, zimbabwe and namibia, we then got on a little speed boat to go across the river to botswana...at that border, after showing our passports, we had to step on some muddy step and step off...it’s to check for hoof and mouth disease? couldn’t quite understand that...we then drove to the airport, where we got into a little 6 seater plane with a pilot that looked younger than kerry and he flew us to our lodge...the khwai river lodge...it’s on the river delta...a tented lodge again..but, they are all a bit different...we layed out for awhile...the first real sunny day we’ve had....all got burned...then this afternoon went out on a game drive...sort of slow though...we didn’t see many animals...hope it picks up tomorrow...we did see a ton of impalas...they have a marking on their rears that looks like an ‘m’, they saw that impalas are the lions ‘mcdonalds’...saw wart hogs, a huge old elephant that looked like he wanted to charge us as he walked toward us...a croc....so hopefully tomorrow we’ll see alot more...

victoria falls

2010-04-24T06:13:00.002-07:00

today we arrived in livingstone, zambia....named after livingstone, the explorer...it’s where victoria falls is...we are staying at a tented lodge about 20 min. away on the zambezi river...it’s a beautiful river, the river that goes over the falls, so we’re on the backside of the falls...our room looks out over the river...it’s cool...made of tent fabric...but the walls are solid, nothing can get in through them...bedroom in front, bathroom with outdoor shower, then a bedroom in the back...plus a front deck...after tea..in which we had a snack of beef pita...the pita was homemade and cooked in their pizza oven (k.f. that’s for you), we went on a boat cruise up the river...like i said..it’s beautiful..on one side is zambia and the other is zimbabwe...we saw a crocodile sitting there, hippos in the water...birds of course, i guess they have great fishing, we saw about 8 elephants down at the water...antelope...alot of animals...as you go up the river you can see in the distance a cloud, but, it’s not a cloud, it’s water from the waterfalls...so amazing...tomorrow we’ll go see them...on the way back from the cruise it started drizzling...not too bad...they had drinks set up on the banks of the river...right as we got back to the lodge the skies opened! it was a huge drenching storm with major lightening and thunder...we seem to be bringing it with us...it rained and rained for about 45 min...the lights went out, luckily they have a generator...dinner was served...there are only about 8 guests here, so we all sat together along with the manager...it was delicious...and fun to talk to the others...a girl traveling on her own from the phillipines and a couple from switzerland...so, it’s been a great day...only thing is...the internet connection was lost in the storm!

today is friday and we had a busy day...the morning started off with another HUGE storm...so much water...unreal...finally it stopped enough so we could leave...the roads here are all dirt, they were really flooded...i can’t believe we got out...so we headed towards victoria falls bridge...it spans the gorge between zambia and zimbabwie...the kids got up the nerve to do the activites there...they first went on a tandem swing out across the gorge, then they went bungee jumping...i was proud of both of them...they are both afraid of heights and this was about 365 ft...it was a LONG way down! first russ went, he did great...bounced and bobbed all around..came up with a smile on his face...then, kerry went...she screamed the whole time...i was actually surprised she jumped off...but she did great..says never again! after that we drove over to the falls...the victoria falls are the 2nd in the world...the widest in the world...they have this spray of water that you can see from miles away..it looks like a huge cloud...so we walked down to the river above the falls...that’s the great thing about a country like this...no rules, no barriers etc...we could have jumped in and dove over...then we walked down to the front of the falls...wow! it’s amazing..we had a double layer of ponchos on...our guide said we would get wet...and was he right! we would have been soaked..there was so much water floating around..that spray from the water was like a major rainstorm...we saw the falls from different angles..our guide told us that right now there is so much water that you can’t see the falls in whole...you need to come in oct. when the river is down...it’s amazing to see...we came back to the hotel for lunch, then about an hour later went out for an afternoon game drive...i think our first lodge, tintswalo, ruined us...there was some cool animals...crocs, hippo, giraffe, storks etc...but, i felt like we were on a bus tour...at the other lodge i felt like we were hunting them ourselves...it was nice though...we have been together with 3 other guests (a couple from switzerland and a girl from the phillipines), they are very nice, fun to talk to...so, tomorrow we got to botswana to another lodge...we’ll see how that goes!

sunday and monday at tintswalo

2010-04-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

sunday

sunday afternoon

monday morning

russell's 'guest'

these posts were written over a few days...no internet to speak of...so, it's pretty long...

what a day we had today...it’s sunday the 18th...i’m writing this and then will have to post it tomorrow...we have no internet in our rooms...guess we’re roughing it!!! haha...not at all....anyway, we left capetown at 10 am and flew to neuspirit...we were met at the baggage and then we got on a small little plane...a 4 seater! it was our first light aircraft flight...we flew up and over the the hills and mountains..then, it got flatter...a few paved roads, mostly dirt roads...after about 1/2 hour, we landed on a dirt runway...we were met by the people from tintswalo lodge, we got in the land cruiser after having a drink of juice and drove to the lodge.on the way we saw a few water buffalo..we are staying in this beautiful house...it’s got 2 bedrooms, living and kitchen, outdoor deck with a plunge pool...thatch roof and stone walls.outside it’s all bush, there’s an electric sort of fence to keep elephants out of our area!..it’s really nice...we’re sort of off from the main lodge, we haven’t seen it yet...and that’s where the internet is...after getting settled our butler (when we told them we didn’t drink, he couldn’t believe it!)and cook (!) gave us a delicious lunch, we then had an hour to kill before our first game drive...we went out about 4pm for the afternoon game drive...i guess you go early in the morning and late afternoon...so we’re in a re-fitted land cruiser...sort of and indiana jones type car...there is the driver, and a spotter sits on the front..we’re in the back...so, we drive along and first we see more water buffalo, they were wallowing in a pool of mostly mud...guess they love it...then we saw a herd impala (like antelope), we drove along and on their radio they heard about a leopard sighting, so we drove to it, down twisty dirt roads, we have to bend over to not get hit by tree branches or spider webs...we got to the area, the spotter saw a cub, we didn’t..they were making their own roads, just driving anywhere they could...unreal...we left and drove awhile, we saw some cheetas, they haven’t been in this area for a few months...gorgeous animals...then we saw a herd of elephants walking to a watering hole...then some hippos in a big pond of water..we also saw birds, rabbits,monkeys and a vulture.a bit later we stopped for a drink and treats..russ told me that he thought he was allergic to the bug spray, was having a reaction....i’m getting the idea that we mostly eat here! and it’s really great food! as we were driving back we saw a hyena, he is also not seen very much...so we lucked out....came home to a delicious dinner served out on the deck...could very easily get used to this..more later...

it’s monday afternoon in africa...last night we had a huge lightening and thunder storm...really lit up the sky, all night long...then it started pouring really hard...so our morning game drive was postponed...about 7 am russ woke up to a new friend! we thought it was a tarantula, but they said it was a baboon spider...it was on the outside netting of his bed...looking in! lots of creepy crawlies here...it’s one of the poisonous types that are here...great! we then got ready for our ride...for about an hour we saw nothing...driving driving...but, then we saw a water buck, looks like our deer, then we saw elephants, rhinos, giraffes, wild beasties, monkeys, zebras, hogwarts, it was really neat...you don’t see them all together, you just drive to spots and hopefully spot them...afterwards we came home to our breakfast which we eat with our guide...he’s a great guy...knows so much, really nice...then we have the afternoon to kill, so we had spa treatments...lunch...they just keep feeding you here...it rained this afternoon, but is clearing up now...this morning we were slipping and sliding all around...it’s really an adventure ride...more later...

tuesday, wednesday in tintswalo

2010-04-21T13:57:00.000-07:00

tuesday morning

tues. afternoon

tues. night

i never saw a tree i couldn’t drive over!

today (tues,) we got up at 5:30 to go on the game drive...we were hunting lion and leopard....it’s hard to find these animals, they look for tracks and then listen for different noises...so we drove and drove around this morning...as we drove we saw impala, zebras, gnu (a dumb animal they told us), elephant, giraffes etc..when we saw tracks they would stop the car, fix the 4 wheel drive on the tires, and we would take off! off we would go carving our own road..driving over anything that’s in our way...we bend down to miss being swiped by trees, bushes and spiderwebs...they have huge at least 2 inch spiders in them..our tracker has his trusty branch that he swipes the webs with but, if he doesn’t we duck! we saw termite hills...they are at least 5 ft tall and take many years to build...it’s pretty cool so early in the morning but we are given blankets and hot water bottles to keep us warm...every once in a while we run across another car and the guides stop to chat...we didn’t see the lions or leopards...our guide is going out to look for more tracks...he thinks he know where a pride of about 15 lions might be...so hopefully we’ll see them this afternoon...in the meantime, we are going to a local village to see some of the tribal life...

on tuesday after our game drive we went to a nearby village to see what their lifestyle is like...it’s a little village built of brick type houses...the richest man in town has 19 donkeys...everyone rents them to do work since they don’t have cars...we went to the school...we went into every grade, visited with the children...they were all very nice...wanted to show us what they were working on...they don’t have much to work with, old books, magazines etc...but, they all can speak english...one girl did a dance, sort of a hiphop dance...some boys did a little tribal dance, using a chair as a drum...we then went to the youngest class...what dolls! they sang about 5 songs for us...so cute...afterwards we went to the chiefs house...he’s 87 had 2 wives but one died...the ladies of his family did some tribal dances...fun to watch...then our guide joined in and then they made each of us get up and dance with them....fun times...

this afternoon we went back out on the game drive...driving and driving, looking for lions...we drove to the far side of the park...we heard some lions and saw their tracks, but could not find them...then we drove to the other side of the park...it was dark and our guides were about to give up, when around a corner in the middle of the road was a pride of lions! about 7 lions...they were so cool to see...the guides told us as long as we sit still, don’t stand up in the car, the lions won’t do anything to us...at one point we were surrounded by them...sort of freaky...they can jump pretty high...one actually dove for a rabbit that headed towards our car...it was really neat...and worth all the driving around...so tomorrow, our last drive here...hopefully we’ll see a leopard...

this morning (wed) got up at 5:30 again, greeted by eric our guide..he had made hot chocolate for us with a bisquit...then off to the car with our hot water bottles...it was cold this morning...it’s rained every night, luckily not during the day except for some sprinkles today..we’re driving around and all of the sudden we stop...he’s noticed leopard tracks..2 of them, so we take off in the bush...we are ducking trees, spiders and webs...all of the sudden, we’re stuck! finally, we get out...we hear the leopard roar...so we’re off again...we’re stuck 2 more times...the third time we had just seen the leopard through the trees...at least kerry did...but, we got stuck on an old log...finally another guide brought his car over and pulled us out...we chased the leopard for awhile, but, never found it....after we lost it, eric started showing us different plants as we drove...a poisonous tree that has a latex type substance inside that will blind you...it’s branches can’t be used for fires, they are poisonous also...the bush that when you strip the bark and smash the branch down, it makes a toothbrush like thing...then we found wild mint, for brushing...it is also good for coughs, asthma...the tree branch that if you eat the leaves (nasty) it helps heartburn...and when you strip all the leaves away, you can twist it into a rope...very strong....also the good luck bush...it’s very soft leaves are used for baby’s beds...it is considered good luck to carry with you..it can also be use for toilet paper! we also saw more rhinos, zebras, gnu--eric thinks they are dumb and that they have the zebras stripes, the head of a buffalo, the legs of impala...put together with all the ‘left over’ parts, he says! we also saw alot of vultures...eagles...so, we’re leaving now to go to johannesburg or joburg as they call it...then onto zambia tomorrow morning...it’s been amazing here...

when i think about traveling, i love to see different places...to see how people live...i love to learn about different cultures...to hear different accents and different ways of doing things...the world is so amazing and different, but when it all comes down to it...everyone wants the same thing...we all want our families to be safe, healthy and happy...we all have the same issues in life...whether it is in california or south africa...we worry about our children and hope they’ll grow up into good adults...it’s fantastic to see that we are all very different, but so much the same...that's my little philosophy for the moment...well, tomorrow we leave for victoria falls...not sure if we'll have internet, hopefully!

robben island and the townships

2010-04-17T13:25:00.004-07:00

today we learned about aparteid (segregation) and the hardships the poor have in capetown..we went on a boat early this morning to robben island...it has been a prison for hundreds of years...but most famous for being the prison that nelson mandela was in...it's not to far from capetown...you can see the city from there...the life the prisoners lived was terrible...they worked in a lime pit...digging out the lime...for hours and hours...many of them went blind from the glare...they had cells that were about 5 by 7 feet...tiny places...they could only lay on the mats at night..not during the day...and these political prisoners were there for years and years...mandela was in prison for 27 years...unreal! after a lunch by the docks we went on a tour of the city...but more a inner city tour...we went to see some beautifully painted houses, a nice area of town...then went to district 6...an area that people were moved out of so that the whites could live there...they were just reassigned places to live in townships...we went to the distrct 6 museum which showed how people tried to find each other by leaving messages for each other...then, we drove to the townships..there are 11 in capetown...not a pretty sight...some have little tiny houses, there are also apartments, and shacks made of tin...no running water or toilets in some...we walked around, the little children are very cute and were after russ.....we then were invited to go up to one of the apartments...unreal! it's a main common room and has about 4 bedrooms...in each bedroom they 'rent' their bedspace...in each room there are 3 beds...2 couples in each bed, kids sleep on the floor...plus they have a tiny stove in the room...there were 16 families living in this apartment! hard to believe! we then drove around to some other townships..some were single family very small 2 bedroom homes...others were the tin shacks...we were told that you can order one of these shacks, it can be built in a day for 1000 rand...thats about $142.00! the nice ones had doors on them, one had curtains, most had no doors or windows.. it's a different life and makes me grateful for the one i have...tomorrow we leave to start our safari! that should be exciting!

day at the cape

2010-04-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

i made 3 different collages today...to break up what we did...it was a real busy day..but first, guess we we're really lucky that we left london on wednesday night because thursday morning the airport was closed because the icelandic volcanoe that went off....so we're happy we made it here....today we went to a little fishing town...we then got on a ferry boat that took us to see the seals on seal island...it was fun to see them laying around...when we got back there was a big seal on a boat, i guess the fisherman has fed him for 27 years and the seal just hangs out there...a nice life for him...then we went to table mountain and took the cable car to the top...that was fun, the cable car turned as we went up, giving us 360 degree view...up on top, i thought it would be flat, because it looks flat from far away...but, it isn't...it's got alot of vegetation, rocks etc...very pretty and beautiful views...we saw a rock rabbit that has scary teeth..looks more like a gopher, but our guide said it is closely related to elephants! weird...afterwards, we drove down the cape to a penguin reserve, we saw the little penguins laying in the sand, waddling to the water...afterwards we drove to the cape of good hope...that is the farthest point south in africa!!! it's where all the boats go around and there are many sunken ships because of the churning waters...it is also where the indian ocean and atlantic ocean meet, the warm waters colliding with the cold causes the waters to be really rough...it was really pretty...as we drove back we saw a family of baboons...they live in that area, guess they will come after you if you have food and don't give it to them...so we stayed away! so a very fun day, seeing the animals in and about capetown...our guide keeps talking about the world cup which will be starting soon, we saw the stadium where they'll play here..they'll also play in other cities...he says how crazy it will be...glad we're missing it...he says all the roads will be a parking lot...this is a beautiful city, very clean, the people remind me of australians...sort of laid back and really nice...a fun day....

capetown day 1

2010-04-15T08:38:00.000-07:00

we went around capetown today...it's a beautiful spot..alot like california...

we saw table mountain, that's the famous flat topped mountain here, but it was too

windy for us to go up to it...we went to a famous garden and then a museum...capetown was

founded in the 1600's, so it's pretty old...we went to the beach area...it's gorgeous with the mountains

off to the side...there are the mountains called 'the 12 apostles'...today it was blue skies, but the wind

was so strong, you could hardly stand outside...it was a fun time and tomorrow there will be alot more...

capetown

2010-04-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

we made it!!! we're in capetown, south africa...amazing that i'm in africa....the trip over was long....9 hours to london, a 3 hour wait (wasn't too bad, we were in the virgin lounge and they had showers and free massages (20 min), manicures etc...to pass the time), then a 12 hour flight to capetown...luckily we all slept a bit...we got in to our hotel at 8 am and the room wasn't ready...so we waited...then they suggested a spa treatment while we waited...so that was great...then we got to our room which is amazing...they upgraded us because of our wait...we have a 3 bedroom suite...it's gorgeous..it even has a small kitchen so russ could cook his tuna that was almost raw.....so, today we're off to see the city...i'll write more after that...

africa

2010-04-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

hope we see some live animals!

party on!

2010-04-10T22:07:00.000-07:00

it's been a great week in slc...the sun even came out! lunch on friday with deb and sue,dinner with mollers, had a great time last saturday with my friend deb and her family...haven't seen them for so long...sunday a great easter party with the despains, pollocks, taryn and justin, and of course my kids and grand babies...girls night on monday with abby and ash, lunch with my brothers and sisters on tues...it's been nonstop...playing with the kids all week.seeing kathy and steve's newly remodeled house.....friday night a newbury park reunion with a party for randy and jennifer..then today for my birthday, fun times..massages...then a great surprise party with so many of my favorite people...it was really a great day...thanks to kerry, russ and kristen for putting it all together....and to all of my family and friends that were there...loved it!!! what a fun week....

girls night

2010-04-06T00:20:00.000-07:00

so, we're up for 'spring break' in utah...and it's still cold, snowy winter! ashley p. maddox was visitng along with abby moller and both were told to stay here with us, because the weather was so bad, no one wanted them driving home (actually kerry would have to drive abby)...so we had a girls night...went to sushi...watched a movie.(after the little boys went to bed)...and they had fun painting the toes and nails of the youngest in the group! charlie loved her pretty pink nails! a fun time for all of us...

mom and dad

2010-04-01T01:48:00.000-07:00

happy 64th anniversary to the couple that started our family...
love and miss you both...thanks for being my parents...

sir paul

2010-04-01T01:39:00.000-07:00

tonight was a fantastic night.i saw my crush of many, many years...russ and kristen, larene and i went to see paul mccartney...kelly and jeff were supposed to go, but charlie was sick and fell and cut her lip...so they had to stay home :(...so sorry guys..it was wonderful...he played for almost 3 hours straight...song after song...oldies, new ones...great songs...he told how he wrote certain songs and why...it was really entertaining...watching him was the greatest...watching the people around us made it that much more fun...the guy in front that thought he was in the band...the guy that brought his music shakers...it was fun...a really great night..it's amazing to think that he's been playing since i was in 2nd grade...fun times.....thanks, paul.....

spring fun

2010-03-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

i had a few visitors this week...luckily the weather co-operated and they were able to swim....
there was alot of water...naked bodies...easter eggs...and fun...

Happy Birthday Big Tee!

2010-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

My big brother is and always has been the BEST!!!
Have a fantastic day...love you always...

really?

2010-03-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

the crazies were out today...at von's, the lady in front had about 5 different transactions...took forever, at cvs, same thing!!! one transaction, pay, then scan another,pay, then another...crazy.... then, at subway the man in front of me started talking and talking about his cell phone business ( hey, he said he will earn a million dollars by dec? and if i get 3 friends on his cell service, i get free service for life!! what a deal and as you can see, i learned quite a bit and was glad when he left), i couldn't even get him to stop talking for me to make my order...then, on the way to the car, i was accosted and asked for money by a young girl...this is all in the von's shopping center...within about 1 hour...guess the weather brought everyone out...