A VACATION TO OREGON KICKS OFF OUR MONTH OF MAY

The beautiful setting of
the new World Mark

Right after the first of the of the month, we loaded in the car to begin a trip to Oregon to see our two families there - the Westovers and the Millars (Ryan).  We traveled the north route to Oregon stopping in Bend, Oregon for Monday night.  We wanted to check out the World Mark resorts in Bend for future reunions which we did  Lots to do - biking, walking, rafting, golfing swimming - so we will probably book a reunion there in the next few years.  The resort we stayed in is a recently acquired and remodeled one.  It is in a beautiful setting and is really nice but they have mostly 1 and 2 bedroom units which will not do for our big family.  We would probably book the other resort close to Bend as it has chalets to stay in.  

On that night in Bend, we just relaxed and watched a movie after going to dinner at Baldy's Barbecue. We got a kick out of this sign in the window of the restaurant. Wondering if that is an Oregon thing.  We wouldn't be surprised. They needed those kinds of sign in Russia as everyone spits on the sidewalks there. One had to really watch where you stepped so as not to walk in someone saliva.  



The next morning, we went to another World Mark presentation. Every time we check into a resort, we swear we are not going to sit through another update information seminar, which is really a sales presentation. Every time we back down on our resolve with their offer of breakfast and a $100 visa gift card. This time we almost bought more credits but decided, at the last minute, against it. Maybe someday but for right now our 65,000 credits should be just fine. 


After the meeting, we drove to Eugene in order to be there in time to pick up Lydia from school. That evening, we took Jillian out to dinner for her birthday. Maggie came along with us. We went to
Texas Roadhouse and enjoyed our food as well as our conversation with our granddaughters.

Jillian's pulled pork sandwich was
so bug she had to take a lot of the meat
out of the sandwich

Wednesday, we left Eugene and traveled to Medford to see Ryan and Katie and their children. We were glad we could be with them and had a wonderful two day visit. When we arrived we toured their home which is in the process of being remodeled. It's a mess right now but will be so nice when it is all finished. They are vaulting the ceiling in the living room, opening up the entry way, changing the office area and the kitchen, as well as laying new flooring throughout. Katie and the children are staying at their other grandparents home while Ryan goes home each night to stay in their home. That is where we stayed too, dust and all.  We took them to dinner at a pizza place before saying good night

Nathan loves his dog

The next day, we were thrilled when we found out Ryan was staying home from work and that they were keeping their younger children home from school so they could spend time with us. After breakfast, we went for a walk on a favorite trail of the children's in Jacksonville. The trail ended by a little stream where, of course, the children had to take off their shoes and go wading. We, then, walked around Jacksonville, bought some yummy fudge and went to a cute Mexican restaurant for lunch. When it was time, we picked up Aubrey from Junior High and played at a local, newly renovated, park. The children had a great time. After going back to Ryan's to freshen up, we grabbed some snacks at the Thompson's home before going to a high school production of Suesical, the Musical. It was cute and the children were enthralled through out, even little Nathan. 

Bare feet in the cold creek

Too beautiful of a location not
to take a family photo

Elaine was enthralled with this snail
she found.  

A most fun swing found at the park

At the musical

The next morning it was time to say good bye. We thought we would take in a temple session in Medford but the temple didn't open until 3 in the afternoon.  Instead, we stopped for breakfast in Grant's Pass and headed back to Eugene.

Charlotte in full acting mode

We were earlier getting to Eugene than expected so we went to a movie, Mother's Day, while we waited for Andrea and the girls to get home from work and school, respectively.  We were excited for that evening as Charlotte had the female lead role in her high school musical, The Pirates of Penzance. She has been practicing now for months and it all showed, when we saw the production.  It was amazingly professional for a high school production and the students voices were surprisingly strong (no individual mikes were used and we could hear and understand every word sung). Charlotte was amazing. She is so animated on stage and her voice is incredible.  She really had to stretch to hit the numerous high notes, as they are not in her normal range, but she hit everyone of them perfectly. We were totally impressed with her and the whole drama/music department of the high school.  

Above: Charlotte and the whole gang - her sisters and her cousins

Left: Charlotte after the show

Right: Charlotte with her special friend and the music/drama director

The finished product

Paul working hard to clean out
the rock border area

Saturday was a day to help Andrea in her yard. The backyard play area needed weeding and new bark laid, so that's what we did for the first part of the day. We then turned to the rest of her backyard, weeding the rock areas and the lawn. We bought them 4 pots of annuals to go in the rock areas. It all looked really nice when we finished. That evening Casey, Andrea, Paul and I went to the Valley River Inn for dinner.  Casey does a lot of trade there so dinner was at no cost to us, hence the reason for purchasing the potted flowers for their yard.  Dinner was delicious and we enjoyed being together with Andre and Casey.  

Casey coking the crepe and Allison scrambling the eggs

Sunday was Mother's Day so Casey, and Allison, made a brunch for all of us and his mom, Marilyn.  He fixed crepes, with cream filling and fruit topping, scrambled eggs, and sausage.  It was all so yummy.  After church, we went to Casey's sister's home for dinner. It was a jammed pack day so, by the end of it all, we were tired and ready for bed early. In the morning, we packed the car and headed out with the intent of going to Bend, Oregon for a day of golf. When we got to Bend, we decided to cancel golf and drive on through to Heber.  I had created a blister on the palm of my hand from weeding on Saturday and would only have made it a few holes, for sure. The drive was long, 14 hours to be exact, but it was good to sleep in our own bed. We got home a little after midnight.

Not looking too happy., waiting for the next roast....
but there were a lot of laughs even by the bride and groom.

Deon and Gary arrived on Wednesday afternoon to stay with us so they could attend our brother Dave's son's wedding that weekend. Because Deon and Gary had never met Susette, Dave's new wife, we had them all to dinner that night. The lime chicken tacos were a big hit but it was even better to be together with siblings and their spouses.  

Thursday, we left the house just after noon to do some shopping for pioneer costumes for Deon's granddaughters. We ended up at Deseret Industries were she found shirts and blouses for them. (The next day Deon bought aprons and bonnets too.)  The night ended with a wedding dinner at a barbecue place in Orem. Taylor and his bride were fun to watch  as they were being 'roasted' by family and friends, after dinner.  It was a great evening.  

We 'skyped' Dad and Mom
while at the restaurant.

Friday, while we were in the Provo temple for our weekly shift, Deon and Gary went to Taylor's wedding ceremony at the Provo City Temple.  Much to everyone's surprise, Ed and Debbie showed up.  After our temple shift, who should drive up but Ed and Deb to surprise us, too.  When Gary and Deon arrived to pick us up, we all decided to grab some dinner at Red Robbin before the wedding reception.  Again it was so fun to be with siblings and visit and catch on each other's lives. The wedding reception was held in Cedar Hills Golf Club and was a wonderful affair. It is beautiful facility with a view clear out to Utah lake. The bride and groom looked radiant, as always, and everyone seemed to have a good time. The best part of the evening, though, was being back home and visiting till late at night with my brother and sister. They all had to leave the next morning which was a good thing as we had some other special guests coming later that day.

All together at the restaurant.

Those special guests were RaeAnn Taylor and Jailyn Shepherd, two of our favorite sister missionaries from Russia. They drove up just to visit with us.  We sat outside by the water feature and visited for at least two hours.  We were sad when they had to leave to go pick up Jailyn's brother from work in Provo. We will always cherish the wonderful relationships we were able to build with the elders and sisters in Moscow. We hope we never lose contact with them.

Jailyn, on the left - RaeAnn, on the right

The next week, Paul and I finally made it golfing, a promise made when we passed up golf in Bend.  We went on Thursday and had a delightful time golfing the lake course at Wasatch Mountain Golf Club. Neither one of us golfed very good but it was fun just to be together, playing in such a beautiful setting. After golf we treated ourselves to lunch at Cafe Galleria and had their yummy pizza and salad lunch plate.  What a fun day. We vowed to do it again...hopefully soon.





While golfing on Thursday, I kept getting Facebook messages from Katerina from Russia. She was baptized while we were in Moscow and became a special friend.  She was just wanting to say hello and find out how we were doing.  We ended up deciding to Skype on Saturday as it is hard for her to write in English and much easier to speak it. Though sometimes it was hard to understand what she was saying, we had a wonderful visit. She is still involved, very heavily, in Karate. She was, at one time, the Russian Karate national champion. Now she teaches karate and is involved in many martial arts events in Moscow. She hopes to come to America and go the the San Diego temple.  It told her if she would consider going to one of the many Utah temples instead, she could stay with us and we would accompany her. It would be so wonderful to share that experience with her.  




Sunday, Jon and Mindi brought all their kids up for dinner.  It's been almost three month since they've all been up here so it was good to have them in our home again. Todd and Kailee came up, too, with Aria who was the big hit with Mindi's girls. All they wanted to do was hold her.  We had tri tip and chicken for dinner and for dessert,  cream filled crepes.  Of course, Paul had to let Aria try some of the cream filling.  Yes, she loved it..

Which bring us to Tuesday and Jaiden's birthday. Jon invited us to take him out to dinner on his birthday and then to join them for his birthday celebration at their home afterwards.  We were excited when Jaiden chose In 'N Out for his dinner spot. He loves hamburgers and his favorite is a double double from In 'N Out.  He was so cute while there and thanked up at least five time for taking him out to dinner.  When we took him home, he opened his presents and we all had cake and ice cream. Todd brought Aria over to join us and again she was the center of attention. 

Jaiden and his double double from In 'N Out. 

We wondered how he was going to be able to get his mouth around his big burger...

but he managed.

Then, back at Jon and Mindi's home even Gavin got in on holding Aria.

Friday, after our temple session and before meeting Kailee and Todd for dinner, we stopped by the Pleasant Grove cemetery to place flowers on the graves of Paul's Mom and Dad. We have made this an annual affair since moving to Utah, except when we were in Russia.  A great way to pay tribute to his wonderful parents and to show them of our love for them.

 Heber cemetery on Memorial day
is lined with American flags.  Quite
an impressive sight.

Ed and Dave at the wedding reception

The last Saturday of the month was a busy one.  We left Heber in the early afternoon to meet our friends, Kay and Marvin Rust, for lunch at Outback Steak House in Salt Lake. Outback became a favorite of ours in Russia and we wanted our friends to experience the Jack Daniels ribs, which Marv had and loved.  After lunch, we drove to the Hale Centre theater for the performance of Big River. Once again, we were wowed by the production. The stage was even flooded with hundreds of gallons of water to simulate the Mississippi river on which Huck and his friends rafted down. An amazing feat for a small theater stage in the round. When we do lunch and a play with our friends, we usually drive together but we couldn't this time. Immediately after the performance, we had to race down to Mapleton for the wedding reception of Andrew, my brother Dave's oldest son. Ed and Debbie came down from Idaho again for this wedding so it was fun to visit with them again. The reception was in an old barn which had been redone, especially for weddings.  It was in a beautiful area, set in the middle of an apple orchard at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Andrew and his bride had been married earlier that afternoon in the apple orchard.

On the left is Andrew and Dave.

On the right is Dave with his two daughters, Kristen and Lauren.  They are on Skype with Dad and Mom... A fun way for Dad and Mom to be apart of the wedding festivities

Much to our joy, this was our month to see a lot of Jon and Mindi and their family.  At the end of the month was Memorial Day weekend. Jon had his boys for the holiday so they came up on Sunday, spent the night, and stayed all day Monday with us. We love having all of them with us. Of course, Todd and Kailee joined us for Sunday dinner and came back for a late afternoon barbecue with us on Monday. Memorial Day was fun filled with playing card games inside and baseball outside, having a water gun fight, and playing capture the flag with those same water guns...and, of course, lots of good food - sourdough waffles for breakfast, and chicken teriyaki sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs for dinner.  

Jaiden learned how to play UNO
 and wanted to play all  the time

In the afternoon, Jon joined the boys in a
capture the flag water fight.  A great activity
on a hot afternoon.

An interesting thing happened just before we left for Oregon. Sunday, May 1, the stake president asked if we could meet with him after our meeting block.  We were surprised when he asked us to go on another mission.  He suggested we serve that mission right here in Heber, working with the wards in our stake to activate members. We were totally taken back by this call but as we thought about it, we felt it was an answer to prayer.  We have felt like we needed to serve another mission but didn't want to leave our home or family. This is the best of both worlds - serving a mission here at home. The Sunday after our Oregon trip, President  Blickenstaff, a counselor in the Provo Mission Presidency, and his wife, came to our home to tell us of the specifics of our calling. We would attend ward councils of the wards we are assigned and go out and visit the people the Bishop feels we could help in coming back to church.  We would also work with the full time missionaries assigned to our stake, feeding them lunch once a week, as a time to discuss how we could be of assistance to them. We would attend district meetings, with other senior couples, once a week and zone conferences on a quarterly basis.  We would also be encouraged to attend the temple once a week. They said that spending about 32 hours a week is the norm for this kind of calling. They were very convincing and, by the end of their visit, we knew this was what we were supposed to do.  We called the stake president and told him we would put our papers in July for a first of September start date.  He was thrilled that we accepted the call.  A new challenge awaiting us on the horizon.



I'll end our monthly blog with these pictures...................  

At our pond, we noticed a mother and father goose herding their little ones. As I approached them, to take a picture, the parent geese headed their little ones into the water for protection. Oh the wonders of Mother Nature.

Of course, I have to include pictures of the ever growing and every changing Aria - now sitting up in her chair and loving her finger in her mouth.  It is such a joy to watch this grand baby grow.  We have not had that privilege with our other grandchildren so having Aria so close is a treat.