This month we celebrated Mom's 100th birthday. Her actual birthday isn't until December 15 but we wanted to acknowledge her earlier so we could all gather and not have to worry about traveling in bad weather. Nine of the eleven siblings and their spouses met at a country club in Sandy on Friday, October 9. We had a wonderful dinner of beef tenderloin and then watched a video of Mom's life. We visited with each other for a long time afterwards, as many of us hadn't seen each other since Dad's 100th celebration three years ago. It is always amazing how much love exists between our siblings even though we are a combined family. That evening was no exception - so much love expressed for each other.
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| Nine of the eleven siblings surrounding Mom |
The Thursday before the celebration, Ed and Deb and Don and Dana came to our home to stay for the weekend. Dave joined us after Friday's event. I had set out all of the things that had been found of Dad's so everyone could look through them and see what each person wanted to keep. Don had brought some books of Dad's so we ended up with the pool table and another long table filled with things to look at. On Friday and Saturday morning, everyone had a chance to put a sticky note on any item they wanted. Except for a few books, there ended up being only one sticky note per item so it was easy to divide up everything. When all was said and done, I saved only a few things that no one had chosen. I put them in the old suitcase of Dad's and secured them in our safe. Sonnie was unable to come so I put together a box for her of pictures she had given Mom and Dad and a couple of things I thought she would enjoy of Dad's.
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| Debbie loving all the old books of Dad's |
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| Ed looking at Dad's missionary scrapbook |
During the month leading up to this event, I put together a Shutterfly scrapbook, entitled "A Forever Love Affair." It highlighted Mom and Dad's life together as high school sweethearts, husband and wife, and dad and mom. I ordered enough for each of my siblings and gave one to each of them as an early Christmas gift. They loved it and want to order some for their children. It's a beautiful tribute to the love Dad and Mom shared and their life together.
Right after our reunion with my brothers and sisters, the Fullers and ourselves started planning a get away trip. We decided to drive to Colorado and deliver some of Dad's things to Sonnie in Buena Vista. We found a World Mark resort in Granby, Colorado and planned to stay there for 4 days. When we contacted Sonnie, we found that she would be in Denver that whole week, hence staying in Granby which is only a little over an hour from Denver. Our plan was to arrive in Granby on Monday, the 19th, and then drive to Denver Wednesday morning to spend some time with Sonnie and deliver the things to her. On the Saturday, before we were to leave, Sonnie called to inform us of a couple of major fires in Colorado, one being just outside Granby. I called the resort and they told us the fire was only 8 miles away and that the winds were blowing it toward Granby. We, of course, canceled those reservations and were lucky enough to get three nights at a Wyndham Club Pass resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This World Mark affiliate was located in the southern part of Colorado, away from any fires, and only 3 hours from Buena Vista. Even though Sonnie would not be there, we thought we could drive through and drop off the things at her home. That was our plan until Sonnie called back and said the her son, Christian and his wife, Momoko, wanted to fix us lunch while we were there. Thus our new get away vacation changed into something even better, even though we would not be able to see Sonnie.
Just some of the unique, yet beautiful, rock formations
we saw on our drive to Pagosa Springs.
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Our condo unit in Pagosa Springs call the Eagle Loft.
It included an indoor hot tub on the lower level. |
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| Our view outside our living room and bedroom windows. |
We arrived Monday evening, fixed a spaghetti dinner, watched a movie, and went to bed. The next day we set out to explore Pagosa Springs. We drove to Treasure Falls which ended up being only a trickle this time of year so it wasn't that impressive. It was then on to downtown Pagosa. It is famous for its hot springs. There is a huge resort built along the San Juan river that has 23 different soaking pools and a large swimming pool. We didn't soak in these as the price was ridiculous and the sulfur smell was pretty strong. Some people love it, though, and pay $500 a night to stay in the resort and soak in the different pools.
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| Treasure Falls - only a trickle |
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| The San Juan River that runs through the town |
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| The Hot Springs Resort |
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| The source of the hot water - the deepest hot springs in the world |
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| Inside the resort's hot springs |
That afternoon, we found a Mexican restaurant located right along the San Juan River. The view was wonderful and the food was delicious. Later that afternoon, we swam in the pool at the resort, ate dinner, watched a baseball game and went to bed. Such a relaxing day.
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| Deon enjoying the view of the hot springs from our table |
The next day was another laid back day of exploring the area. This time we drove in the opposite direction to see the Chimney Rock National Monument. It is an ancient Pueblo sacred site that was used as a place to study the sun and the stars. Because it was late in the season, the drive to the base of the monument was closed so we could only see it from a far.
We loved not having deadlines on this trip. We had lunch at the condo, watched a movie, and went for frozen yogurt. That evening, after dinner, also at the condo, we watched a movie which we rented from Red Box. It was called 'The Call of the Wild' and was based on Jack London's book. Such a relaxing and enjoyable day. On Thursday morning, we checked out of the resort and drove the 3 hours to Buena Vista. We were asked not arrive at Sonnie's until 1:30 as Christian had a business conference that wouldn't be over until then. We arrived in Buena Vista earlier than that so we drove around the town, ending up at the local cemetery where Jim, Sonnie's husband, is buried. We had attended the funeral two and a half years ago so we could remember where his grave was. Of course, we took pictures to send to Sonnie. At her home, we had a delicious lunch of Momoko's creation - vegetables and tofu over rice. We enjoyed our visit with them and made them promise to come visit us someday soon.
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In Sonnie's back yard
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Jim's grave site. Christian said he was saving
up to have a headstone to be made for both Sonnie and Jim |
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| Christian and Momoko |
After leaving Sonnie's in Buena Vista, we drove 2 1/2 hours to Glenwood Springs where we spent the night and then drove home the next day. We loved getting away for 5 days but it is always good to be back home in Heber.
We were glad we did our little get away trip when we did, as that weekend Colorado had snow as did we. Snow in October is unusual but this is 2020 so nothing surprises us anymore. On the Sunday, after arriving home, we had almost blizzard conditions - snow blowing sideways because of the winds. It all left us with just a little over an inch of snow which melted within a couple of days, thank goodness. Not ready for a cold winter yet.
Halloween, the last celebration of the month, had a COVID 19 influence as has most aspects of our lives. Some states had canceled Halloween while others discouraged large parties and/or trick or treating. Often individual neighborhoods decided how best to handle giving out candy to children. Todd and Kailee's area said only one person was to hand out candy and that person had to wear gloves and a mask. Todd and Kailee had a party at their home with Kailee's sister and family. They went trick or treating in the neighborhood and had dinner after their party. We usually are a apart of these celebrations with them but because of COVID we stayed home this year. We missed not handing out candy for them while they took the children around the neighborhood. We did, though, drive to Lehi on Thursday before Halloween to see Todd and Kailee's decorations. They add new things to their yard every year so their yard is becoming a pretty spooky place.
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| Just two of the many scary new additions to their yard |
Andrea's Halloween was a little different too. They only handed out candy and popcorn to 200 instead of the usual 600. People are just a little scared of COVID.
I thought these memes were very appropriate for this Halloween 2020.........
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| Everything is virtual this year.....even Halloween? |
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| Perfect for this election season |
Of course, I 've collected some more great memes. With the increasing number of cases of Corna Virus all over the U.S. and Europe, we have to find things to laugh about. So here goes.....
But we must remember God is in charge. We must put all our faith and trust in Him and our Savior, Jesus Christ and things will work out. Faith, not fear, is the answer.
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| A most important concept during this election year, for sure |
One blessing of this month, is that we have been able to return to church, somewhat, every week. Our ward has been divided into two groups, with one group attending sacrament meeting in person, while the other groups streams it into their homes virtually. Last month, we were attending only one week of the month with nothing virtual so this change was very welcomed. The first Sunday was the same weekend my family was here. It was real special to share our televised sacrament meeting with them and then have my brothers prepared, bless, and administer the sacrament to me. (Paul was at the actual meeting as the Bishop had asked him to attend each week.) Our ward has also begun streaming classes through Zoom. The first and third Sundays, we have Sunday School and on the other Sundays it's Priesthood and Relief Society. It's so wonderful to have Sunday meetings each week again. Hopefully the day will come, soon, when we can meet all together each week, without wearing masks and sitting 6 feet apart.
And then there's Aria and Avery......Family picture time
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Aria and Avery both wanted to be Skye so they are
in matching costumes. |
