Notice the positive statement in this month's title. We are trying to focus on the positive things in our lives rather than the political situation of our nation.....so here we go talking about all the wonderful things that have happened to us in this awesome month of April.
The first weekend of the month brought Easter and General Conference - always a winning combination. All the sessions on Saturday and Sunday were wonderful but the Sunday morning session was uniquely inspiring. The speakers, with the exception of President Nelson, were General Authorities from different parts of the world, with many of their remarks having been prerecorded. It was amazing to see how the gospel of Jesus Christ is affecting the lives of people all around the world. The message was clear - that the Lord loves all His people no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be. This is definitely a world wide church. Another amazing thing that happened was the announcement of 20 new temples, many being in far away countries. Even Eugene, Oregon will be blessed with a temple in the near future.
We had a surprise visitor come watch President Nelson's concluding talk Sunday morning. Mitch Davis, a former neighbor and dear friend, stopped by to visit for a while. He was in town to do a film shoot of an upcoming series he is promoting. Mitch and Michelle moved to North Carolina a year or so ago so this visit was a welcome surprise. We loved catching up on all their family members and on what has been going on in their lives. We miss that family and love them dearly.
Later that afternoon, Jon and Mindi and Olivia and Carly joined us for Easter dinner. Charlotte was still living with us so she was there too. We had the traditional ham dinner with cheesy potatoes and it was all delicious. The best part was to have Jon and his family in our home again. It had been too many months since that has happened. They are planning on moving the Texas in the near future so this visit was especially important.
The following Saturday was a big day. Paul and I went to the Prove City Temple to be outside when Brandon and his new bride Jenny made their appearance as newly weds. Brandon is Don and Dana's son so we were able to see them and all their family - Bryce, Whitney, Ashley and Carly with their families. Because of COVID, there was no reception, only family dinners and activities, so being at the temple was the only way we could celebrate with them. Deon and I had put together a basket of goodies for the newlyweds to take on their honeymoon. Hopefully it finally made it to the newlywed couple's car.
From the temple, we drove to Todd and Kailee's home where we were greeted by Jon's boys, Mindi and her children, and the whole Westover clan. Charlotte had picked up Jillian in Rexburg a couple of days earlier and brought her to our home. Andrea drove from Eugene with Allison and Lydia while Casey and Maggie flew to Salt Lake. Andrea picked them up at the airport and we all met at Todd's for an incredible dinner - smoked brisket, ribs, and smoked mac and cheese. I supplied the rolls, salad, and dessert. It was a wonderful evening, especially that Jon's boys came even though Jon was out of town. We hadn't seen them for almost a year. They played basketball while the rest of us visited.
Sunday, with the Westovers at our home, I decided to stay home and view sacrament meetings via Zoom while Paul went to church in person. The Westovers joined me for sacrament meeting and then Casey passed the sacrament to all of us. Of course, lots of singing was involved - the girls and Casey even harmonizing while singing the sacrament hymn. After church, the girls continued to sing, much to my delight.
We had lunch of Zuppa type sandwiches and quickly took off for a four hour drive to Moab, Utah. The Westovers had never been there and wanted to do something fun while they were in Utah. Moab didn't disappoint. We stayed at the Super 8 hotel (not the best accommodations but still cost us almost $200 a night.) We ate dinner and went to bed in preparation for an early departure in the morning. We only had one full day to explore the Arches National Park. We were at the park by 8 a.m. and were awed by the sights inside the park.
The first stop was Balance Rock, aptly named. We walked the trail around the rock and took lots of pictures.
We then drove to see the Delicate Arch. It takes a hike to really see it up close so after taking pictures from afar, we all set out to hike to the arch. It's a 3 mile hike and considered a hard hike. Andrea and I made it half way and then decided to sit under a shade tree and wait for the rest of the family to hike to the top. (I'm old and out of shape and Andrea's ankle can't take the kind of climbing that was required to make it to the top, hence stopping where we did.) Paul surprised us all when he decided to make the climb, too. He was a little behind the rest of the Westovers but when they turned around and saw him, they stopped to cheer him on. They hiked the rest of the way together. When they came back down, they all said it was hard but so worth it. Everyone was very impressed that Paul could make it all the way. It's all those years of walking behind a lawn mower around our yard that made it possible.
The next stop was the Parade of the Elephants and Windows rock formations. The Westovers decided to do the hike at the stop but Paul and I decided to drive the rest of the park before leaving for lunch. The Westovers had to make it back to the hotel so the girls could attend their online classes so, after their hiking, they didn't have time to drive the rest of the park. They certainly got a feel for the beauty of the Arches National Park, though.
 |
The Elephant is the back ridge of rocks on the left.
A little hard to see. |
Paul and I lunched at Subway, took a drive to see Redcliff lodge (we had stayed there when we had come a few years ago), and, of course, stopped to get a marionberry ice cream cone.
That night was a real treat. We had made arrangements to go on a night cruise of the Colorado River. The package included a buffet dinner of lots of barbecue meats, salads, bread, and dessert. It was all wonderful tasting and we enjoyed going back for seconds. At 7:30, we were loaded onto the jet boat and enjoyed a fun narration about the area by our river guide, as we cruised up the river. He pointed out several rock formations and gave them appropriate names. When it got dark, the boat stopped as the rocks along the shore began to light up. As they did, we were treated to a narration of the history of the area beginning with the creation. As the boat slowly made it's way back down the river, the rocks continued to be lit up along the way. At times the lights would go out so we could look at the stars and contemplate God's glorious creations and the privilege it is to live in America. We were all touched by the message and the beauty of the evening.
 |
| At dinner |
 |
| On the boat |
 |
| Our guide |
 |
| The sunset on the river |
 |
| This formation is called ET |
 |
| This is Charlie Brown with a Burger King hat on |
The next morning, because of school deadlines, we took off for home. The Westovers stopped at Green River so Charlotte could get on line and do a presentation for one of her BYU classes. We didn't stop with them but continued on home, driving the beautiful highway 70 instead of Highway 6 through Spanish Fork canyon. We stopped for lunch at Mod Pizza, of course and made it home about a hour before the Westovers. It was a great, but short, trip. When we got home we had a quick dinner so the three older girls could go to the Hale theater to see Daddy Longlegs. Andrea and Casey took them and then went on north to visit and old friend. The only problem is that Andrea started vomiting just after they dropped off the girls. After the show, Charlotte started vomiting, too. It was a lovely drive home for them and they both went straight to bed when they arrived. Casey started fevering and having diarrhea during the night and I woke up with the same symptoms. Casey was able to muster up enough strength to take the rest of the girls to Lehi to visit the Dinosaur museum there at Thanksgiving Point. It started snowing in the early afternoon and dropped about 4 inches in no time. The canyons were a mess with accidents happening frequently. Casey was supposed to catch a flight at 5 o'clock but when he wasn't home by 2:30, Andrea changed his flight for the next evening. That turned out to be a little tender mercy. When everyone got back home here in Heber it was decided that Casey would cancel his flight and drive Charlotte and Allison home in Charlotte's car the next morning. Andrea would follow with the other girl's in the afternoon and go home by way of Rexburg to drop off Maggie at school. The miracle came when they went to cancel Casey's flight. Because he didn't fly out until later the next night he was within the 24 hour window for canceling without a penalty. Hence, they received all their money back for his flight. That would not have happened had Andrea not changed his flight for the next day. Everyone arrived home safely in Springfield, Oregon but not without some struggle. Allison became ill on the way home and vomited several times. Not a fun trip for Allison nor the carload.
 |
This shows the number of accidents in
Provo and Parley's canyons which is
why Casey was so slow in getting home from the
other side of the mountain, prompting Andrea to
change his flight. |
At the end of the month, we took off with Deon and Gary for a 10 day trip to Depoe Bay, Oregon. We had this trip planned for last April but because of COVID, we had to postpone it a year. We took two days get there, stopping in Pendleton, Oregon for the night. On Monday, we checked into the World Mark resort in Depoe Bay. The resort was situated on a cliff right above the coast. Our condo had a wall of floor length windows that overlooked the beautiful ocean. An incredible view. We enjoyed the first night just walking the trail along the coastline, watching the waves crash upon the rocks.
The next day we ventured down the coast to the City of Newport. We were given tokens for a cup of Mo's clam chowder so we decided to do lunch there. Along the way we stopped at a lighthouse close by.
At Mo's ready to enjoy some clam chowder
A walk through town gave us a look at some sea lions as well as the catches of deep sea fishermen being fileted. A fishing charter boat came into port right outside the restaurant and the fish that were caught were brought to shore and given to two ladies who fileted them right on the spot. |
| Fish being fileted for the fishermen |
 |
| Dozens of sea lions enjoying the sun |
The drive back to the resort took us to The Devil's Punch Bowl. During a storm, they say, this is filled with churning water.
The view as the sun was setting on our second night in Depoe Bay, as seen from our balcony.
Wednesday, we decided to drive North to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. This was my birthday so during the day I received calls from our children and a couple of friends. It was a great way to spend my birthday - traveling and seeing new sites. The Tillamook Cheese Factory was new for Deon and Gary and they were fascinated with the process of making cheese there. After leaving to find a place to have lunch, we returned to the Cheese Factory for their famous ice cream. Of course, Paul and I had huckleberry - always so good. We left Tillamook and drove a short distance to the smallest lighthouse along the Oregon coast. To get to it we had to walk down a path for about a half mile. The lighthouse was indeed small but a lighthouse still the same. (I love lighthouses and have to take side trips to see them when possible.) The walk back up to the car was a bit steep so we stopped long the way to catch our breath and look at the beautiful views.
 |
| Inside the Tillamook Cheese Factory on our self guided tour |
 |
| At the Cheese truck - a favorite photo op |
 |
| Getting ready to walk down to Cape Meares lighthouse |
 |
| Oregon's smallest lighthouse |
 |
| Overlooking the view from the lighthouse |
 |
Resting on the hike back up to the car,
enjoying the beauties of the Oregon coast. |
 |
| Another beautiful vista |
That night Deon fixed a delicious tri tip dinner to celebrate my birthday and then we just relaxed watching a good movie.
On Thursday, we decided to take a drive along the Otter Bay loop. We had heard this was a beautiful route along the cliffs of the Oregon Coast. The drive didn't disappoint - gorgeous views from high above the ocean. We had packed a lunch of crackers and cheese and fruit and stopped at Beverly beach for a picnic. After eating, we walked a short distance to the beach. We had to experience walking in the sand and putting our feet in the water - although I'm the only one who even took off their shoes. We drove home and went swimming at the resort pool. Because of COVID, we had to make a reservation for a 45 minute time slot at which time we would be the only ones in the pool and hot tub. It was rather nice to have the area all to ourselves. We enjoyed a little exercise in the pool and the warmth of the hot tub. A great way to finish off another day.
 |
| A pretty steep drop off - straight down to the ocean |
 |
| A picnic near Beverly Beach |
 |
| A short walk to the beach |
 |
| The beach |
The last day we spent in Depoe Bay was Friday. We decided to make it a wash clothes day and explore the town of Depoe Bay. We found a great place for lunch - a local restaurant that served delicious halibut fish and chips. One can't go to the Oregon coast and not have fish and chips. Another must is salt water taffy. On our walk through town, we found a shop that sold at least fifty different kinds of taffy so we had to buy some.
Because we wanted to spend a couple of days in Redmond, Oregon at The Eagle Crest World Mark, we would have two nights left in our condo in Depoe Bay. We had first invited Casey and Andrea to make the 2 hour drive to use the condo for a weekend get away. Because of some new government COVID restrictions, they became very busy with their business, putting up tents at several restaurants all over the state. The restaurants needed them so they wouldn't have to shut down but could instead serve people outside in tents. Hence, they could not come take advantage of the two nights at Depoe Bay. We, then, offered it to Ryan and his family. Ryan took us up on it and drove 4 hours to see us and spend the weekend with Grace and Nathan. They arrived on Friday evening. We had dinner waiting for them and had a wonderful visit afterwards. The next morning, we left Ryan and the kids to enjoy Depoe Bay and surrounding areas. They had a great time driving the Otter Crest Loop and playing at Beverly Beach. They also got to swim in the resort pool. We were glad the unit didn't go unused for those two days.
 |
| Hamburgers for dinner on Friday night |
 |
| Loving the view - especially with the binoculars we lent them. |
 |
| Saying good bye just before we left for Eagle Crest |
Our drive to Redmond, Oregon took us through Albany and Lebanon. This was a trip down memory lane for Deon and Gary. They lived in Lebanon for a couple of years when their family was little. They remembered taking the family to King Kone in Albany where they could get a double ice cream cone for very little money. It is still there but is a real dive. Gary and Deon did, though, buy an ice cream cone for old time sake. We stopped in Lebanon for lunch and a look at the high school where Gary was a principle. Deon hated it there when they lived in Lebanon but it was a good move for Gary professionally.
We arrived in Redmond that afternoon and checked into the World Mark hotel there. It was a one bedroom suite with a small kitchen and pull out bed...small but comfortable. Because of Oregon's COVID restrictions being enforced, as of this day, we had to order Mod Pizza and eat it in the car - no inside dining in 15 counties of Oregon. Because of this, we decided to go shopping and buy what we would need to prepare food for Sunday at the hotel. It had a barbecue on the balcony, a two burner stove, and refrigerator so we bought groceries for breakfast, lunch and dinner for Sunday....cereal and muffins for breakfast, nachos for lunch, and barbecued chicken and rice for dinner. Needless to say we were glad to leave Oregon and their silly rules. They are 40th out of the 50 states in number of COVID cases, yet their governor shut things down again.
 |
Our Sunday activity in Redmond was to drive to downtown
Bend, a city next to Redmond. We walked around the Old Mill
District a new area of upscale shops and restaurants along
the river that runs through the middle of Bend.
|
On Monday, we started our trip back home driving as far as Boise, Idaho. After having dinner at Olive Garden, we spent the night at the Residence Inn in Boise. We, then, drove the rest of the way home on Tuesday. It was a great trip making us so thankful for the opportunity to see so many of God's glorious creations.
A couple of things happened while we were gone. The first was Avery celebrating her 3rd birthday. She turned 3 on April 29. We had left her a card and money so she could go to the store and buy herself a toy. Todd and Kailee sent us a video of her experience shopping. She picked out a Peppa Pig playhouse and giggled all the way to the checkout area as she held her money. It was so cute to watch her put the money in the machine and then thank us for giving her the money to buy her toy.
 |
| Counting the money? |
 |
| Saying thank you to us |
On Sunday, as we were traveling to Oregon, the Elder's Quorum had their Sunday zoom lesson, taught by Shem Vandermere. This picture was sent to Paul to show that he was part of the lesson. Apparently, Shem had researched several members of the quorum who had been athletes in college. He found this picture of Paul. Not sure how he tied it all into the lesson but he must have done it in some way. |
| A memory from the past |
Notice....very little political things in this month's blog edition but I can't leave this site without these two memes being added.
