Road Trip - Days 7 & 8, Last Day in Provo and Travel to MT

 It's our last day in Provo due to a booking error by me.  It sucks, but every now and then I blow it.  This is one of the nows.  We have to check out of our little house this morning and once the work is done and the car loaded, we are off to meet Cassie and then - THE ZOO for the day.  It is about a 45 minute drive, but at least the traffic isn't terrible.  In we go with my reciprocal membership for the adults and Cass's coupons for the little.  The first thing we see are chalk drawings happening all over the grounds.

Road Trip - Days 5 & 6 Provo, UT

 Good morning!  I am off to play the day away and that is just what we do.

Road Trip - Days 3 & 4 in Provo, UT

 Yay for time with grands and my daughter.  I treasure this each year as we get a chance to reconnect and talk while spending time with the littles.  Today, I've left Mister alone at the house so he can work and am off to the library for some fun.

The Road Trip Begins - Days 1 and 2

 It is the first of June and we are hitting the road.  This one is a LONG trip.  We will be back sometime in July and then I will leave again the very next day for the rest of that month.  Let's get on the road.  See ya around the states.

Road Trip Time Day 20 - Provo Day 2

 After a good night's sleep, I am back at Cassie's while Mister works.   Breakfast is once again underway and then the plans for the day can begin.  After discovering that a local bounce house pop-up is on it's last day here, our decision is made.  Unfortunately, we are not able to get in until around noon and the day is cooker.  In the meantime, we're off to get everyone ready to go.  When we arrive - excite reigns and everyone is off to play.

Road Trip Time Day 19 - Provo Day 1

 An early morning grocery run for Mister happens and then Cassie calls to say they are all awake.  Mister has to stay in the AirBNB and work until this afternoon, but I'm off to play.  Hello grands!

Road Trip Time - Gunnison, Telluride, and Raef's Graduation

 Our Spring/Summer road trip is underway.  Leaving Dallas around 4 p.m. (yep, right in time for traffic - so express lanes are our friend) on the last day of May means we likely won't see our home the entire month of June.  Crazy, right?  The car is truly loaded down with deliveries to be made along the way.  The plan is stops in Telluride, CO, Billings, MT, Bigfork, MT, and Provo, UT before making our way home again.  

Cassie's Time - Day 2

 Well, we're rested and heading for coffee and some food to get this day off on a great start.  Mister has found Waffle Love - and we're here to check it out.

Cassie's Time - Day 1

 Good Morning Provo, Utah!  It's a crisp, cool beginning with a beautiful backdrop.  We are up early and on our way to Cassie's so that we can catch all the grands before they head off to school.  We lost a full day here with our snowstorm fiasco, so we want to make the most of the time we do have.

Utah and Baby Blessing of Torsten

 Finally!!!  I am making my way to Utah for Torsten's baby blessing.  It's a beautiful day to fly and I'm plugged into a movie --- happily on my way.

This newest grandson makes #18 for me.  Wow --- what a troop I've got.  Each one is such a blessing and I'm eager to put the newest member into my arms AND spend time with his older siblings.  The last time we were together was in June at the family reunion.  Ahhhh, bring it on and let the hugs begin.  I'm ready.

Just look at these beautiful snow-covered mountains.  THIS is another thing I miss looking at.  I am not to the point of missing the cold it brings along.

Family Reunion - Day 3

With an early departure for sleep last night, our condo is awake early and spending some much loved time visiting on the upper back deck once again.  Mister and Becca went up first and then I joined them with Jen following shortly after.  Well, perhaps we woke her as we were sitting right outside her room, but . . .  Before it was over Matt, Jacob, Cassie and Mairead all spent  some time with us.  I cannot express how much these moments meant to me.  It is our last day with everyone and I want to make every minute count, if possible.

Family Reunion - Day 2

Ahhhh!  I think I'm the first one up.  Well, at least in this condo.  Grabbing a glass of water and my book, I am off to the front porch.

After a bit, Zyra joins me and is surprised that we're the only ones awake.  We have such a fun talk and when Mister joins us, we decide to get out of the sun (which has come over the top of the house and is blasting me) and checkout the upper level deck at the back of the house.  Perfect.  Watching the wildlife below makes for some fun and then peeking at the other condo deck shows little movement on the other side still.

Family Reunion - Day 1

 The gathering is happening.  We are in full swing and loving it all.  Mister and I have decided that this will just be "mostly" a picture blog.  If a story is warranted I'll add it in - so enjoy. (I'll name each grand at their first appearance.)

Caleb and JP

A Long Overdue Trip - Provo, UT - Cassie's House Days 3, 4, 5

 2/2 - Good Morning!!! It's Groundhog Day and I'm sorry to tell you that we will have six more weeks of winter.  It does look a bit cold up on the nearby mountain, doesn't it?

A Long Overdue Trip - Provo, UT - Cassie's House Days 1 and 2

It is the last day of January and we have been crazy fortunate for a winter trip north.  The weather has been wonderful.  Today, we leave Montana and are heading south to Provo, UT.  The hope is to get there before the grands go to bed, so we're off and plan on making very few stops.  As we go down the lake shore ---- some last pics to hold us until the next visit.

Merry Christmas to All!!!

 Merry Christmas!!!  Mister and I have joked for a couple weeks now that we will get up Christmas morning and look at the oven and the television and tell each other Merry Christmas.  We followed through with lots of oooohhs and aaaaaahhs.

Utah - Days 7 & 8 - Playing at Home and Travel Back to TX

It is so crazy cold out that school has been cancelled completely - even the college.  They expected more snow, but it kept itself north of us and hit Salt Lake pretty good.  Here's hoping my flight tomorrow will be okay.  Until then, it's just a play day at the house.  Roads aren't great to go anywhere and it gives these littles another day to recover from their cold.  At this point, I'm well and keeping my fingers crossed that I stay that way.  I don't think I've washed my hands this much in years.  Honest.  Lots of reading and just relaxing going on today.  I'm loving the calm of it all.  At least at this point - everyone is doing their thing and enjoying life.

Utah - Day 6 - Mairead's Blessing

It is a beautiful Sunday morning in the Salt Lake Valley.  The skies are blue, it's not quite as cold, and we have a blessing taking place.  Everyone is up and dressed bright and early and while the last minute items are being attended to, I grab the girls for a couple of quick picks.  Where are they looking?  Oh, a show that is just more fun than smiling for Gammy.

If I stand in front of the television, perhaps it will work?

I tried for selfies with them both, but Ava opted out rather dramatically.  O it is.

Now to dress Mairead and then we are ready to go.  I take that chore on with glee and grab the camera.  Hey there pretty girl.  Without bow.

With bow.  Cassie did such a beautiful job on both the dress and bow.  Right?

Hey Momma, look here real quick.  Fifty per cent isn't terrible is it?

JP --- will you do a selfie with me?  WOOHOO!!!!!

Out the door we go and walk the two blocks to church.  Settling in, I have Mairead and JP is busily munching next to me.  Are those bubbles?

The blessing goes so well and not a peep out of our star of the day.  Perfect.  She is happily hanging out and on Mom's lap now.

Once home, the race is on to get all the food out for guests and several hours of chatting and playing pass by.  The house gets put back into place and right before naps, I ask if they want a family picture.  Most do.  JP -- not so much.  First one, interesting.

Next one --- nice.  It's a wonderful day here.

Mom and Dad with their precious new one. 

AND, even I managed to have a picture with her.  This part of the day is done and it has been very nice.  Now for some quiet time (I sewed while four slept and Cass and O played Mario Kart) before dinner and baths.  My time here is rapidly coming to an end and a storm is heading our way.  I hope those two don't collide.  O has had school cancelled for tomorrow so we will have one last play day together.  Fun times ahead.

Utah - Day 5 - Cookie Time

My time here is more than halfway gone and I'm trying to soak up these littles as much as I can.  I watch them as they play and smile at their antics continuously.  A video of their entire day would just crack me up on down days and I wish I had one, but these small reminders will have to make do.  A peek in at Mairead first thing in the morning finds her propped on Mom's bed and just kicking away.  That is until I talk to her and she spots a face.  Now she needs to be picked up.  Well, alrighty then.  I'm not going to refuse.

Cassie needs to run to Costco and the grocery store and since her hubby is home for a bit, I ride along and see the blue sky for the first time since I've been here.  Oh, the mountains are just gorgeous.

Utah - Day 4 Enjoying Life

Friday and we are letting the kids rest a bit again today -- home where it's warm and they are able to feel a bit better.  That means playtime and fun moments.

Ava and I are in the living room playing with monkeys and selfie time happens.  Then she becomes a little monkey too and we have a bit of fun together.  Memory making at it's finest.