Left, Left, Left, Right, Left!

Last evening Val and I returned from a quick trip to Texas to see Andrew and Natalie and our friends  the McIntyres.

The first thing Val said when he drove out of the parking area was...

"Oh, Utah!  So glad to be out of Texas and all those lefts."

It's true, the lefts.

There were many interchanges where we kept left.

There were more left exit lanes.

There were weird left merge lanes across oncoming traffic.

There were twice as many left turns we made than right turns.

Even on return trips!

Despite the leftness of our trip, it was a wonderful respite from household woes.

We missed the snow/rain/snow storm.

We missed the cold weather for a few days.

Clarification:  We didn't miss the cold weather like we miss our grandchildren.  We missed the cold weather like - Whew!  Missed that one!

We really, really, really enjoyed our time with Andrew & Natalie in Abilene.  It's always nice to know what your loved ones homes look like so as to picture them in your mind. 

They have a cute apartment in a nice complex. 

Two cute dogs. 

Comfy beds.

And, they are great hosts!

While we were there Andy showed us where he works.

We also saw the base housing where they are contemplating moving.

We did a little home improvement shopping - for our house.

We enjoyed lunch together at a Tex-Mex place - Abuelo's.

We checked out an antique mall.

We saw a movie together - War Horse.

We attended church together.  While at church, we met Uncle Frank & Aunt Madalyn Hoopes' daughter -Connie.  She lives in Andrew & Natalie's ward!  Small world, eh?!

We visited, played games and was able to get to know Natalie better, too.

It was sad to leave... however, I did get three hugs from Natalie!

Awesome!

Sunday afternoon we drove to Double Oak to spend a day and a half with our friends the McIntyres.

Christina and I met and became friends while working at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, California.  We started working for Marriott Corporation on the same day, at the same hotel in Salt Lake City but didn't meet each other until 8 years later, in California.

Harold & Christina have five children... Alexa (14), Austin (13), Nicolette (9), Christian (6) and Brigitte (3).  It's always fun to spend time with them and enjoy their hospitality.  They make fresh bread at their house everyday.  In fact, Monday we ran an errand with Christina and when we got home, Nicolette had a batch of dough rising in a bowl.  She was making cinnamon rolls.  First 9 year-old I've ever met who bakes bread on her own!

Christina has always loved baking and making candies.  This last year she started a little cottage business making gift baskets with her handmade candies... caramels, toffee, peanut butter cups, fudge, truffles, etc.

She loves making candies.

We were at their house for a day and a half and she made candies 4 different times... just for the fun of it!

What do you suppose she did with all that candy?

It was too early to begin filling Valentine orders.

She doesn't put her product in stores (on consignment) any more.

She and her family love to eat some of what she makes but that cuts into her profits, so they ration themsleves.

She gave it to us.  On the sly.

She packaged up a bag for Val and told him to take it home and give it to me, as a surprise, for Valentine's Day.

She also gave me a bag as a surprise for Val for Valentine's Day!

Oh, and then there was the gift basket she put in our room prior to our arrival.

My sweet friend Christina is so kind and giving.  She makes such sweet, delicious treats!

She is very good at her craft and is always sharing!

Now, if I could just be as thin as she is and still enjoy her treats!

It's great to be home, even if things are bigger and better in Teaxas!

Another Life Changing Event in our Future

Andrew James Bagley joined the Air Force a few months back.

Monday, May 10th, he meets his recruiter (I think) and after spending the night in Salt Lake City (I think, again), he leaves Tuesday for San Antonio, Texas to attend Basic Training.

Val and I are really proud of him.

Making this decision wasn't an easy one and wasn't without challenges.

However, it was an adult decision and if all goes as planned, will enable him, and his sweet wife Natalie, to continue to make a life and family, together.

It's just no fun having children scattered hither and yon.

Although.... I do love the great deals we get from Southwest Airlines! :)

Feeling So Far Behind!

Truly, I keep this blog more for me than others. However, I know how disappointed I feel sometimes when I check others blogs and they haven't been updated for awhile. I also feel a great responsibility to complete monthly posts and include family members whose birthdays are in that month. Since I started it, I need to be consistent so folks don't feel left out or overlooked.

That being said, I know I need to document June and July birthdays, so don't give up on me yet! Also, I had the time of my life spending a month in Alaska with Laura and her family and really want to record my feelings, impressions, and fun times... before I forget.

Most importantly, I have two new grandchildren and really want to record those fun events, too!

If you check back in the next few weeks, I hope to have more fun stuff to share!

"I'd Love To!"

Some of my most favorite and fun memories come from spending time with our grand-children and talking to them on the telephone.

Alona, at 6 years old, has become quite a conversationalist. Whether talking in person or on the telephone, it's fun to hear about what she is learning in school and fun things they do together as a family. She is very matter of fact and knowledgeable about the subject of conversation.

Abbi is usually hovering in the background when her Mommy and I are talking on the telephone and I can hear her sweet little voice saying ...

"I wanna say hi."

"Can I say hi?"

"Can I please say hi?"

When I do talk to her, she always tells me where she is at the moment and what she is doing. I like to ask her what she is learning at home and which letter they are learning about. She tells me all that she remembers.

Kacen is a 'Yes' man. No matter the question, his answer is usually an enthusiastic 'Yes!'.

We phoned Grandpa Honey the other day and Honey asked "Is this Abbi?"

Kacen replied, "Yes!"

When we have the opportunity to talk to Kellie, who is 2 1/2 years old, on the telephone I'm chuckling the remainder of the day.

She is usually so animated about what she is telling us and the excitement comes through so well in her voice. Yesterday she was very excitedly telling me she was going to go bowling with the Elders that evening and then in an almost dead pan voice she tagged on "I had oatmeal."

Mama had to translate that one for me; it came out of no where!

Grandpa wasn't home when Kellie was telling me about her upcoming bowling activity with the Elders. When he returned home I encouraged him to call Kellie and ask her where she was going that evening.... but he had to ask Kellie, not her Mama.

Naturally, Laura answered the telephone when he called so when he asked if he could speak with Kellie we heard Laura ask "Do you want to talk to Grandpa?"

Her reply?

"I'd love to!"