One more post about Emmi

She sent us a picture of the group who were going to Florida.  She said that when they got on the airplane every applauded them.  What an emotional moment that must have been.  Here is the group going to Florida.  Also Emmi said there were 800 who started out at boot camp and only 640 made it through.

Emmi passes boot camp with flying colors!!!

Emmi finished her boot camp with the Navy.  It was a hard row to hoe but she did it with flying colors.  We are so incredibly proud of you Emmi and are in our prayers every single day.  Jeff and Lynda Ann flew back to Chicago to be there for Emmi's graduation.  They were able to spend Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday with her.  In fact, they were scheduled to fly home early Sunday morning and Emmi paid the $350.00 to have their ticket changed for Sunday evening so she could have more time with them.  Here are some pictures of her graduation ceremony.

 After graduation!  Hugs and congratulations!

 I thought these tags that she has to wear were very interesting.  One side has the temple and the other side that she is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Incredible!

Emmi did a lot of missionary work while she was in boot camp.  She certainly planted some seeds.  She is now on her way to Florida where she will be learning and studying for her next assignment.  Hopefully she will have a leave some time the end of November.  It would be wonderful if we had her home for Thanksgiving.

Emmi, we are so incredibly proud of you and what you have accomplished so far.  At a young age you have already graduated from BYU and earned your right to be in the United States Navy!  Our buttons are popping off!

Our annual trip to St. George

Well, actually we go down to St. George a few times each year but annually, we go for the plays at Tuachan.  This year we left on a Wednesday night and arrived in St. George late that evening.  Thursday we mostly hung around the condo.  Slept in, played bridge and just relaxed for the day.  We had tickets for Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night.  We stayed until Tuesday afternoon and then headed home.  It was a wonderful trip with golfing, bridge, good food, shopping and even some movies.  We had a fabulous time and loved the shows.

More birthday presents

Abby came by the other night and brought me a birthday present and a card.  She is so thoughtful to always remember my birthday and to spend her own hard earned money finding something for me.  She came through this year with some darling salt and pepper shakers.  She apparently bought these while we were in San Francisco.  I don't know when or how she did it.  I swear we were together every minute of the day.  But, she managed and totally surprised me.

 Appropriately she gave me a Guide Dog for the Blind card with a sweet message in it wishing me a happy birthday.

Another project finished

Jamie told me that her mother has always sung "I love you, a bushel and a peck" to Jordyn Lyn, Lexi and Peyton.  I thought it would be fun to stitch it for them to give to their grandmother.  I just finished it and will take it and get it steamed, cleaned and ready to be framed.

Doesn't look like much now but when it get stretched and framed it will be beautiful.  I have another project waiting and I'll take a picture of it when I get it started.  Probably won't be this week.  Way too much going on.

More Birthday Surprises

I got a package in the mail and saw the return address, laughed and just had to take a picture of it.  Gee, guess who this might be from!

 I had seen these pillows when Jamie and I and the girls were shopping and mentioned that I loved them.  Jamie remembered and bought them for me.  I LOVE them.  Thank you Jamie, Tucker and the girls for a very happy surprise.  Wish you could have been here in person.

75 Years!

Well, I just celebrated my 75 years on this grand old earth.  75 years and feeling 30 something.  My birthday was fun.  Neal had gone to Jacob Lake for a big family type memorial for an ancestor Nixon on his mother's side and I opted to stay home and celebrate my birthday with family.

Saturday morning I met Annie, Mallory and Hayley at U of Phoenix parking lot and we all got in the Jeep and headed to Provo to met Susan and Lila Mae.  The sad thing is that Lila Mae had a trip to the emergency room two nights before and just didn't feel up to coming.  Had we been told, we would have all gone to Midway and had lunch with her.  But, we didn't know until we were on our way to Provo.

We met Susan at the Black Bear and had a delicious lunch (well some had a delicious breakfast) and from there we all went shopping.  We all bought a few items and then we headed back to Salt Lake and Susan headed back to Midway to check on Lila Mae.

Annie made me strawberry pies, which I might add were absolutely delicious!

We play a game of Shanghai (which I won).  During the evening Annie presented me with an extra special 75th birthday present and yes, I cried.  She gave me a book entitled "The Best Memories are made Gathered Around the Table".

 I was literally brought to tears as I read the quotes in the book along with the groups of pictures.  Every picture in the book is gatherings around the tables bringing tons of memories.  She did a beautiful job.  I have looked through the book so many times already.  It means so much to me and makes me feel like I have accomplished something good for this family.  What a treasured gift.

 She also made me a sign to hang above the kitchen sliding door by the table.  Now you will notice that this sign had some problems and we just had to take a picture of it.  It's my understanding that she stayed up most of the night to get the sign made after this one failed.

 This is the second try and it turned out beautiful.  Thank you, Annie for your unconditional love and friendship.  The closeness that we share cannot be measured.  I love you and thank you for making my 75th birthday one that I will long remember!

Neal and Dave Knight

Neal and Dave Knight are total Tommy Bahama clothing fans.  Shirts, ties, socks, whatever they can find that has the brand name Tommy Bahama.  Every Sunday in Sacrament meeting we usually sit with the Knights and Neal and Dave compare their ties.  Linda and I get the biggest kick out of them and I had to sneak a picture of the two of them in the chapel.  Not supposed to take pictures in chapel, but I couldn't resist because they had both worn olive green olive green suits with orange ties.  And, of course, Tommy Bahama!

Jaden's birthday

Neal went out to Maren's for Jaden's birthday party.  I was on the coast somewhere.  Neal gave Jaden an Aloha shirt for his birthday.  He said it was a fun evening and happy to be there to wish Jaden a happy birthday in person.  We love you Jaden and wish you a very happy year!