A Total Surprise

 Talk about a blast from the past!  Annie sent me this picture.  There seems to be no way for me to rotate this picture.  I even asked for help and there is no help.  So I'll just have to settle for a picture sideways.  This is the Washburn family who was a great part of Jeff and Annie's lives growing up.  It was AlDean who called us about Lynda Ann, which I shall be forever grateful for that call.  The Washburns had 10 children.  5 adopted.  Clara Washburn is at the head of the table and she was an amazing woman.  I worked for AlDean in his dentist office in Ridgecrest.  They eventually moved to Provo, Utah.  They were certainly a great influence in my life and I love them.  What a great family.  I would name them all but sadly I can't remember all their names.  

Belated Mother's Day

 Maren surprised me with a Mother's Day gift.  We actually had not seen each other since Mother's Day.  Work, travel, etc. prevented us from getting together.  I was thrilled with my gifts.  She gave me a beautiful candle that lights up with colors and a set of darling salt and pepper shakers!  Thank you Maren, I love the gifts.  My candle and the salt and pepper shakers that say home and liberty.  Perfect for the 4th!

This is the candle lit up.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I just love it.  Maren said they are hand made and the candle inside can be replaced with the little tea candles.  

Celebrating 250 Years

 The 4th of July has always been a favorite of mine.  Mostly because it has always been a family time as long as I can remember.  Lots of memories as I was growing up.  Family picnics, parades and the carnivals.  Annette and I were always in the Provo parade.  Always on the floats somewhere for one of the stores.  I also planed the clarinet one year in the Provo High Band marching down the street in those hot uniforms.  

I love America and I always will.  We should fill our hearts with prayer for this country that God will continue to send blessings to this great land.

29 years after the birth of our nation, on Monday, December 23, 1805, Joseph Smith was born.  Tuesday April 6, 1830 the church was organized and six years later on March 27, 1836 a temple was dedicated.

We are all blessed to live in a nation where we have the freedom to worship, to speak, to gather and to strive for purpose in our lives.  We should ask ourselves, do I thank God for this land I live in?  Do I use my freedoms righteously?  We should be motivated by love, liberty, family and God.

I was grateful to have our family gather at our home on the 4th.  We had a taco bar furnished by Lynda Ann, Tucker and Maren.  It was delicious.  After we played games until it was time to wander down to Murray Park for the fireworks.

Funny thing.  Tucker texted me and said, "This may be blasphemous, but would you like me to bring paper plates and plastic utensils?"  My answer was "Nope.  But thanks.  Dishes are already out."  He answered back with "Well, it wouldn't be dinner at Gams with paper plates."  I love it and I do hope that my children and grandchildren will remember that I always tried to have a nice setting for any dinner that I hosted.

The young lady sitting by Neal was Kassy.  One of Mallory's missionary companions.  We were happy to have her with us for the 4th and any time she wants to join us.

I also made the watermelon ice cream dessert.  I usually one do it once a year.  Lots of work but so delicious.  Lime Sherbet is the outside layer.  Vanilla ice cream the second inside layer and the middle is strawberry ice cream with miniature chocolate chips mixed in to look like seeds.  

My men just relaxing after dinner.

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July celebrating 250 years of our country blessed with freedom!

Finished Project

 Mallory will be happy to know that I've finally finished the Olympic Gnomes counted cross stitch.  I'll press it good and then off to get framed.  This might be one of my favorites.  

Home Again - Home Again

 We had a small amount of time at the airport before our flight left at 11:00 a.m.  We had time to do a little bit of shopping.  I had been looking for a shirt with turtles down the sleeve and finally found one at the airport!  

Neal bought a couple things at the airport as well.  Long 6 hour flight home and so good to hear and feel the wheels touch the ground in Salt Lake.  I do love home!  

Tucker was so good to pick up Sprout from the boarding place and take care of him until it was time to come pick us up.  He brought the little guy with him.  We were all happy to see each other.  Thanks, Tucker for taking good care of my little Sprout and for taking us at 4:00 in the morning to leave on our trip and then picking us up late at night coming home. 

Sunday - Final Day

 Emmi had invited a couple from her Bishopric to come for dinner at 4:00 p.m.  She wanted Neal and I to meet them and also wanted them to meet her grandparents.  We had two wards that Neal wanted to visit this morning to see a few more people that were on his list.  While we were at the second ward Emmi got a text from the couple that there was a medical emergency in the family and they had to cancel.  We were all disappointed.  So looking forward to meeting them.  Emmi has talked so much about how much she loves them.  But, as it was, the day turned out almost perfect.  We got home from our meetings about 2:00 and started dinner.  We had steak and potatoes, veggies, salads and dessert.  

So many memories created!

After dinner we took the table out on the lanai and played games until it was almost too dark to see the cards.  It was such a relaxing and fun evening to spend with Emmi.  We ended the day by watching House Sitter and then off to bed.  Up at 6:00 in the morning to shower, pack and be on our way to the airport.  Left Honolulu at 11:00 a.m. and arrived in Salt Lake at 9:30 p.m.  Tucker had picked up Sprout from Dogtopia and brought him to the airport.  Happy dog, happy mommy!  So good to see that little guy.  Got to bed about midnight and up at 3:15 for the temple assignment.  

I don't even know how to properly thank my Emmi Girl for hosting us and driving us all over both islands.  She was so much fun to be with and so good with Neal.  I love you Emmi and am so proud of you.  Thank you for your love, your time and your patience.  Saying goodbye at the airport was tough for both of us.  Always tears will flow but they are a mixture of happy and sad tears.  Love you so very much my Emmi Girl.

An Amazing Day - Day Nine

 Neal found out that Walker, Spencer's son, was somewhere in Hawaii.  After lots of questions and pleading he was able to get Walker's phone number and found out that he not only lives on Ohau but that he is only about 20 minutes away from Emmi.  We haven seen Walker since he was about 7 or 8 years old.  Spencer has chosen to not have any contact with Neal for close to 18 years and in doing that has kept Walker away from Neal as well.  I don't understand why Spencer has chosen to distance himself from Neal or why he feels he has to protect Walker from Neal.  Even Neal's kids are very reluctant to give Neal any information about Spencer or Walker.  With that said, our experience with Walker yesterday was amazing, fun, relaxed and genuine.  

We picked Walker up around 10:00 and began our day long adventure of seeing more of the island and getting to know Walker.  He talked a little about his life's journey.   When Walker was 3 months old, his mother, Shelly, left Spencer.  At some point Walker and his mother moved to California and lived out of a van.  I don't know for how long.  Walker did go back to live with Spencer and at 16 left his dad.  He had no contact with Spencer for over 4 years.  He eventually joined the Army and has been in the army for the last 5 years.  He also takes care and supports his mother.  I was impressed with how he has taken responsibility for his life.  He is a great young man and I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to get to know him.  He is very open to love and being loved and getting to know this side of the family.

We stopped at Mokule'la Beach for a little while.

Getting ready to head to our next stop.  Which was lunch.

We had a delicious lunch at Seven Brothers.  Has to be on my list of great hamburgers and fries!!  Emmi informed me that these boys are LDS.  I figured there had to be some connection with the church when I saw this sign in their establishment on a surf board.  One has to LOVE our "Mormon" phrases!!

Wandered around La'ie shopping center and then Sip for a soda.  There are two reasons why I'm laughing so hard.  First of all I told Neal and Walker to lean in so Emmi could snap a picture.  Instead of leaning in and toward Neal I leaned in and against Emmi thus eliminating me from the picture.  Yes, I did get the giggles.  Then Emmi told me a story about Annie at the eye doctor and I totally lost it.  So we were laughing with Annie and she wasn't even there!  I love my life (most of the time).  I love being happy, seeing the humor in things and laughing so hard I can't breathe!

Our next stop was the visitors center.  Apparently Walker had a buddy in Texas who was in the army, had been on a mission and shared a lot with Walker about the gospel and the church.  Walker had also done some research on his own.  We spent about 2 hours going through the visitors center with the missionaries.  We watched three short videos and then spent a fun time with the elders and the sisters.  They are all so young and so fun to chat with.

I noticed that Walker asked one of the sisters if he could have a Book of Mormon and spent a good half hour talking with one of the missionaries while the rest of us were kind of hanging out with the other missionaries.  

I think it was about 6:30ish when we left the center and began our journey toward home.  We stopped at a Kawela beach to enjoy the sunset and soak in the memories of the day.

I was excited to see two large turtles on the beach.  We do live in such a beautiful world.

Emmi happened to snap this photo.  I kind of remember the moment as a rather emotional one.  I was looking out at the ocean, the sun setting and feeling happy all over.  Happy and thankful that I have a granddaughter who loves me deeply and I love her.  And for her selfless time and energy giving so freely to her grandparents.  Happy that I am healthy at 81.  Happy that I am able to enjoy all of God's creations.  Happy that I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and that I have a strong testimony of my Savior and the plan of salvation.  Just plain happy.

They are amazing to me!  I never tire of seeing them.

All in all it was an almost perfect day.  We said our goodbyes to Walker and told him we would keep in touch.  We were hoping to meet his mom but by the time we got back she had already gone to bed.  We headed home, making one stop at the grocery store for a few last minute items for Sunday dinner.  We played a game of Shanghi and Nine and then off to bed.  

Friday - Day Eight

 Emmi had a training this morning that was mandatory.  She left about 7:00 and got back about 11:00.  We decided that golf was what we all wanted to do today.  Emmi drove us to a 3 par golf course and we played 9 holes.  It was very hot today and some wind.  Emmi got a birdie on the 9th hole.  Nice way to end her golf game.

We then drove to a fun place for a late lunch and early dinner.   The place is called 604.  Delicious food.  Emmi had pulled pork and rice, Neal had fish and I had a good old hamburger with delicious fries.

Our seats were on the ocean side.  The little birds were, of course, looking for a hand out.  I couldn't resist feeding them.  The fun thing is that they would eat the little bits of bread right out of my hand.  How fun was that.  I'm sure it would have freaked Mallory out.  She isn't a bird lover.  But, I loved it.  

On the way home we stopped at Baskin Robbins for some ice cream that we brought home for later.  It was nice for us to be home by 6:00.  We are all very tired.  It has been a long week so far.  Two more days to go and then home bound!!