The traditional 4th of July Bingo game with prizes!

Every year Susan puts together a bingo game for the kids and adults. She gathers little prizes all year long and displays them on tables. As the kids get bingo they get to pick out a prize. Susan makes sure that every child has three or four times of winning and going to the prize table to pick out their prize. The adults even get into this crazy game. I won a jump rope, a piggy bank with $2.00 worth of nickles in it and some lip gloss and a little sewing kit for the office.

Andrew won bingo two times and each time went to the prize table and picked out a piggy bank. When he counted his money he was done. He figured he had the best prize of all. $4.00 total from the two banks. He made the comment, "I'm done. I've got my money and I don't need to play any more." Susan said that he came back to her about an hour later and said, "Can I buy a prize with my money?" She just laughed and told him to go ahead a pick out another prize and keep his money. Funny Andrew.

M & M socks for Emmi

Susan even had bags with their name on for each child to put their 'treasures' in. Hayley, Abby and Mallory stuck to the final game and had a bag full of prizes.

Three tables full of prizes!

Les's 4th of July science experiement

Les wanted to see if he could freeze a can of pop in the dry ice. So he got some string, tied it to the ring on the lid and lowered the can into the dry ice. We all figured the dang thing would explode so we all moved way back in anticipation of something happening. NOTHING happened and the can of pop didn't freeze. It got cold but not any colder than being put in a tub of ice or the frig. What a disappointment. I think we were all silently hoping the can of pop of POP!

4th of July Celebration at Lila Mae's

First on the agenda was Lynda Ann making home made root beer. Talk about a sugar high! It takes 5 lbs of sugar! But, it was delicious.

Andrew posing and loving the dry ice vapors.

Emmi had 4th of July scarves made for Bella and Lilly.

From left: Susan, Lila Mae, Max and Caroline (cousin to Max)

And, of course, what would the 4th of July or any celebration be without Lila Mae's famous cinnamon rolls! She made three pans of them and when we left that night there were about 10 left. Neal and I took four home with us and I think Annie took the other six.

One little incident that I forgot to report.

The place for parking at the hotel we stayed at in San Diego was incredibly tight. There was very little room to pull in and out without hitting another car. One had to be extremely careful when backing out. We parked our car for the evening. When I got out I notice two black suburbans parked across from us and the thought that went through my mind was, "We shouldn't leave the car here because we will get hit." I also thought that I should write down the licence plate numbers but didn't do that either. I dismissed the 'warning' / 'prompting' and we went on inside the hotel. The next morning when we came down to get in the car the first thing I did was check the back bumper and sure enough (and I knew before I looked) the back fender had been hit. Thank goodness they didn't dent it, but they did scratch some of the paint off. Of course, they didn't bother to leave their name and number or insurance. I was heart sick that Neal's new car got damaged a little bit. When we came home and I showed him, he just smiled and sighed. He felt badly as well, but a little paint will make it look as good as new! I'm so grateful that they didn't hit so hard that the fender was actually dented.

My letters from Hayley

In case you can't figure out the card it is the cycle of life. Baby, Kid, Tween, Teen, Grown-up, Grandma! That about sums it up! Thank you Hayley, I love my cards and I love you!

We were amused at Target!

This Target that we went in was a two-story store. Between the escalators was a track for your basket. You could load them up and continue shopping by taking them to the floor above or below. The track in the middle moved simultaneously with the steps you were standing on so that you and your basket reached your destination at the very same time! How ingenious!

Our last day - a trip to the beach and out to dinner

Dinner at Chevy's Mexican (not all that good, I might add - I would recommend it.)

If you look very closely you will see the seals laying on the rocks. This was the best my little camera would do.

Coronado Island

Hey Jamie, do you like my 'beachy' hair?

Hummm . . . did she or didn't she?

The San Diego Temple

We spent the better part of the afternoon strolling around the temple and enjoying the gorgeous landscaping. It was peaceful and beautiful and I couldn't help but think about Donald and the meeting that was taking place with Mother, Annette and Buster. I almost envied them.

Donald's Funeral - day two

April, Donald's oldest granddaughter.

The service took placed at the San Diego National Cemetery for retired servicemen. Donald served in the Navy for 28 years. They had a Chaplain administer the service or last rites. Lynda Ann and I both shed tears. Parting with a loved one and saying a final 'goodbye' is always difficult, no matter the circumstances. I am so grateful for my knowledge and understanding of where I came from, why I'm here and that our sojourn here on earth is just another stepping stone in our eternal progression. Families are forever.

I LOVE this picture of mother and Donald walking down the streets of Seattle.

Donald was 14 1/2 years my senior. He joined the navy when he was 18 and basically lived away from home the rest of his life.

Our trip to San Diego - day one

Lila Mae, Lynda Ann and I left early Tuesday morning for San Diego. We drove straight through arriving late that afternoon. Lynda Ann was the designated driver the minute I saw the sign that said "Welcome to California". She was able to manuver through the notoriously busy freeways getting us safely to our destination at Hotel Circle where we checked in to the Comfort Inn. We were grateful to finally be able to stretch out and relax.

One positive and two negatives.

Neal was getting something off of the garage shelves. He did his usually, using the car as a ladder. As he was coming down he stepped on the windshield and . . . well you can see from the picture. We are both grateful that his whole leg didn't go through the windshield cutting him seriously. Tender mercies? Yes. Guardian angels? Yup, most definitely!
Neal went to the doctor's yesterday to have a biopsy. There is a growth on his thyroid. We won't know for a week what the results of the test are. :-( You can all remember dad in your prayers and let's think positive!
Oh yes, the one positive. I had a facial from Lyndsy this morning and I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was. Lyndsy knows her profession well. Thanks Lyndsy. What a wonderful way to begin the weekend heading into a long week for Lila Mae, Lynda Ann and I.

Another Christmas & Stitching project done!

My friend, Sally, is one of those kind of people that you can go to any time for any thing. She is especially gifted when it comes to sewing in the clothing department and alterations department. Sally is the one who made both my dresses, slips and pantaloons for the pioneer trek, has made a couple Halloween costumes and has altered a few items for me. I can follow a pattern but don't ask me to alter or change the pattern. Sally and I frequently exchange grandchildren Christmas gift ideas. We have often commented that we weren't sure who causes the most trouble, me or her when it comes to adding projects on top of projects! I call Sally my 911 friend. When I need help physically for a project or emotionally for my mental well being, she is always there! By the way, I started this the first of June and finished it before the months end! Not bad, huh? I will be excited to give this to her at Christmas time.