Part 2 of 2017

More memories of 2017

11. Trek

12. Selling our Lake house

13. Trip to San Antonio with the staff.

Russ and I went to the Alamo

Russ, Lisa, Yelena and I went and toured five old missions around San Antonio. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. They were built in the 1700's and ran by the Catholics to teach the people Christianity, how to grow crops, educate them, etc. They were very self sufficient.

Lisa, Me & Yelena

We went to LuLu's and the 4 of us got a 3 lb. cinnamon roll! We didn't finish it, but shared it with some of the other staff when we returned to the hotel. It tasted better than we thought it would.

Russ and I went to an art museum & this was a very interesting story I read about.

Micheal told us about this light show that's put on each night at this church. They play music and laser lights change scenes on the outside of this church showing some of the history of the area.

This was my least favorite part of the trip!! Six Flags did nothing for me & especially around Halloween. I couldn't believe all these parents who brought their little kids. At night they have all these scary, gross looking people walking around & lots of little kids were crying. The only reason I went was because I knew Russ wanted me to go!

14.  A Night In Paris

Our Stake held a Gold & Green Ball and the Stake R.S. was in charge of it.

It was for 14 years and up and we were excited we had a good turn out.

We borrowed this 25 ft. tall Eiffel tower from another Stake. It was made by one of the members and was amazing!! Our decorations committee did an awesome job!

 Look at the cute sign Mona made for where the food was going to be served. I didn't know she was doing that! Its so cute!

 Jamie & Kate

I know its hard to believe, but I was over the food!!  A lot of preparation took place before the big event. We made 300 crepes, 175 mini lemon tarts, cream horns, individual chocolate mousses, cream puffs, artichoke/spinach dip with crackers, stuffed mini tomatoes, mini quiches, croissants, french puffs, palmiers & a few other things. I thought we had plenty of food & even bought small plates so people wouldn't overindulge.  They still piled their plates so high!! Some even took two plates??? Somehow it ALL got eaten!!

 Roberta

Callie

 Cream horns ready to bake.

 Russ was a GREAT helper the last day or two. I couldn't have done it without him!!

This is just a small portion of what we made. We had the back of Russ' truck full too.

 15.  Spending Thanksgiving in Ivins, Utah with family!! Maren, Janette and Karen were great helpers!! I hardly had to make anything:)

 Cute Zayne!!

Woke up one morning to this beautiful sunrise!!

 15. Russ and I went to Kansas for a week to visit Kristy and her family. We watched the kids for a couple of days while Kristy & Wes had a little get-away.

 Wes got tickets for Jazlyn and I to attend the Lindsey Stirling Concert in Lawrence, Kansas. Thanks Wes!!  Russ was a good sport and watched the 3 boys.  We really enjoyed it and it was FUN to have some one on one time just with Jazlyn. She's growing up to be such a beautiful young woman who constantly strives to do the right thing! I'm so grateful to have her in my life!!

 Kristy's kids love to have stories read to them.

 Their ward was having a "Night in Bethlehem" party so I brought all these costumes I made years ago for them to wear. They make pretty cute shepherds:)

 We were fortunate enough to be there for Kristy's Christmas piano concert with her students. Jazlyn had strep throat, so she played for us at home.

 Jazlyn has been playing the viola for the last year and did a duet with Kristy. She's really doing well playing it.

 16. We went to Idaho/Utah for Christmas

We had such a NICE Christmas!! In the month of December we saw ALL of our kids, their spouses and our grandkids!! That was the BEST present I could have received!!

We started out spending a night with Jacob, Janette and sweet Zayne. They were so sweet and took us out to dinner for Christmas:)

 One thing I've really missed living in Washington are the beautiful mountains in Utah. 

We stopped in Logan and met my sister Delina, Jay & their son Dan to have lunch. Dan is leaving for Qatar in February for 9 months, so it was nice to visit with him for a while.

 We went out to dinner and played games one night with Jared and Maren.

 Went out to dinner with my parents & then had a nice evening with them.

 One night we actually got a hotel in downtown SLC a couple of blocks from temple square. We got up early the next morning and walked over to see the lights. It was SO nice, because no one was there. Its amazing how quiet downtown SLC is at 7:00 in the morning!

We came back to the hotel and the Parkins met us there for breakfast.

 For Christmas Tyrel and Lindsey took us out to eat at Fuji-Sushi & then to the movies. It was SO sweet of them and such a nice evening.

 After dinner we went to some park in Idaho Falls and drove around to see the lights. Tytyn and Halter got to see Santa!

 Made cookies

 Papa is always great to read the grandkids stories.

Christmas is extra special with children around! I love to watch all of their excitement. These two were SO cute!!

 Tyrel & Lindsey & baby #3 coming soon!!

The boys got a new sled for Christmas & Tyrel pulled them all over using the 4-wheeler. They

LOVED it!!

As I look over the past year, I know we have been truly blessed!! I feel SO fortunate to have seen my family frequently & that each of them are happy and doing well. What more could I ask for???