Staycation 2011 Day 3

Today we went to see the Smurf movie.  We used to have lots of Smurfs around the house.  But I couldn't find one.  The kids must have taken them or something.  It was kind of funny.  After we went to Quiznos.  Then we got gas at Costco and wanted to find a wagon.  They didn't have the kind we had hoped for and so we didn't get one there and went to Walmart instead.  We found one, but it was not in "perfect" order, so Jamie will need to make a quick exchange.

So it was a light day, but tomorrow is the Zoo.  And I suspect it will be lots of fun and exhausting, all rolled into one.

Staycation 2011 Day 2

Today was the second day of our "Stay-cation".  It seemed a bit (a lot) hotter than yesterday.  We first went to lunch at Pizza Pie Cafe.  I think this is one of the kids favorite places near-by.  I wrote about it in an earlier post.  It is all you can eat pizza, any flavor and even dessert pizza, salads, and pastas.  Ty really loves the pasta here.  So that was the start:

The Gray-man gives a cheer for  cheesey pizza!  He enjoyed it too!

Oreo Pizza, nummy.  Ty enjoys it very much and grandma enjoys saving $8.00 from clipping their coupon out of the local circular!

Here are the troops waiting to go see the animals in the petting zoo.  They loved it because there were babies today.  And they were really cute!

Honk, Honk!  Ty and Logan get in a little practice milking Bossy the cow!  Not much success here, however!  So we settle for water!

This little baby was a hit with all the kids. So tiny, still. Everyone wants to take this guy home!

Taking the horse and wagon ride!

Doin' the jail-house rock!

Checkin' out the Ducks, geese and other waterfowl!

Thirsty little man!

Pony rider!

This is fun mom!

So fun!

No, I don't want to get off!  Please do it again!

Pickin' out my pony!

Little Cowpoke!

Little Rodeo Queen!

Riding Tall in the Saddle!

Together we tip the scale!  No weight reduction programs for us!

Dem bones!

Their favorite part of the Museum!  Let's get down and dirty!

The boys get quite a project going here.  Logan is in charge of finding the dino figures and landscaping. 

A little Jaws action.  Obviously no one is too frightened....

Scary bones, kinda like Halloween??

Well, tomorrow, Wednesday will be a little less active.  We are going to the Smurfs.  That is so funny to me because when my kids were little they were really popular and then they sort of faded away.  Now they are back and have their very own movie!  After that we will use my quizno coupons for lunch.  Tuesday was a hot outside day and the kids loved it.  And it was 2 buck Tuesday.  A major price difference.  Instead of $66. for us at the musuem, it was only 10.  Grandma appreciates!

Staycation 2011

Well, as I checked on my vacation days for the year and  I found out I had to use some more days that what I thought.  So rather than wait till the weather gets bad, I wanted to take it while the grandkids were still out of school.  So we had talked about going to Yellowstone, but the kids had some activities, Karate for Logan, Basketball camp for Ty, Piano and dance for Brecklyn, etc.  So we decided it would be best to have another "stay"cation.  And so Monday, we went up to the canyon.  We took my mom and Spencer went, too.  We put in the 8th seat in the van, which is removable and everyone fit in there.  We found that the river was high and fast and not wanting to experience any bad accidents, went to Mutual Dell, where the river wasn't so close to the picnic areas.  It was nice under the pavillion and there we had a little picnic.  After that we drove to what used to be the old Adventure Learning Park.  It is now owned by the City, and I know it has a new name.  Just can't remember what it is....
Here are some of the pics...

 Up the canyon, the river was fast and deep.  Not a good idea.  So we moved to Mutual Dell.

 A picnic in the beautiful mountains.

 Then on to the park.  Logan sees the little fish.

The rest of us watch the ducks and visit.

 Lots of nibbles, but no fish.  Although Ty does catch one in his bare hands.

Hungry ducks eat most of the treats we brought for the kids.  But they will stay healthy, because the were organic treats.  HA! HA!

Rude Awakening....

It was a normal Friday night.  Brecklyn called and asked if she could sleep over.  I asked that would be OK.  Then Jamie called and asked if that was right and I said yes, at which point Tyson wanted to sleep over and then Logan started to cry cause he wanted to as well.  So we had all three.  No problem, we have done this before and all was fine. So they came over and eventually all were asleep. 

As I slept, something woke me, maybe a noise or a light.  As I focused to see what it was, I noticed it was the light coming from the bathroom.  OK, no problem.  Then I hear the front door locks opening which naturally grabbed my attention as it was around 4:30 in the morning.  I layed in the dark thinking, if I hear the front screen door slam, I have got trouble.  No sooner had I thought that, then I heard the slam.  Someone in my house had gone out.  At first I thought it was Brian, so I ran to the door, and called out into the yard.  No answer.  So I went quickly to the room where the kids were sleeping.  I turned on the hall light to see if all were there.  No Logan.  I noticed the light still in the bathroom but the door was closed.  I checked and the bathroom was empty.  So I grabbed a robe from the bathroom and went outside towards Jamie's house calling Logan's name.  Nothing.  I got to her house, it was dark and no Logan and headed back to my house.  WHERE had he gone at such an hour.  By then Spence is outside with a flashlight looking for him too.  I came home and called Jamie.  She quickly answered saying Logan had just gone into their house after ringing the door bell like crazy.  Boy, I don't need that kind of excitement in the middle of the night...

All the commotion woke up Brian, Tyson and Brecklyn.  I guess we will all be on the exhausted side today...I think that this will be the last sleep over for Logan for a while...

Going Home...

Today was a sad and a happy day.  It was the funeral of Chieko Okazaki, former 1st Counselor in the LDS Relief Society General Board.  Before she served in this capacity, I had several opportunities to get to know her at Nishimoto "get-togethers".  She was a sweet lady.  It was happy because she will now be with her husband and feeling better, I am sure.  On this day of her returning home, it was also a day of many old friends and missionary companions to get together and visit, reminisce and spend an enjoyable day. 

Spencer was a former missionary serving under the mission president and wife, Ed and Chieko Okazaki.  He has many fond memories of this and also got to see quite a few old companions from his mission.  He was having a great time visiting with old friends.  It was a very nice service and also had some humorous moments when 98 year old Florence Jacobsen said her remarks.  There was a younger woman that helped her stand and go towards the pulpit.  When she got there she said that her friend stepped on her skirt and pulled it off but she was able to get it up again.  Something about the way she said that was very funny.  Here are some photos of the events.

 Up front, the choir Spencer was a part of.  He is on the left.  I know can't see him...

He is having a wonderful time with his old comps from the mission, about 40- years or so ago...I shouldn't give away any ages, right?

Here the family of Chieko prepares for the internment.

 Ken and Spencer Ken

Flowers from the General RS Board

 Carrying the casket to the final resting spot.

 Leaving Leis on the casket.

Paying last respects.

 Ski buddies, Spence and Bob Okazaki.

 Container with the RS Emblem.

The youngest grandson, was standing here quietly rubbing the casket with his finger.  It was nice to see his love for his grandmother.

 Chieko's casket.

 Kenzo and Spencer.

 The luncheon was here at the Salt Lake Country Club.

 The guests had a very nice time and the food was great.

Chieko will be missed.  We have her beautiful writings to remember her lovely spirit.