We helped them get settled in and then went and did a little sightseeing with them.
We went to Pikes Place Market and check out the shops------
We got a taste of the way fish and chips should really taste---
Checked out the famous "Gum Wall" and I added my chew to it as well---
Then we hit the road and headed to Tacoma, WA to meet up with Nate and Kim!!
We got a bite to eat and while Kim was teaching a class we just visited and caught up on things with Nate. Then we went to their apartment and saw their place. They have a nice view on a clear day and have settled into the area well.
Kim left early, early for San Antonio, TX to shoot a wedding there and Nate had to work, so Dale and I went out and did some sight-seeing.We went to Point Defiance Park and Kopachuck State Park---Beautiful areas!!
We also drove over the Narrows Bridge and went to Gig Harbor and walked around before meeting up with Nate. It was a fun full day. This area is so green and I love the bay areas.
Dale and Nate played handyman while we were there as well and got some drapes hung up. It was good to stay up late to talk and relax.
Day 2 with Nate---
After a quick breakfast we went to The Glass House Museum aka Museum of Glass that's by the University there. It was something else---
We even saw how they work the glass to make it into sculptures. Pretty interesting and very beautiful.
We grabbed a bite to eat and then said our good-byes to Nate. It was a short trip, but I'm glad that we got to see both Nate and Kim while we were so close.
On our dive home we ran into some rain and snow over the mountain areas, but we did ok. we stopped in Baker City, Oregon for the night and then headed out again stopping in Oakley, ID to have dinner with the Mallory's and visit for a bit. We split up the dive some and listened to General Conference to make it feel like we hadn't traveled 8 hours.
Danica had the house all clean and our beds looked very inviting! It was a nice trip, but good to be home.
I headed back over the mountain to Oakley, ID and drove through rain and snow, to tend the Mallory kids while Matt and Amie went to Sun Valley. Matt shared about a Operation Kindness program that he started up in Oakley at the Prevention Conference he was there for. Amie tagged along to have some time away with just Matt.
While I was in Oakley, we went to Jaxson's Space Derby for scouts. His entry took 1st place in the races. We named it The Metallic Shark (because it was a shiny silver and deadly fast) It was a fun evening.
The kids and I went on a few walks and a bike ride, played in the yard, played games, did homework, practiced piano (Amie is teaching Jaxson and Kennlyn on their keyboard), got ice cream and colored pictures. We also showed off our artistic skills and decorated the driveway to welcome home Matt and Amie. The kids were great. It was fun to hang out with them on their turf.
I was gone another 4 days and 3 nights. Dale and Danica managed just fine, but it was good to be home once again.
The Mallory's came to hear Dale sing with the American Festival Chorus. They did a fun program, "Dreamers and Heros" that was geared for autism awareness and special needs children. They sang a lot of Disney songs and had people in costumes. Dales folks and Andrew and Lindsay joined us as well. It was a fun concert. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it as well as the adults.
We celebrated Dale's and my birthday with the kids while they were here. We had Dale's folks here and did up some steaks and dutch oven potatoes. We played kickball in the back field and had a fun evening. The kids all went in on gifts for us. Pretty thoughtful aren't they?
Our ward (Hyde Park 4th Ward) boundaries got changed. We lost about half of our ward!! We picked up homes for to the south and west of us. Some of the people were with us in the ward when we first moved to Hyde Park, so we know a few of the newbies. Change is good, right?
I went with Dale to Provo for his USBO conference with all of the Business Administrators. I just relaxed in the room and went out and did some shopping while we was in meetings.
We only stayed one night, so it wasn't too bad because I started working again the next day. DIBELS here we come!!
Dale and I went to Salt Lake to see his niece, Maddy Lazenby, get sealed to her husband in the SLC temple. It was nice. Dale had all of his family there, at the temple. Maddy made a beautiful bride.
We took Dale's folks out to dinner for his dad's 85th birthday and to also celebrate Dale's birthday and visit. Then Dale took his folks home and I hitched a ride to Heber City with Dale's sister, Donna and her husband, Doug. We had a good visit and I met up with Andrew, Lindsay and their kids and Danica and her boyfriend at Maddy's reception, then rode home with them. It was good to see more family and catch up on things.
I ushered at the Eccles Theatre and served in the clothing and Youth Center at the temple to fill in some spare time. Can't think of a better way.
Dale and Danica and I went to the show "Freetown" and to dinner at El Sol to celebrate my birthday. Danica even provided ice cream cupcakes. I also got calls from all the kids that live away. I feel pretty loved and am blessed to have such great kids.
Nate and Kim's happenings for April were seeing family as well as Nate being able to hike up and then ski down Mt. Rainer. One drawback on that was that Nate's face and arms got fried!! He was pretty red and sore for awhile. Oh, the pains he goes through for an adventure.
Kim is working with the owners of the gym she teaches at to get classes set up so she can teach weight lifting for women. This is a new concept for this women's only gym, so Kim's pretty excited to be behind it.
The Mallory's happenings were Sun Valley, having grandpa and grandma visit, having grandma stay for 4 days, coming to Logan and staying at grandpa and grandma's, riding horses with the Cranney's (their home teachers) and going with Matt to Boise, ID to visit the state capital building with the schools youth government group.
Amie also got the ball rolling to start up indoor soccer for the kids there in Oakley, ID.
They've all been keeping busy.
Andrew, Lindsay, Titan and Eloise went down to Salt Lake and listened to General Conference around the tabernacle grounds and walked around the temple grounds and the visitors center with the kids.
We were able to go and hear Andrew and Lindsay speak in their ward and sit with the kids. They both did a great job and the kids did pretty well staying quiet. They seem to be in a great ward. The kids already have adopted some grandma friends. So cute to see them interact with each other.
They also sold their Volvo SUV and bought a new SUV. A Nissan Armada, and headed out for California to take the kids (Andrew being one of those kids) to Legoland.
They got home and Titan couldn't stop talking about all that he saw and did there.
Then they all packed up AGAIN and drove back to Louisiana (Duck Dynasty territory) so Andrew could go to work. Lindsay and the kids decided to tag along this time. The kids are becoming quite the little travelers!
Danica pretty much held the fort down and took care of Tag, our dog, while we were gone.
She's putting in full-time hours and getting to know the value of a dollar earned.
She also made the most of the time she had with her Oakley niece and nephews. I think they kind of like her.
April has been quite the month weather wise. We've had snow and rain most, with some sun every now and again. This is giving me a feel for what it's like to live in Washington!
We do need the moisture though, so I can't complain.
It was quite the month----an Anxious April
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