Visit with George and Abe

I was lucky last week to tag a long with Rick to a seminar in Washington DC. We got to stay at the Gaylord National, it was incredible. The views from the hotel looked out over Washington Harbor. Of course the best part was, we were close to Jamie and Becky and family. Beck and the kids drove over to spend the day with me at the hotel on Tuesday. The kids were a little freaked out with Abe and George but I convinced them we needed a picture or two. Darn my camera was on the wrong setting.

Here are some of the views from inside the giant atrium.


You can see 2 of the sand sculptures in this picture.

This was the view from the mezzanine.

Veiw from the lobby at night.

Gavin was really not liking being this close to the wax figure of George Washington.

but...it was Abe who scared him the most.

After a quick trip to the gift shop and a lunch at the sports bar we sat out in the atrium because Rick was in the room presenting a web cast in between meetings. The kids had a great time playing and then it was back to the room for naps.

Laynie wanted a flashlight too.

We took time to walk the grounds and smell the flowers.

They had several sand carvings..the capital.

We walked down to the harbor and watched the ships.

This is the back view of the hotel.

The kids loved the fountain!

We could have stayed there all day.

After naps, it was off the swimming pool and splash pad. Gavin loved jumping right in the water as it came up from the ground.

Cute little Coppertone shot.

Fun! Gavin loved the water....

he thought it was great to get squirted in the face.

Laynie liked the water as long as it was not in her face. She sat it, put her feet in it, and enjoyed the splash from the distance.

I love this picture.

See, I don't have to get wet to enjoy myself.

After a great day we ordered room service for dinner... Papa had a business dinner.

The next day I was lazy...but that night Rick took me on a bus tour of DC at night. It was so fun and the monuments are beautiful at night.

We did hit the Capital before it got dark. I was glad, because my camera needs a bigger flash at night. I was disappointed with a lot of the pictures I got.

I thought this was a great shot.

Here is Utah's representation at the World War II memorial. I think this is Ricks favorite memorial.

The view of the Lincoln Memorial from the World War II memorial.

One of my favorites...

I had never been to the Jefferson Memorial.

View of the Lincoln Memorial at night was beautiful.

We ended the tour with the White House no tents around it this time... Yeah!

The next day Papa was done with meetings and we were off to Mt Vernon via river boat on the Potomac. The kids had a great time on the boat.

We passed Fort Washington on the way.

After a lunch we headed for the main house at MT Vernon. This tree was huge, it must be hundreds of years old. Notice how small Becky looks standing by it.

I loved this house!


Isn't it beautiful?

It was one hot day. We thought we were still in Houston!

They wouldn't let you take pictures inside of the house. Here is the back porch. The view from the back porch looking down on the Potomac was incredible.


Papa and Gav having a great time talking and resting.

Gav and Laynie inspecting the tree.


Laynie was a trooper for being only 2 years old.

The tomb of George and Martha Washington

The final resting place of the slaves that worked at Mt Vernon.

Then it was back on the boat for our ride back.

Laynie was asleep before the boat got out in the harbor.

Gavin practiced his fireman skills on the pole in the boat.

We went and stayed at Jamie and Becky's house for the next 2 days. We went to Toy Story 3 on Friday, the kids loved it. We went home without any tears...because they are coming to Houston tomorrow! It will be fun to have everyone back home for a few days! It was good to be out and about.

Bishop Rick

It has been awhile since my last post. A lot of life changing experiences have come our way as of late. Rick was called to be a Bishop over the young single adults in a dual stake area, consisting of Cypress Stake and Katy Stake.


For my friends not of my faith, that means he was made a spiritual leader over a congregation of young college age people. It isn't a paid position, but one that we feel will bring many blessings into our lives. It will consist of long Sundays and a few weekly activities. He and his counselors are in place to help guide and oversee these young people as they run a ward or congregation that helps meet their needs.


I am so impressed with the young people's ability to run Sacrament meeting, teach Sunday school lessons, and Relief Society for the women and Priesthood for the men. They are such capable people who are trying so hard to emulate the Savior's teachings in their lives. I am in awe at their love and dedication.


I will work with the bishopric's wives to support and encourage the young people in their activities. I will especially cheer on Rick as he serves. It is so refreshing to be around the youth.


We have already seen great changes in our home. Our television hasn't been on much in the last two weeks. Our knees are a little sore from kneeling often in prayer and our reading has changed to more gospel related materials. All which are good changes, right?


The first week there, I wanted to jump in and help. It was hard for me to sit back, watch, and support. I thought to myself, I have to do something! So this week I made a candy jar for the Bishop's office, there ya go... I know that you who have worked with me are laughing...I always had a candy jar at work!




I am sure there will be many more postings and pictures on this subject.

Meaniful Memorial Day Weekend

Just spent a great weekend with two special gals in my life. They lost their Mom, my sister, at the ages of 9 and 14 years old. One, being the oldest of 5 children, took on a great responsibility at a tender age, and has had more heartache her her life in the last 15 years than one should have to endure. The younger with a desire to know more about her Mom and just where she fit in. I can tell them both, that their Mom loves them dearly, not wanting to to use the past tense of the word love because I know she is still with them. It put my heart at peace to have them here. I guess to see just how they evolved from the trials of their lives, and to be able to talk about anything. It was wonderful spending time with them.

Ashley and Hailey at Pappasitos, of course. We started their short stay with a girls night out at Pappasitos. Followed by a very late night of girls chat. Did not make getting up for Sunday too easy.

Ashley and Hailey

Becky, Sarah, and Looli

On Sunday every one has different church schedules. Those who could make it went to my sister's house for a meal together...and more chatting. Brianne, Falicia, and AJ helping themselves to the feast.

Hailey and Ashley chillin in the living room.

Monday brought on shopping at a few of Brianne's favorite shops. Ashley and Hailey loved her choices too. We had fun trying out the merchandise, Ashley has pics hope to get them soon. A visit with Brandon and Loo's family was next. They got to meet their new puppy Rocky. Then we headed for Texas BBQ at Valley Ranch so much cooler than cooking on such a hot day! We ended up at Brianne's and Jarod's for berry shortcake and more visiting.

Aren't the berries divine?

The girls enjoyed preparations and chatting in the kitchen while the boy's watched baseball.

Little goat (because she drinks goat milk due to milk allergies) enjoyed cake and berries.

Benz and Ike loved the treat, Ike the cream, Benz the berries.


Can you tell who liked it the most?

Jake got a little taste of cream, but that was all for him. Bryn is almost a year older than Jake and Jake weighs the same. So maybe it was okay for him not to eat too much! LOL

It was good to see the girls. We wish Hailey the best on her mission and hope to see them again when she returns. Thanks for coming down, we love you!

Celebrating 10 years in Houston

On May 30th, 2000 our neighbors in West Jordan, Utah gathered around the big elm tree in our front yard to say goodbye. As we slowly backed out of the driveway of our home, there weren't any tears of joy, quite the opposite in fact. My excitement for the fact that Rick could end his 3 year long weekly commute to Houston, Texas was overshadowed by the fact I was leaving my home of twenty years, my neighbors of twenty years, and for the first time in twenty years, my children. I didn't know what it felt like to have my heart ache, until that day. I had just had surgery weeks prior to the move, I guess that added to my emotions. It was a hard day.

Selling the house was fairly easy it took about 3 weeks. Someone drove by and ask if they could see it. I wasn't too impressed with our realtor at the time, so I said, "yes." I took them through the house pointing out it's faults, but they ended up making an offer two hours later. I really enjoyed our home it had 6 bedrooms, three up and three down. We had an extra room for an office and a craft room, besides the kids all having their own space. It had 3 full baths and a great deck off the back. The yard was a lot bigger than the one we have here, and I loved to garden.

The day the for sale sign went up.


I think we painted the outside of this house 3 times. Once because we had to redo the awful yellow paint we chose. We settled on white trim for the sale. I had my own little zen garden thing going on in the corner of the house, tried to bonsai the bush. I look back at those hideous bushes in front of the windows and can't believe I didn't cut them down. The new owners did.


We received this picture a few months ago of what our house is going through now. I always wanted to put a roof on the flat garage.


Where did we ended up? About a mile and a half off the frontage road on 249 in Tomball, Texas. Right up the road from what was then the Compaq campus, now HP. There was a thick forest of trees and a big sign that read Lakewood Grove. Now there is a nice entrance...but restaurants and businesses have replace the green forest that was around the subdivision. When we first moved in, we would see deer, possums, raccoons, and all sorts of weird creatures as we drove to our home.

I was amazed when I looked at this picture, because a lot of the trees got blown over during Hurricane Ike. Our new street sign read Newlands Court.


Here is our house just before the brick went up.



We moved in on June 3, 2000. Notice how small the oak tree is. The bushes around the house were only knee high. All the homes in Houston come with fully landscaped front yards, we talked them into putting grass in the back also. We had an at least 80 foot pine tree in the back yard. We cut it down right before hurricane Rita. We were glad we did, we think hurricane Ike would have brought it down on us, or our neighbor's house. Although this house only has 4 bedrooms, it had a formal living room and family room down stairs, and a game room up stairs. The game room has become a perfect play area for the grand kids.


Here we are 10 years later. You can't even see the front of our house anymore! Most of the landscape is still the original. I can't believe how fast the last ten years have gone.
The best part of the story is... that all our children eventually moved here. We enjoyed a year or so together, until our oldest son Jamie moved to Virginia. He works for Exxon and could return anytime, we are hopeful. We have also learned to like many things about living in Texas.





10 of my favorite things about living in Texas
1. Tex Mex... best ever
2. shorts can be worn almost all year long
3. thunder storms
4. home prices are very affordable
5. salaries are competitive
6. neighborhoods are beautiful-I love home owner's associations
7. produce... can find anything all most year round
8. missionary opportunities...we have a temple 5 minutes away
9. flowers year round
10. best of all... family

10 things I am trying to deal with

1. hurricanes
2. heat-humidity
3. snakes
4. fire ants... they leave nasty bites
5. freeway driving
6. traffic on Saturdays
7. church running on fumes in the summer because everyone heads back to Utah to escape the heat.
8. allergies... all year long
9. not being able to clone myself to help everyone
10. being away from good friends and family when things happen


Things I've learned.

• How to say y'all
• What TAKS means (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills)
• Patients
• To love cilantro
• To understand different dialects
• to wear black
• bigger is better
• always plan to leave early to get where you need to be
• don't leave wet clothes anywhere too long
• if you buy ice cream in the summer... drive home fast
• never get a traffic ticket...seriously, 8 hours of defensive driving
• plan on jury duty once a year
• to find short cuts when you go places
• and to appreciate lawn crews

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a happy Mother's Day. Mine was great! I made breakfast, but Rick did the dishes. He also made dinner for us. He brought home beautiful flowers for me on Saturday night. Got together with the kids for cheese cake later on. The grand kids got along really well.

Benz playing with dinosaurs.


Bay loves the Wii. They don't have one so any chance she gets she loves to play.



I think Isaac was tired, because he was content to watch Bay.

My house smells like a foral shop. Aren't they pretty?


My dishes came in the mail today. I love them!


A close up of the beehive embossed on them.


The kids got me 2 sets of dessert plates aren't they pretty? I will put them up on my wall the spring and summer to replace the Christmas plates I have hanging up.


Just another little reminder of my roots. I love to have things around that remind me of home. I love my family and appreciate all they do for me. So grateful for Brianne, and my daughters in-law for the wonderful Mothers they are to our 7 beautiful grand children. And for my own Mom, nothing can compare. She is a wonderful women.

PLAY BALL!

Had a lot of fun today taking pictures at Bay's ball game. Hadn't really used my new lens I got for Christmas yet. Got some cute pics today.

Lavell Edwards look.

Benz got little orange finger prints all over my white shorts and Dads white shirt! We loved every little smudge.

Thought it was great to wear big sisters batting helmet.

Benz loved playing catch with dad in between innings.


Bryn was as good as gold in her stroller. She pulled out her piggy, and made herself comfortable.

Love her chubby cheeks. She really looks like Bay in this one.


Bay getting ready for the pitch.

Cutest one on the bench.


Swing that bat and bust that ball!

Loved this one! Every girls dream!