The reality of never becoming a "Design Star."

As I made a reality stroll through my house this morning, some things became very clear. After being gone for a week, having company for a week, and getting sick for two weeks, I have a lot to catch up on. I saw that the floors needed to be mopped, toilets need to be scrubbed, dusting and vacuuming need to be done, and windows needed cleaning... Then I noticed two things that needed attention, but with some thought and hesitation I came to the conclusion, that just maybe these things weren't critical as the other list.


I am just sure that everyone is jealous of my cluttered fridge... ha ha ...it's surface is full of love notes, reminders, and cheery magnets. Even though I know it is time for some of these things to come down, they will soon be replaced with new treasures.


and....Who wouldn't want a Bishop's office set up on their dinning room table? At first I saw clutter, but then I saw something a lot more meaningful. I saw a Bishop who is trying so hard to serve the best he can. One who prepares diligently to speak to, counsel, and guide those he is in charge of. It put things into perspective for me. So for the time being...


The reality of being a "Design Star" is on permanent hold.

Random....

This are just random shots of our goings on while Jamie and Becky were here. Thought I would post them for memory sake, probably boring to everyone else...sorry.

Shopping for the girls a movie for the boys...I think we had more fun.

Jamie and Becky had missed the Tex-Mex in Houston so we had to hit all their favorites while they were here. Papasittos was the last night hurrah! The kids were great considering we waited 45 minutes to be seated. Bri and Becky enjoying a moment.
All the grand kids are becoming quite and chip and salsa eaters. Laynie

We had plenty of play time.

Note... where are all these children's fathers?

Feeding the crew lunch.

First night Becky and Jamie arrived it was Lupes.

Kids took the outside of the restaurant over.
Notice Ike diving in the fountain.

Laynie and Benz enjoying a ride on the cow.

Benz was so happy to see Aunt Becky.

Princess Laynie playing with Woody.

All seven celebration!

Looli made the kids matching outfits for the 4th of July. I was bound and determined to get a picture of all of them in their outfits. This was the best of 35....so there you go.

4th of July BASH!

We started out our celebration at Valley Ranch BBQ. It's one of our favorites. With all that is going on at the Morgan's and Wallace's we decided it was a great option. We feasted on our favoirtes...BBQ beef, ribs, links, turkey, or stuffed baked potatoes with all the fixins. Then it was off to Jarod's and Brianne's house for treats and fireworks.

Morgans and Wallaces at Valley Ranch...chow down.


The kids had time to play while it was still light. Bryn at the train table.


Kinda looks like a nursery doesn't it?


Baby Jake is cutting teeth, he was miserable.


Laynie didn't want anything to do with fireworks!


Benz and Brandon enjoying sparklers

Anticipation...Ike loved the fireworks!

Kids had so much fun we could have called it a night on this alone.

Morgan boys having a good time.

Gavin in his Statue of Liberty pose.

Bay having a good time.

My 4 runner was the fire works station.


Front row seats.

Boys and their toys!

The boys picked out a good variety of fireworks.

Happy 4th of July!

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.