On the banks of the mighty Mississippi....

We took our flyer miles and hopped a jet for Kansas to see Alicia and Brian who are starting a new life of graduate school in the land of Oz.We were first treated to a few numbers on the Kansas State University Organ by our favorite and most handsome son in law, Brian. Ate a few cookies by his sweet, clever wife and looked around Lawrence. We were impressed with the campus and this impressive bld.

It is a beautiful building constructed specifically for the organ... no pianos allowed.

As we drove along the green roadways of Kansas, and then Missouri, I was astounded once more with the beauty of this country. Yes, there are wide wheat fields but there are long pastures and fields and fields of green. And having lived in the desert for the past 11 years, I admit, I have missed the GREEN.

We stopped on a quiet hill and walked a little trail to the site of ADAM-Ondi-ahman....it was peaceful and serene.

It was a beautiful place and the "residents" were quite calm and friendly....
Then it was back in the car for more miles, and more miles. We got in around 11ish and found the missionaries still badged and waiting like they had just got home. IT WAS SO GREAT TO SEE MY MOM AND DAD!!!
We got up early the next day and met some of the locals....It was wonderful to meet and smell em....( only a farm girl would say that!)










We took a carriage ride and loved it.



ELDER TIBBITTS talked "shop" with the handler.

We were able to go to the new temple and do a session with our 3 generations.... now that was WAY COOL. (and that climbing to the top of the spiral staircase was pretty breathtaking-the view and the huffing and puffing.)

We went to the visitors center and I couldn't help but contrast the time I had been there before when Alicia was just 2 and Steven was turning 5. We were on our way to Florida.

This is now-looks like someone has been gardening.....

There was this really nice looking ,friendly missionary couple sitting there in the shade....
We then followed Parley Street to the end and took a long look at the mighty river.....Mom says she is really going to miss it. I suspect she will leave a part of her heart there....



We got up the next morning and attended Sacrament meeting with them....everyone was warm and friendly...they get trained to do that...



Here's that daughter of mine....trying for the favorite grandchild spot....
Then we were off in the car again-headed towards Carthage. It is always sobering and yet peaceful. The grounds just felt sacred.


Then we were "on the road again" and we stopped for a FINE Sunday dinner at a royal resturant....and it was time to get the queen home. We had eaten all the Twizzlers and cookies we brought. There is no place like home....

Pink and Purple Pony-ness

One of the greatest blessings of this move was being able to see my kids more often. And yes, with only a few days under our belt here, we were thrilled to see some Coloradoans on our doorstep! MY FAVORITE ONES...

We just moved some boxes over and let everyone in.....we had a special occasion to celebrate!

ELLA TURNED THREE!!
and we had some party making to do.

Alicia and Brian came up from Provo (he is our new " BYU Masters Degree" guy) and they brought our newest BYU coed...Rachel. They can make a mean Pica De Guyo (SP!!!) Some party decorations came in the form of "Let's help Dad with the new flat screen television." Thanks to Steven for loaning his brain and brawn for that one!

We asked our best photographers to come and snap the event...the tension was building and it was about more than the three year old to be could handle...and well everyone else wanted cake.

She opened lots of pink packages and got lots of ponies...



We sang, we ate cake, we laughed a bunch and Ella rode away into a pink and purple sunset.

(Well only to the deck and back...) What a perfect day! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!!

A big ole slice of LIFE....

Yeah, I know it's been quite a while since I've posted...we moved out of our Washington house and into a hotel, and then across 3 states to the Idaho beautiful but boonies, and then into Don's Salt Lake City downtown apartment and then finally into our new digs in South Jordan. But somehow it wasn't that simple...let's just say that a picture is worth a bunch of words....

Reality smacks you in the face when the big orange truck pulls up to the curb....

leaving Washington in the rear view mirror was NOT easy....Stacey and I boo hooed for quite awhile....then Idaho came into view-We made some new friends....they loved the carrots we brought. All the rain in the Lost River Valley made it beautiful and green. It was wonderful to see water in the river.... We made a day trip to see the "National Craters of the Moon"....some things never change. Then it was back in the truck for more moving....to Don's apartment in the city. Goodbye, Idaho and visiting the City Library for our internet fix....Here is home...at last. (Check out that NICE lawn...)
I also had to make a street sign so everyone could find us....including the ambulance-See those "pods"? There were 4 truckloads with 4 of them on each. YIKES..man, Don has lots of stuff. And then there was the "sink" incident.....way to welcome us in. Grass day was a real upper....
We are now in....and trying this new life. It is a challenge...stay posted.