A GOOD DAY FRIDAY!

Fri I didn't have Jr High school so Misty and I went tanning and then worked a little stuffing envelopes and then went to lunch and off to Mason's school to help the teacher with some demonstrations, which was quite fun. Then back home to play games and then go to Cabela's to shop! They have the best flavored licorice: green apple, cinnemon, grape, pina colada, and of course, black bits. No, I didn't buy ALL those flavors.......Misty bought the pina colada. I got a pound of fudge, 4 flavors: Moose Drool (choc with nuts and caramel), jalapeno (tastes like cool mint with a kick), marshmallow choc nut, and orange creme. All really healthy foods (sorry Katrina). I bought battery operated heated socks that have a battery pack for a D battery in each sock. They were in the clearance bin. Now I know why, they didn't work! Back they go.... Dan and Misty bought a perimeter dog warning system so their dog Tessa will stop digging in the garden! She'll wear a collar and if she gets within 3 feet of the wire she'll be buzzed. Oh yeah, before we stopped at Cabelas Dan took Misty to his new office in Lehi to meet his new boss! He has a new job. Really nice boss and staff according to Misty. I waited in the car with the kids and played games. After Cabelas we stopped at Chili's for chips and salsa. Theirs is so good! Back home for dinner and more games. I got home around 10 pm. Garn was off winter camping with the scouts so I stayed up til 12 on the computer!! Oh well, I got to sleep in today so it's all good. Dan leaves town next Fri for Chicago so it's back to Misty's for more tanning and games! Maybe we'll even hot tub....

Texas Pictures

Carden with his (red, of course) light saber. Carden, Ali, Haylie and Sadie

Ali is so done with pictures!

While I was in Texas...

Garn bought a BIG SCREEN TV. He said he also had a surprise for me but I couldn't figure it out. He had upgraded the memory foam mattress to a thicker one and I didn't even notice! Sorry Garn, guess I was too tired with jet lag to feel the difference. Now that I know, it does feel better!

Texas went way too fast!

Arrived Fri to 72 degree weather. Mandy and Jon took us all out to my favorite Italian restaurant Sicily's. It was great as usual.
Sat we got up and went to Sadie's Basketball game. Boy, can she dribble, shoot (she made the 1st basket of the game and more), steal, pass and rebound. I think her coach has a good influence on her. I personally know she was a great player in HS. (her mom, of course!) After that even though the weather took a turn for the worse we went to the outdoor "Trade Days" where they have tons of booths where people sell their wares and we got some cool deals. Mandy bought me a neat big cutting board made out of thick counter top tile in the shape of Texas! I love it! I got really nice pendants and the lady made earrings to match. I also bought socks that help with poor circulation and they really work! I got a great salsa that you mix with whipped cream cheese for a tasty dip that goes with crackers, chips or veggies. I even bought a sweatshirt to sleep in on cold winter nights. All in all we spent pretty much of Sat there. That night the family went Valentine giving to friends and neighbors and asked me to answer the door in case they got anything. The doorbell rang only once and nobody was there by the time I got it but someone left Valentines and dark chocolate ( my favorite) Ghiradelli on the step. I picked them up and was thinking how lucky they were to have such thoughtful neighbors when I glanced at the Valentines and they were all addressed to me! I was so amazed because I had just talked to Garn in Utah and he said that in the mail that day we both got cards from Mandy and Jon and the kids! What a treat!
Sun I stayed home with Carden and Ali, having congestion and Mandy and Jon got away for a quick overnighter while a friend took the older girls to church. We watched Madagasgar II and Amazing Race that night.
Mon I got the girls off to school and took the younger two to the park in the afternoon. We all bundled up cuz the weather was cold and the humidity makes the cold go right through you. Since we were all suffering from sinus problems I didn't want to make them or me worse. The weather got a little better so we had a great time.
Mon nights Mandy and Jon do a nice tradition of hiding a star under someone's plate at dinner and whoever gets it listens while everyone says something they like about that person. I got the star and each person was so sweet to say something thoughtful and then the star for the night has to say why they like themself. That's a bit more difficult but it's a great way to boost a person's confidence. I felt like I was the star all week-end!
Tue we went to the school to see Sadie on her morning broadcast team with the day's news. She even had a banner go across the screen saying Hi Grandma! She did a great job as an anchor. We dropped Carden off at preschool and ran some errands and all too soon it was time to pick him up and head home for lunch and then to the airport. At least the steward on Southwest was funny which made the trip going home bearable. I made friends with a lady and we had a great time chatting on the flight. I'll try to get pictures up soon. Once again I wish all my family were here together.

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to Texas I go....

This may not be good luck for everyone but I'm leaving for Texas on Fri the 13th! Southwest had such a great deal I couldn't pass it up so Valentine's Day will be warmer for me and I consider that VERY good luck! They're having a big trade fair in town so that means a lot of shopping! Garn will be staying home cuz of appointments he couldn't change but I'll only be gone 4 days, a quick trip but definitely worth it. See ya'll when I get back!

LAVA HOT SPRINGS

John and Mary Scott

Garn and Pat

The whole gang: Scotts, Michelle and John Paradise, Ken and Faith Adams, and of course Garn and me!

We look a little steamed!

Man, it's hard to come back to reality!

We had sooo much fun! There were 4 couples and we met up Fri. night at the hot pools in Lava after checking in the hotel in Pocatello. We stayed for about an hour and then went to eat. I ate too much and too late so the next morning I didn't go down to the breakfast and just had Garn bring me up a hot choc and banana. We strolled the town and also saw where one of the couples stayed the night before. It's called The Lion's Gate Bed and Breakfast and has theme rooms like Anniversary Inn. There was a Phantom room that even had the image of the phantom in the mirror. You had to descend down curved stairs to the room and cross a fake lake that had the sound of running water and the huge jetta tub filled from the ceiling. They had a red box seating room to view movies that had red velvet couches and a red cord that you could put across to reserve your private showings.. That was just one room. Their eating area for the breakfast was an elaborately set table with high backed chairs and the couple said they served a huge breakfast with all the fixings including heart shaped choc chip waffles. It's a cool bed and breakfast right in Lava. Sat we went back to the springs and got an all day pass. Before that, we strolled around town and did a little shopping, then went out to lunch and to the pools then back to Pocatello for a rest and then back to Lava at the White Wolf restaurant where we played Bingo with all proceeds going to the senior citizen's center in town. 2 of our friends won some money and we all laughed and had a great time. On the last game it was black out and Garn had only 1 number left when someone yelled Bingo! Man, was he disappointed!! By then it was around 10 pm so we headed back to the hot pools and soaked for about 45 min and went back to the hotel and crashed. You sure sleep better after hot tubbing! Got up this morning and headed home, totally relaxed! We keep saying we have to do this more than once a year!