Utah

We left for Utah on Wednesday, July 22nd. Drove to Boise and spent the night, had a lovely FREE breakfast at the hotel we stayed in, and arrived in Salt Lake City at Jeffrey's apartment about 6 hours later (maybe 5 hours later--I lose track of time when I'm doing most of the sleeping and Dewey is doing all of the driving). It's the first time we've been to Jeffrey's new apartment, and we discovered it is very close to the freeway and very easy to find.



We dropped off his big care package, visited for a while, and made arrangements when to see him again. Arrived at Devin and Carl's around four. We beat the rush hour traffic from Salt Lake to Springville--yay.

Hayden is growing so fast and is so beautiful!



We had a great time with her. We read to her,

and babysat her while her mom and dad took some together time.



We played, went on walks, and went to the BYU Bookstore among a other fun things.

We ate and ate and ate! We had Mexican food twice: once at Bajio and then the next day at Maria Bonita.

We had a "J Dawg" at our favorite hot dog stand just off the BYU campus.

The most Delicious hot dogs ever.

We went to Jeff's pizza place, Este's.





He made us the best pizzas we have had in a very long time.



Maybe the best pizzas ever.





We also had a Thai meal one night.

On Sunday we went to church and then made ribs and corn on the cob.

All this doesn't include the treats we had. I do have to mention that BYU makes the best chocolate covered chocolate donuts I've ever tasted.

We only had one each.

Hayden is like her Grandpa Owens. She has her own agenda. While at the BYU Bookstore she walked all over the place and didn't care if we were right beside her or not.



I really need to walk more than I do (and I think I'm walking a lot now) so I can keep up with her. She loved the balls and would find them and carry them around for awhile. She's going to be either a basketball player or a soccer player or a volleyball player or anything she wants to be player. She may even be a Queen of Love and Beauty someday (that's for you Carl!).

During Sacrament on Sunday one of the Sacrament speakers talked about the old (1850) pioneer cemetery in Spanish Fork that had been restored by the Boy Scouts, the city and the county. It sounded intriguing so later that day Devin, Hayden, Ella, Buddy and I went out to find it. Actually we started out to go and feed the ducks but got sidetracked and went in search of the Pioneer Cemetery. With a little telephone help from Dewey (and the Internet) who stayed home with Carl we found it. We didn't expect to see what we found.

It was beautifully restored with a rock fence and a statue, planted trees and shrubs and grass.



It overlooked a river valley with the mountains in the background. What a wonderful memorial to those early Saints who sacrificed so much.

The duck pond was our next stop and it was a pretty place by an industrial park.



We were in Utah on Pioneer Day, however we did not go to the parades or see fireworks. Carl had a holiday and we enjoyed spending the day with him. That's the day we drove to Salt Lake and had pizza with Jeffrey.

We couldn't be in Utah without spending some time at Costco.

I know, we're pitiful, but that is always fun.



One day we went to PetSmart for the dogs and Hayden. I also saw the place where Devin takes her recyclables. Way to go Devin.

We took walks and bought bread at our favorite bakery in Springville.

And the list goes on. We visited Carl in his office at BYU where Devin and Carl did their usual dance greeting.

We watched Coraline in 3D--well at least Dewey and Devin watched it in 3D but Carl and I took off our glasses and, even though some things were blurry, I liked it better.



The colors were brighter without the blue and red glasses.

We had a fun moment with Ella. When we were packing up and getting ready to drive away, Carl, Devin, Hayden and Ella were on the steps waving goodbye to us when all of a sudden Ella sneaked down and ran past the parked cars and jumped into our car. When Devin started to retrieve her she started barking as if to say "I want to go home with them". It made us feel good that she loves us that much. We kept asking Carl and Devin if we could take her home with us for awhile but Devin was afraid they would miss her too much. Buddy and Ella are best friends and play perfectly together.



Is there something wrong with us? My grandsons can't stay with us for a few weeks and now my grand dog can't either. Well, maybe someday.

Buddy had a first while we were visiting. He didn't have to go into his crate while we were out. With Ella being a good example they both were free to play, sleep or whatever while we were gone.



When we returned home we discovered that it was hotter here in Puyallup than in Utah. On Wednesday the 29th of July we hit an all time record high.

Over 100 degrees. We are not used to that kind of heat here. Not enough air conditioning-- especially in our house. Whew!

Thanks Devin, Carl, Hayden and Jeffrey. We had a fantastic time!!!!!!

Our Blueberries

We have four blueberry bushes but one of them isn't doing good.



I think the weed trimmer has traumatized it. I want to plant a few more. I love blueberries and picking them. This is my first big pick of the summer off our three producing berry bushes.

This is one of my favorite things about summer here in Puyallup--the blueberries and picking them.

So with a few more bushes and a few more summers I should get as many blueberries as we need. Buddy likes the bushes too.

Six Boys and Me (and Kitty Too)

For a whole week I had six of my boys (and Kitty) with me.

Spencer, Spencer II and Connor arrived on the Fourth of July.

We have been telling Spencer since the first year we were here in Puyallup that he should celebrate the 4th with us. He finally made it and boy did we have a BLAST. Since he is only allowed Safe and Sane fireworks in California it was a real treat to celebrate the 4th in our county neighborhood where it looks and sounds like a war zone. Okay, not that bad, but it is loud and the fireworks go on until midnight.

We splurged this year and bought a lot.

Little Spencer and Connor had a ball but I think Spencer had the best time of all.

Paul had to work that night so it was Dewey, Spencer, Little Spencer, Connor, Buddy and me. Kitty was in the house somewhere. I was very proud of Buddy. He didn't seem to mind all the noise and flashes of light. We had barbecue ribs and the trimmings for dinner. I made homemade vanilla ice cream and everyday after Connor wanted my FRESH made ice cream. He liked it best when it was soft and before putting it in the freezer but he had it hard frozen too, but I think he really wanted me to make a fresh-made batch every day. We went to the Farmer's Market earlier in the day because there is a place where the boys can decorate their own bird house, but we arrived to find them not there that day. I guess they were somewhere else for the 4th. A consolation was some delicious shaved ice. They both chose red and blue flavors--appropriate for Independence Day.



I had a wonderful time having my grandsons in Primary with me. Since I'm the chorister I was with them for all of sharing time. We sang and sang and sang.

On Monday Spencer, Paul and Andrea (Paul's girlfriend) went to the mountains. They got some great pictures and it was a beautiful day for a hike.



Meanwhile back home, Dewey, Connor, Little Spencer and I went to see "UP". The boys had seen it but were happy to go and see it again with grandpa and grandma who had not seen it. What a cute movie. The dogs were so funny in it.

Tuesday was Dewey's birthday.

We celebrated with Hawaiian food, cake, ice cream and presents.

Spencer and Paul (and Andrea) took Dewey to the Mariners' game. They had great seats, first row, down the first base line.

Right behind the ball girl who they got to talk to the whole game.

Unfortunately the Mariners lost to the Orioles and they never got a foul ball to them so the boys and I didn't see them on TV, but they enjoyed it.



We bought a blow up mattress and Connor and Spencer slept on it and stayed on it all night. I was very proud of them. It's quite comfortable.

Spencer, Connor, Little Spencer and I went to see "Ice Age:Dawn of the Dinosaurs" in 3D. A fun movie. I like anything with dinosaurs. We went for Chinese after the movie...YUM YUM!!!!

On Thursday we went to Seattle and the Pacific Science Center.

We even took Buddy and he went in with us.



I carried him the entire time. When we went to the IMAX to see "Animalopolist", Paul took him out to walk.

Also, Dewey and I took turns when we went to the Butterfly exhibit.



That was my favorite part. Real butterflies flying all around and beautiful plants and flowers.

While in Seattle we ate outside at one of the restaurant on the Pier.

We were going to ride a ferry and Connor was not happy about that but in the end we missed the ferry by a few minutes and all was right with Connor and the world.

We went to Spencer's favorite park. I think Connor likes it too. It is Wildwood Park and there is a wonderful play area and the greatest tree in the whole world to play on and around.

Paul met us there and took Connor and Buddy for a walk. Connor wanted to walk and Spencer wanted to play with the kids there so when Paul showed up Spencer got his wish and Connor his. The park has a little stream going through it and a nice playground. I wanted to take them to my favorite park called Bradley Lake Park but we ran out of time.

We had Sunday donuts and Saturday waffles and chocolate chip cookies and Rice Crispy treats and lots of other stuff. Spencer sometimes went to the gym twice a day to burn off all the calories. We played in the back yard and went for walks and we had a grand time being able to be grandma and grandpa in person. We would have loved for them to stay longer but it didn't work out this visit. Maybe next summer. I am sure I missed something but we had a full and wonderful week. I am thankful Dewey was able to spend three vacation days home with us.

I am thankful for the visit from my California boys. I am thankful for my family.

Harry Potter

We just got back from seeing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

It was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to get that in before I write my post of the boys visit last week that I have been procrastinating about. Dewey and I really had a good time at the movie. He has been waiting for two years to see it since they postponed it from last November.

Dewey is a BIG Harry Potter fan.

This may be my favorite of the Harry Potter movies.